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Aristobulus I

Judah Aristobulus I, or Aristobulus I (Ἀριστόβουλος was the High Priest of Israel and the first Hasmonean king of Judaea, reigning from 104 BCE until his death the following year. He was the eldest of the five sons of John Hyrcanus, the previous leader. The Roman-Jewish historian Josephus states that he was the first Jew in "four hundred and eighty-three years and three months" to have established a monarchy since the return from the Babylonian captivity. Aristobulus was the first Hebrew king to claim both the high priesthood and the kingship. The Sadducees and the Essenes were not concerned about Aristobulus taking the title of king, but the Pharisees, believing that the kingship could only be held by the descendants of the Davidic line, strongly opposed this. They launched a massive rebellion, but Aristobulus died before any attempt to depose him could be made.

The major sources on Aristobulus's life from antiquity are Josephus's The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews. His reign is particularly noted for the Judaization of Galilee and the native Semitic people called the Ituraeans. Josephus, quoting from Strabo's Historica Hypomnemata, described Aristobulus's regime as kindly and "very serviceable to the Jews" on account of his conquests and the integration of "a portion of the Ituraean nation whom he joined to them by the bond of circumcision."

Etymology
The name Aristobulus is of Greek origin and is an epithet meaning "best-advising." Aristobulus I was the first Hasmonean to adopt the name, but his Hebrew name was Judah. He was also referred to as Philhellene, meaning he was an admirer of Greek culture. Josephus does not explain why he was called this.

Early campaigns and monarchy established
Aristobulus and his brother Antigonus were entrusted by their father, John Hyrcanus, with the conquest of Samaria. They laid siege to the city and, when the inhabitants requested aid from the Seleucid Empire, defeated a relief army led by Antiochus IX Cyzicenus. Antiochus successfully escaped to Scythopolis, but the brothers captured Samaria towards the end of John's reign, razing the city and enslaving its inhabitants. Their forces subsequently captured Scythopolis and the entire region south of Mount Carmel.

According to John Hyrcanus's instructions, the country was to be placed in the hands of his wife after his death, and Aristobulus was originally to receive only the high priesthood. Instead, Aristobulus had his mother imprisoned, where she starved to death, thereby securing for himself both the high priesthood and the kingship. He then imprisoned all of his brothers, except for Antigonus, to protect himself from possible familial retaliation.

Josephus does not name Hyrcanus's wife. He states that Aristobulus and Antigonus were the eldest of the five brothers, but that Aristobulus was the firstborn. The other three were Alexander Jannaeus, Absalom, and a fifth brother, whom Josephus mentions but does not name.

Conquest of Galilee
Aristobulus had gone to war against the Ituraeans and taken territory from them. The conquered Ituraeans were compelled to accept Jewish law and circumcision in order to remain on their land. The Ituraeans had been an Arab tribe that expanded southwards from the Lebanese Beq'a into the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon in the fourth century BCE following the collapse of the Seleucid Empire. They are first mentioned in Josephus's Antiquities 13.319 during Aristobulus I's conquest, where Josephus writes, "He brought over to them a portion of the Ituraean nation."

Josephus's Antiquities 13.319 is a quote from Strabo's Historica Hypomnemata, which was originally written by Timagenes and states, "This man was a kindly person and very serviceable to the Jews, for he acquired additional territory for them and brought over to them a portion of the Ituraean nation, whom he joined to them by the bond of circumcision." This passage has been generally accepted as evidence for Josephus's reliance on Strabo and Timagenes's writings. The exact location of the confrontation and the territory that the Ituraeans occupied are unknown. Most scholars assume the Ituraean territory to be northern Galilee. According to Kenneth Atkinson, there is no evidence of forced Judaization in Galilee during Aristobulus's reign.

Feast of Tabernacles
With sudden abdominal pains, Aristobulus's health gradually deteriorated, compelling him to return to his palace during the festival of Sukkot. His brother Antigonus would eventually return to Jerusalem to celebrate the festival at the Temple. Unfamiliar with ceremonial festivities, Antigonus arrived armed with escorting soldiers. According to Kenneth Atkinson, Antigonus had returned from a successful, unspecified military campaign. He further states that Josephus did not mention the location of the campaign. Atkinson presumes it to be Galilee since Antigonus had fine armour and military decorations procured in the region, as stated in Josephus's Jewish War 1.76.

In his morbid state, Aristobulus fell prey to the factious influence of his wife, Queen Salome Alexandra, and conspirators; they had spread rumours about Antigonus attempting to seize the throne once he was seen in armour at the festival. Wearing a military uniform was considered unorthodox during the occasion, was then informed by "evil men" that his brother was sending soldiers to murder him and Aristobulus became estranged from Antigonus after he heard this rumour. Aristobulus was then informed by "evil men" that his brother was sending citadel ofs to murder him. Believing the report, he lowered himself in the fortified citadel Baris, which was molested and had defensive towers.

Death of Antigonus and Aristobulus
The queen, contemplating the possibility of being tortured and killed if Antigonus became king once Aristobulus died from his deteriorating health, deliberately advised Antigonus to enter, armed, into a meeting with his brother. However, he had been summoned to address suspicions of conspiracy against his brother's life. The queen had bribed the messenger whom Aristobulus sent to his brother; she altered the original message. Instead of having Antigonus arrive at his brother's palace unarmed, she suggested that Antigonus should wear his new body armour, which he had made in Galilee as a presentation upon Aristobulus's request. Incensed with suspicion at finding his brother armed, Aristobulus killed his brother. In frantic regret at this rash execution, Aristobulus's health drastically declined until his death shortly thereafter. Queen Salome then released Aristobulus's brothers, selecting Alexander Jannaeus as the next king.

Coinage
The minting of Hasmonean coins did not commence until the leadership of John Hyrcanus. Like his father, Aristobulus minted his coins solely with the title of the high priesthood, using Hebrew inscriptions. It was not until Alexander Jannaeus that both the roles of kingship and the high priesthood were minted onto the coins.

The majority of Aristobulus's coins were discovered primarily in the regions of Galilee and Golan; the largest quantity of coins originated from Gamla. By 2016, archaeologists had unearthed thirty coins at Gamla, the largest quantity to date. The majority of these coins were minted during his actual reign, while a small number were minted afterwards.

The numismatic evidence does not suggest that Aristobulus assumed the title of king. There is also the possibility that the coins could be attributed to Aristobulus II (67–63 BCE), who was also a king and high priest. However, the longstanding debate has leaned more towards Aristobulus I, since new numismatic evidence indicates that Aristobulus I had his coins minted with the name "Judah".

Due to his short reign of one year, only a small number of coins bearing the name "Judah" are available. Ya'akov Meshorer categorised them into two groups. Twenty coins are inscribed with "Jehudah the high priest and the assembly of the Jews", and another seven with the inscriptions of "Jehudah the high priest and the assembly of the Jews". Each coin has a value of one prutah and bears the inscriptions in a wreath. On the opposite side, there is a cornucopia with pomegranates between them. The inscriptions on his coins are almost identical to those on the coins of his father and his brother Alexander Jannaeus.

Doubts concerning Josephus's assertion that Aristobulus was the first Hasmonean monarch are indicated by his coins, which do not contain the title of "king." Josephus's statement also conflicts with Strabo, who states that Alexander Jannaeus was the first king rather than a high priest. However, no Hasmonean relinquished the high priesthood in favour of the kingship.

According to Kenneth Atkinson, Alexander Jannaeus faced opposition for having the kingship title minted on his coins. Alexander had many of those coins overstruck to replace the kingship title with the high priesthood. Atkinson considers the overstruck coins as evidence that the title of "king" was still problematic during Alexander's reign. Atkinson concludes that "the absence of any royal designation on Aristobulus's coins does not indicate that he was never an actual monarch."

Legacy and historical debates
The brief yet impactful reign of Aristobulus I left a lasting imprint on the Hasmonean dynasty, sparking historical debates about his true status as a monarch. While Josephus asserts that Aristobulus was the first Hasmonean king, numismatic evidence complicates this claim. The coins minted during Aristobulus's rule do not bear the title of "king," fueling doubts about his royal status. This discrepancy aligns with conflicting accounts from Strabo, who credits Alexander Jannaeus as the inaugural Hasmonean king. The enduring debate hinges on the intricacies of Hasmonean leadership, with scholars pondering whether Aristobulus held both the high priesthood and kingship simultaneously. The absence of the royal designation on his coins, reminiscent of the later hesitancy seen in Alexander Jannaeus's reign, adds a layer of complexity to understanding the political dynamics within the Hasmonean rule.

Historical significance and religious tensions
The dual assertion of high priesthood and kingship by Aristobulus I not only fueled debates among historians but also heightened religious tensions during his reign. The Pharisees, staunch believers in the Davidic lineage as the rightful kings, vehemently opposed Aristobulus's claims to the throne. This ideological conflict resulted in a massive rebellion initiated by the Pharisees, seeking to depose Aristobulus. However, his untimely death pre-empted any resolution to this religious and political turmoil. The clash between traditionalist Pharisees and the Hasmonean monarch set the stage for subsequent power struggles within the Jewish community, contributing to the complex socio-political landscape of the time. Thus, the legacy of Aristobulus I extends beyond the numismatic uncertainties, encompassing the intricate interplay between religious convictions and political ambitions that characterised this pivotal period in Judean history.

title: Aristobulus I


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Yukari Tamura

Yukari Tamura (田村 ゆかり) is a Japanese voice actress and singer affiliated with Amuleto (formerly Arts Vision and I'm Enterprise). She debuted as a voice actress in 1997, releasing her debut single "Yūki o Kudasai" on March 26, 1997.

Biography
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture, Tamura gained fame as an advocate for the Lolita fashion movement, wearing Lolita-style clothing in public, as well as for her music releases, often in music videos and on the covers of her CD releases. Affectionately called Yukarin by her fans, several of her releases have been used as opening and ending themes for anime series, while some have reached the Oricon top 100 singles and album charts. In 2001, Tamura formed a unit called Yamato Nadeshiko alongside Yui Horie. Two singles were released, Mō Hitori no Watashi and Merry Merrily - the latter of which was an insert song in the Love Hina Christmas Special.

On January 1, 2007, her talent management agency changed from Arts Vision to I'm Enterprise, a subsidiary of Arts Vision. On April 1, 2007, her record company officially changed from Konami to King Records. However, there was no material effect for her, because the actual record production of Konami is carried out by King Records. She has also featured as a narrator of Japanese anime satellite television network Animax.

In February 2016, Tamura's agency announced that a concert which had been announced during a Niconico livestream was cancelled in 2015. Her management also announced that her fan club would change ownership and her radio programs would end. Her staff's Twitter account would be closed and her website would undergo maintenance. On February 13, 2016, her management announced that her contract with King Records would end on March 20, 2016. She changed her agency once more from I'm Enterprise to Amuleto.

