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Musha'sha'

The Musha'sha' (also spelled Mosha'sha'; المشعشعية) were a Shi'i Arab dynasty based in the town of Hoveyzeh in Khuzestan, ruling from 1435 to 1924. Initially starting out as a tribal confederation, they gradually transformed into a zealous Isma'ili-Shi'i dynasty. The independence of the Musha'sha' was put to an end in 1508 by the Safavid shah (king) Ismail I ((r. 1501 – 1524)), who claimed to be the only legitimate Shi'i ruler. Following this, the Musha'sha' remained compliant, typically serving as valis or governors under Iranian suzerainty for the following centuries.

The Musha'sha' were founded and led by Muhammad ibn Falah, an Iraqi-born theologian who believed himself to be the earthly representative of Ali and the Mahdi. From the middle of the 15th century to the 19th century, they came to dominate much of western Khuzestan in southwestern Iran.

Beginning in 1436, Ibn Falah spread his messianic beliefs amongst the less powerful Arab tribes along the area of the present-day border of Iraq and Iran, gaining converts in an attempt to forge a strong tribal alliance. In 1441, they succeeded in capturing the city of Hoveyzeh in Khuzestan, and during the following ten years the Musha‘sha’iyyah increased their strength and consolidated their power in the area around the city and the Tigris. These early military ambitions were fueled by Muhammad ibn Falah's zealous millenarian theology, which continued to significantly influence the later military campaigns of the Musha‘sha’iyyah decades after his death.

Successors of Ibn Falah were in continual conflict with the Safavid rulers as well as with Iranian Arab tribes until overcome by the Safavids in 1508. The conflict with the Safavids was driven not only by politics and territorial domination, but also by theological differences and competition between two rival Shi'a schools of thought. According to Moojan Momen, both sects adhered to heterodox (ghuluww) Shi'i beliefs.

According to the order's Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi will appear at the end times in Yemen to lead the forces of good in a struggle against the forces of evil, who will be based in Syria and Greater Khorasan. The Musha‘sha’iyyah believed that the end times were imminent and that they would need to defeat the Safavids and gain control of Iran in order to fulfill the prophecy heralded by ibn Falah.

The Musha‘sha’iyyah gradually abandoned their heretical beliefs and were absorbed to mainstream Twelver Shī‘ah orthodoxy. Like other mystical Shī‘ah sects, they placed a great deal of importance upon poetry and art.

Unreferenced sources indicate that their rule ended towards the 19th century with the rise to power of the Banu Ka'b, which, under the leadership of Jabir al-Kaabi, had become the dominant power in the western region of Iran. However, Momen writes that by the 16th century they were already reduced to being the governors of Khuzestan.

title: Musha'sha'


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Benchrest shooting

Benchrest shooting is a shooting sport discipline in which high-precision rifles are rested on a table or bench – rather than being carried in the shooter's hands – while shooting at paper or steel targets, hence the name "benchrest". Both the forearm and buttstock of such a rifle are usually fully supported by bean bags, a bipod/monopod (front/rear) combination, and/or a specially designed fixture device called shooting rest (which may be one- or two-piece depending on competition rules), so that the gun can remain stably pointing at the target without needing to be held by someone. When shooting, the shooter simply sits/stands comfortably behind the table/bench, operates the action and pulls the trigger, without needing to worry about carrying any weight of the gun. This is in contrast to other shooting disciplines, where the shooter has to bear at least part of the gun's weight while holding it steady to aim, even when using support devices such as bipods, tripods or shooting sticks.

Shooting guns from stable benchrests may also provide a stable platform for sighting in less specialized firearms, including even handguns, shotguns and muzzleloaders, as it eliminates most of the human errors that can confound the sighting-in process.

Benchrest shooters are notoriously detail-oriented and constantly trying to further the accuracy potential of the rifle through experimentation. Nearly all benchrest rifles are custom-made and many shooters do their own gunsmithing. Nearly all shooters in centerfire competition handload their ammunition in order to tune it perfectly to their rifle. In contrast, handloading ammunition is strictly prohibited by the rules for rimfire benchrest competitions.

The post-Civil War era "double rest" rifles were one early form of "benchrest" rifles. The World Benchrest Shooting Federation (WBSF) is the main international governing body for benchrest shooting, and encompass both fullbore and smallbore competitions. World Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Federation (WRABF) is a smaller international governing body focusing on smallbore competitions. The International Benchrest Shooters (IBS) and Global Benchrest Association (GBA) are two organizations which are only active in the United States.

Types of competition
There are two major types of competition. The goal of the original benchrest shooting was to shoot five or ten bullets into the smallest group possible (all in one hole). Winning placement in competition is determined by how well each competitor achieves this goal or in other words, how closely the shots are grouped. This is termed "Group Shooting".

The other is a more recent development, "score shooting". The difference is that the traditional bullseye-type target with scoring rings is used. Winning placement is determined by each shooter's score results.

However, in 600 and 1000 yd competitions (IBS, NBRSA, and The Original Pennsylvania 1,000 Yard Benchrest Club), the competitor's target is scored for both group size and score. A competitor may only win in one category. If, for example, a single competitor has the smallest group and highest score, they will be awarded only a win for the smallest group, the next highest score will be awarded the score win.

Additionally, there is growing interest in both rimfire and airgun benchrest. Currently, both of these competitions are of the score format only.

Benchrest shooters attempt to achieve the ultimate in rifle precision; records for single 1000 yd, ten-shot groups are as small as 3 in (84 μRad), the 600 yd record for a single five-shot group is 0.699 in (32 μRad) (there are no ten-shot competitions at 600 yards), while 200 yd ten-shot groups are around 0.2 in (28 μRad), and 100 yd 10-shot groups are around 0.1 in (27 μRad). Five-shot groups are significantly smaller. Groups are measured from center-to-center, thus negating the variations of different calibers. To accomplish this, the group is measured across its overall widest dispersion, then the diameter of the bullet is subtracted for the result. For example, a group measuring 0.375 in is scored 0.132 in (.375"-.243") for a 6 mm (.243") bullet. Matches are shot from 50 yd with rimfire rifles, up to 1000 yd for centerfire rifles.

In competitive group shooting at 100 - 300 yd, shots often land very close together making only one ragged hole in the target, therefore a method for verifying the required number of shots (five or ten) is used. This consists of a motorized single roll of paper stretched across and moving behind the targets which will record the number of bullets passing through each target.

Equipment
Since benchrest is a sport requiring the highest possible accuracy and precision, the highest precision equipment is required if a shooter is to be competitive. The rifle is the most obvious cost; the most accurate guns are custom-built and can cost thousands of dollars. Handloading equipment is also essential for centerfire shooters (rimfire rounds are generally not handloaded) to allow tuning the ammunition to the rifle. In order to achieve extreme accuracy, the guns must be fired from a stable platform called a bench, which is a heavy, solid table usually anchored into the ground. Benches made of cinder block with a poured concrete top are commonly used in competition. Wooden benches are still used on some ranges. For most rifles, rests are required to provide a stable shooting surface, and most shooters use some method of judging the direction and/or velocity of the wind on the range.

Rifles
Rifles are usually custom-made with extreme accuracy in mind. Shooters might use heavy stainless steel barrels, scopes with high power magnification, and handmade stocks of graphite, fiberglass, or carbon fiber. Triggers are usually set to a pull of only a few ounces.

Benchrest shooting grew from varmint hunting, where the shooters would aim for highly accurate rifles, using mostly .22 caliber cartridges. Initially, competitors could use just about any gun they wished. Eventually, classes of guns were created to enhance the sport's competitiveness. For example, the two long-range classes are a 17 lb maximum Light Gun and an unlimited weight Heavy Gun. Short range (100 to 300 yd) centerfire group shooting encompasses the "Light Varmint" (maximum 10.5 lbs overall), "Heavy Varmint" (13.5 lbs overall), "Sporter" (10.5 lbs, and 0.243 in or greater), and "Unlimited" classes.

The Unlimited class comes very close to living up to its name—just about any single-shot rifle qualifies, up to and including "rail guns", which are rifle barrels and mechanisms built into a machine, or return-to-battery (RTB) rest. With rifles such as these, some initially argued that no shooting skill was involved and was simply a test of the gunsmith's craft. However, shooting an RTB rifle requires a set of skills different than conventional marksmanship. What is removed with the return-to-battery rifle is the need to physically aim the rifle for each shot, and evaluation of how any mirage will affect the shot. Judging the wind is as difficult and important with RTB rifles as with the other rifles. Given their mechanisms, it is arguably harder to compensate for ever-changing wind conditions when using a machine rest; the usual technique is to wait for what seems to be an identical condition rather than holding for the wind. Holding for the wind is quite common with the Light and Heavy Varmint rifles, and does offer certain advantages.

Benchrest matches involve careful reading of wind conditions to compensate for bullet drift, and the rifles and ammunition must be of the highest possible quality. However, claims of the superior position of machining over marksmanship skills in RTB rifle shooting are bolstered by the fact that competitors build their own rifles, and nearly all handload their ammunition to tune it to the rifle.

Sights
Precision sights are also a requirement. High-quality aperture iron sights could be used, but nearly all benchrest events allow telescopic sights. High magnification scopes are generally preferred; magnifications of 24×, 36×, or higher are common when allowed. Generally, scopes will have turret adjustments to allow the scope to be easily adjusted for various shooting conditions.

