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Sue Ryder (charity)

Sue Ryder is a British palliative and bereavement support charity based in the United Kingdom. Formed as The Sue Ryder Foundation in 1953 by World War II Special Operations Executive volunteer Sue Ryder, the organisation provides care and support for people living with terminal illnesses and neurological conditions, as well as individuals who are coping with a bereavement. The charity was renamed Sue Ryder Care in 1996, before adopting its current name in 2011.

Care centres
Sue Ryder care for people with complex conditions in their hospices and palliative care hubs, as well as providing care in people’s homes, in the community and online. The charity provides palliative care and support from its specialist centres and in people's homes. It operates a free Online Bereavement Counselling Service., connecting people who are grieving with appropriate information and resources, qualified counsellors or a community support network Online Bereavement Community. It provides information and resources for health and social care professionals, and it campaigns to improve palliative care and bereavement support nationally. Sue Ryder hospices and neurological care centres are currently operated in the following areas:

 * Aberdeen, Scotland: Dee View Court (neurological care centre)
 * Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: Leckhampton Court Hospice (palliative care centre)
 * Leeds, West Yorkshire: Wheatfields Hospice (palliative care centre)
 * Moggerhanger, Bedfordshire: St John's Hospice (palliative care centre)
 * South Oxfordshire: South Oxfordshire Palliative Care Hub (palliative care centre)
 * Oxenhope, West Yorkshire: Manorlands Hospice (palliative care centre)
 * Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Thorpe Hall Hospice (palliative care centre)
 * Reading, Berkshire: Duchess of Kent Hospice (palliative care centre)

Fundraising
Sue Ryder's income was £112.75 million during the year ending 31 March 2022, which included £37.5 million from NHS and local authority funding, and £73.7 million from fundraising campaigns and retail sales (both online and in the charity's 400 shops). The income was used for providing 525,000 hours of palliative and end-of-life care to people in the UK. In addition to full-time staff, the charity currently has more than 12,000 volunteers supporting its work across the UK. Volunteering roles cover many areas of the charity's work, including administration, catering, transport, gardening, fundraising, finance, retail, photography, events coordination, cleaning, research, befriending and bereavement support.

Sue Ryder launched its Prisoner Volunteer Programme in 2006. It works with around 40 prisons nationwide offering work experience in 100 locations, including offices, shops and warehouses. The programme has won a number of awards, including the Education and Training award at Civil Society's Charity Awards in 2013. In 2014, the charity opened a shop in Slough which offered staff roles to homeless people in partnership with the organisation Slough Homeless Our Concern.

Controversy
In February 2013, Sue Ryder was criticised alongside other charitable organisations for taking part in the UK Government's workfare scheme, in which people living on benefits were instructed to attend unpaid work at various companies and charities, at the risk of otherwise losing their benefits. After enlisting "around 1,000" volunteers as part of the scheme, Sue Ryder later promised a "phased withdrawal" due to online protests. The charity later released a statement explaining that they had chosen to withdraw in order to "protect staff from an online campaign of harassment".

title: Sue Ryder (charity)


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Leonard Mandel

Leonard Mandel (May 9, 1927 – February 9, 2001) was an American physicist who contributed to the development of theoretical and experimental modern optics and is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the field of quantum optics. With Emil Wolf he published the highly regarded book Optical Coherence and Quantum Optics.

Life
Mandel was born in Berlin, Germany, where his father, Robert (Naftali) Mandel, had emigrated from Eastern Europe.

He received a BSc degree in mathematics and physics in 1947 and a PhD degree in nuclear physics in 1951 from Birkbeck College, University of London, in the United Kingdom. He became a technical officer at Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd in Welwyn, UK, in 1951. In 1955, he became a lecturer and, later, senior lecturer at Imperial College London, University of London. He remained at Imperial until 1964, when he joined the University of Rochester as a professor of physics.

Mandel was the Lee DuBridge Professor Emeritus of Physics and Optics at the University of Rochester when he died at the age of 73 at his home in Pittsford, New York.

Mandel published over 260 scientific papers dealing with problems of optical coherence, lasers, quantum interactions and non-classical states of light. Together with Prof. Emil Wolf, Mandel organized a series of international conferences, known as the Rochester Conferences on Coherence and Quantum Optics, which were extremely influential in the history of the field of quantum optics. Mandel was a referee for approximately 24 scientific journals and 6 research agencies. He was on the Board of Directors of the Optical Society of America from 1985-1988, and was Associate Editor of the Journal of the Optical Society 1970-1976 and 1982-1983. Mandel was also a member of the Editorial Board for both Physical Review and Quantum Optics. In 2023 the Optica Foundation (formerly the Optical Society of America) established the Leonard Mandel Quatum Optics Award in recognition of Mandel's seminal contributions to the field. The award will be given annually and will recognize distinguished contributions to the foundations of statistical and quantum optics and applications to advanced technologies. In addition to his ground-breaking research, Mandel was known as an exceptional teacher and in 1992 he was awarded the Faculty Graduate Teaching Award by the University of Rochester.