Dubbing roles

 * 1999-01-21 || Sharp sword Ranma Ya || Chihiro Okochi || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 1999-04-23 || Sengoku Pretty picture scroll sky the kill! ! Chapter - of spring breeze || Cheeper || PC ||
 * 1999-08-05 || L of the season -A piece of memories- || Yumikura Sayaka || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 1999-09-02 || Little Lovers SHE SO GAME || Maiko Ito || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2000-04-05 || RPG Maker 2000 sample game "Bride of the crown." || Rocca || PC ||
 * 2000-12-07 || Burn! Justice Gakuen || Edit character woman || DC ||
 * 2005-03-11 || Angelic Vale || Soleil, Etoile || PC ||
 * 2001-01-19 || Angelic Concert || Klinon Rivale || PC ||
 * 2004-12-03 || Angelic Concert - Encore || Klinon Rivale || PC ||
 * 2001-08-10 || Flame Our Lady ~ The Virgin on Megiddo ~ || HanaRyuintomoe || DC ||
 * 2001-11-15 || Mar DE jigsaw || Miao-Kalkan skiing || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2002-03-28 || Pounding assembled a photo opportunity - love of puzzle & || Ryoko Sato || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2003-03-28 || Dancing Sword Flash || Mimi || Other ||
 * 2003-04-24 || Mar Jan! ! || Miao / Chocolat || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2003-04-24 || Only you Riberukurusu || RinUraraRan || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2003-07-31 || Sakura ~ Yukitsuki Hana ~ || Asuka Izumo || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2003-08-28 || Bistro Cupid 2 || Nemesia Wormwood || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2003-11-27 || Blow insecticide! ! Hui Hui's || ID-3 Hui Hui's cool || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2005-08-25 || White Princess the second || Sakura 乃穂 乃華 || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2005-08-26 || Princess Concerto || Alto || PC ||
 * 2005-02-17 || New Century Hero War || Egusa YoshiMakoto || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2008-04-24 || Cleaning Clean Keeper || Kyoko Natsukawa || Wii ||
 * 2008-09-01 || Pink War pylon || Takaoka Mikoto || PC ||
 * 2008-11-20 || Love of the maiden and patron Tate -The shield of AIGIS- || Wakana Ayanokoji || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2009-06-18 || Elemental Stone of Fortune Samonazu ~ Aruche ~ Deluxe || Aruche plum field || PC ||
 * 2009-08-06 || Item getter-relationship of our science and magic - || Isabel · W · Florence || DS ||
 * 2009-10-01 || Osouji Sentai Clean Keeper H || Kyoko Natsukawa || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2010-02-25 || Game Book DS Aquarian Age Perpetual Period || Ruuryi || DS ||
 * 2010-07-15 || Armed Shinki Battle Masters || Ida || PSP ||
 * 2010-07-29 || Tate Portable with love maiden patron || Wakana Ayanokoji || PSP ||
 * 2011-04-28 || Story of the last promise || Sereguriasu-Tina Yggdrasil || PSP ||
 * 2011-05-27 || Cyberpunk Takeshi 侠片 Kikoku Street || AnaMizuhoUrara / Mazu / Benetonashu / Petrushka / lasya / Ruili || PC ||
 * 2012-01-19 || Heroes Fantasia || Midori Sugiura || PSP ||
 * 2012-02-16 || Ultimate escape ADV good Shiboudesu || Yotsuba || DS ||
 * 2012-02-23 || Nendoroid Jenere ~ tion || Takamachi || PSP ||
 * 2013-01-31 || I love 0 kilometers Portable ja:恋愛0キロメートル || Ozawa Me瑠 || PSP ||
 * 2014-08-28 || I love 0 kilometers V || Ozawa Me瑠 || Other ||
 * 2013-09-26 || Trajectory of The Legend of Heroes blende || Misty || ||
 * 2013-10-31 || Cat that does not laugh with the transformation prince. || Tube hidden horsetail || PSP ||
 * 2014-09-25 || Trajectory of The Legend of Heroes blende II || Vita Chlothilde || ||
 * 2015-04-30 || White coat of love addiction || Sakuya Takeda || Other ||
 * 2015-10-15 || Seventh Dragon III code: VFD || Emeru / Hypnos / Character Voice || DS ||
 * 2015-11-26 || Blade Arcs from Shining EX || Misty || ||
 * 2015-11-26 || Goes! || Boy of the ivory tower away atmosphere || Other ||
 * || Pokka Lemon CM || Remonman || Other ||
 * 2005-05-27 || Sakura: Setsugetsuka || Asuka Izumo || PC ||
 * 1998-04-16 || Eiyuu Shigan Gal Act Heroism || Nene || SS ||
 * 2011-04-07 || Are you Alice? || Lingering affection || PSP ||
 * 2004-08-26 || Monochrome || Chitose Kirioka || PS1/PS2 ||
 * 2015-08-27 || Himawari: Pebble in the Sky || Aqua || Other ||
 * 2001 || Tomak～Save the Earth～Love Story || Yumi || NOTABILITY
 * 2003 || Ichigeki Sacchu!! HoiHoi-san || Hoihoi-san
 * 2005 || White Princess the Second – Hanoka Sakurano
 * 2006 || Blade Dancer: Sennen no Yakusoku || Tess
 * 2006 || Rumble Roses XX – Lambda
 * 2009 || Fortune Summoners Deluxe – Arche
 * 2011 || Kikokugai -Reichin Rinrinshan- – Ruili Kong
 * 2011 || Saigo no Yakusoku no Monogatari – Celes
 * 2012 || Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward – Clover
 * 2014 || Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Kasukabe Eiga Stars! – Nohara Himawari (Adult Version)
 * 2016 || Island - Rinne Ohara
 * Happy Tree Friends (Mondo Media) (animated TV series (Japanese)) – Giggles, Petunia (since starts 2002, as debut in Japan)
 * Back at the Barnyard (Nickelodeon / Nicktoons) (animated TV series (Japanese)) – Etta (since starts 2008, as debut in Japan)
 * Special Agent Oso (Playhouse Disney Junior / Disney Channel) (animated TV series (Japanese)) – Special Agent Dotty (since starts 2011, as debut in Japan)
 * Stressed Eric – Claire Feeble, Heather Perfect, Various
 * Totally Spies! – Britney
 * Two of a Kind – Megan

Studio albums

 * 1997: What's New, Pussycat?
 * 2001: Tenshi wa Hitomi no Naka ni
 * 2002: Hana-furi Tsukiyo to Koi-youbi.
 * 2003: Aozora ni Yureru Mitsugetsu no Kobune.
 * 2005: Kohaku no Uta, Hitohira
 * 2006: Gin no Senritsu, Kioku no Mizuoto.
 * 2008: Izayoi no Tsuki, Canaria no Koi.
 * 2009: Komorebi no Rosette
 * 2010: Citron no Ame
 * 2011: Haru Machi Soleil
 * 2013: Rasen no Kajitsu
 * 2020: Candy tuft
 * 2021: Ai Kotoba

Mini albums

 * 2013: Hatsukoi (nominally by Yuka Kagurazaka)
 * 2014: Doki Doki ☆ π Pine (nominally by Yuka Kagurazaka)
 * 2015: Hito Natsu no Himitsu (nominally by Yuka Kagurazaka)
 * 2017: Princess Limited

Compilation albums

 * 2003: True Romance
 * 2007: Sincerely Dears...
 * 2012: Everlasting Gift
 * 2015: Early Years Collection

DVDs

 * 2002: Sweet chick girl
 * 2004: Peachy Cherry Pie
 * 2004: Yukari Tamura Summer Live 2004 - Sugar Time Trip
 * 2006: Cutie Cutie Concert 2005 at Tokyo International Forum
 * 2007: Yukari Tamura Live 2006-2007 Pinkle Twinkle☆Milky Way
 * 2008: Love Live: Chelsea Girl

Blu-ray discs and DVDs

 * 2009: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Dreamy Maple Crown*
 * 2010: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Princess à la mode*
 * 2011: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Mary Rose* & *Starry☆Candy☆Stripe*
 * 2012: LOVE ♡ LIVE *I Love Rabbit*
 * 2013: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Fall in Love*
 * 2013: 17sai dayo?! Yukari-chan Matsuri!!
 * 2014: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Cute'n ♡ Cute'n Heart*
 * 2014: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Fruits Fruits ♡ Cherry* & *Caramel Ribbon*
 * 2015: LOVE ♡ LIVE *Lantana in the Moonlight*

Singles

 * 1997: "Yūki wo Kudasai"
 * 1997: "We Can Fly" (duet with Yuria Hama)
 * 1997: "Kagayaki no Kisetsu"
 * 1998: "Rebirth: Megami Tensei"
 * 1999: "Kitto Ieru"
 * 2001: "Summer Melody"
 * 2002: "Love Parade"
 * 2002: "Baby's Breath"
 * 2003: "Lovely Magic"
 * 2003: "Nemurenu Yoru ni Tsukamaete"
 * 2003: "My Life is Great"
 * 2004: "Yumemizuki no Alice"
 * 2004: "Sugar time trip"
 * 2004: "Little Wish ~lyrical step~"
 * 2005: "Koi seyo Onnanoko"
 * 2005: "Picnic"
 * 2005: "Spiritual Garden"
 * 2006: "Dōwa Meikyū"
 * 2006: "Princess Rose"
 * 2007: "Hoshizora no Spica"
 * 2007: "Mahō Shōjo Magical-tan"
 * 2007: "Beautiful Amulet"
 * 2008: "S·A·G·A ~Rinne no Hate ni~"
 * 2008: "Mon chéri"
 * 2008: "Bambino Bambina"
 * 2008: "Tomorrow"
 * 2009: "Metausa-hime: Kuro Yukari Ōkoku Misa"
 * 2009: "You & Me"
 * 2010: "My Wish My Love"
 * 2010: "Oshiete A to Z"
 * 2011: "Platinum Lover's Day"
 * 2011: "Merōn Ondo: Festival of Kingdom"
 * 2011: "Endless Story"
 * 2012: "Hohoemi no Plumage"
 * 2013: "W:Wonder Tale"
 * 2013: "Fantastic Future"
 * 2014: "Himitsu no door kara ai ni kite"
 * 2014: "Anone Love me Do"
 * 2015: "Sukidatte ienakute"
 * 2018: "Koi wa Tenshi no Chime kara"
 * 2018: "Eien no Hitotsu"
 * 2018: "Tears Echo"
 * 2020: "Catch you Cats Me"
 * 2021: "Pink Pygmalion"
 * 2021: "Que SeraSera"