For benchrest shooting, scopes with a second focal plane (SFP) reticle and click adjustments of $1/8$ moa (approximately 0.036 mil) are most commonly used. Scope models with 0.025 mil and 0.05 mil adjustments are also becoming more available. Lower adjustment values make it possible to more finely adjust the sight towards the center of the target, but at the cost of more adjustments to keep track of. Some also participate with sights intended for hunting or practical long-range shooting (i.e. PRS). Sights intended for practical long-range typically have a reticle in the first focal plane (FFP) and coarser $1/10$ mil adjustments.

Ammunition
Only the most consistent and efficient cartridges can provide the necessary accuracy for benchrest shooting. Initially, many chamberings were tried, with the .219 Donaldson Wasp probably being the most common. The .222 Remington dominated the benchrest world from the mid-1950s until around 1975, when the wildcat 6 mm PPC, based on a modified .220 Russian case (which is in turn a boxer-primed derivative of the military 7.62×39mm), took over as the most accurate cartridge. In today's benchrest competitions, short-range group is mainly shot with the 6 mm PPC, while short-range score sees more rifles chambered in the .30 BR. In 600 yd benchrest, the 6 mm BR Norma and a wildcat based on it, the 6 mm Dasher, are currently the most common chamberings. There is no dominant chambering in 1000 yd competition; choices range from the 6 mm BR and Dasher through the .338 Lapua, with a host of 6 mm, 6.5 mm, 7 mm, and .30 caliber chamberings.

Except where extremely rare competition rules stipulate factory-assembled ammunition, benchrest shooting relies exclusively on hand-loaded ammunition, which is user-assembled, round by round, with painstaking precision. Benchrest shooters' primers, powders and bullets must be of the highest quality available if they are to achieve the shot-to-shot consistency necessary for competitive performances. Most short-range benchrest shooters use precision target-grade bullets made by custom bullet makers. Long-range shooters split about evenly between factory-manufactured and custom-manufactured bullets. Initially, very-low-drag (VLD) bullets were preferred for long range, but both the difficulties in consistent manufacture and fussiness in consistent loading of VLD bullets have led to some compromise designs that have the promise of more consistent performance.

Rests
Unlimited class rail guns are just barreled actions (the top) that ride directly on a machine rest (the base), no additional rests are needed. The base of the railgun provides adjustable feet to provide a stable position on the bench, and the rifle is aimed with horizontal and vertical adjustments built into the base.

All other rifle types have recognizable stocks, and are fired from dual sandbags; a front bag on an adjustable mechanical platform (some costing half as much as the rifle) and a special rear bag. The stocks of benchrest rifles are designed to rest on the sandbags. With short-range rifles and the lower-recoiling long-range rifles, many competitors shoot "free recoil," where the rifle is not touched at all, save for the finger on the trigger. The sandbags provide all the support. By allowing the rifle to move freely backward, the shooter hopes that the movement under recoil will be as consistent as possible. A few short-range rifles and long-range rifles with heavy recoil must be firmly held, even though the aiming is still done with the positioning of the rests.

Wind flags
Wind flags are placed on the range between the shooter and the target, and allow a skilled shooter to judge the amount of correction that needs to be made to place each shot precisely on the target. Flags can be home-built or purchased. They generally consist of a wind vane to indicate wind direction, and a cloth (or plastic) streamer and/or propeller to indicate wind speed (the higher the wind, the greater the angle of the streamer or speed of the propeller). Multiple flags are usually used, and they are placed at intervals along the path of the bullet from rifle to target.

Competitions
The Supershoot is usually held the week before Memorial Day in northern Ohio. Approximately 360 shooters from around the world will gather to see who can shoot the smallest average of Light Varmint (5 groups each at 100 and 200 yd) and Heavy Varmint (5 groups/100/200).

World Records
The World Benchrest Championship is hosted in a different country every two years. On June 27, 2009, a world record was set there at 300 yd with a 1.191 cm five-shot group measured center-to-center.

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

title: Benchrest shooting


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Provisioning (cruise ship)

Provisioning refers to the supplying of food and drink for the passengers of a cruise ship.

As cruise ships consume large amounts of food every day, this operation can be complex, particularly when the chef has promised ambitious menus. Some cruise ship owners contract food service companies to handle all aspects of catering, including the purchase, delivery, and storage of food supplies, menu planning, and hiring and supervision of kitchen staff.

Not all the food will be consumed during the voyage, and the ship must keep a percentage in reserve to allow for delays.

title: Provisioning (cruise ship)


text: File:MichelleKwanFigureSkatingGame.jpg

title: File:MichelleKwanFigureSkatingGame.jpg


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User:Brogol

Hello everyone, I'm Brogol. Let's keep this short.

nl:Gebruiker:Brogol

title: User:Brogol


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Lists of prehistoric fish

Prehistoric fish are early fish that are known only from fossil records. They are the earliest known vertebrates, and include the first and extinct fish that lived through the Cambrian to the Quaternary. The study of prehistoric fish is called paleoichthyology. A few living forms, such as the coelacanth are also referred to as prehistoric fish, or even living fossils, due to their current rarity and similarity to extinct forms. Fish which have become recently extinct are not usually referred to as prehistoric fish. They were very different from what we have today. They likely were larger and had tougher scales.

Lists of various prehistoric fishes include:

 * List of prehistoric jawless fish
 * List of placoderms
 * List of acanthodians
 * List of prehistoric cartilaginous fish
 * List of prehistoric bony fish
 * List of sarcopterygians

title: Lists of prehistoric fish


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Talk:Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia

Old unilateral move discussion
Today's abrupt move of this article from Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia to Maria Romanov was, in my opinion, too hasty and also bad. We know that she does not use the surname Romanov, and we know that she has an almost uncontested right to use "of Russia", also apparently accorded to her by her opponents in the Romanov Family Association.

I support that the title "Grand duchess" was removed, and hopefully will be, from the title of the article. Such titles have no place, in my opinion, in article titling: for brevity's sake, but also for avoiding quarrels about what are pretensions and what are true rights. Such titles and stules are explained in the text of the article.

Maria Romanov is too generic. It will probably later serve as disambiguation page.

Patronymic is a part of their namings. Thus, Maria Vladimirovna is good and NPOV.

We should defer to actual usage of her and of the meaningful others. After all, this is no place for artificial naming. And if artificial naming, as apparently here, is intended to express a political opinion of her claims, is doubly not good. It is POV.

I believe the actual usage for her is widely "of Russia". Thus, I vote that soon this article be moved under Maria Vladimirovna of Russia. 62.78.124.63 20:59, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Done. mikka (t) 21:05, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * I agree. Her actual usage is "of Russia". I will revert now to the version that we have all consented to. Watercool 09:36, 23 June 2006 (UTC)

I agree with this as well- let's change it back to Maria Vladimirovna of Russia.I vonH 04:11, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

Cut-and-paste moves are against Wikipedia policy
Whatever is to happen, no one must do a cut-and-paste move. 84.251.186.14 11:15, 25 June 2006 (UTC)

Name
Maria is known by the name which she uses for herself, which includes the title of Grand Duchess of Russia. The current name is unacceptable. "Standard" naming for pretenders is to affix the title to the end of their name. In this case, that would be Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia (as she would the the Grand Duchess of Russia as opposed to just a Grand Duchess of Russia). Otherwise, she is at Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia. I prefer the former. Charles 18:16, 25 June 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree with Charles, have it moved. Gryffindor  13:09, 12 July 2006 (UTC)

The above statement is untrue- the Danish monarchy's website coverage of the funeral of the Empress Marie lists Maria as a Princess of Russia- not a Grand Duchess.68.3.32.53

 * That is the Danish Royal Court's opinion. Maria Vladimirovna uses the title of Grand Duchess for herself. Charles 07:10, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

Yet no other member of the Romanov family nor the royal family closest to them does. Usage of a title and entitlement to do so are two very different things. 12.146.101.146 18:44, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

However, the point of the matter is she is not "known" by all as a Grand Duchess- anyone can call themselves anything they like- it doesn't make it correct. 12.146.101.146 01:03, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

 * It doesn't matter at all, so there is no point. Some people refuse to recognize Elizabeth II as queen and call her Princess Philip of Greece and Denmark. Others refuse to call Louis-Alphonse de Bourbon HRH The Duke of Anjou. The fact of the matter is, and the only point of the matter, is that a pretender here on Wikipedia and in general are known by the names and titles which they themselves use. For those that even acknowledge her as titled, it's either Princess or Grand Duchess. She uses the grand ducal title. Charles 01:59, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

 * My thoughts exactly. I could start calling myself King of Scotland (I am, in fact, a direct descendent of James IV, about a dozen generations distant... almost everyone with roots in great britain can trace descent from a monarch) but that doesn't make me King Kenneth - no matter how many others supported my claim. It just seems ridiculous to credit people with titles that, for all intents and purposes, disappeared, dissolved, or were abolished centuries ago. By giving what reads like legitimacy to these imaginary titles Wikipedia goes beyond presenting encyclopedic information to becoming a part of the LARP. It would be completely legit to report that so-and-so is well-known as a claimant to such-and-such and extinct title, but to seemingly credit them with actually holding that title is another story.PurpleChez (talk) 16:36, 26 April 2021 (UTC)

If it doesn't matter at all then why must you argue your POV every chance you get rather than let people list a source or a fact without your constant, endless, and uninformed badgering? And pretenders on Wikipedia are not all known by their titles of pretense. In the future please do your research before you make such broad and usually incorrect statements12.146.101.146 18:44, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