Influence
As written by Jeff Kimble and Emil Wolf in Physics Today: "Mandel is widely credited as being one of the founding fathers of the field of quantum optics. Although he made seminal contributions across most of quantum optics, the central theme of his research was the exploration of the nature of light through insightful theoretical analyses and a set of pioneering experiments that have become landmarks in the field. Not since the beginning of quantum mechanics has an individual so intimately investigated and so dramatically advanced our understanding of the quantum aspects of light."

Awards
Mandel was a Fellow of the Optical Society of America and of the American Physical Society and received the following awards:

 * 1982 - Max Born Award - Mandel was the first recipient of the Max Born prize awarded by the Optical Society of America.
 * 1987 - Marconi Medal, awarded by the Italian National Research Council.
 * 1989 – Thomas Young Medal and Prize, for distinguished research in the field of optics
 * 1993 – Frederic Ives Medal, Recognizing overall distinction in optics
 * 1994 - Elected Member of the New York Academy of Sciences
 * 1996 - Elected Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
 * 2001 - Elected Member of the National Academy of Sciences (posthumously)

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

title: Leonard Mandel


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Thunderbird (missile)

The English Electric Thunderbird was a British surface-to-air missile produced for the British Army. Thunderbird was primarily intended to attack higher altitude targets at ranges up to approximately 30 mi, providing wide-area air defence for the Army in the field. Anti-aircraft guns were still used for lower altitude threats. Thunderbird entered service in 1959 and underwent a major mid-life upgrade to Thunderbird 2 in 1966, before being slowly phased out by 1977. Ex-Army Thunderbirds were also operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force after 1967.

Thunderbird had performance similar to other semi-portable missiles like the US MIM-23 Hawk and fully mobile Soviet 2K11 Krug, although it pre-dates both of these systems. After its mid-life upgrades, which shared several components with the RAF's Bristol Bloodhound, Thunderbird featured a continuous-wave radar semi-active homing system that was highly resistant to radar jamming and deception, and was able to track targets even at very low altitudes.

Thunderbird was the Army's only heavy anti-aircraft missile. As missile systems like Thunderbird made flight at medium and higher altitudes practically suicidal, nap-of-the-earth flying became the norm and even shorter-range, faster acting systems were needed. Thunderbird's role was taken over by the much smaller Rapier missile as it became available.

Seaslug and Red Heathen
Thunderbird traces its history to the 1947 reorganization of British missile projects. At the time there was a wide variety of concepts under study among various groups in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. All of these were handed to the Ministry of Supply (MoS) with the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) providing technical direction.

Among the projects inherited by the RAE was a 1943 Navy effort to develop a surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to shoot down aircraft carrying glide bombs and anti-shipping missiles before they could reach firing range. In March 1944, a panel known as the GAP Committee formed within the MoS to consider this and similar designs from the Army. The group was reformed several times, growing each time as the topic grew more important. From their work the LOPGAP experimental design emerged, short for "Liquid Oxygen and Petrol Guided Anti-aircraft Projectile". Armstrong Whitworth won a contract to develop its liquid-fueled rocket engine.

The Navy's initial design was reformulated several times as the threat evolved from propeller-driven medium bombers to jet-powered strike aircraft, but remained largely the same in terms of performance; it called for a missile using beam riding guidance on the Navy's Type 909 radar with range on the order of 30,000 - 60,000 yards and capability against subsonic aircraft. This was renamed Seaslug in 1947, shortly before being moved to the RAE. The RAE was interested in seeing ramjet technology applied to this role, and asked de Havilland to submit an entry for Seaslug as well. They were too busy working with Red Hawk, so the contract was offered to Bristol Aerospace instead.

The GAP committee also considered the needs of the Army and Air Force, based on the same technology but aimed at higher performance aircraft and longer ranges on the order of 100,000 yards. As a new project, it was assigned a name under the newly-introduced MoS rainbow code, "Red Heathen". English Electric won the development contract.

Stage Plan
Due to the way radar signals spread out in space with increasing range, beam riding is only useful at shorter ranges, and a paper produced by the RAE suggested that there was no way Red Heathen's accuracy requirements could be met with existing radars. This meant new Gun Laying radars would have to be developed for this role, and that, in turn, led to a re-evaluation of the Red Heathen concept.