Personal concerts

 * 2003: *First Live -Aozora ni Yureru Mitsugetsu no Kobune.-*
 * 2004: Summer Live☆2004 *Sugar Time Trip*
 * 2004-2005: Countdown Event 2004-2005 *Chiisa na Onegai☆Chiisa na Ippo*
 * 2005: Live Tour 2005 *Spring fever*
 * 2005: *Cutie♡Cutie Concert* 2005
 * 2006: Concert Tour 2006 *fancy baby doll*
 * 2006: *Pinkle☆Twinkle Party* 2006 Winter
 * 2007: 2007 Summer *Sweet Milky Way*
 * 2008: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2008 *Chelsea Girl*
 * 2009: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2009 *Dreamy Maple Crown*
 * 2009-2010: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2009-2010 *Princess à la mode*
 * 2010: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2010 *STARRY☆CANDY☆STRIPE*
 * 2011: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2011 Spring *Mary Rose*
 * 2012: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2012 *I Love Rabbit*
 * 2012: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2012 Autumn *Fall in Love*
 * 2013: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2013 *Cute'n ♡ Cute'n Heart*
 * 2013: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2013 Autumn *Caramel Ribbon*
 * 2014: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2014 Spring *Fruits Fruits ♡ Cherry*
 * 2015: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2015 Winter *Lantana in the Moonlight*
 * 2015: LOVE ♡ LIVE 2015 Spring *Sunny side Lily*
 * 2017: 20th Anniversary LOVE ♡ LIVE 2017 *Crescendo ♡ Carol*

Other concerts

 * Animelo Summer Live 2008
 * Animelo Summer Live 2009
 * Animelo Summer Live 2010
 * Animelo Summer Live 2011
 * Animelo Summer Live 2012
 * Animelo Summer Live 2013
 * Animelo Summer Live 2014
 * King Super Live 2015
 * Animelo Summer Live 2017

Publications

 * Sora Iro
 * Released October 10, 2007
 * Yukaringo
 * Released February 23, 2011
 * Yukarissimo
 * Released September 20, 2012
 * Yukari-Remix
 * Released July 14, 2015

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Yukari Tamura


text:
Interstate 676

Interstate 676 (I-676) is an Interstate Highway that serves as a major thoroughfare through Center City Philadelphia, where it is known as the Vine Street Expressway, and Camden, New Jersey, where it is known as the northern segment of the North–South Freeway, as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Highway in honor of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Its western terminus is at I-76 in Philadelphia near the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Fairmount Park. From there, it heads east and is then routed on surface streets near Franklin Square and Independence National Historical Park, home of the Liberty Bell, before crossing the Delaware River on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. On the New Jersey side of the bridge, the highway heads south to its southern terminus at I-76 in Gloucester City near the Walt Whitman Bridge. Between the western terminus and downtown Camden, I-676 is concurrent with U.S. Route 30 (US 30).

After World War II, freeway approaches were planned for both sides of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which was completed in 1926 and serves as a part of US 30. In Pennsylvania, the Vine Street Expressway was planned to run along the northern edge of Center City to the Schuylkill River, while, in New Jersey, the North–South Freeway was to head south along the Route 42 corridor. When the Interstate Highway System was created in the 1950s, this stretch of highway was a part of I-80S, with Interstate 680 (I-680) continuing on the Schuylkill Expressway to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

In 1964, the designations became I-76 and I-676, respectively, and, in 1972, the two routes were switched onto their current alignments. I-676 in New Jersey was completed between I-76 and Morgan Boulevard by 1960 and north of there to downtown Camden by the 1980s. The Vine Street Expressway was opened from the Schuylkill Expressway to 18th Street by 1960 and east of there to I-95 on January 10, 1991, despite opposition from the adjacent community and other obstacles to construction. There are grade-level intersections with traffic signals in the connections between the Vine Street Expressway and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. This intersection does not follow typical rules and regulations of the Interstate Highway System, and is also notorious for having high crash rates and pedestrian fatalities.

Pennsylvania
I-676 begins at an interchange with the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76 and US 30) in the city of Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, heading to the east on the six-lane Vine Street Expressway concurrent with US 30. It immediately crosses the Schuylkill River and then the Schuylkill River Trail and CSX Transportation's Philadelphia Subdivision railroad line on the river's east bank on the Vine Street Expressway Bridge, before coming to an interchange with 23rd Street and 22nd Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway that has access to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Institute science museum. From this point, the Vine Street Expressway enters a depressed road cut and passes under several streets and two freeway lids, running along the northern edge of Center City. Vine Street serves as a street-level frontage road to the freeway. Within this alignment, there is an exit for Pennsylvania Route 611 (PA 611; Broad Street). After passing under 10th Street in Chinatown, the last street the depressed alignment passes under, the highway rises up and reaches a split between the Vine Street Expressway, which continues to I-95, and I-676/US 30. At this split, there is also an eastbound exit and westbound entrance for 8th Street. After exiting the Vine Street Expressway, eastbound I-676/US 30 has a brief at-grade portion along southbound 6th Street east of Franklin Square to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge approach, where westbound and eastbound traffic actually have a traffic light intersecting Franklin Street and 6th Street respectively, an example of a non–limited access section of Interstate Highway. Westbound I-676/US 30 has a ramp from the bridge to the Vine Street Expressway that intersects 7th Street and 8th Street at-grade. From this point, I-676/US 30 crosses over I-95, Christopher Columbus Boulevard, and then the Delaware River on the seven-lane Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which also carries pedestrians and the PATCO Speedline. This bridge and its approaches are maintained by the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA).

New Jersey
After crossing the bridge, the freeway enters the downtown area of the city of Camden in Camden County, New Jersey, and passes to the north of the former site of Campbell's Field, a former baseball stadium. Upon entering New Jersey, I-676 becomes signed as a north–south road. There is a southbound ramp to 6th Street in Camden, which is near the toll plaza for northbound traffic. After the toll plaza, US 30 splits from I-676 at an interchange, at which point I-676 turns south as a six-lane freeway called the Martin Luther King Memorial Highway or the North–South Freeway. Immediately after the US 30 split, there is an interchange with County Route 537 (CR 537; Market Street/Federal Street) and Martin Luther King Boulevard that provides access to downtown Camden. Within this interchange, the highway passes over NJ Transit's River Line. From this point, I-676 continues south through urban areas of the city, passing over several streets and running immediately to the west of Conrail Shared Assets Operations (CSAO)'s Vineland Secondary railroad line and the PATCO Speedline. The road heads southwest on a viaduct over neighborhoods before the interchange with CR 607 (Kaighns Avenue) and Atlantic Avenue. I-676 turns south at this junction, crossing over the Vineland Secondary. The highway continues south and passes over CSAO's Beesleys Point Secondary railroad line before it comes to the exit for Morgan Boulevard. Past Morgan Boulevard, the freeway crosses the north branch of Newton Creek. Here, I-676 ends at an interchange east of the Walt Whitman Bridge with I-76, CR 630, and unsigned Route 76C, the latter being an access road to US 130 and Route 168. The North–South Freeway becomes a part of I-76 past this interchange and continues into the city of Gloucester City.

History
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge was opened on July 1, 1926, and was designated to carry US 30 across the Delaware River. A parkway called the Camden–Atlantic City Parkway was planned in 1932 to connect the Benjamin Franklin Bridge southeast to Atlantic City; this was never built. After World War II, freeway connections were planned on both sides of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. In Philadelphia, the Vine Street Expressway was planned to run along the Vine Street corridor to the present-day Schuylkill Expressway in 1945. The North–South Freeway was proposed in New Jersey as a connection from the bridge south along the Route 42 corridor. In 1950, the city of Philadelphia began planning the construction of the Vine Street Expressway, which would run along a depressed alignment through the city.

When the Interstate Highway System was created in the 1950s, the Vine Street Expressway, Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and part of the North–South Freeway were to become a part of it. In New Jersey, this Interstate was initially designated as FAI Corridor 109. In 1958, this freeway was initially planned as I-895 and I-380 before the American Association of State Highway Officials designated it as a part of I-80S. Meanwhile, I-680 was designated along the present-day Schuylkill Expressway between the Vine Street Expressway and the Walt Whitman Bridge. By 1960, the Vine Street Expressway had been completed between the Schuylkill Expressway and 18th Street. The portion of I-80S in New Jersey on the North–South Freeway had opened south of Morgan Boulevard by this time. On April 16, 1963, Pennsylvania wanted to renumber its Interstate numbers. Part of this was the renumbering from I-80S into I-76 and all of its auxiliary routes into I-X76. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved the request on February 26, 1964. As a result, I-80S became I-76 and I-680 became I-676. In 1972, the I-76 and the I-676 designations were switched onto their current routes. The remainder of the New Jersey portion of I-676 between Morgan Boulevard and US 30 was completed by the 1980s.

There were several challenges in building the Vine Street Expressway between 18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The road was to run through developed areas of Philadelphia, intersecting several streets and railroad lines. The Chinatown community organized in opposition to the highway construction through their neighborhood. In addition, the route was to run through Franklin Square, a historically sensitive site, to connect to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. As a result, the routing was modified in 1966 to avoid many of these obstacles. The route was to avoid running through Franklin Square, leading to the eastbound direction using surface streets to access the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and a planned connector to Market Street was removed. In the 1970s, the proposed freeway's environmental impact statement (EIS) had to be evaluated again per new guidelines; when the new EIS was issued in 1977, it was found that more improvements were needed for mass transit in the area of the planned freeway. To comply with this, provisions were made concerning the proposed underground Center City Commuter Connection for SEPTA Regional Rail, in which the railroad tracks would pass under I-676 and residences would be built over the railroad tunnel in Chinatown. Construction was approved in 1986 on the Vine Street Expressway from 18th Street to the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, with no provisions for elevated connections between the Benjamin Franklin Bridge and the Vine Street Expressway to avoid disturbing Franklin Square. This portion of the Vine Street Expressway opened to traffic on January 10, 1991, completing I-676.

On April 14, 2015, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) began work to rebuild seven existing overpasses on the Vine Street Expressway portion of I-676. The project, which cost $64.8 million (equivalent to $ in ), was to be completed in late 2019. Since 2021, the new overpasses started to have traffic. After the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the area on September 1, 2021, intense rain and floodwaters from the swollen Schuylkill River flooded the expressway after drainage pumps failed. I-676 through Philadelphia remained closed for three days.

In 2022, the city of Philadelphia applied for federal funds to initiate a study to cap the freeway and reconnect the affected neighborhoods to Center City. Capping the Vine Street Expressway is part of the 2017 Chinatown Neighborhood Plan. On March 11, 2024, it was announced this project will receive a $158.9 million federal grant.

title: Interstate 676


text:
Linda Ellerbee

Linda Ellerbee (born Linda Jane Smith; August 15, 1944) is an American journalist, anchor, producer, reporter, author, speaker and commentator, noted as longtime Washington correspondent for NBC News and host of NBC News Overnight. She is widely known as the twenty-five year host of Nick News, Nickelodeon's highly rated and recognized news program for older school-aged children and teens that addressed substantive issues, including wars, disease and disasters, without condescension.

Ellerbee's work on NBC News Overnight was recognized by the jurors of the duPont Columbia Awards as "possibly the best written and most intelligent news program ever." Described as literate, smart, unapologetic, assertive and keenly observant, Ellerbee formally retired in 2015, after 43 years in journalism.