 * Oh? My "POV" is the POV taken by pretenders and supported by Wikipedia. I support and change what I can if it's right. In the mean time, why don't you get a name and stop hiding behind an IP address if you're going to tell me that I'm always incorrect? Until then, you don't deserve my consideration. Charles 19:08, 17 May 2007 (UTC)

Actually Charles, I would tend to agree with our unnamed friend above-you do tend to attack rather than address the issue when pressed. Why is that? Your POV may be supported by self-serving pretenders but you do not speak for Wikipedia. And if you had looked in Wikipedia you would see that your statement about pretenders is wrong, and is not supported by Wikipedia. For your consideration.I vonH 02:27, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

 * Oh, an editor with only one contribution. The one above. Charles 03:27, 18 May 2007 (UTC)

Is that a rebuttal? As it addresses none of the salient points above one can only assume.I vonH 02:05, 19 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Charles is correct. --Counter-revolutionary 08:38, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

About what Counter-revolutionary? He has addressed none of the points made above. Unless you intend to address them for him perhaps you should keep your opinion to yourself. I vonH 02:44, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

Charles is incorrect.Tim Foxworth 04:38, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

Per Wikipedia- "Anyone can create a website or pay to have a book published, then claim to be an expert in a certain field. For that reason, self-published books, personal websites, and blogs are largely not acceptable as sources.[3]

Self-published material may be acceptable when produced by a well-known, professional researcher (scholarly or non-scholarly) in a relevant field. These may be acceptable so long as their work has been previously published by reliable third-party publications. However, exercise caution: if the information in question is really worth reporting, someone else is likely to have done so.

Self-published sources should never be used as third-party sources about living persons, even if the author is a well-known professional researcher or writer; see WP:BLP".

As his occupation, education and published work meet none of the above requirements this rules out Sainty. Purcell is out as well as he was Vladimir's personal attorney, therefore biased. Purcell is also self-published (web). Per Wikipedia- "The burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material. Material that is challenged or likely to be challenged needs a reliable source, which should be cited in the article. Quotations should also be attributed. If an article topic has no reliable, third-party sources, Wikipedia should not have an article on it". This means you Charles.

Please source the statements made in this article using the guidelines above.I vonH 03:38, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

External links do not meet Wikipedia's criteria for citation- see above.I vonH 16:17, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

Per Wikipedia- "Claims of consensus must be sourced. The claim that all or most scientists, scholars, or ministers hold a certain view requires a reliable source. Without it, opinions should be identified as those of particular, named sources".I vonH 16:53, 14 June 2007 (UTC)

 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the . Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Move. —Wknight94 (talk) 03:06, 10 October 2006 (UTC) Please remember WP:CIVIL --Counter-revolutionary 12:30, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

Requested move
Maria Vladimirovna → Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia – The page was unilaterally moved from a location using the territorial designation "of Russia". The grand ducal title is what Maria Vladimirovna uses for herself and is also what she is most referred to as. The title should be appended to the end of the name as is the practice for pretenders Charles 21:45, 4 October 2006 (UTC)

Survey
Add "* Support" or "* Oppose" followed by an optional one-sentence explanation, then sign your opinion with ~

 * Support As nominator. Charles 21:45, 4 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Support Gryffindor  17:10, 9 October 2006 (UTC)

Discussion
Add any additional comments
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Life
Does anyone know anything about her life? Beyond the succession issue. Biography should mention some information about a person's life.BorisG 14:30, 9 September 2006 (UTC)

Nicholas' alleged statement supportive of Maria
I removed the following today, January 8, 2006:

''Her rival Nicholas Romanov, Prince of Russia, has -perhaps unwittingly- offered an argument that supports Maria's dynastically as daughter of Leonida, by citing in a published statement in October 1995, the public renunciations of succession rights by two princesses of the imperial blood immediately prior to their marriages: by Princess Tatiana of Russia in 1911 prior to her marriage to Prince Bagration of Moukhrani and by Princess Irina of Russia in 1914 prior to her marriage to Prince Yusupov. Nicholas argues: "These Ukases [publishing the renunciations] prove without doubt that had the princesses not renounced their rights, their issue would have been in possession of full rights to the inheritance of the throne of Russia."''

The statement was used to suggest that Nicholas recognized the equality of the Bragation Dynasty to the Romanov's and the inheritance rights of females. That is not the case.

Nicholas' claim is that the equal marriage rules only applied to Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses. Since Princess Tatiana and Princess Irina were not of grand ducal rank they were not required to marry equally. This position is the basis of Nicholas' own claim to be head of the Romanov Family. Since his father, Prince Roman, was not of grand ducal rank, he could make an unequal marriage and retain succession rights for himself and pass them to his descendants (i.e. Nicholas). In contrast, Nicholas argues that those of grand ducal rank who made unequal marriages could not pass succession rights to their descendants. Thus the male line descended from Grand Duke Dimitri, which is genealogically senior to the line of Prince Roman, is excluded from the throne because Dimitri was a grand duke who made an unequal marriage.

As regards Maria, Nicholas' arguments are twofold. Either Maria's father was required to marry equally and failed to do so by marrying a Bagration, or his marriage was acceptable but Maria is not the head of the family because Nicholas takes precedence over her as a male. Basically, Nicholas' claim does not turn on the equality of the marriage of Maria's parents but on his contention that as a mere Prince of Russia (instead of a Grand Duke) his father, Prince Roman, was exempt from the equal marriage rules. His interest in the Bagration's status is not because his own claims turn on that issue but because he wants to accuse Maria, and her father, of hypocrisy by asserting that Maria's father married unequally at the same time he condemned the marriages of the remaining Romanovs.

This whole argument is convoluted, and somewhat silly, but it is the basis for Nicholas' claim to the Russian crown. To twist it into an endorsement of Maria is a mistake. Nicholas is not suggesting that Princess Tatiana retained her rights because her marriage to a Bagration was equal but because, as a Princess of Russia instead of a Grand Duchess, Tatiana was not required to make an equal marriage. He is suggesting that the Bagration marriage was clearly unequal, but that Tatiana would have retained her rights except for her voluntary renunciation. The point is proven by the fact that he refers to Princess Irina in the same way. No one suggests that the Yusopovs were equal to the Romanovs but Nicholas points out that Irina was required to sign a renunciation of her rights. To him that means that Irina would have retained all her rights despite marrying unequally had she not renounced them.

63.215.28.165 21:46, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Line of succession for British throne
Line of succession to the British Throne lists Maria as #109, so I've changed this article to match. Presumably a few new births have moved her down since she was listed here as #107. Since that's likely to happen relatively frequentlyt category, I suggest that the sentence be reworded to remove the reference to a particular number. I'd suggest "Maria Vladimirovna of Russia is in the line of succession to the British Throne.", but since this can be a sensitive subject I'll leave that change to somebody more familiar with the sensitivities. Jordan Brown 18:46, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

does anyone observed her facial features? she looks like the late queen victoria of england.

Polish descent
I added Maria Vladimirovna to the People of Polish descent category because of her Szlachta origins. Her maternal ancestors were from Złotnicki family.

The only officially recognised Head of Imperial House of Russia
Grand Duchess Maria Romanova is the only officially recognised (by Patriarchs of Moscow and by presently ruling monarchs) Head of the Imperial House of Russia. Never Nicolas Romanovich Romanov (who is an issue of an illegal marrige, and who is OUT of the Line of Succession in I.H.R. at all, and who abusing a title "Prince Romanov" (there is not such title at all)) claiming to the Headship of Imperial House of Russia, but only for headship in the "Association of Romanov heirs" (private organisation consisting issue from illegal marriges of Romanov family. All its members OUT of the Line of Succession of Imperial House of Russia). He claiming that there is no Head of Imperial House of Russia at all,and he does not recognise the position of HIH Maria Vladimirovna. But his claim is no more then an "idea fix" of an privat person, and has no any legal status. The artical should include official position of proper authorities (in that cause the authorities are: The Patriarchy of Moscow and are heads of other european Royal Houses) instead of claimes of private persons and self-styled princes (like Nicolas Romanovich Romanov,etc.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.239.129.227 (talk) 18:58, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

 * This is an incredibly controversial topic, the various claims are discussed here Line of succession to the Russian throne. Please see WP:NPOV. Prince Nicholas Romanovich not only is Head of the Romanov Family Association but rightly or wrongly claims the Headship of the Imperial House/Family, see a press release from his brother "During the summer of last year, after a visit to Saint Petersburg, I issued a press release in which I informed the media that the entourage of my relative, Princess Maria Wladimirovna, was titling her as Grand Duchess and Head of the Imperial Family. I did point out that both titles ware misleading as the last Grand Duchess of the Imperial family had been Olga Alexandrovna, the sister of the martyred Tsar Nicholas II, who died in Canada in 1960. Furthermore, I pointed out that the Head of the Imperial Family was my elder brother Nicholas Romanovich who not only by right but also is recognized as such by all other members of the Imperial Family." By all means add that the Patriarch recognises Maria, but that does not equate to her being head of the Imperial Family that is one persons opinion, I very much doubt that every European Royal House recognises her, Prince Dimitri Romanovich is close to the Danish Royal Family, I've never seen Maria invited to Danish events for instance. - dwc lr (talk) 19:09, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

READ THAT ATTENTIVELY, and You will more-less understand the subject you talking about. http://www.imperialhouse.ru/rus/history/archives.html And NO. No claim for Headship by any illigal issue of Romanov's might be recognised by Patrirachy of Moscow. And recognition by Patriarch of Moscow is much more important matter then any other official recognitions in this cause. Probably you are not familiar with Russian Imperial Law of Sucession, and you informantion came from fantastic story promulgated by both - Nicolas and Dmitry Romanov's. Tnat people has no official support in Russia. To be honest - thay are nobody for Russia. And (if we will politely to avoid a mention that thay are OUT of Line of Sucession APRIORI) do not forget,thay are both very old, and has no proper issue. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.239.129.227 (talk) 19:34, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