The MoS re-evaluated the missile program and split it into two "Stages". Red Heathen re-emerged in 1949 as a semi-active radar homing system with the same required range as Seaslug. Bristol's ramjet-powered Seaslug design was redirected to this new requirement instead of Navy use. A single set of radars would be used with both designs, this consisted of a Ferranti developed tactical control radar and the RRDE's "Yellow River" fire control radar built by British Thomson-Houston.

In 1952 the projects were split, with Bristol's effort becoming "Red Duster" and English Electric's becoming "Red Shoes". These would fill the Stage 1 requirement, along with existing early warning radars and the Gloster Javelin interceptor aircraft. The original Red Heathen concept for a much longer-ranged weapon became "Green Sparkler" and then "Blue Envoy", and relegated to Stage 2 deployment in the 1960s along with newer radars and interceptor aircraft.

Development

EE's design quickly developed into a fairly simple cylindrical fuselage with an ogive nose cone, four cropped-delta wings just behind the middle point of the fuselage, and four smaller control surfaces at the rear, in-line with the mid-mounted wings. The fuselage had a slight boat-tail narrowing at the extreme rear under the control surfaces. The sustainer was to be a liquid fuel rocket developed for the missile, and was launched by four large "Gosling" solid fuel rocket boosters lying between the control surfaces and wings. The boosters featured a single oversized fin of their own, and are particularly easy to spot due to a small flat surface at the end of every fin. This surface provided an outward drag component that help pull the booster away from the main body when released, helped by the booster's asymmetrical nose cone. Guidance was via semi-active radar homing, the Ferranti Type 83 "Yellow River" pulsed radar serving both as an acquisition and illumination system. The same radar was used with the competing Red Duster.

The test programme used development vehicles D1 to D4. D1 and D2 established some of the basic configuration issues, whilst D3 and D4 were used to test the aerodynamics of the design. The Army rejected the idea of using a liquid fuel rocket because of the difficulty in handling the highly reactive fuel in the field, so a solid rocket sustainer had to be chosen instead. Several different models of sustainer were tried, most of them known as the "Luton Test Vehicle", or LTV.

While testing of the Red Shoes was underway, the "competition" in the form of Red Duster was also entering testing. Red Duster demonstrated several serious problems, and the Army ended any interest in it. In the end the Red Duster problems were sorted out fairly quickly, and it entered service slightly before Red Shoes, as the Bristol Bloodhound Mk. I.

The production Red Shoes missile was officially named Thunderbird. It entered service in 1959 and equipped 36 and 37 Heavy Air Defence Regiments, Royal Artillery. In the Territorial Army (United Kingdom) 457th (Wessex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery also used Thunderbird. It was the first British-designed and produced missile to go into service with the British Army.

Further development
While development of the Stage 1 missiles was still ongoing, work on the Stage 2 systems was proving to be too far in advance of the state of the art to realistically enter service while the Red Duster and Red Shoes were still useful. In the meantime, advances in radar technology were proceeding rapidly, so it was decided to produce interim designs using new continuous wave radars which would dramatically improve the performance of the existing missiles.

In the case of the Thunderbird, the "Stage 1½" design was known as "Green Flax", and after some paperwork with that name on it was lost and assumed compromised, "Yellow Temple". It utilized the new Type 86 "Indigo Corkscrew" radar. In service it was known as Radar, AD, No 10 (fire control). The new radar greatly improved performance against low-level targets, as well as providing considerably better performance against electronic countermeasures.

To support Thunderbird operations in the field the regiments were equipped with the new Radar, AD, No 11 (tactical control, usually called 'Big Ears') and Radar, AD, No 12 (height finder, usually called 'Noddy') radar, giving them a longer range surveillance system. These radars were also known to Marconi as the S303 and S404, or to the RAF as AMES Type 88 and Type 89. After leaving Army service in 1977 they were turned over to the RAF who used them for tactical control.

Several changes to the basic missile were undertaken as well. Although the size remained the same, the new version featured much larger boosters, larger mid-mounted wings with sweep on the front and back, and a new nose cone with a much higher fineness ratio. The boosters lost their asymmetrical nose cones, but the surfaces on the end of their fins grew much larger. Overall the missile still looked much like the Mk. I version, as opposed to the Bloodhound which became much larger as it was upgraded.

The improved missile was known in service as Thunderbird 2. They entered service in 1966 and were removed in 1977.

Former

 * : British Army
 * 36 and 37 HAA Regiments RA (regular)
 * 324th (Northumbrian) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
 * 457th (Wessex) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery
 * 🇫🇮: Finnish Army - planned purchase of either Thunderbird or Bloodhound was eventually cancelled, but only after deactivated training missiles had been delivered in the late 1960s. These were used in the training role until 1979.
 * 🇸🇦: Royal Saudi Air Force - 37 second-hand Thunderbird I missiles purchased in 1967

Potential
Negotiations were also held with Libya and Zambia.