Early life
Ellerbee was born Linda Jane Smith in Bryan, Texas. She attended River Oaks Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, and Lamar High School in Houston.

She also attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, dropping out in 1964. Ellerbee traveled around the country for some time afterward, working itinerant jobs in radio. Ellerbee wrote:

"I moved around some, married some, had two babies, worked for three radio stations, one of which hired me to read the news because I sounded black—my Texas heritage—and the black woman it had hired did not... In radio, I learned about keeping logs, editing audiotape, writing copy, selling air time, announcing, and 'running a board,' which sounds one hell of a lot more sporting than it is."

After a stint working for Terry Miller, majority leader of the Alaska Senate, she was hired by the Dallas bureau of the Associated Press to write copy. She claims to have been fired after writing a catty personal letter on the AP's word processors and accidentally sending the letter out on the wire. The letter brought her to the attention of Houston CBS television affiliate KHOU-TV, which hired her to replace Jessica Savitch in January 1973. Within several months, she was hired by New York's WCBS-TV.

Career
At NBC, Ellerbee worked as a reporter on Today. Her first anchor job was on the prime-time version of Weekend. Ellerbee joined Lloyd Dobyns as co-host of Weekend when the show moved from its late-night time slot (where it rotated with Saturday Night Live, generally one Saturday night per month) into direct prime time competition with CBS's 60 Minutes. As with the late-night incarnation, they would sign-off with the phrase, "And so it goes."

In 1982, Ellerbee was again teamed with Dobyns (and later Bill Schechner) as hosts of NBC News Overnight, where their trademark writing style made the show somewhat reminiscent of their stint on Weekend. They ended each broadcast with a short, usually wry, commentary, again signing off with the catch-phrase, "And so it goes," which later became the title of her first memoir. While at NBC, Ellerbee worked with Jessica Savitch; when Savitch's drug problems became apparent Ellerbee tried to organize an intervention, but Savitch died before that happened.

In 1984, after the cancellation of Overnight, Ellerbee moved to Summer Sunday USA, as co-anchor with Andrea Mitchell, the first time a prime-time network news program was co-anchored by two women. She was then a correspondent for Today before moving to rival network ABC in 1986. There she served as a reporter for the morning program Good Morning America. At ABC, Ellerbee was able to co-write and co-anchor (with Ray Gandolf) Our World, a weekly primetime historical series. She won an Emmy Award for her work on that program.

In 1987, Ellerbee and her husband and business partner Rolfe Tessem left network news to start their own production company, Lucky Duck Productions. The company has produced programs for every major cable network, and has as its flagship program Nick News, a news program for children on Nickelodeon. That show has received many awards: three Peabody Awards (including one personal Peabody given to Ellerbee for her coverage of the Clinton investigation ), another duPont Columbia Award and three Emmys. In 2004, Ellerbee was honored with an Emmy for her WE: Women's Entertainment network series When I Was a Girl.

In 1989, she guest-starred as herself in an episode of the sitcom Murphy Brown. The episode "Summer of '77" referenced that Ellerbee had auditioned for the anchor job which eventually went to the title character, played by Candice Bergen. In the episode, Murphy Brown also accuses Ellerbee of stealing the catchphrase "And so it goes" from her during a long-haul flight. The two reminisce, with Ellerbee saying she might like to go back to an old network job, and Brown wanting to take some time off to write a book. Both reply with "Nahh".

Also in 1989, Ellerbee created a minor uproar by appearing in television commercials for Maxwell House coffee. The New York Times said the commercials were poorly done even as advertisements, but also betrayed her trademark "uncompromising intellectual honesty" and "sardonic wit" — and were mercenary, "devaluing both broadcast news and broadcast advertising." Because of the format of the commercials, set with a mock anchor's background, Advertising Age said "this is advertising news disguised as NBC news." Ellerbee would later share that journalist Jimmy Breslin called to supportively remind her that when he made a beer commercial, they let him keep his Pulitzer Prize.

Her autobiography, And So It Goes, was published in 1986. A second book of memoirs, Move On: Adventures in the Real World, was published in 1991 and a third, Take Big Bites: Adventures Around the World and Across the Table, in 2005. In addition, she has authored an eight-part series of Girl Reporter books for young people, as well as a syndicated newspaper column.

Cancer survivor
In 1992, Ellerbee was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy. Since then, she has spent much of her time speaking to groups about how she fought the cancer and how women need to fight the disease, demand better medical treatment, and maintain a healthy sense of humor.

National television and film

 * Reporter, the Washington bureau of NBC News, 1976–1978
 * Co-anchor, network news magazine Weekend , 1978–1979
 * Correspondent, NBC Nightly News, 1979–1982
 * Co-anchor, NBC News Overnight, 1982–1984
 * Co-anchor, Summer Sunday USA, 1984
 * Reporter, Today, 1984–1986
 * Reporter, Good Morning America, 1986
 * Anchor, Our World, 1986–1987
 * Narrator, Baby Boom, 1987
 * President, Lucky Duck Productions, since 1987
 * Commentator, CNN, 1989
 * Producer, writer, and host, Nick News with Linda Ellerbee 1992–2015

Radio, local television, print, and online

 * Disc jockey at WSDM Chicago 1965–1968
 * Program director, KSJO San Francisco, 1967–1968
 * Reporter, KJNO Juneau, Alaska, 1969–1972
 * News writer, Associated Press in Dallas, Texas, 1972
 * Television reporter, KHOU in Houston, 1972–1973
 * General assignment reporter, WCBS-TV in New York City, 1973–1976
 * Writer, host, On the Record
 * On-line production with Microsoft, since 1996
 * Panelist, The Roundtable, WAMC, 2020–

Accolades

 * 1992 NOW NYC's Women of Power & Influence Award
 * 1998 Personal Peabody Award
 * 2011: Paul White Award, Radio Television Digital News Association

title: Linda Ellerbee


text:
Eastland Shopping Centre

Eastland Shopping Centre is a super-regional shopping centre complex located in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Ringwood, Victoria, Australia. The fourth-largest shopping centre in Australia, it first opened on 31 October 1967 and has since grown to host over 340 retail stores and services.

It is adjacent to Maroondah Highway, Ringwood railway station and a major bus interchange. The centre features two main levels of shops, with a third level containing a Hoyts 12-screen cinema complex and restaurants, forming a total of approximately 530 stores. Eastland also contains a library, 120 room hotel and large outdoor dining precinct called Ringwood Town Square. It is the largest shopping centre in the City of Maroondah and is located in relatively close proximity to Westfield Doncaster and Westfield Knox. It is also set for a new office tower, finishing in 2025.

Inception
Eastland was one of three large shopping centres planned by the department store Myer in Melbourne in the 1960s. Together with Northland in Preston and Southland in Cheltenham, these were the first indoor shopping centres in Victoria.

Construction
Construction commenced on the two-level enclosed complex in July 1966, with a Myer and Safeway as major anchors, and 40 speciality stores and a 1200 space car park. The initial centre cost $13,000,000 (1966) ($167,568,115.94 (2017)) to construct, on a 5.67 ha parcel of land just north of the Maroondah Highway in the heart of Ringwood.

Two new storeys and a carpark were built in 1973 by demolishing houses on nearby Ringwood Street.

Redevelopment (1993-1995)
In 1993, a massive redevelopment of the centre was announced. This $120 million project involved the demolition of the existing centre in its entirety except for the 4-storey Myer building which was instead refurbished. More existing commercial and residential buildings were demolished to make way for new car parking. After a series of three staged openings, the 'new look' Eastland was relaunched in May 1995 after it closed in March 1994. This extension brought the centre to 53,300 sqm with major retailers Myer, Woolworths and Kmart and 170 specialty retailers.

In December 1996, the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) purchased Coles Myer's 50% shareholding.

First expansion (2002)
In early 2001, QIC announced plans for an expansion of the new buildings. This included a Hoyts 12 screen cinema complex, new restaurants (including a Pancake Parlour), a Big W store, and a Bi-Lo Mega Fresh store. A regular Bi-Lo store opened instead in October 2002 with the cinemas opening on 26 December later in the same year. This brought an additional 50 specialty stores to the centre, increasing its retail area by approximately 25,000 sqm and bringing the total number of car parking spaces to 4,878.

Second expansion (2013-2016)
Plans for further expansion of the centre were created in the mid-2000s. This was partially funded by the State Government committing $44.5 million over 2007 and 2008 for planning and construction. Development was originally scheduled to commence in 2009 but this was delayed due to the Global Financial Crisis.

Enabling works commenced in 2012 allowing for changes to be made to the Eastern Multilevel carpark; the entry ramp to the third level of the carpark was moved, and the Kmart Tyre & Auto Service centre was relocated to the North-Western carpark.

QIC publicly unveiled the plans on 28 October 2013. The $665 million redevelopment expanded retail space from from 80,000 to 113000 sqm and included construction of an additional three storeys connecting the southern end of the centre with the Maroondah Highway. This included a new entrance to the third level of Myer, an outdoor public square with food and beverage outlets and a new public library. Office and hotel towers were also proposed adjacent to the new precinct together with a Target and David Jones department stores.

The first stage of the redevelopment opened almost two years later in October 2015 with the second on 5 May 2016.

Future development
The adjacent Ringwood Market site, built in 1984, is also owned by the same company that controls Eastland. It was demolished in 2009 to make way for a new retail/commercial development. The 12,000 sqm space was planned to be occupied by one of Costco, IKEA and Masters Home Improvement shops. Since then, Melbourne's second Costco Australia store was confirmed with construction commencing in August 2012. The 14,500 m2 store was opened on 20 November 2013, although a planned underground connection to Eastland was not built.

A second office tower on Bond Street is under construction and scheduled to open in 2024.

Retail
Major retailers include Myer, H&M, Uniqlo, Target, Kmart, Big W, Harris Scarfe, Cotton On, Woolworths, Coles, Rebel Sport and JB Hi-Fi.

Legacy and significance
Eastland was the first indoor shopping centre to be built in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The band AC/DC performed at Eastland in September 1975 as part of their High Voltage tour of Australia.

title: Eastland Shopping Centre


text:
Bouzoukia

Bouzoukia may refer to:

 * Bouzouki (pl. bouzoukia), a Greek lute
 * Bouzoukia (nightclub), Greek nightclubs that feature laïkó music

title: Bouzoukia


text:
Audley Harrison

Audley Hugh Harrison, (born 26 October 1971) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2001 to 2013. As an amateur he represented Great Britain at the 2000 Olympics, winning a gold medal in the super-heavyweight division and becoming the first ever British boxer to win Olympic gold in that division. Harrison turned professional the following year after signing a contract with BBC Sport, and went on to have seventeen fights on the network before their cancellation of all boxing broadcasts.

In his professional career he challenged for the WBA, British, and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. In 2009, Harrison won the Prizefighter tournament, his first of two. He became the European heavyweight champion in 2010, after defeating Michael Sprott in a rematch of their 2007 bout. In 2013, Harrison won his second Prizefighter tournament, becoming the first boxer to do so.