 * I have said add that the Patriarch recognises her somewhere in the article. The recognition is not surprising considering both of there stance on the remains of Emperor Nicholas II and his family. The fact is Nicholas Romanovich claims the headship and in future probably will be Prince Rostislav Rostislavovich. Because of the dispute Wikipedia must present a NPOV just as it does in other disputes such as France, Brazil, Two Sicilies. - dwc lr (talk) 19:43, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

No. This "disput" existing in head's of issue of illegal marrige of Romanovs only. Unfortunately you have not possibility read Russian documents (there are plenty on that subject), and that you have not possibility to see the real situation with the matter you wrigting about. But, if you wish more-less understand the subject you talking about, instead of "fairy-tales" (fantasy) by Nicolas Romanov, learn the situation. If you wish to be honest, put into YOUR article honest information, instead of rubbish promulgated by APRIORI illegal claimants. Be polite, and be honest if you wish to whrite about such a honourable subject. Recognition by Patriarch of Moscow is much more important matter then any other official recognitions in this cause. Your informantion came from fantastic story promulgated by both - Nicolas and Dmitry Romanov's. Tnat people has no official support, no standing in Russia. G.D.Maria Vladimirovna has it. For example, dynastical orders and decorations granted by GD Maria may be officially used on military uniform during active duty (this is official(governmental) provision since 2002). To be honest - Nicolas and Dmitry Romanov's are nobody for Russia, and thay may claiming to be Imperors of Bizantium with the same sucess. Person mentioned by you (Rostislav Romanov) is more alien and more nobody for that country than his predessesors in his illegal line.His name is Zero.And, for your information: he is not a Prince, but an untitled person, since he is NOT a member of Imperial Family of Russia, because he is a descendent of an illegal marrige and his ancestors has never been granted with proper titles for morganatical branches. Learn The Code of Principal Laws of R.I., and you will complitely change your mind in that subject, and will never hear any rediculous claims of Nicolas and Dmitry Romanov's.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.239.129.227 (talk) 20:14, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

 * I get that you support Maria V but Wikipeida must present a NPOV in these disputes, which it does. It is perfectly legitimate to discuss claims and support but stating Maria V *is the Head of the Imperial House* is a disputed and controversial POV. I’m well aware of Maria V’s and others stance on the so called “illegal”/morganatic marriages of the father of Nicholas Romanovich etc, just as am aware of people who believe Maria is born of an “illegal”/morganatic marriage. All these issues and more surrounding the succession is discussed at line of succession to the Russian throne. Saying Maria V is head of the Imperial House is unacceptable pov, saying she claims the headship if acceptable. Same applies for Prince Nicholas Romanovich regardless of how “ridiculous” you may regard his claims. - dwc lr (talk) 20:36, 26 September 2010 (UTC)

You are complitely "flying in clouds" (out of reality). Maria V. is only daughter of the Head of the Imperial House (officially recognised and accepted Head (regardless of fantasies invented by illegal Romanov's). Her father, in his power beeng the Head of the House (not an simple member! this is a main matter!) gave official recognition to his own marrige as to equal. Therefore the marriage of GD Maria parents is legal and equal. Her father has proclamed GD Maria to be the Head of the Imperial House of Russia after him (it was in his power, and his order is undisputed, because "his wish is the Law" (Code of Principal Laws of R.I.). There is a principal difference between marriages of members of the House, and marrige of the Head of the House. Any marrige of a member of the House is a subject of control by the Head of the House. The marriage of the Head of the House is a matter of his own opinion. By Russian Imperial Law the Head of the Imperial House is a Low in Last Instance. His orders are not a subject of disput, but a spring of the Law. "Fairy tales" (fantasy) invented by illegal Romanov's (Nicolas, Dmitry, etc.) used by them especially to meslead other, and bused on misunderseting and confusing between the rights of the simple member of the House and the rights and powers of the Head of the House. And once again, the recognition made by Patriarchy of Moscow is a main matter (not only socially, but by the Imperial Law also). The marriage of her perents has been recognised as equal. She has been officially recognised by Patriarch fo Moscow as: HER IMPERIAL & ROYAL HIGHNESS OUR MAJESTIC LADY GRAND DUCHESS MARIA VLADIMIRIVNA OF RUSSIA, THE HEAD OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSE OF RUSSIA, THE SUPREME HEAD OF IMPERIAL AND ROYAL ORDERS. Her son has been officially recognised as: HIS IMPERIAL & ROYAL HIGHNESS OUR MAJESTIC LORD GRAND DUKE GEORGY MICHAYLOVICH OF RUSSIA, THE HEIR APPARENT TO THE HEAD OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSE OF RUSSIA. Do you know something like that for illegal Romanov's(meant for Nicolas, Dmitry, etc.)??. Of cource NOT and NEVER. Therefore thay are not Pretenders to the Throne, but they are social climbers and fantasists only. Therefore NO any disput in the Imperial House of Russia existin in reality. GD Maria is only Head, and there is no other, and there is no any Pretender to Headship(in official term of this meaning). This is a quintessence. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.239.129.211 (talk) 21:24, 26 September 2010 (UTC)
 * No your right Nicholas and his brother Dimitri don’t use inflated titles like “Grand Duke of Russia” as they are not grandsons of an Emperor, they claim the title “Prince of Russia”. And they certainly do not go around handing out Imperial and Royal orders; indeed they condemn such acts by Maria and her son Georg. Nicholas and Dimitri are seemingly more interested in doing charity work in Russia. But again effectively stating on Wikipeida that Maria is the only *“Head of the Russian Imperial House”* when there is a very real and bitter dispute is out of question. You can mention your interpretation of various Imperial laws as much as like; and can call Princes Nicholas and Dimitri “fantasists”, but it won’t make a difference as a NPOV must, and will be presented. Neither Maria V or Nicholas R is universally recognised as Head of the Imperial Family, just like the royal houses of Brazil, France etc for example. Disputes exist. - dwc lr (talk) 21:40, 26 September 2010 (UTC)
 * My understanding was always that Nicholas claimed to be head of the Romanov family, not head of the Russian Imperial House. Maria's claims are potentially dubious, but any hereditary claim by Nicholas is even more dubious, given that there's just no way to argue that his father's marriage  was in conformity with the Pauline Laws.  It seems that there is some dispute as to what exactly Nicholas is claiming.  Sometimes he is just the elected head of a voluntary association of descendants of Tsar Nicholas I, and he accepts that the Russian monarchy no longer exists and that it's up to Russians to decide if they want a monarch and who they want it to be.  Sometimes he is the head of the Russian imperial family (always family, never house, so far as I can tell).  Whenever one goes at the latter claim and tries to grasp wht the basis of it is, there is generally a retreat to the former claim, which is unassailable. That being said, I don't think the anon is being at all helpful here. john k (talk) 01:31, 27 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Yes its quite confusing all the different terms used but they all mean the same thing; Romanov/Russian Imperial Family/House/Dynasty. Here he calls himself Head of the Romanov dynasty for instance, the website for the President of Russia calls him “head of the Romanov family”, his brothers press release “correcting” misinformation about Maria being head calls him “Head of the Imperial Family”, here’s an article that uses Imperial house . His style certainly differs from Maria and he is like the majority of heads of dynasties in that he doesn’t go around explicitly claiming any throne or calling himself (titular) Emperor of Russia. He undoubtedly regards himself as successor to Grand Duke Vladimir and hopefully the anon will accept a NPOV being presented. The argument for his claim is based on interpretation of 1911 Ukase relieving princes and princess from the requirement from marrying equally, here’s an article . And Nicholas Romanovich wrote about the succession himself on the RFA site . - dwc lr (talk) 02:27, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Since November 2002 the Administration of the President of Russia no longer recognise Nicolas and Dmitry Romanov's are rightfull members of Romanov family. It generally considering, in the event with Imperial family, that no Nicolas no Dmitry Romanovs belongs to that family, but thay are abusing a title "Prince Romanov" (there is not such a title at all) and a title 'Prince of Russia'(no one of them is a 'Prince' or 'of Russia'), and tha are illegally (out of Imperial Family Low) using a family name 'Romanov'. But, any way, thay has never been recognised as members of Imperial House of Russia. Romanov Family and Imperial House of Russia is a quite different things (should not be confused). Romanov Family is an social organisation of several groups of private persons belonging to the same ancestors by birth. The Imperial House of Rusia is a publuc body (beeng a ruling House after 1815 (the Congress of Vienna)it permanently continuing to hold a status of 'persona sui juris' in International Law). Only GD Maria is officially recognised Head of the I.H.R. The Head of Administration of the President of Russia Sergey Narishkin(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Naryshkin) has been awarded by GD Maria with Imperial Order of St.Anna of 1st class. The Head of the State Security Service of RF and majority of High Officers of the Ministery of Defence and Ministery of Internal Affairs of RF has been awarded by GD Maria with Imperial Military Order of Nicolas the Wonderworker.Mentioned awards approved by the Government as 'official dynastical Orders awarded by the Head of Imperial House of Russia Her Imperial Highness Our Majestic Lady Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia' and it is officially permitted to wear it, on civil dress, on uniform and during active duty even. After that it was an official meeting between GD Maria and Prime Minister V. Putin, and Sergey Narishkin has been appointed to the additional office as The Head of Governmental Commission for Defending of Historical Truth. This body officially recognise GD Maria as only Head of the I.H.R. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.239.129.239 (talk) 16:29, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Requested move 2011