Survivors
Thunderbird remains a popular museum item in the UK. One of the missiles is now displayed outside the Midland Air Museum, Warwickshire, England. Another example on a launcher is displayed in The Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, England. A Thunderbird Mk1 is also on display at the National Museum of Flight located at East Fortune, just outside Edinburgh, Scotland. A Thunderbird is also stationed outside the Combined Services Military Museum at Maldon in Essex. A Thunderbird nose cone and parts of main body on display at Predannack Anti-Aircraft Battery and museum, Cornwall, UK A Thunderbird without launch pad can be seen at Capel Military Show, Surrey UK Two of the Finnish missiles survive, one missile is located in Museo Militaria, Hämeenlinna, another in the Anti-aircraft Museum, Tuusula.

A Thunderbird is displayed in Woomera township of the Woomera Rocket Range, South Australia.

Specifications

 * Length: 6.35 m
 * Body Diameter: 0.527 m
 * Fin Span: 1.63 m
 * Warheads: Continuous HE rod
 * Speed: Mach 2.7
 * Range: 75 km

title: Thunderbird (missile)


text:
File:Basildon towncenter1.jpg

Summary
Basildon Town center, photo taken on top of a car park.

title: File:Basildon towncenter1.jpg


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Anatol Josepho

Anatol Marco Josepho (born Anatolу Markovich Yozefovich, Анатолий Маркович Йозефович, later germanized as Anatol Josephewitz; March 31, 1894 – December 16, 1980), was a Jewish immigrant to the United States from Tomsk, Russia, who invented and patented the first automated photo booth in 1925, which was named the "Photomaton". In 1927, he was paid one million dollars for the invention.

Biography
Josepho's father was a wealthy jeweler and his mother died when he was three years old. He developed a close bond with his father and became interested in the Wild West cultural phenomenon of expansion in the United States in the late 1800s. He began taking photographs with a Brownie camera produced by the Eastman Kodak Company during his childhood and he attended a local technical institute to pursue his growing interest in photography in 1909 at the age of 15. On the eve of world war I, his father sent him to study in Germany. There, he studied the photo art to perfection. It was there that he conceived the idea of creating a photo machine that would work without an operator inside and would be able to produce photos automatically, but from the moment of conception to implementation it took more than 12 years. At 19, he opened his own studio in Budapest, Hungary. With the beginning of the First world war, he then moved to Shanghai. There he survived the revolution of 1917 and for a time worked as a photographer in his own photo studio. In the early 1920s, he briefly returned to Tomsk, where he soon left to the United States. In the early 1920s, he worked in New York to develop the Photomaton. In July 1926, he met and married Ganna Belle Kehlmann (January 10, 1904 – October 19, 1978). The two were friends with their neighbor, performer Will Rogers and his wife Betty Blake. They had two children, both boys. He died on December 16, 1980, at the age of 86 in a rest home in La Jolla from a series of strokes.

The Photomaton
Josepho's invention of the photo booth, known as the "Photomaton", debuted in September 1926 at 1659 Broadway Street in Manhattan, located in the heart of New York City. The Photomaton charged twenty-five cents for a strip of eight photos that were developed in eight minutes. The automation was achieved in a room that synchronized a coin controlled camera that featured a single source of diffuse light. White-gloved attendants stayed by the machine during hours of operation to control the crowds as well as to provide maintenance for the machine. Around 280,000 customers, for instance, waited the eight-minute process as reported by Time magazine in April 1927. The Photomaton Company was created to place Photomaton machines all over the country. Future President Franklin D. Roosevelt was a member of the board of directors. In 1928, Josepho sold the rights to the machine to Henry Morgenthau Sr. for $1,000,000,. In an interview with The New York Times, Morgenthau said that the machine will allow them "to do in the photographic field what Woolworths has done in novelties and merchandise, Ford in automobiles". The following year, the machine was introduced to the European market, where notable figures such as André Breton and Salvador Dalí had their portraits taken.

Legacy
Camp Josepho, a 110-acre property, which stretches from Mandeville Canyon to Will Rogers State Park, was given to the Boy Scouts of the Crescent Bay Council on July 7, 1941, by Anatol Josepho Sixty-five years later, Camp Josepho under the Western Los Angeles County Council (WLACC) continues to fulfill its mission of serving youth throughout Los Angeles, with a unique emphasis on filmmaking, shooting sports, and computer programming. Remnants of what once was Josepho's personal mansion can be found between the camp and Murphy Ranch.

title: Anatol Josepho


text:
Talk:Nemawashi

In North America,
we have the term "grass roots". As in, obtaining "grass roots" support for something. This seems to express the semantic idea of nemawashi, and, as a bonus, using the same metaphor of plant roots.