Amateur career
Boxing out of Repton Amateur Boxing Club in Bethnal Green, London, Harrison became British super heavyweight champion in 1997, defeating Nick Kendall in the final. He retained the title in 1998, defeating Dean Redmond, and won gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games beating Michael Macquae of Mauritius in the final. In 2000 he won gold at the Sydney Olympics by defeating Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov of Kazakhstan on points. After his medal win, Harrison was awarded an MBE.

Highlights

 * 1998 at the European Super Heavyweight Championships in Minsk, Belarus, lost to Serguei Lyakhovich (Belarus)
 * 1998 Commonwealth Games Super Heavyweight Gold Medalist. Results were:
 * Defeated Fai Falamoe (New Zealand) points
 * Defeated Jim Whitehead (Australia) KO 3
 * Defeated Michael Macquae (Mauritius) KO 1
 * 1999 competed at the World Championships in Houston, United States. Results were:
 * Defeated Lazizbek Zokirov (Uzbekistan) points
 * Lost to Sinan Samil Sam (Turkey) points
 * Won the Super Heavyweight Gold Medal representing Great Britain at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Results were:
 * Defeated Alexei Lezin (Russia) TKO 4
 * Defeated Alexey Mazikin (Ukraine) points
 * Defeated Paolo Vidoz (Italy) points
 * Defeated Mukhtarkhan Dildabekov (Kazakhstan) points

Professional career
In 2001, Harrison released his autobiography Realising the Dream and set up his own company, A Force Promotions, to manage his career and concluded several high-profile sponsorships deals and became the first boxer in Britain to sign a direct broadcast deal.

He signed a £1 million deal with the BBC to show his first ten professional fights.

His debut was against US club fighter Michael Middleton, whom Harrison knocked out in the first round in Wembley Arena with 6 million viewers watching at home. He was then out of action for several months with an injury, but by the end of the year outpointed Briton Derek McCafferty over six rounds.

Harrison continued to win and made his United States debut in November 2002, knocking out Shawn Robinson in the 1st round. In February 2003 he beat US fighter Rob Calloway in four rounds, and outpointed Ratko Draskovic over eight rounds. Harrison then knocked out Matt Ellis in two rounds. Harrison then tried to arrange a fight with 41-year-old ex-World champion Frank Bruno, who had been retired for seven years. A dispute at York Hall, Bethnal Green with the Herbie Hide after the Ellis fight resulted in a riot. The proposed Frank Bruno fight collapsed shortly afterwards, when Bruno was sectioned under the Mental Health Act. Harrison and Hide were both penalised by the British Boxing Board of Control for the riot.

America bound
Following the Ellis riot, Harrison relocated to the USA where he was unbeaten in 11 fights, with 8 knockouts. In the 2003 November issue of the Ring Magazine, Harrison was tipped to emulate Lennox Lewis and become a dominant world champion.

He had three more fights in 2003, against Lisandro Diaz (KO4), Quinn Navarre (KO3), and Brian Nix (KO3), in America. Harrison was sparring regularly with experienced world class Heavyweights like Vaughn Bean.

Harrison returned to the UK in 2004, but instead of fighting new British champion Michael Sprott for the British title, he fought unbeaten Dutch fighter Richel Hersisia for the World Boxing Foundation (WBFo) World belt. He knocked out Hersisia in 4 rounds. He defended the title twice: a 12-round points win over late-sub Julius Francis, and a 9th-round TKO of unbeaten Tomasz Bonin. After suffering a serious ligament tear in his left hand requiring hand surgery in New York, Harrison did not fight for almost a year.

BBC deal ends
Harrison's contract was not renewed in 2004 and the BBC stopped broadcasting professional boxing.

Harrison returned to the ring in June 2005, knocking out Robert Davis (KO7) and Robert Wiggins (KO4). On The Best Damn Sports Show Period he said he was now ready to step up and face world class opponents and get a title shot.

Loss of form
Harrison returned to the UK in December to face long-time bitter rival Danny Williams in London for the Commonwealth title. Harrison stepped in after Matt Skelton had pulled out and took the bout on five weeks notice. Harrison lost a close, split decision.

In April 2006, Harrison fought in the US against Dominick Guinn and again lost on points. Harrison put the defeat down to loss of confidence from his defeat to Williams and insisted he would bounce back. In June, he scored a three-round knockout of Andrew Greeley in an off-TV fight in America, and was poised for a fight with Matt Skelton to try to resurrect his career. Skelton had beaten Danny Williams in July, winning the title Williams had earlier taken from Harrison. When Skelton dropped out only one week before the fight due to injury, Danny Williams replaced him.

Williams had trained 8 weeks for a fight with British champion Scott Gammer. This time Harrison fought far more aggressively, decking Williams twice and winning on a third-round knockout. Williams suffered a broken nose and severe lacerations, and Harrison was once again lauded as a contender for a world title. Following the victory over Williams, Harrison signed a promotional deal with Frank Warren, whose aim was to get Harrison a world title fight in 2007.

On 17 February 2007, Harrison was knocked out by Michael Sprott for the European Union title. This third professional loss left Harrison's future uncertain. Harrison claimed that he could make a comeback, but Warren suggested that any return to the ring would be for a reduced purse, since the public would have no great interest.

Harrison returned to fight Paul King for a bout scheduled for 29 September 2007 in Sheffield. However, he and his coach Kelvyn Travis were involved in a car accident on 21 September 2007 in the United States, and Harrison suffered injuries that caused the fight to be cancelled. Harrison had also suggested that a deal would be announced involving promoter Dennis Hobson, but the cancellation of the fight meant that a formal announcement was on hold. Harrison underwent surgery for his injuries, and returned on 19 April 2008, beating the American Jason Barnett in the fifth round on the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe fight at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout was the first of a new multi-bout agreement between Harrison and Warren, which aimed to get Harrison a world title shot in 2009.

After proposed matches with Samuel Peter and Martin Rogan fell through, on 6 September 2008 Harrison gained what the BBC described as "an unconvincing victory" over George Arias at the MEN Arena in Manchester. The fight was overshadowed by Amir Khan's first defeat later on the same card. On 6 December 2008, Harrison's career seemed all but over as he was defeated by the winner of the first Prizefighter tournament and Belfast taxi driver, Martin Rogan. The referee scored the contest 96–95 in favour of the Irishman.

Comeback
Harrison signed for the Prizefighter tournament, an eight-man, one-night knockout tournament that took place at ExCeL London on 2 October 2009. On 1 October 2009, he weighed in for Prizefighter at 18 stones and half a pound. He went on to win the tournament, by way of second round knock-out against Coleman Barrett. Before that, he had knocked out Scott Belshaw and won a unanimous decision over Danny Hughes. Following his success in the Prizefighter tournament, it was announced on 15 January 2010 that Harrison would face Albert Sosnowski for the European Boxing Union heavyweight title, with the fight set for 9 April 2010. However Sosnowski called the bout off for a shot at Vitali Klitschko's WBC title.

On 9 April 2010, Harrison won the vacant EBU belt against old foe Michael Sprott at Alexandra Palace. He knocked out Sprott in the final round despite being behind on all three judges scorecards. Harrison claimed he sustained a shoulder injury early in the fight and had to carry on single-handed. BBC Sport said of the fight: "Having come within seconds of a defeat that would have made a mockery of pre-fight assertions that he could face one of the Klitschko brothers for a world title, Harrison said: 'I had to win it somehow.

On 24 April 2010, Harrison underwent surgery in Cheadle, Greater Manchester to repair the torn Pectoralis major muscle. The surgeon said he expected Harrison to make a "full recovery in about 12 to 16 weeks".

World title challenge vs. David Haye
On 8 June 2010, Harrison vacated his European title, announcing his intention of getting a world title shot. He began negotiations with Hayemaker Promotions soon after, which culminated in a world-title fight in the M.E.N. Arena against WBA champion David Haye on 13 November 2010.

Harrison was defeated by Haye, with the fight being stopped in the third round after Harrison was unable to respond to a barrage of punches from Haye. Statistics from the fight showed that Harrison only landed a single punch in the entire duration of the contest.

Harrison was heavily criticised for his performance after the bout. British and Commonwealth champion Derek Chisora stated, "I'd never show my face again if I fought like that. It was pathetic. He disgraced himself and he disgraced British heavyweights, he shouldn't get paid the reported million pounds he is earning after that shambles." European light-heavyweight champion Nathan Cleverly also voiced his discontent with the fight, adding Harrison should now retire. Due to the nature of Harrison's defeat, the BBBofC withheld some of the fighter's purse while a full investigation of the bout was carried out. After the investigation into the fight was concluded, Harrison was granted his full purse on 11 January 2011.

After defeat by David Haye through to retirement
On 3 December 2010, it was confirmed Harrison would continue his career as a professional boxer despite calls for him to retire. Former British and Commonwealth champion Derek Chisora was critical of the decision, stating, "He's going to box on, but who's going to buy the tickets to go and watch him? Even if he gives them to you for free are you going to go and watch? ... Good luck to Audley anyway."

On 15 November 2011, during an interview on BBC Breakfast following his departure from Strictly Come Dancing, Harrison announced that he would return to boxing for one last time saying "It could be over, but I just need to go and check." He stated his intention was to fight British Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury in 2012.

Harrison returned to the ring on 26 May 2012 and boxed Ali Adams at the Brentwood Centre, Essex for the International Masters Championships. Harrison sent his opponent to the canvas with a right hand and although Adams managed to get to his feet, a flurry of follow-up shots from Harrison prompted the referee to step in and end the contest.

Harrison faced David Price on 13 October 2012, and lost the fight by knockout after 82 seconds of the first round. Harrison announced that he would not retire from boxing and will box on.

On 23 February 2013 Harrison won the Prizefighter 29: The International Heavyweights III tournament, defeating Derric Rossy in the final.

On 27 April 2013, Harrison stepped into the ring to fight the unbeaten American prospect Deontay Wilder, who had a record of 27 wins, all knockouts [27–0–0]. Wilder had not been beyond 4 rounds in his professional career. The bout only lasted a mere 70 seconds of the first round. Wilder landed a right hand which wobbled Harrison, Wilder then rushed in with a flurry of wild punches. Harrison was knocked down but managed to beat the count. However, the referee then stopped the bout, deeming Harrison unable to continue. Wilder won via TKO, his 28th consecutive knockout.

On 1 May 2013, Harrison announced his retirement from boxing. However just 20 days later, he came out of retirement with intentions to box on.

On 26 March 2014, Harrison announced he was no longer a professional boxer, and would not return to the ring.

Reality television
On 6 September 2011, it was announced that Harrison would take part in the 2011 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Harrison and his dance partner Natalie Lowe made it to the seventh round of the contest before being voted out.

Harrison came second in the 2014 Summer edition of Celebrity Big Brother, and in 2016 he took part in Celebrity MasterChef.

Personal life
Harrison is married to Raychel. They have a daughter and a son.