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The result of the move request was: not moved. Favonian (talk) 19:19, 22 August 2011 (UTC)

Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia → Maria Romanova – She is not a Duchess and never was. She was born in 1953 and there is no royalty in Russia since 1917. Elmor (talk) 14:03, 15 August 2011 (UTC)

 * Oppose she is not known as Maria Romanova she is always known as Grand Duchess. - dwc lr (talk) 16:27, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Oppose per NCROY's point #6 under "Sovereigns". She is referred to by grandducal title more than by any other designation, and that is more relevant to the name of her article in Wikipedia than her legal status in Russia. FactStraight (talk) 18:58, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Oppose as per above. Her legal status in a particular country is irrelevant as she is known by her title and has been accepted as such by even the Patriarch of All Russia and the Pope. -- Kimon talk 22:08, 15 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Oppose as she is known both internationally and within Russia today as a grand duchess. Both the Russian people and the Russian news media refer to her as Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna. -L.Smithfield (talk) 11:23, 16 August 2011 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

Requested move: Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna

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The result of the move request was: no consensus to move. Favonian (talk) 15:47, 1 September 2011 (UTC)

Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia → Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna – This name is given in the proposed form by The New York Times, Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, The Australian, Reuters, The Telegraph, RIA Novosti, and by The St. Petersburg Times. Every other article in Category:Russian_grand_dukes is done title first. When this article was moved to its current location, the format was explained as, "the practice for pretenders". I find the idea of a "pretender format" to be highly problematic, especially as it is not based on either guidelines or RS. Kauffner (talk) 16:02, 24 August 2011 (UTC)

 * Oppose per WP:NCNT. I don’t see why just because a source might use the exact term ‘Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna’ means we should follow it word for word and have zero flexibility. I don't see the need for a short version with no territorial designation just because news articles might omit 'of Russia' as the whole article would be a bout the Imperial Family so would make the full version redundant. But the full title is not redundant for our article name. - dwc lr (talk) 16:18, 24 August 2011 (UTC)
 * Oppose per NCROY's point #6 under "Sovereigns" and point #1 under "Royals with a substantive title". For her, the grandducal title is substantive, as it is neither borne nor claimed by anyone else, and is effectively her unique title of pretence as claimant to the Russian throne. It isn't Wikipedia's place either to create or belittle pretenders: their notability doesn't depend upon the "legality" of their claim or title, but upon the coverage they draw in RS. Maria draws plenty of ink under a variety of styles. She should be accorded the same treatment as any other pretender notable enough to appear in Wikipedia, that means being accorded the substantive title she actually uses and is known by, in the same form that is borne by every other holder of a substantive title -- Firstname, Title of Place. And that's what the guideline says. FactStraight (talk) 14:57, 25 August 2011 (UTC)
 * So her title is substantive, but for every other Russian grand duke "of Russia" was non-substantive? Where do you get this from? Kauffner (talk) 18:19, 25 August 2011 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page. No further edits should be made to this section.

NPOV
Recent edits have violated the neutrality of this article. Since her father's death in 1992 she has, for the most part, been one of two prominent, rival claimants for Headsship of the House of Romanov and for embodiment of that family's historical legacy in Russia. Yet this article increasingly tilts against her claims by including/implying evidence against her eligibility without context, selecting largely negative-sounding quotes to attribute to her and highlighting references to how her rivals and critics view her claims and behavior. As a bio on Maria Vladimirovna, this article should, and in the past has, generally given her life story in a straight-forward and more-or-less neutral way, explaining the basic existence and grounds for her position and opposition, yet leaving in-depth analysis and specific criticism of her to the article Line of succession to the former Russian throne (much in need of updating, but its talk page reveals how daunting walking that gauntlet has been): the articles on her rivals, Nicholas Romanov, Prince of Russia, Prince Dimitri Romanov and, recently, Prince Karl Emich of Leiningen are not similarly biased against the subject's own perspective and interest. We are left with an imbalance in portraying both this individual and her movement -- which is, by most accounts, more widely recognized than that of her opponents, thus also giving rise to an undue weight problem. I have tried to leave in, while properly sourcing, some of the contentious material on this BLP, especially the recent edits, to restore balance, but continue to encounter resistance which, if allowed, will leave the article lopsided and distort the prevalent acceptance of Maria Vladimirovna's position as a pretender, not to mention compromising Wikipedia's neutrality. FactStraight (talk) 11:38, 2 December 2015 (UTC)

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Grand duchess or just a princess?
Maria Vladimirovna is widely known and referred to as having the rank of (imperial) Grand Duchess (Grand Princess in Russian; Velikaya Kniagina). This term along with her status constitutes a different rank than just a Princess, which is usually one of (mere): noble, serene, grand ducal, or royal. She is an imperial Grand Princess of the House of Romanov. If you (somehow) disagree, please bring your arguments to this talk page-section. L.Smithfield (talk) 18:30, 1 October 2017 (UTC)
 * For what it's worth, Almanach de Gotha (2016) calls Maria a princess. They give her father Vladimir as a grand duke. In the 1923 edition of Gotha, Vlad is a mere prince. The grand duke title was bestowed by his father Kirill, who declared himself emperor in exile in 1924. I can't think of a reason to affirm Vlad's claims while denying Maria's, at least not in terms of the succession law. Sometimes it is claimed that a woman cannot inherit the Russian throne, but this is nonsense. Perhaps the Romanov Family Association, which hates Maria, buys more copies of Gotha than her supporters do. The rightful heir torn down by sheer numbers and petty resentments. That's democracy for you. Literally no one else calls Maria a princess, as you can see here. 99to99 (talk) 23:58, 25 May 2021 (UTC)
 * Grand duke is the usual and established, though not literal, translation in English and Romance languages of the traditional title of all non-ruling members of the Russian Imperial Family: Grand prince (великий князь, velikiy knyaz, female: velikaya knyaginia). -- Equord (talk) 14:48, 6 March 2024 (UTC)
 * It's usually restricted to the children and male-line grandchildren of the emperor. Later generations are prince/princess. DrKay (talk) 07:48, 7 March 2024 (UTC)

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Requested move 15 January 2018

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Moved as proposed, without opposition after extended discussion. bd2412 T 22:38, 1 February 2018 (UTC)

These two pages do not follow the naming convention that already exists for the articles of Russian dukes/duchesses. The format "Grand Duke/Duchess X of Russia" has been used for almost all of the articles in this topic, and the rationale behind this format is also pretty clear. When looking at some of the articles about the other royal families one could realize that there is a group who actually hold titles in their own right (ex. Charles, Prince of Wales, Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden) while another group use part of the titles in lieu of a surname (ex. Prince Henry of Wales), and some are just addressed in the following format [Prince/Duke] [Name] [Kingdom/Dukedom] (ex. Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Duchess Cecilie of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, etc) to make it clear that to which Kingdom/Dukedom they belong to. I think these two pages fall in the third category, as just like Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, "of Russia" is just an attribution to the empire from which they had come from, and unlike Grand Duke of Bosnia, Grand Duke of Baden, or Duke of York which are exclusive titles, Grand Duke/Duchess of Russia is somehow equivalent to Prince/ss of the United Kingdom which are general titles bestowed upon all of the descendants of a monarch. Keivan.f Talk 06:38, 15 January 2018 (UTC) --Relisting. ToThAc (talk) 18:54, 23 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Maria Vladimirovna, Grand Duchess of Russia → Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia
 * Kirill Vladimirovich, Grand Duke of Russia → Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich of Russia
 * Support. The proposed name for Kirill Vladimirovich is his actual title and is consistent with the other grand dukes. Maria Vladimirovna, though not a real grand duchess, calls herself Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna on her website, and as stated in, this form has been adopted by reliable sources. Celia Homeford (talk) 10:17, 15 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Comment: The rationale behind the current titles is that the head of the family is the grand duke/duchess while any other member is a grand duke/duchess, similar to the Prince of Monaco title. This rationale is also applied to Georg Friedrich, Prince of Prussia, Franz, Duke of Bavaria, etc. Surtsicna (talk) 19:23, 23 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Prince of Monaco is an exclusive title that can only be attributed to the reigning prince. I'm not sure whether Duke of Bavaria is merely a title for all the Bavarian princes or is the title of the head of House of Wittelsbach, but I think Grand Duke/Duchess of Russia is somehow equivalent to Prince/Princess of the United Kingdom which are generally bestowed upon the descendants of a monarch. Do you have any solid reason to prove it otherwise? If I'm wrong, I'll gladly accept my mistake. Keivan.f  Talk 07:28, 25 January 2018 (UTC)
 * No, the title Prince(ss) of Monaco is borne by the monarch's children too. Gabriella is a princess of Monaco, as are her aunts, etc. "Grand Duke of Russia" is an odd translation of a Russian title that actually should have been translated as "Grand Prince of Russia", in the sense of being an imperial prince. I am not saying that you are wrong, but explaining why the title of this article is what it is. Perhaps the rationale for the present title is faulty. I believe FactStraight might enlighten us. Surtsicna (talk) 07:44, 25 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Yes, some enlightenment is definitely necessary. If it becomes clear that this format is the right way of addressing the head of a royal/imperial house, then we should move Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia to Vladimir Kirillovich, Grand Duke of Russia instead. Keivan.f  Talk 20:33, 25 January 2018 (UTC)
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Condemnation of Russia's special military operation in the Ukraine
In the "Succession claims and activities" section it is stated that the Grand Duchess condemns the special military operation in the Ukraine. Is that a serious source? When I click on the source it also states that she doesn't take any specific position on the military operation. If the source is serious then that part should be rewritten to adhere to a neutral point of view. Reading the Wiki article one could think that she condemns the operation itself. 83.145.42.60 (talk) 10:42, 24 February 2023 (UTC)