Quiet change from the bottom up within a hierarchical organization is just human psychology; not uniquely Japanese.

Then why have a separate article? I move that there should just be a footnote in "Grassroots".

Grassroots is more synonymous with a bottom up approach, or from a broad unempowered group, whereas nemawashi is more about getting feedback and approval prior to an official proposal. It's not about lower levels driving a change, the top manager could do the nemawashi, getting buy in from all of the interested parties prior to making a change.

Is the Joanne Dibble a real statement, or trolling? The four lines were inserted with out citation on 20:10, 29 October 2006.
 * Thanks, I took that out . Kappa 06:33, 3 November 2006 (UTC)

Merger proposal

 * ''The following discussion is an archived debate.

The article Nemiwashi has an incorrectly spelled title and should be merged into this article. It has some sources that could be useful. Fg2 (talk) 20:56, 10 June 2009 (UTC)

 * On second thought, the sources are not useful. One is a dead link and the other is not authoritative. Fg2 (talk) 11:51, 11 June 2009 (UTC)

The article Nemiwashi has been redirected to Nemawashi (correct spelling). Fg2 (talk) 20:38, 16 June 2009 (UTC)

title: Talk:Nemawashi


text:
Robert Menaker

Robert Owen Menaker (June 25, 1904 – September 1, 1988) was an American exporter who allegedly worked for Soviet intelligence during World War II.

Biography
Born in Passaic, New Jersey, Menaker was the son of a Russian Jewish immigrant who was imprisoned for revolutionary activity in Russia. His family were noted radicals; he was named for utopian socialist Robert Owen and one of his nieces, Ellen, was married to Victor Perlo, head of the Perlo group.

Menaker was identified by Arlington Hall cryptographers in sixteen Venona messages. Menaker assisted Floyd Miller's infiltration of the Socialist Workers Party. Several Venona messages are related to Menaker's employer, Michael Burd, for whom Menaker worked at the Midland Export Corporation of New York City. In 1944 and 1945, Menaker traveled to Chile to represent Midland Export. While in Chile he met the Chilean diplomat Christian Casanova Subercaseaux. Burd and Subercaseaux were also both Soviet intelligence agents.

After returning from his 1944 Chile trip, Burd complained to the New York KGB office that Menaker alienated several companies they did business with. KGB Officer Pavel Ivanovich Fedosimov reported to Moscow that "allowances should be made" working with Menaker since he had not been thoroughly trained or screened prior to assignment.

In a later Venona transcript, the KGB speculates about the possibility that Laurence Duggan, another source who had recently resigned from the U.S. State Department, might go to Chile in place of Menaker or do some unspecified work with him. A cable from October references work with Joseph Katz, owner of the Tempus Import Company in Manhattan, and one of the KGB's most active agents. The decrypt requests instructions regarding Menaker's salary, and noted someone would be paying him thirty thousand dollars but that he might not receive it for a year. Menaker, like his friend Floyd Miller, "apparently cooperated with the FBI to some extent in the 1950s....His son wrote of the frequent presence in the household in the 1950s of a friendly FBI agent, but his father never spoke about precisely what he did in Mexico, or what he told the FBI."

Menaker and his wife, Mary Grace Menaker, had two sons: author Daniel Menaker (1941–2020), and Michael Menaker (d. 1967). He is the grandfather of Chapo Trap House host Will Menaker.

Menaker moved from New York City to South Nyack, New York in 1952. He died at a hospital in Nyack on September 1, 1988, at the age of 84.

Venona
Menaker, whose code names as deciphered by Arlington Hall cryptographers is BOB and CZECH, is referenced in the following Venona project decryptions:

 * 55 KGB Moscow to New York, January 10, 1943
 * 694 KGB New York to Moscow, May 15, 1943
 * 1044 KGB New York to Moscow, July 2, 1943
 * 1185 KGB New York to Moscow, July 21, 1943
 * 1031 KGB New York to Moscow, July 24, 1944
 * 1143–1144 KGB New York to Moscow, August 10, 1944
 * 1313 KGB New York to Moscow, September 13, 1944
 * 1337 KGB New York to Moscow, September 19, 1944
 * 1430 KGB New York to Moscow, October 10, 1944
 * 1470 KGB New York to Moscow, October 17, 1944
 * 1512 KGB New York to Moscow, October 24, 1944
 * 1522 KGB New York to Moscow, October 27, 1944
 * 1613 KGB New York to Moscow, November 18, 1944
 * 1637 KGB New York to Moscow, November 21, 1944
 * 1716 KGB New York to Moscow, December 5, 1944
 * 77 KGB New York to Moscow, January 17, 1945

title: Robert Menaker


text:
Circus Maximus (Norwegian band)

Circus Maximus is a Norwegian progressive metal quintet from Oslo. They employ symphonic and power metal influences that feature synthesizers. As of 2016, they have released four albums: The 1st Chapter in 2005, Isolate in 2007, Nine in 2012 and Havoc in 2016.