In 2015 Harrison revealed he was suffering from traumatic brain injuries leading to sight problems and severe mood swings.

title: Audley Harrison


text:
Battle of Smolensk (1941)

The first Battle of Smolensk (Kesselschlacht bei Smolensk, lit. 'Cauldron-battle at Smolensk'; Смоленская стратегическая оборонительная операция) was a battle during the second phase of Operation Barbarossa, the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union, in World War II. It was fought around the city of Smolensk between 10 July and 10 September 1941, about 400 km west of Moscow. The Ostheer had advanced 500 km into the USSR in the 18 days after the invasion on 22 June 1941.

The Soviet 16th, 19th and the 20th armies were encircled and destroyed just to the east of Smolensk, though many of the men from the 19th and 20th armies managed to escape the pocket. While the battle was a stunning operational success for the Germans, the rapid advances into Soviet territory led to supply and logistics crises of increasing severity, as German supply lines were stretched to their limit. Following the Smolensk encirclement, much of Army Group Centre became mired in positional warfare, suffering significant losses in defensive battles throughout the late summer of 1941. These factors seriously depleted the offensive strength of the German divisions, and contributed to the disastrous setbacks later suffered in the Battle of Moscow in December 1941.

Background and planning
On 22 June 1941, the Axis nations invaded the Soviet Union in Operation Barbarossa. At first, the campaign met with spectacular success, as the surprised Soviet troops were not able to offer coordinated resistance. After three weeks of fighting, the Germans had reached the Dvina and Dnieper rivers and planned for a resumption of the offensive. The main attack, aimed at Moscow, was carried out by Army Group Centre (Fedor von Bock). Its next target on the way to the Soviet capital was the city of Smolensk. The German plan called for the 2nd Panzer Group (later 2nd Panzer Army) to cross the Dnieper, closing on Smolensk from the south, while the 3rd Panzer Group (later 3rd Panzer Army) was to encircle the town from the north.

After their initial defeats, the Red Army began to recover and took measures to ensure a more determined resistance and new defensive line was established around Smolensk. Stalin placed Field Marshal Semyon Timoshenko in command and transferred five armies out of the strategic reserve to Timoshenko. These armies had to conduct counter-offensives to blunt the German drive. The German high command (OKW) was not aware of the Soviet build-up until they encountered them on the battlefield.

Facing the Germans along the Dnieper and Dvina rivers were stretches of the Stalin Line fortifications. The defenders were the 13th Army of the Western Front and the 20th Army, 21st Army and the 22nd Army of the Soviet Supreme Command (Stavka) Reserve. The 19th Army was forming up at Vitebsk, while the 16th Army was arriving at Smolensk.

In Soviet histories, the great Battle (Srazheniye) of Smolensk (10 July – 10 September 1941) is divided into the following phases and operations:
 * Smolensk Defensive Operation (10 July – 10 August 1941)
 * Smolensk Offensive Operation (21 July – 7 August 1941)
 * Rogechev-Zhlobin Offensive Operation (13–24 July 1941)
 * Gomel-Trubchevsk Defensive Operation (24 July – 30 August 1941)
 * Dukhovschina Offensive Operation (17 August – 8 September 1941)
 * Yelnia Offensive Operation (30 August – 8 September 1941)
 * Roslavl-Novozybkov Offensive Operation (30 August – 12 September 1941)

The German Oberkommando des Heeres (OKH) lists the following operations around Smolensk:
 * Battle of Smolensk (8 July – 5 August 1941)
 * Defensive battle near Smolensk and Yelnya (26 July – 1 October 1941)
 * Battle of Roslavl (1–9 August 1941)
 * Battle of Krichev and Gomel (9–20 August 1941)
 * Battle of Velikiye Luki (22–27 August 1941)

Phase One: The encirclement battle, and the first Soviet counterattacks

Prior to the German attack, the Soviets launched a counter-offensive; on 6 July, the 7th and 5th Mechanized Corps of the Soviet 20th Army attacked with about 1,500 tanks near Lepiel. The result was a disaster, as the offensive ran directly into the anti-tank defenses of the German 7th Panzer Division and the two Soviet mechanized corps were virtually wiped out.

On 10 July, Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group began a surprise attack over the Dnieper, his forces overran the weak 13th Army and by 13 July, Guderian had passed Mogilev, trapping several Soviet divisions. His spearhead unit, the 29th Motorised Division, was already within 18 km of Smolensk. The 3rd Panzer Group had attacked, with the 20th Panzer Division establishing a bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dvina river, threatening Vitebsk. As both German panzer groups drove east, the 16th, 19th and 20th armies faced the prospect of encirclement west of Smolensk. From 11 July, the Soviets tried a series of concerted counter-attacks. The Soviet 19th Army and 20th Army struck at Vitebsk, while the 21st and the remnants of the 3rd Army attacked against the southern flank of 2nd Panzer Group near Bobruisk.

Several other Soviet armies also attempted to counter-attack in the sectors of the German Army Group North and Army Group South. This effort was apparently part of an attempt to implement the Soviet prewar general defense plan. The Soviet attacks managed to slow the Germans but the results were so marginal that the Germans barely noticed them as a large coordinated defensive effort and the German offensive continued.

Hoth's 3rd Panzer Group drove north and then east, parallel to Guderian's forces, taking Polotsk and Vitebsk. The 7th Panzer Division and 20th Panzer Division reached the area east of Smolensk at Yartsevo on 15 July. At the same time, the 29th Motorized Division, supported by the 17th Panzer Division broke into Smolensk, captured the city except for the suburbs and began a week of house-to-house fighting against counter-attacks by the 16th Army. Guderian expected that the offensive would continue towards Moscow as its main focus and sent the 10th Panzer Division to the Desna River to establish a bridgehead on the east bank at Yelnya and cleared that as well by the 20th. This advanced bridgehead became the center of the Yelnya Offensive, one of the first big coordinated Soviet counter-offensives of the war.

This objective (Yelnya) was 70 km south of the Dnieper and well clear of the objective of liquidating the armies trapped at Smolensk. Under Fuhrer Directive 33 issued on 14 July, the main effort of the Wehrmacht was re-orientated away from Moscow towards a deep encirclement of Kiev in Ukraine and Bock was becoming impatient, wanting Guderian to strike north and link up with Hoth's Panzer Group so resistance in the city could be mopped up.

On 27 July, Bock held a conference at Novy Borisov, which was also attended by Commander-in-Chief Walther von Brauchitsch, the head of the OKH, the High Command of the Army. The generals were required to sit without an opportunity to comment, while a memorandum was read to them by one of Brauchitsch's aides, instructing them that they were to strictly follow Fuhrer Directive 33 and were under no circumstance to try to push further east. They were ordered to concentrate on mopping up, refurbishing equipment, restocking supplies and straightening the German front line, which had become more of an "S" shape, due to the advances of Guderian and Hoth. Coming away from this meeting, Hoth and Guderian were angry and frustrated. Guderian wrote in his journal that night that Hitler "preferred a plan by which small enemy forces were to be encircled and destroyed piecemeal and the enemy thus bled to death. All the officers who took part in the conference were of the opinion that this was incorrect". Whether or not this was true, it was this meeting that some have pointed to that marked a critical point where the Wehrmacht leadership broke trust with Hitler. After returning to his post, Guderian conspired with Hoth and Bock to "delay the implementation" of Directive 33, in defiance of the orders of the Fuhrer and OKH. Guderian hastily put together a plan of attack for his and Hoth's forces for 1 August, the Roslavl-Novozybkov Offensive Operation.

In the north, the 3rd Panzer Group was moving much more slowly. The terrain was swampy, made worse by rain and the Soviets were fought to escape the trap. On 18 July, the armored pincers of the two panzer groups came within 16 km of closing the gap. Timoshenko put newly promoted Konstantin Rokossovsky, who had just arrived from the Ukrainian front, in charge of assembling a stopgap force, which held the attack of the 7th Panzer Division and with continuous reinforcements, temporarily stabilized the situation. The open gap allowed Soviet units to escape that were then pressed into service, holding the gap open.

The Soviets transferred additional troops from newly formed armies into the region around Smolensk, namely the 29th, 30th, 28th, and 24th Armies. These newly built formations would, immediately upon arrival, start a heavy counter-attack against the German forces around the Smolensk area from 21 July on. This put a heavy strain on the overextended Panzer forces, which had to cover a large area around the perimeter. However, poor coordination and logistics on the part of the Soviets allowed the Germans to successfully defend against these offensive efforts, while continuing to close the encirclement. The Soviet attacks would last until 30 July, when the Germans finally repelled the last of them.

Finally, on 27 July, the Germans were able to link up and close the pocket east of Smolensk, trapping large portions of 16th, 19th, and 20th Armies. Under the leadership of 20th Army, Soviet troops managed to break out of the pocket in a determined effort a few days later, assisted by the Soviet offensive efforts along the Smolensk front line. On 5 August von Bock reported that a total of 309,000 prisoners had been captured during the Battle of Smolensk at all. This number later increased to 350,000. Thus, only about 50,000 people from the encircled 16th and 20th armies escaped from the "cauldron" by 7 August.

Phase Two: The German offensives on the flanks and the further Soviet counteroffensives
After the battle for encirclement near Smolensk ended on 5 August, the opponents drew different conclusions. The Soviet command was satisfied that they managed to restore the front line on the road to Moscow and save part of the encircled armies. It was decided to continue to strike at the opposing German forces, despite high losses. Thus, from their point of view, the battle was just beginning. In the following month, there were two major Soviet offensives: 6–24 August and 29 August – 12 September 1941. The Battle of Smolensk was a critical engagement during the early stages of Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union. It highlighted the fierce resistance of the Red Army despite the initial successes of the Wehrmacht. The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides, but the Soviets viewed their ability to regroup and launch counteroffensives as a strategic success. From the German perspective, the battle demonstrated their ability to conduct large-scale encirclement operations, capturing significant numbers of Soviet troops and matériel. However, the delays caused by the stubborn Soviet defense had strategic implications. The time and resources consumed at Smolensk delayed the German advance towards Moscow, contributing to the eventual failure to capture the Soviet capital before the onset of winter.

The first Soviet offensive from 6 to 24 August aimed to disrupt the German advance and relieve pressure on the encircled Soviet forces. Despite suffering heavy losses, the Red Army managed to slow down the German momentum. This period saw intense fighting, with both sides committing substantial forces to achieve their objectives.

The second offensive, from 29 August to 12 September, was marked by a renewed Soviet effort to regain lost territory and stabilize the front line. The Soviet High Command, Stavka, was determined to exploit any German weaknesses and inflict maximum damage. The continued Soviet resistance and counterattacks forced the Germans to divert troops and resources, which further strained their operational capabilities. These offensives, although costly, demonstrated the Soviet Union's resolve and ability to adapt to the rapidly changing battlefield conditions. The Red Army's persistence in the face of adversity played a crucial role in halting the German advance and buying time for the Soviet Union to mobilize its vast resources for the defense of Moscow and other key areas.