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Requested move 25 June 2023

 * The following is a closed discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review after discussing it on the closer's talk page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

The result of the move request was: not moved. (non-admin closure) Captain Jack Sparrow (talk) 16:20, 2 July 2023 (UTC)

Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia → Maria Vladimirovna Romanov – The individual is merely a claimant, and a highly controversial one at that, including her self-granted title, which not recognised by the Romanov Family Association. In line with Wikipedia's styling of other such claimants, the article should surely use birth name in the header, and disputed self-granted titles should be in inverted commas. MisterWizzy (talk) 14:37, 25 June 2023 (UTC)

 * Oppose - The Romanov Family Association has absolutely no influence over how Wikipedia articles are titled. estar8806 (talk) ★ 15:22, 25 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose I agree with Estar8806. Dimadick (talk) 15:29, 25 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose She is known with this name, is recognized as such by entities such as the Order of Malta and the opinions of an organization (the Romanov Family Association) with its own biases and controversies has absolutely nothing to do with how Wikipedia is run. The arguments presented by MisterWizzy do not support the need to rename the article. -- Kimon talk 00:53, 26 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose as per the reasons above. Additionally, all other Russian princes/princesses are Grand Dukes/Grand Duchesses. - Therealscorp1an (talk) 06:13, 26 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Comment: Naming_conventions_(royalty_and_nobility) "Do not use hypothetical, dissolved or defunct titles, including pretenders (real or hypothetical), unless this is what the majority of reliable sources use". Most of the sources on this page are self-published (press releases by the lady herself) and hence not RS. It is unclear to me how RS do refer to her (it seems they do so only very occasionally...). Furius (talk) 00:17, 28 June 2023 (UTC)
 * Oppose: Vast majority of English-language RS refer to the subject as a "Grand Duchess" (Examples: BBC, France 24, Radio Free Europe, Sunday Times, Politico, South China Morning Post, Dawn, ekatherimini, The Moscow Times, Reuters, NPR, The Age, CNN). I am actually hard-pressed to find any English-language RS that mentions her without the "Grand Duchess" title and found only one. --StellarHalo (talk) 08:43, 28 June 2023 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


text: Category:Electric Frankenstein albums

title: Category:Electric Frankenstein albums


text:
Jabir ibn Merdaw

Jabir Bin Merdaw Al-Kaabi (1780–1881; الشيخ جابر بن مرداو الكعبي) was the Sheikh of Mohammerah during the 19th century.

The reign of Jabir Ibn Merdaw
Sheikh Jabir was troubled by intertribal wars. He therefore confined himself to an attitude of neutrality while maintaining good relations with both the Persian and Ottoman governments, and notably with the Walis of Baghdad.

The tribe which was most troubling for Jabir was the Rabi'ah. He thus turned to an ancient Arabian diplomatic practice: he married Noura, the daughter of the Sheikh of the Rabi'ah, Talal, in order to appease the opposition of that tribe. One son was born from this union, to become the last ruler of autonomous Arabistan.

The constant conflict between the Ottomans and the Qajars, the weakening of these empires, as well as the intelligent diplomacy of Sheikh Jabir would result in the Persian emperor, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, recognising Arabistan as the dominion of Sheikh Jabir and his successors. The Shah agreed to not interfere in the internal affairs of the emirate.

Death
Jabir died on 2 November 1881 and was succeeded by his second son Miz'al Khan ibn Haji Jabir Khan.

title: Jabir ibn Merdaw


text:
MR-UR-100 Sotka

The MR-UR-100 Sotka was a MIRV-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed and deployed by the Soviet Union from 1978 to 1993. The missile was given the NATO reporting name SS-17 Spanker and was built under the Soviet industry designation 15A15. An alternative designation for the missile is the UR-100MR.

Development
OKB-586 developed the MR-UR-100 project. The purpose was to develop a MIRV capable replacement for the existing UR-100 missiles in service. While designed to fit into existing UR-100 silos, it still required some modification of existing silos to accommodate the new missile, due to its requirement for a cold launch system.

The development of "modernized UR-100" was authorized on 19 August 1970 (document No.682-218) and assigned to both OKB-586 and TsKBM (builder of UR-100). The design bureau conducted flight tests from 1971 through 1974. Deployment commenced in December 1978. The more advanced MR-UR-100UTTh version began development in 1979, with flight tests from 1977 through 1979. The new missiles had completely replaced the original version by 1983, at which time the Soviets fielded 270 launchers. From there the number of launchers declined, and by the 1991 START I Treaty they were down to 76. All were scheduled for dismantling and removed from the inventory.

In fiction
In the historical fiction novel The Third World War, written by General Sir John Hackett, a warhead from a MR-UR-100 detonates 3500m above Birmingham, England at 10:30 hours GMT on 20 August 1985. The explosion kills 300,000 people within minutes, with a further 250,000 likely to die in the aftermath.

Operator

 * : The Strategic Rocket Forces were the only operators of the Sotka.

title: MR-UR-100 Sotka


text:
Kent Archaeological Society

The Kent Archaeological Society was founded in 1857 to promote the study and publication of archaeology and history, specifically that pertaining to the ancient county of Kent in England. This includes the modern administrative county as well as areas now subsumed by south east London and in the district of Medway.

It carries out archaeological surveys and excavations funded through membership subscriptions as well as being involved in the protection and recording of historic buildings and churches. In addition, it organises lectures, excursions and other education projects and can make grants or loans of equipment to archaeological projects. A library in the museum at Maidstone is available for members' use and a field school, the Kent Archaeological Field School, is often run in the summer.

The society publishes an annual journal, Archaeologia Cantiana, and a quarterly newsletter. Through its Record Series, it publishes editions of archival texts relating to the county, and it therefore functions as the record society for Kent. It publishes other occasional volumes on specific topics.

Recent projects have included assisting in the excavation of the Ringlemere barrow and an edition and translation of the Kent Hundred Rolls. A number of local societies are affiliated to it and it has links with national and county archaeological organisations.

Notable members
• John Brent, antiquarian and writer

• Leland Lewis Duncan, civil servant and antiquarian

• Thomas Godfrey Faussett, antiquarian

• Rev. Lambert Blackwell Larking, clergyman and antiquarian

• Francis Harry Panton, scientist and archaeologist

• George Pratt, 2nd Marquess Camden, politician

• Henry Brinsley Sheridan, politician

• Charles Roach Smith, antiquarian

• Flaxman Charles John Spurrell, archaeologist

title: Kent Archaeological Society


text:
File:ChevelleLivefromtheRoad.jpg

Summary
The cover of Chevelle's live album Live from the Road.

title: File:ChevelleLivefromtheRoad.jpg


text: User talk:68.239.97.174

title: User talk:68.239.97.174


text: Talk:Free the West Memphis 3

title: Talk:Free the West Memphis 3


text:
Laser Quest

Laser Quest is a British indoor laser tag franchise founded in Manchester, United Kingdom in 1989. Its laser tag games use infrared (IR) hand-held units and vests. Laser Quest's oldest centre is located in Stourbridge, West Midlands, England.

In 1993, Laser Quest had begun operations in North America, where it would operate several locations in the United States and Canada. Its headquarters was located in Mississauga, Ontario. However, in September 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Laser Quest announced they had ceased operations in North America due to the uncertain economic environment.

The Last Location in North America
There is only one Laser Quest location in North America that still uses the Laser Quest packs and system. Laser Zone, a laser tag company not affiliated with Laser Quest, continues to run games using Laser Quest's original system. Laser Zone is located in Canton, Ohio, at the site of the old Laser Quest.

Overview of the game of Laser Quest
The player's goal in Laser Quest is to tag opponents as many times as possible, while avoiding being tagged. The players are equipped with an infrared/laser hand held unit and a pack with infrared sensors. Players start the game in a large multi-level maze-like arena filled with ramps, catwalks and windows. In Laser Quest centres, the playing arenas are filled with theatrical fog and black light, strobes and UV-reactive painted surfaces. While play can seem chaotic, there are rules that are enforced. Players recite a "Player's Code" in the Briefing Room, where they go to learn how to play the game. The Player's Code includes a vow not to run, climb, jump, sit, kneel, lie down, cover any sensors, make physical contact with other players, use offensive language, and to 'play hard, play smart, and play to survive!'. At least one employee or "Marshal" is present in the arena at all times, to ensure fair and safe game play and to make sure people enjoy their time.

Equipment
Every LQ centre is equipped with approximately 30 packs, also called vests or ponchos. This number varies with busier arenas having more packs to accommodate larger crowds. The pack is made of a thick canvas-type material that hangs over the shoulders. When laid out flat on a table the vest forms a diamond shape. Sensors placed on various parts of the vest covering the chest, the back, and each shoulder. "There are additional sensors housed within the hand-held 'laser' unit located at the front, and both sides of the laser." The sensor on the chest’s housing is also home to a small motor, that vibrates when the player has been hit.

The infrared sensors are attached to printed circuit boards, which include several colours of LEDs, often red and green or red and blue, that light up when the pack is active. Each PCB is housed in a hard plastic cover. Part of each cover is made from clear plastic to allow the IR beams to reach the sensors.