Formation and early history (2000–2003)
In 2000 longtime bandmates Michael Eriksen (vocals) and brothers Mats (guitar) and Truls Haugen (drums) were joined by keyboard player Espen Storø and Glen Cato Møllen on bass to form Circus Maximus.

Initially a cover band, their interpretations of technically challenging material from bands like Dream Theater and Symphony X earned them a lot of positive feedback. Before long, the band started to write their own material: With other influences varying from pop/rock through classical progressive rock to heavy metal and death metal, their music synergized into a mixture of melodic and groovy sound with many heavy riffs and odd time signatures. The musical press has compared their sound to Queensrÿche, TNT, Shadow Gallery, Pretty Maids, Helloween and the like, in addition to the aforementioned bands.

Releasing two demos to great reviews in Norway, as well as in Europe and United States, before signing with Danish Intromental Management in April 2004, the band made a record deal with American Sensory Records for the US and Canada, which in turn forwarded a licensing deal for Europe and Russia to Frontiers Records.

The 1st Chapter (2004–2006)
Circus Maximus began writing their debut album in 2004. Entitled The 1st Chapter, it was released in May 2005. The eight-track album contains the longest Circus Maximus song with the title track running over 19 minutes. The album also came with two bonus tracks.

Half a year later, in November 2005, keyboard player Espen Storø left the band for personal reasons. In early 2006, Lasse Finbråten (formerly of Norwegian progressive/power metal band Tritonus) joined the band, filling the vacant spot.

During 2005, Circus Maximus went on their first tour with their major performance being in Atlanta in the United States, where they played at the ProgPower festival. Circus Maximus returned to the same festival the following year with their new keyboardist. During the rest of 2006, Circus Maximus continued to play gigs around Scandinavia with other major acts such as Kamelot, Pagan's Mind and Glenn Hughes.

Isolate (2007)
Circus Maximus spent the first quarter of 2007 recording their second studio album, Isolate, which was released on August 7, 2007. Before the release, as a response to impatient and expectant fans, the band established a post on the official Circus Maximus forum where they kept readers up-to-date on their studio progress. Following the release of Isolate, the band went on tour playing at major festivals such as ProgPower Europe, ProgPower Scandinavia, Sweden Rock and MetalHear. They also went on many solo shows while on the road.

From February 13 to March 5, 2008 the band toured Europe as an opening act (along with German progressive metal band Dreamscape) at the Symphony X Paradise Lost Tour 2008.

On November 18 the band posted this message on their website: "Circus Maximus will now be entering the studio to start the pre-production of the next album, planned to be released late 2010. We are writing new stuff everyday and so far we have more or less 8 songs completed for the album and we can honestly tell you it sounds AMAZING! Can't wait to show you ;) We would like to thank everyone who have been supporting us throughout the years... you're the best! - Truls, Mats, Lasse, Glen and Michael."

According to the band's official forums, on 22 June 2010 Michael Eriksen posted some news on the recording process: "Yesterday Mats and myself hit the studio to start the vocals on one of the tracks". He later mentioned that "We will have some videos up and running for you in a bit".

Nine (2012–2015)
The third album, called Nine, was released on 1 June 2012. The band described the album as both more melodic and more dynamic than their two preceding albums.

Havoc (2016–2017)
The first single from Havoc, "The Weight", was released on 19 January 2016. Vocalist Michael Eriksen was later a guest singer on Ayreon's ninth studio album, titled The Source.

Live albums (2017–present)
The first of Circus Maximus' live albums, Havoc in Oslo, was released on 4 August 2017, featuring songs from all four of the previous albums but with a bias towards their newer songs.

The second live album arrived on 6 September 2019, entitled Nine Live. It contains a live performance of their entire 2012 album Nine.

Current members

 * Michael Eriksen – vocals (2000–present)
 * Mats Haugen – guitars/backing vocals (2000–present)
 * Truls Haugen – drums, screaming (2000–present)
 * Glen Cato Møllen – bass guitar/backing vocals (2000–present)
 * Lasse Finbråten – keyboards/backing vocals (2005–present)

Former members

 * Espen Storø – keyboards (2000–2005)

Discography

 * Studio albums
 * The 1st Chapter (2005)
 * Isolate (2007)
 * Nine (2012)
 * Havoc (2016)

 * Live albums
 * Havoc in Oslo (2017)
 * Nine Live (2019)

 * EPs
 * Isolated Chapters (2019)

title: Circus Maximus (Norwegian band)


text: Category:Religion in Albania

title: Category:Religion in Albania


text: User:Dow~enwiki

title: User:Dow~enwiki


text: Category:Buildings and structures in Albania


text:
Joshua Bekenstein

Joshua Bekenstein is an American businessman and co-chairman of Bain Capital.