In conclusion, the Battle of Smolensk and the subsequent Soviet offensives underscored the resilience and determination of the Red Army. While the Germans achieved significant tactical victories, the strategic outcome favored the Soviets by delaying the German timetable and setting the stage for the eventual Soviet counteroffensive. The lessons learned from these engagements would shape the conduct of both sides in the brutal and protracted conflict that followed on the Eastern Front.

Soviets did make progress and pushed Germans back, but movement forward was rather slow. The main reason for this was the quality of German defense. Soviets small unit tactics were implemented with depleted companies even before the operation began, as seen on the example of the 900th Rifle Regiment, which was part of the 242nd Rifle Division. Rifle Regiment attacking village of Svity was composed of 79 rifles (soldiers able to attack the enemy).

Staying on small unit tactics, switch to night operations yielded good results and Soviets were not only able to close in on enemy positions but to push the Germans back in close combat. Clandestine movement to get as close as possible to the German positions, quiet sprint to the positions, and engagement, including rifle fire and bayonet attack. Attacks on this sector would be supported by artillery, both anti-aircraft used in ground role and divisional level support in the form of Artillery Support Group (ASG) 900.

German small unit opposing the 900th Rifle Regiment at this time were the elements of the 240th Infantry Regiment of the 106th Infantry Division, and 900 Mechanized Lehr Brigade and its Panzerjäger 1 tank destroyers. After initial night attack described above, the Germans adjusted and began counterattacking and winning the ground they would lose earlier in the night, inflicting heaviest casualties in 25 July to 5 August. Heavy casualties were by Soviet small unit leader's assessments, not by current assessments of Western historians. Specifics: 200 Soviet soldiers involved in the night attack which was not successful. 5th Rifle Company (of 2nd Rifle Battalion, 900th Rifle Regiment) reported 18 MIA, 11 wounded. The 519th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion which was attacking the German positions with it reported 4 KIA, 7 WIA from that one attack. Total 7 KIA, 18 MIA, 18 WIA.

This is radically different than assessments made before about the methodology of Soviet attacks and how the casualties were sustained versus Germans in general. Lets look at this in detail. First reason for this discovery may be in that the Soviet regimental, company, and personal documents of soldiers are not usually examined, and the small unit losses would be extrapolated from divisional level, at best. Most quality authors would be doing small unit combat loss assessments from statistical analysis of Krivosheev's work on Soviet combat losses, which is a very large data set Front, STAVKA and above level. Extrapolations from large data sets led them to the conclusion that the attacks themselves were a lot bloodier than they actually were due to losses sustained from bombings and artillery bombardments, or many other scenarios which caused legitimate Soviet divisional level losses, for example. Another reason still, is the fact that same Soviet units would be attacking over the span of days, resulting in accumulation of losses over time, and not sustaining it in a single attack. In other words, tip of the Soviet spear may of been being blunted at a slower rate, while casualties around the would be attained by other means as well. Soviet small unit attack methodologies may of not been as ignorant or casualty producing as originally thought.

Back to the operational level. On the part of the Germans, opinions were divided: von Bock believed that the battle was over, and after rest and replenishment, the troops of Army Group Center could continue their successful offensive against Moscow. However, Hitler was preoccupied with the stubborn defense of the Soviet Southwestern Front near Kiev and the increasing resistance of the Soviet troops of Zhukov and Timoshenko in the Moscow direction. On the other hand, Guderian's victory at Roslavl, on the right flank of Army Group Center, opened up the possibility of an attack to the south and a gigantic encirclement of Soviet troops near Kiev. Gradually, OKH leaned towards Hitler's opinion. However, neither Bock nor Hitler planned an immediate offensive directly on Moscow, and the need to constantly repel Soviet strikes exhausted the troops. Von Bock wrote: "I was now forced to commit all of my combat-capable divisions from the army group’s reserve into combat…. We needed every man forward… In spite of huge losses… the enemy attacked daily in several sectors so that, up to this time, it has not been possible to regroup forces and bring up reserves."

Thus, in the next month after the elimination of the "cauldron" near Smolensk, von Bock's armies defended themselves in the center and attacked with limited forces on the flanks. In the south, Guderian won the battles near Gomel and Krichev, and in the north, Group Stumme captured Velikiye Luki and advanced further to the east to Andreapol. Most of the attacks of the Soviet troops were successfully repelled, but the Germans had to be withdrawn from the salient near Yelnya.

Casualties and losses
Official Soviet data on losses in the Battle of Smolensk (10 July - 10 September 1941) were disclosed only in 1993. According to the study by a team of authors led by Grigori F. Krivosheev, the troops of the four "fronts" and the Soviet Pinsk Naval Flotilla lost a total of:
 * 486,171 people irrevocably (dead, missing and captured)
 * 273,803 people wounded.
 * In total: 759,947 people.

What part of the 486,171 irrecoverable losses relates to the killed and what part to the prisoners-of-war is not indicated. The Germans reported the following number of prisoners for some operations during this time: Thus, there are more than 500,000 reported prisoners in total.
 * 350,000 after the final cleaning of the pocket near Smolensk (including battles at Rogachev and at Mogilev)
 * 38,561 after the destruction of Group Kachalov near Roslavl
 * 78,000 captured by the 2nd Army in the battles of Krichev and Gomel
 * 16,000 captured by the XXIV Motorized Corps of the 2nd Panzer Group between Krichev and Gomel
 * 34,000 captured by Group Stumme near Velikiye Luki

The famous Western researcher of the war on the Eastern front, Nigel Askey, in his study of Soviet military losses in 1941-1945, based on an analysis of Soviet documents and archives, argues that official Soviet data on military losses in the First Battle of Smolensk is greatly underestimated. Actual casualties amount to 1,000,000 men, including 565,000 prisoners.

The losses of the German side, according to one of the documents from the Russian archives, amounted to only 101,000 men. Historian David Glantz draws attention to the fact that the number of killed for the 9th army in this document is obviously too low. In his opinion, this number should be 7 thousand higher. His own estimate of the personnel losses of Army Group Center for the period 10 July - 10 September, made on the base of known German documents, gives around 115,500 killed and wounded, compared with the 760,000 losses the Soviet fronts incurred during the same period.

Aftermath
During the battle, the German army captured the Archives of Smolensk Oblast Committee of Communist Party of the Soviet Union, a large amount of documents about local history from 1917 to 1941. The Germans used the document for propaganda about Soviet repression and transported them back to Germany.

In the immediate aftermath of the capture of Smolensk, German forces rounded up all Jewish inhabitants and confined them to local and regional ghettos, and later extermination, and the city would enter an unconditional and constant period of martial law until the Soviets liberated the city two years later.

The Battle of Smolensk was another severe defeat for the Red Army in the opening phase of Operation Barbarossa. For the first time, the Soviets tried to implement a coordinated counter-attack against a large part of the front; although this counter-attack turned into a military disaster, the stiffening resistance showed that the Soviets were not yet defeated and that the Blitzkrieg towards Moscow was not going to be an easy undertaking. Dissent within the German high command and political leadership was exacerbated. The leaders of the General Staff, Franz Halder and Brauchitsch and commanders like Bock, Hoth and Guderian counselled against dispersing the German armoured units and to concentrate on Moscow. Hitler reiterated the lack of importance of Moscow and of strategic encirclements and ordered a concentration on economic targets such as Ukraine, the Donets Basin and the Caucasus, with more tactical encirclements to weaken the Soviets further. The German offensive effort became more fragmented, leading to the Battle of Kiev and the Battle of Uman. The battles were German victories but costly in time, men and equipment on their approach towards Moscow, allowing the Soviets time to prepare the defenses of the city.

title: Battle of Smolensk (1941)


text:
Masumi Asano

Masumi Asano (浅野 真澄) is a Japanese voice actress, singer and narrator who worked for Aoni Production, but now as of January, 2021, a Freelancer.

Biography
Asano was born on August 25, 1977, in Noshiro, Akita and studied at the Kokugakuin University Faculty of Literature. Asano announced via her blog that her dōjin manga series Seiyu's Life!, with art by Kenjiro Hata, is receiving an anime television series adaptation.

Television animation

 * A Little Snow Fairy Sugar (2001) – Saga
 * .hack//Sign (2002, Episode 28: "Unison") – BlackRose (Hayami Akira)
 * Gravion (2002) – Kaori Stephanie
 * Haibane Renmei (2002) – Shouta
 * Rizelmine (2002) – Aoi
 * Spiral: The Bonds of Reasoning (2002) – Hiyono Yuizaki
 * D.N.Angel (2003) – Risa Harada
 * Ikki Tousen (2003) – Hakufu Sonsaku
 * Popotan (2003) – Mai
 * Gravion Zwei (2004) – Kaori Stephanie
 * Uta∽Kata (2004) – Manatsu Kuroki
 * Daphne in the Brilliant Blue (2004) – Gloria
 * Yumeria (2004) – Mizuki
 * Melody of Oblivion (2004) – Sayoko Tsukinomori
 * He Is My Master (2005) – Izumi
 * Hell Girl (2005) – Mina Minato (Episode 15)
 * Mahoraba ~Heartful days~ (2005) – Megumi Momono
 * Shakugan no Shana (2005) – Yukari Hirai
 * SoltyRei (2005) – Rose Anderson
 * High School Girls (2006) – Yuma Suzuki
 * Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru (2006) – Mariya Mikado
 * Tokimeki Memorial Only Love (2006) – Naomi Hoshina
 * Dōjin Work (2007) – Najimi Osana
 * Hayate the Combat Butler (2007) – Risa Asakaze
 * Prism Ark (2007) – Princea
 * Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny (2007) – Hakufu Sonsaku
 * Monochrome Factor (2008) – Aya Suzuno
 * Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians (2008) – Hakufu Sonsaku
 * One Piece (2009) – Marguerite
 * Strike Witches 2 (2010) – Junko Takei
 * Ikki Tousen: Xtreme Xecutor (2010) – Hakufu Sonsaku
 * Yumekui Merry (2011) – Nao Horie
 * Blood-C (2011) – Yūka Amino
 * Beelzebub (2011) – Pillar Agiel
 * Hyouka (2012) – Ayako Kouchi
 * Aikatsu! (2013) – Saki Hashiba
 * Blood Lad (2013) – Berosu
 * Tenkai Knights (2014) – Beni
 * Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014) – Mystique
 * Go! Princess PreCure (2015) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Triage X (2015) – Miki Tsurugi
 * Seiyu's Life! (2015) – Herself
 * Beyblade Burst (2016) – Chiharu Aoi
 * Keijo (2016) – Kyoko Shirayuki (episodes 6 & 7)
 * Kemono Friends (2017) – Campo Flicker (episode 10, 12)
 * Dragon Ball Super (2017) – Cocoa Amaguri (episodes 73 & 74), Xeres
 * Tonikaku Kawaii (2020) – Kanoka Yuzaki (episode 8)
 * Dragon Goes House-Hunting (2021) – Lilith (episode 6)
 * Shin Ikki Tousen (2022) – Hakufu Sonsaku
 * RWBY: Ice Queendom (2022) – Glynda Goodwitch