Inside the laser shell is the PCB with sensors and lights, a speaker to indicate the status of the pack, a trigger, and an LCD to display the status of the pack to the player. The IR unit is what emits the visible laser the eye sees and the invisible IR beam which "tags" the opponent's packs.

The laser has a display in the rear. When a player is tagged, it displays the codename of the tagger and the location of the tag. It also occasionally displays the player's current ranking as the game progresses.

Scoring
Laser Quest players gain points by tagging other players or by tagging the opposing team's base. They lose points when they are tagged by other players, or when they are caught in a trap. The number of points lost depends on where the player hit and game settings. The scale for a typical game is as follows:

 * Shoulders: 3 points
 * Laser: 3 points
 * Back: 4 points
 * Front: 5 points

Players always gain more points for making a tag than they lose for being tagged. In a standardized game, a player gains ten points when tagging another, and loses points corresponding to the above scale when tagged.

Players may also be awarded bonus points based on their accuracy—usually 10 points for every 1% hit rate. Players achieving a hit rate of 10% are awarded 100 bonus points. In a standard 'Solo' game, this bonus is limited to a maximum of 100 points, far less than the theoretical maximum of 1000 points awarded to a 100% accuracy. This prevents players tagging one person with their first tag and then hiding for the rest of the game. As it is possible to tag multiple players with one tag, it is possible for a player's accuracy ratio to exceed 100%.

In team games, the team score is the sum of all similarly colored players' individual scores.

Game variants
The hardware and software used limit what types of games a Laser Quest center can hold. Up to four different groups of settings can be created; it is normal for everyone on a team to have the same settings, though this is not required. When giving packs within a team different settings, the packs will not be visibly different in-game, with the exception of 'sentinel' packs that have the ability to give lives and ammunition to teammates. These packs are identified by an alternate light pattern on the front and back sensor.

The settings which can be altered are:

The number of shots used can be quite large; in certain game types, players routinely fire 3000+ shots. This will give an accuracy rate of perhaps 5%. This seemingly low amount is a result of constant firing and dodging, as players are not directly penalized for missed shots. The average is 6% ratio of accuracy.

Downtime is defined as the period of time after a player is tagged that they remain deactivated. After the downtime has expired, the de-activated player's pack will re-energise and they are able to play as before.

Cheating
Although all players are required to recite a code of conduct before play, some may still cheat. One of the main ways in which players cheat is by taking duct tape into the arena and placing it over the sensors. Although duct tape does not completely stop the sensor from getting tagged, it does make the play difficult. Most cheating is stopped by the marshal instantly and will have the player ejected from the game for that type of behaviour. Laser pointers do not work as the hit is determined by the IR beam and not the laser beam. Another way is what players call 'Spocking', when players makes a 'V' shape with their hands and blocks the sensor on the end of the laser.

World Laser Quest Challenge/Championship (WLC)
This tournament occurs every couple of years where teams and players from the US, Canada, the Netherlands, France, and the UK compete to be the best in the world. The WLC alternates between participating countries.

WLC Champions

This tournament is often held irregularly dependant on player interest. The current format of the tournament is 6-man teams compete in quad or triple quest prelim games, then depending on their prelim rank they will either play the cup or plate knockouts which are pack-set double/triple quest games. The top teams in the cup and the plate will then go onto the finals which are pack-set double-quest games.

North America Challenge (NAC)
Laser Quest used to hold a corporate tournament called the North America Challenge, or NAC. To qualify for NAC, members from a particular centre hold a series of try-outs. The top nine players, plus one potential alternate, then go to one of three regional tournaments held in June of each year. The top teams from each of these regional tournaments will then proceed to the continental tournament, typically held in September. The top teams from each regional tournaments compete in the national event to determine the best team in Laser Quest.

Beginning in 1999, and continuing until 2007, the top five teams from each of the four North American regions advanced. Following a series of centre closures, and new centres opening, regional lines were redrawn and three regions formed.

Changed again in 2010, each centre did not have a tryout, and teams were able to form their own homegrown teams, with 8 starters, and 1 extra for an alternate.

European Laser Quest Championship (ELC)
This 9-man constructed team tournament consists of players from UK, France and the Netherlands. The tournament is held annually, with the location alternating amongst participating countries. The current format of the tournament is 6-man teams compete in triple-quest prelim games, then depending on their prelim rank they will either play the cup or plate knockouts which are pack-set double/triple quest games. The top teams in the cup and the plate will then go onto the finals which are pack-set double-quest games.

ELC Results

Currently, 14 European Championships have taken place. France currently holds 7 European titles. The UK holds 5 European titles. The Netherlands holds 2 European titles. France are the current European Champions. However, The Tribe Called Quest hold the most titles.

title: Laser Quest


text:
Anoixi

Anoixi (Άνοιξη, meaning "spring") is a suburb of Athens in East Attica, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Dionysos, of which it is a municipal unit. The municipal unit has an area of 4.582 km2.

Geography
Anoixi is situated in the hills in the northeastern part of the Athens conurbation, at about 370 m elevation. It lies east of the Parnitha mountains and northwest of the Penteliko Mountain. It is 1 km south of Agios Stefanos, 9 km west of Marathon and 20 km northeast of Athens city centre. Its built-up area is continuous with those of the neighbouring suburbs Agios Stefanos, Drosia and Stamata.

Motorway 1 (Athens - Lamia - Thessaloniki) and the railway from Athens to Thessaloniki pass west of the town. Greek National Road 83 (Athens - Marathon - Rafina) passes through Anoixi.

title: Anoixi


text: Talk:The Sauce (Eddie Spaghetti album)

title: Talk:The Sauce (Eddie Spaghetti album)


text:
Category:Judoka at the 1972 Summer Olympics

This category includes judoka at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany.


text:
Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Bastard Horse

 This page is an archive of the discussion about the proposed deletion of the article below. This page is no longer live. Further comments should be made on the article's talk page rather than here so that this page is preserved as an historic record. The result of the debate was DELETE. Golbez 08:58, Jun 18, 2005 (UTC)

Bastard Horse
non notable and by the same user who vandalized Sheffield

 * deleteMelaen 21:07, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * delete pointless non notable article Jtkiefer 21:09, Jun 8, 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete. Not notable now, and Wikipedia is not a crystal flagon. -- BD2412 talk 21:53, 2005 Jun 8 (UTC)
 * Delete band (or duo) vanity. --Etacar11 22:41, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete - not notable. DS1953 22:43, 8 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete non notable. JamesBurns 07:51, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)

 * Delete and important note: All these votes for deletion were removed by anonymous user 212.159.46.35. He has also removed the VfD tag from the Bastard Horse page. I'm putting this VfD entry on my watchlist and will revert it whenever (if ever) he blanks it again. jglc | t | c 15:25, 9 Jun 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete --NeoJustin 18:04, June 9, 2005 (UTC)
 * This page is now preserved as an archive of the debate and, like some other VfD subpages, is no longer 'live'. Subsequent comments on the issue, the deletion, or the decision-making process should be placed on the relevant 'live' pages.  Please do not edit this page .


text:
User:Stranger104

here is my page about me

title: User:Stranger104


text:
Miz'al ibn Jabir

Mazal ibn Jabir (18?? – 1897, styled Muaz us-Sultana) tribal leader of the Bani Kaab and Sheikh of Mohammerah He was the son of Haji Jabir Khan Ibn Merdaw and succeeded him upon his death. This was confirmed by an Imperial Qajar farman (executive order). Some accounts state that he was assassinated by his younger brother, Khazal Khan, while others state that he was slain by a palace guard under orders from Khazal.

title: Miz'al ibn Jabir


text:
User:SeventyThree/LQ-unusual

This is an article about unusual Laser Quest games.

These games are played only by regular groups, and are somewhat different to normal games. These games often require:
 * Some knowledge of the arena
 * Good teamwork
 * A few skilled players in the group
 * An understanding with the LaserQuest centre managment (in order to get them to change the settings to your liking)

The settings for each team are often different, as are the ending conditions.

Aliens
Suggested Settings
 * Game type: Two Teams
 * Total game time: 10 minutes
 * Bases: 0ff

 * Aliens (Green):
 * Number of Players: 1/4 of the total
 * Lives: 15
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 5 seconds
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: Off

 * Marines (Red):
 * Number of Players: 3/4 of the total
 * Lives: 3
 * Shots: unlimited
 * Downtime: 1 second
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: On

Balancing this game is an art, and the both the ratio of Aliens to Marines and the number of lives on each team should be adjusted as neccessary.

The Aliens should enter the arena at least 10 seconds before the Marines.

Ending Conditions The team with the last man (or alien) standing wins. If the game times out, a draw is declared. This is the same as a Limited Life Team Game.

Description This game is based around the SF film series Alien(s). Green Team are Aliens, with favourable settings but few players. Red Team are Marines, with less favourable settings but the advantage of numbers. In this game, the aliens are released into the arena at least 10 seconds before the Marines. The Marines must then hunt down the Aliens, while the Aliens pick off the Marines. The settings required for a balanced game changes depending on the skill of the players, so the above is only a guide.

Tactics Aliens should split up at the start, and move quickly into the arena. The aliens have a strong settings advantage, and should use this to finish off any isolated Marines and snipe at larger groups.

Marines need to stay together. With few lives and a very short downtime, lone Marines get removed from the game very quickly. The only way to defeat the Aliens by rushing and surrounding the Aliens - this is only possible with good teamwork. If enough people are playing, it is possible to split into two groups of Marines to cover the arena more effectivly.