Education and personal life
Bekenstein graduated from Yale University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He then graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1984.

Since earning his degrees, Bekenstein has stayed active with Yale, and is on the Board of Advisors of the Yale School of Management, the Yale Investment Committee, an at-large member of the University Council, the co-chair of the Yale Tomorrow Campaign, and a member of the Yale Development Council. He was also appointed as a new successor trustee of the Yale Corporation in 2013.

Career
Bekenstein worked at Bain & Company following his graduation from Yale where he worked with companies in a variety of industries. He joined Bain Capital at its founding in 1984 and became a managing director in 1986. He was named co-chairman of the firm in 2016. Bekenstein is a board member of Gymboree Corporation, Dollarama, Toys "R" Us, Bombardier Recreational Products, Michaels Stores, Burlington Coat Factory, Waters Corporation, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, and Yale University.

Philanthropy
Bekenstein is co-chair of the board of directors of New Profit Inc., a Boston-based venture philanthropy fund and as a member on the Board of Trustees of the Pan-Mass Challenge, an annual bike-athon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to raise money for the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, where Bekenstein is chairman of the board of trustees. Bekenstein co-chaired Dana-Farbers “Mission Possible” campaign that hit its goal to raise $1 billion a year early in September 2009. Bekenstein also chairs the board of Be The Change, is a board member of City Year, Opportunity Nation, and New Leaders. He also contributes to Horizons for Homeless Children, Year Up, Teach for America, Kipp Schools, and Boston Children’s Hospital. In 2010, the National Association of Corporate Directors named Bekenstein Nonprofit Director of the Year.

title: Joshua Bekenstein


text:
User talk:Rhetoricalwater

Drop me a line or a Thanks-(I doubt I'll get any of those)

Welcome! bjelleklang 22:25, 5 October 2005 (UTC) --Yay!

nikki page
sorry if I sounded a bit harsh, it's just that I come across a lot of substandard stuff and tend to be a bit fanatical in getting rid of it. It didn`t cross my mind one second that you did not realise that using copyrighted material is a bit of a no-no. I suggest you write your article on the temporary subpage of the Nikki Hill article. (it is of course possible to use copyrighted material as a source for your writing!) sorry again for being the bogeyman. :-( friends? --Isolani 15:47, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

btw take a look at the Wikipedia Tutorial if you get the chance! There's plenty of good info there.. btw when writing your nikki page article, you can use book cover pic if you state that it is a bookcover when you upload it, makes it look pretty and all. I`m looking forward to your new article. --Isolani 15:55, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

Okay, thanks.Rhetoricalwater 20:04, 10 October 2005 (UTC)

I cleaned it up a bit, maybe you could add some extra details such a publisher etc.? --Isolani 20:29, 12 October 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for your support on my RfA!
Thanks for your support of my adminship!! I was surprised at the turnout and support I got! If you ever have any issues with any of my actions, please notify me on my talk page! Thanks again! Ryan Norton T 04:22, 13 October 2005 (UTC)

Ty Cobb
Sorry about that deletion, I must have done it by accident. Cobb was certainly an interesting character, yes? Not someone you'd want to buddy up to, but a fascinating piece of work nonetheless. Wahkeenah 06:02, 27 October 2005 (UTC)

Yep, I did it all right, but I don't know why. Probably swept the mouse a little too far. Sorry. d:( Wahkeenah 06:12, 27 October 2005 (UTC)

cute boxes
well the format is

where color1 and color2 are well, the colors, image or text is what goes inside the small box and text what goes on the right. Here's an example:

Hope that helps. -- ( drini's vandalproof page ☎  ) 10:57, 6 November 2005 (UTC)

Image:Osaka sunset windy tree blowings.jpg listed for deletion
An image or media file that you uploaded, Image:Osaka sunset windy tree blowings.jpg, has been listed at Images and media for deletion. Please look there to see why this is (you may have to search for the title of the image to find its entry), if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you. —Wknight94 (talk) 16:00, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

Image:Wiki Activity for this week.jpg listed for deletion
An image or media file that you uploaded, Image:Wiki Activity for this week.jpg, has been listed at Images and media for deletion. Please look there to see why this is (you may have to search for the title of the image to find its entry), if you are interested in it not being deleted. Thank you. —Wknight94 (talk) 16:00, 22 January 2006 (UTC)

Virus article
Could you please use the information on this Japanese-language page to update the English Virus article? It would be much appreciated! --AlanH 01:54, 16 April 2006 (UTC)

Wikipediholic
We should be Wikipediholics.