Original video animations (OVAs)

 * A Little Snow Fairy Sugar (2003) – Saga
 * Eiken (2003) – Kirika Misono
 * Uta∽Kata (2005) – Manatsu Kuroki
 * Kowarekake no Orgel (2009) – Flower
 * Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018) – Sensei
 * Ikki Tousen: Western Wolves (2019) – Hakufu Sonsaku

Theatrical animation

 * Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary (2014) – Scorpio Milo
 * Pretty Cure All Stars: Spring Carnival (2015) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Go! Princess Precure the Movie: Go! Go!! Splendid Triple Feature!!! (2015) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Pretty Cure All Stars: Singing with Everyone Miraculous Magic! (2016) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Pretty Cure Dream Stars! (2017) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Hugtto! PreCure Futari wa Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (2018) – Minami Kaido/Cure Mermaid
 * Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System (2019) – Risa Aoyanagi

Video games

 * .hack (2002-06-20–2005) – BlackRose (Hayami Akira)
 * Symphonic Rain (2004-03-26) – Falsita Fawcett
 * Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 (2004-08-20) – Torris
 * Tales of Legendia (2005-08-25) – Chloe Valens
 * Critical Velocity (2005-10-13) – Clara
 * Soulcalibur III (2005-10-25) – Tira
 * .hack//G.U. (2006-06-20–2007, 2017) – Alkaid (Youkou)
 * Mobile Suit Gundam: MS Sensen 0079 (2007-07-26) – Lil Somas
 * Bleach: The 3rd Phantom (2008-06-26) – Matsuri Kudo
 * Soulcalibur IV (2008-07-29) – Tira
 * Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny (2009-08-27) – Tira
 * beatmania IIDX 17 SIRIUS (2009-10-21) – Nyah
 * The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero (2010-09-30) – Noel Seeker
 * The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (2011) – Noel Seeker
 * Valkyria Chronicles III (2011-01-27) – Imca
 * Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny (2011-02-24) – Odette
 * Growlanser IV: Wayfarer of Time (2011-08-18) – Eliza
 * Soulcalibur V (2012-01-31) – Tira
 * Project X Zone (2012-10-11) – BlackRose, Imca
 * Dynasty Warriors 8 (2013-02-28) – Zhang Chunhua
 * Toukiden: The Age of Demons (2013-06-27 – Ouka
 * Dragon Ball Xenoverse (2015-02-05) – Time Patroller (Female 1)
 * Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth (2015-03-12) – Makiko Date
 * Super Robot Taisen OG: The Moon Dwellers (2016-06-30) – Calvina Coulange
 * Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 (2016-10-25) – Time Patroller (Female 1)
 * Warriors All-Stars (2017-03-30) – Ouka
 * Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker's Memory (2017-12-14) – Makiko Date
 * Food Fantasy (2018) – Foie Gras, Crepe, Hawthorne Ball
 * Soulcalibur VI (2018-10-19) – Tira
 * Kingdom Hearts III (2019) – GoGo Tomago
 * Valkyrie Connect – Völva, Avencia.

Misc.

 * Amai Tsumi no Kajitsu drama CD – Kurihara
 * Special A drama CD – Hikari Hanazono
 * Exit Trance – KANA (Music Series)
 * Wild Arms 3 Drama CD – Virginia Maxwell
 * 7th Dragon III Code: VFD Drama CD – Nagiri

Live-action

 * 47 Meters Down – Lisa (Mandy Moore)
 * Bloodshot – KT (Eiza González)
 * Dark Phoenix – Vuk (Jessica Chastain)
 * A Discovery of Witches – Gillian Chamberlain (Louise Brealey)
 * Extant – Julie Gelineau (Grace Gummer)
 * The Gilded Age – Bertha Russell (Carrie Coon)
 * Gone – Jill Conway (Amanda Seyfried)
 * A Good Man – Lena (Iulia Verdes)
 * How to Get Away with Murder – Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza)
 * Mr. Moll and the Chocolate Factory – Fritz (Maxwell Mare)
 * Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway – Mittens
 * Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – Shansa (Golshifteh Farahani)
 * San Andreas – Blake Gaines (Alexandra Daddario)
 * Triloquist – Angelina (Paydin LoPachin)
 * The Wedding Ringer – Gretchen Palmer (Kaley Cuoco)

Animation

 * The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius – Cindy Vortex
 * Big Hero 6 – GoGo Tomago
 * The Looney Tunes Show – Tina Russo
 * RWBY – Glynda Goodwitch
 * Wonder Park – Greta

Books
Asano wrote a children's book series.
 * Uru wa Sorairo Majo (ウルは空色魔女), illustrated by You Shiina (3 volumes, February 2009 – December 2010, Kadokawa Shoten)

Awards

 * the Best Radio Personality in the 1st Seiyu Awards (2007)
 * the Highest Prize of Children's story category in the 13th Ohisama Taisho (2007)

title: Masumi Asano


text:
Slavkov

Slavkov may refer to:

Czech Republic

 * Slavkov (Opava District), a municipality and village in the Moravian-Silesian Region
 * Slavkov (Uherské Hradiště District), a municipality and village in the Zlín Region
 * Slavkov, a village and part of Bohdalovice in the South Bohemian Region
 * Slavkov, a village and part of Kozlov (Olomouc District) in the Olomouc Region
 * Slavkov, a village and part of Olbramovice (Benešov District) in the Central Bohemian Region
 * Slavkov Forest, a geomorphological region
 * Slavkov pod Hostýnem, a municipality and village in the Zlín Region
 * Slavkov u Brna, a town in the South Moravian Region
 * Slavkov Castle in Slavkov u Brna
 * Horní Slavkov, a town in the Karlovy Vary Region

Slovakia

 * Malý Slavkov, a municipality and village
 * Nižný Slavkov, a municipality and village
 * Veľký Slavkov, a municipality and village
 * Vyšný Slavkov, a municipality and village

People

 * Slavkov (surname)

Other

 * Slavkov Declaration, a cooperation between the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria

title: Slavkov


text:
Tom Dumont

Thomas Martin Dumont (born January 11, 1968) is an American musician and producer. Dumont is a member of third wave ska band No Doubt, and during the band's hiatus, he began Invincible Overlord as a side project and produced Matt Costa's Songs We Sing.

Life and career
Born in Los Angeles, California, the Dumont family lived in Irvine, California. Tom was the only adopted child in his family and has two siblings. Dumont's father, who played the piano, gave his son a guitar at age twelve. Dumont practiced by strumming folk songs by the likes of James Taylor. Dumont was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and KISS. He joined his older sister's heavy metal band Rising, but left in 1988 for third wave ska band No Doubt. He has one sister named Gina and a brother named John.

Dumont studied music theory for five semesters at Orange Coast College but dropped out when he had to learn classical guitar, which was something he disliked. When the band moved into a house on Beacon Avenue in Anaheim, he wrote a poem about being addicted to television. He took the poem to Eric Stefani, who put the poem to music and came up with the song "Trapped in a Box". The song was recorded for the band's self-titled debut album and was the album's only single.

The band later self-released The Beacon Street Collection in March 1995. The same month, Dumont left his job as a file clerk at a mortgage company. He had "a good feeling" about having finished recording Tragic Kingdom and planned to fall back on promoting rock concerts if the album was not successful. Tragic Kingdom became a commercial success, certified diamond in the United States and selling sixteen million copies worldwide. When Eric left the band, Tom, along with bandmates Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, took leadership in writing and composing responsibilities.

After the Tragic Kingdom tour, Tom returned to his home in Long Beach, California and started surfing in 1997. Dumont is a member of The Surfrider Foundation, an environmental organization to preserve coastal life. Since Eric Stefani left, Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal and Gwen Stefani became No Doubt's primary songwriters.

During No Doubt's hiatus, Dumont produced Matt Costa's 2005 debut album, titled Songs We Sing, after hearing a demo tape by Costa.

Reunion with No Doubt
With Stefani promoting her second solo album, No Doubt began initial work on a new album without her and planned to complete it after Stefani's tour was finished. In March 2008, the band started making posts concerning the progression of the album on their official fan forum. Stefani made a post on March 28, 2008, stating that songwriting had commenced but was slow on her end because she was, at the time, pregnant with her second child.

Manager Jim Guerinot said the yet-untitled album is being produced by Mark "Spike" Stent, who helped produce and mix Rock Steady. Between Stefani's pregnancy and recording, No Doubt did not tour in 2008, but Guerinot promised, they plan to hit the road hard in 2009 for their first full-fledged band tour in nearly five years.

No Doubt announced on their official website that they will tour in the summer of 2009 with Paramore, The Sounds, Janelle Monáe, Bedouin Soundclash, Katy Perry, and Panic! at the Disco. while finishing their upcoming album, which was set to be released in 2010 but has been delayed. Tickets for the tour went on sale March 7, 2009. As a special promotion for the tour, the band is giving away their entire music catalog free as a digital download with purchase of top-tier seating.

In 2009, No Doubt made an appearance on the television series Gossip Girl, playing a fictional band called "Snowed Out" in the episode "Valley Girls". They performed their cover version of the Adam and the Ants song "Stand and Deliver".

Personal life
Dumont and his wife Mieke have three sons together: Ace Joseph Dumont, born April 6, 2006, Rio Atticus Dumont, born June 18, 2008, and Koa Thomas Dumont, born February 19, 2011. According to the band's record label representative, the couple was married in October 2004.

According to his No Doubt bandmates, when Dumont drinks alcohol he shifts into his alter ego nicknamed "The Douche".

Dumont is an avid traveler, spending a good part of his free time on the road, he has been spotted in remote areas of the world with his wife and kids.

Equipment
Dumont is endorsed by Hamer Guitars and favors vintage MXR effect pedals. During live performances, he uses Kemper modeling amplifiers, but has also used Divided by Thirteen, Soldano, Vox, Matchless, Fender, and Silvertone amplifiers while recording. He uses Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings.

Guitars

 * Hamer Standard natural finish
 * Hamer Vector
 * Hamer Korina Standard
 * Hamer Korina Junior
 * Hamer Newport
 * Hamer Newport with hum buckers
 * Hamer Duotone

Effects

 * MXR Phase 90
 * MXR Phase 100
 * MXR Blue Box
 * MXR Micro Amp
 * MXR Auto Q
 * MXR Bass Octave Deluxe
 * Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
 * Dan-Echo
 * Eventide Time Factor
 * Eventide Mod Factor
 * Malekko Ekko 616
 * Tone Freak Effects Buff Puff
 * Tone Freak Effects Naked OD

Amplifiers

 * Divided by 13 RSA 31 Heads
 * Divided by 13 4x12 Cabinets equipped with 16ohm Celestion G12M Greenbacks.
 * Soldano SLO 100
 * Matchless Clubman 35
 * Fender Pro Junior

title: Tom Dumont