VIP
Suggested Settings
 * Game type: Three Teams
 * Total game time: 5 minutes
 * Bases: 0ff

 * VIP (Mixed):
 * Number of Players: 1
 * Lives: 1
 * Shots: 1
 * Downtime: N/A
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: On

 * Assassins (Red):
 * Number of Players: 1/3 of the total
 * Lives: 3
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 2 seconds
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: Off

 * Bodyguards (Green):
 * Number of Players: 2/3 of the total
 * Lives: 2
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 3 seconds
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: On

This game does not work very well, but is included here because it is unique.

Before starting the game, the somebody plants a ‘bomb’ in the arena. The bomb is traditionally a large white plush toy, or other suitable item which will be highly visible under Blacklights. In game, only the VIP can touch the bomb.

Ending Conditions
 * If the bomb is returned to the airlock before the time runs out, the VIP has safely defused it - The VIP and Bodyguards win.
 * If the bomb is not returned to the airlock before the time runs out, it will explode. If this happens, the Assassins have won.
 * If the VIP dies, the Assassins have automatically won (nobody can prevent the bomb from exploding). Note that the bodyguards can kill the VIP by accident, because he is on a different team - in this case the Assassins win, even if they are all dead.

Description The Assassins' aim is to either kill the VIP, or slow him down enough that the time runs out. The Bodyguards' job is to protect the VIP at all costs. The VIP must get the bomb back to the airlock before it explodes!

The Assassins are released into the arena at least 10 seconds before everyone else.

Tactics The VIP must stay hidden behind the bodyguards - they only have one life. They should stay low, and avoid exposing themselves to any danger if possible.

The Bodyguards should be escorting the VIP around the arena, with a few scouts in front. A few bodyguards can go round the arena looking for Assassins and the bomb - when they find the bomb, they shoudl report back to the VIP. Killing al the Assassins is useful, but not necessary.

The Assassins can snipe safely because their gun sensors are off. They have a short downtime, so rushing the VIP is very dangerous. It is, however, a very effective tactic, and it is this that makes the game difficult to balance.

Predator
Suggested Settings
 * Game type: Two Teams
 * Total game time: 10 minutes
 * Bases: 0ff

 * Predators (Green):
 * Number of Players: 1/5 of the total
 * Lives: unlimited
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 7 seconds
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: On

 * Marines (Red):
 * Number of Players: 4/5 of the total
 * Lives: 10
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 1 second
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: Off

The Marines should enter the arena at least 10 seconds before the Predators

Ending Conditions If any Marine is left alive when the time runs out, the Marines win. If all the Marines are killed before the time runs out, the Predators win.

Description This game is based on the film, Predator (movie). The Marines are being attacked, and have called for reinforcments - due in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, they must defend themselves against the Predators.

Tactics The Predators should concentrate on removing the Marines one at a time, to reduce the Marines' firepower. With unlimited lives, they can be very bold.

The Marines need to work together to concentrate fire on the Predators, keeping them in downtime for as much of the game as possible. When numbers get low, a valid tactic is to split up and hide, hoping that the Predators won't find everyone before the time runs out.

Assault the Bases
Suggested Settings
 * Game type: Two Teams
 * Total game time: 20 minutes
 * Lives: Unlimited
 * Shots: Unlimited
 * Downtime: 15 seconds
 * Shoulder sensors: On
 * Gun sensors: On
 * Bases: 0n

Once a player is killed, they must use their downtime to return to their home base, and stay there until their pack re-energises. This requires honesty among players.

Ending Conditions The winners are the team with the most points when the time runs out.

Description This game avoids the base-camping problems of a normal Bases game. Each player effectivly spawns at their home base.

Tactics This game probably requires the most teamwork of the games mentioned here. With such a long downtime, a failed assault can leave a team's base very vunerable. Because bases can only be scored every 30 seconds, it is often wise to return to home base after a successful assualt, to help defend.

title: User:SeventyThree/LQ-unusual


text:
Uzungöl

Uzungöl (lit. 'Long Lake'), or in the local Romeyka language: Şeraho, is a lake situated to the south of the city of Trabzon, in the Çaykara district of Trabzon Province, Turkey. Uzungöl is also the name of the village on the lake's coast. Over the years, the picturesque lake, its village and the surrounding valley have become popular tourist attractions. The lake is at a distance of 95 km south east of Trabzon's city center, and 19 km from Çaykara's district center. It was formed by a landslide, which transformed the stream bed into a natural dam, in the valley of the Haldizen Stream. Uzungöl is a part of Uzungöl Nature Park, which was declared on October 3, 1989.

The area is most famous for its natural environment. Located in a valley between high rising mountains, the lake and village at first appear inaccessible. The surrounding mountain forests and fog, occasionally enveloping the lake at night, also add to the scenery.

The tourist boom of the recent years has attracted investors, who opened a number of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops in the village. The transport infrastructure has also been improved. In 2008, the government built a concrete barrier along the lake's shoreline, so that its waves would not wet the coastal roads around it. This has triggered protests by the locals, as well as ecologists concerned with environmental damage, who stated that it has turned the lake into a giant artificial pool.

title: Uzungöl


text:
Supreme Audit Office (Poland)

The Supreme Audit Office (Najwyższa Izba Kontroli, abbreviated NIK) is the supreme audit institution and also one of the oldest state institutions in Poland, created under the Second Republic on February 7, 1919, barely 3 months after the restoration of Poland's independence. It was created on the initiative of the Head of State, Józef Piłsudski. Its organisation and functioning are set out in the Constitution of the Republic of Poland and the NIK Act of 23 December 1994. The NIK is subordinate to the Sejm (lower house of the Polish Parliament) and it acts in accordance with the principle of collegial responsibility. The NIK is headed by the President who is appointed by the Sejm for a six-year term of office. The NIK performs audits related to, primarily, the execution of the state budget as well as public finance spending and management of public property by state and local governmental bodies and economic entities. Every year, the NIK submits three key documents to the Sejm: the analysis of the state budget execution and monetary policy guidelines, the opinion on the vote of discharge for the Council of Ministers and the annual report on the NIK’s activity.

From its very first day, NIK has been the country's supreme audit institution, empowered to exercise wide-ranging audit of the revenue and expenditure of the state and all institutions and corporations that make use of public funds. NIK is entitled to audit all state institutions, government and local government administrative units, together with those corporate bodies and non-governmental organisations which perform public contracts or receive government grants and guarantees.

The Constitution of the Republic of Poland, and the statute relating to the NIK, determine that the Polish SAI functions on the principle of collegiate responsibility. The Speaker of the Parliament appoints members of the College for a three-year tenure. The tasks of the College include the approval of the analysis of the state budget execution and the principles of fiscal policy, the audit of the NIK’s performance, formulating an opinion concerning certification of performance of duties part of discharge procedure of the government, the work plan and the draft budget for the NIK. The College assesses audit programmes and the outcomes of particularly important audits. It also considers post audit objections.

Under the current regulations, NIK is answerable to the Sejm, which appoints its President for a 6-year term, with the approval of the Senate. Terms of office of the President of the NIK do not necessarily coincide with those of the Parliament, which in practice prevents this office from being dependent on any political party. Like members of the Sejm, the President of NIK also enjoys immunity: he cannot be arrested or indicted without the consent of the Sejm. Currently, the post of the President of the NIK is held by Marian Banaś, appointed on 30 August 2019.

The Supreme Audit Office operates through its Departments and Regional Branches. The division into Departments reflects the scope of the matters it audits, and thus NIK includes the following Departments:

 * Public Administration
 * Budget and Finance
 * Economy, Public Assets and Privatisation
 * Infrastructure
 * Audit Methodology and Professional Development
 * Science, Education and National Heritage
 * National Defence
 * Public Order and Internal Security
 * Labour, Social Affairs and Family
 * Legal Affairs
 * Agriculture and Rural Development
 * Strategy
 * Environment
 * Health

Other Departments of the NIK:

 * Facilities and Logistics
 * IT
 * Corporate Services
 * Accounts

The division into Regional Branches is connected with the territorial division of Poland. The number of NIK Regional Branches, 16, equals that of the voivodeships.

NIK institutes audit proceedings on its own initiative, at the request of Sejm or its bodies or representatives (e.g. the Speaker of Sejm), the President of the Republic, or the Prime Minister. Special types of NIK activities include audits of the state budget execution and of the principles of monetary policy, as well as the NIK opinion in votes of confidence for the Council of Ministers.

The NIK fulfils its tasks based on periodic work plans. In the first instance, the audit of the state budget execution is completed, as the NIK is legally bound to conduct this activity. NIK undertakes other audits according to prioritised directions established by the NIK College for a period of three years. The NIK establishes whether the state fulfils its obligations towards its citizens, as well as indicates areas in which there are concerns, in particular ones that could be hindering proper development. Each year new audit areas are selected according to which specific themes for planned audits are programmed. NIK can also undertake ad hoc audits.

The Supreme Audit Office cooperates with similar bodies in the European Union countries, with the European Court of Auditors, International Board of Auditors for NATO, as well as the auditing authorities in other countries of Central and Eastern Europe such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, and Hungary.

The Supreme Audit Office also cooperates with its European partners within the framework of EUROSAI - the European Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, which is one of seven regional groups of INTOSAI - the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions. Jacek Jezierski, President of the NIK was the Chair of EUROSAI Governing Board in 2008-2011.

title: Supreme Audit Office (Poland)