Fair use rationale for Image:Repliee Q1 at expo.jpg
Thanks for uploading or contributing to Image:Repliee Q1 at expo.jpg. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is not a suitable explanation or rationale as to why each specific use in Wikipedia constitutes fair use. Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale.

If you have uploaded other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on those pages too. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that any non-free media lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Geni 22:59, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Try the new translation tool
Hello, I see that you're a translator. A new translation tool has been implemented and is ready for usage. Could you please try it by translating any page with Internet Explorer, and then report here on bugzilla if you find something wrong? We don't have many Internet Explorer testers, so your help would be very valuable. I also think that you'll enjoy translating with this tool. Thank you very much, Nemo 09:11, 10 April 2013 (UTC)

File source problem with File:NancyHart.JPG
Thank you for uploading File:NancyHart.JPG. I noticed that the file's description page currently doesn't specify who created the content, so the copyright status is unclear. If you did not create this file yourself, you will need to specify the owner of the copyright. If you obtained it from a website, please add a link to the page from which it was taken, together with a brief restatement of the website's terms of use of its content. If the original copyright holder is a party unaffiliated with the website, that author should also be credited. Please add this information by editing the image description page.

If the necessary information is not added within the next days, the image will be deleted. If the file is already gone, you can still make a request for undeletion and ask for a chance to fix the problem.

Please refer to the image use policy to learn what images you can or cannot upload on Wikipedia. Please also check any other files you have uploaded to make sure they are correctly tagged. Here is a [ list of your uploads]. If you have any questions or are in need of assistance please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Stefan2 (talk) 01:03, 20 December 2013 (UTC)

title: User talk:Rhetoricalwater


text:
Sam Bottoms

Samuel John Bottoms (October 17, 1955 – December 16, 2008) was an American actor and producer.

Early life
Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the third son of James "Bud" Bottoms (a sculptor and art teacher) and Betty (Chapman), both of whom outlived him. He was the brother of actors Timothy Bottoms (born 1951), Joseph Bottoms (born 1954) and Ben Bottoms (born 1960).

Career
When Bottoms was 16 years old, he was on the set of The Last Picture Show, in which his older brother Timothy starred, when the director Peter Bogdanovich decided to give him a screen test. He ended up in the movie as the character of Billy, who has no spoken lines but plays a pivotal role in the drama. Five years later, Bottoms appeared with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Josey Wales.

Bottoms may be best remembered for his role as surfer Lance B. Johnson, a Navy Gunner's Mate stationed on a river boat in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. Bottoms acquired hookworm during the chaotic production in the Philippines, and the parasite "wrecked his liver".

Death
At age 53, Bottoms died of glioblastoma multiforme, a type of brain tumor, on December 16, 2008. He was cremated and his ashes given to his widow.

Film

 * The Last Picture Show (1971) as Billy
 * Class of '44 (1973) as Marty
 * Zandy's Bride (1974) as Mel Allan
 * The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) as Jamie
 * Apocalypse Now (1979) as Lance B. Johnson
 * Up from the Depths (1979) as Greg Oliver
 * Bronco Billy (1980) as Leonard James
 * Gringo mojado (1984) as Murray Lewis Jr.
 * Prime Risk (1985) as Bill Yeoman
 * Hunter's Blood (1986) as David Rand
 * Gardens of Stone (1987) as Lt. Webber
 * After School (1988) as Father Michael McCarren
 * Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse (1991) as Himself
 * Dolly Dearest (1991) as Elliot Wade
 * Ragin' Cajun (1991) as Legs
 * North of Chiang Mai (1992) as Michael
 * Sugar Hill (1993) as Oliver Thompson
 * The Trust (1993) as James Baker
 * Project Shadowchaser III (1995) as Kody
 * Snide and Prejudice (1997) as Therapist Schaub
 * Joseph's Gift (1998) as Robert Keller
 * The Unsaid (2001) as Joseph Caffey
 * Shadow Fury (2001) as Mitchell Madsen
 * Looking Through Lillian (2002) as Gene
 * True Files (2002) as Alex Lomax
 * Seabiscuit (2003) as Mr. Blodget
 * Havoc (2005) as Lt. Maris
 * Shopgirl (2005) as Dan Buttersfield
 * Winter Passing (2005) as Brian
 * SherryBaby (2006) as Bob Swanson Sr.
 * Finishing the Game (2007) as Martey Kurtainbaum (final film role)

Television

 * Doc Elliot (1974) as Gary Basquin
 * Savages (1974) as Ben Campbell
 * Lucas Tanner (1974) as Ron Gibbons
 * Cage Without a Key (1975) as Buddy Goleta
 * Marcus Welby, M.D. (1976) as Ed
 * Greatest Heroes of the Bible (1978) as Joseph
 * The Eddie Capra Mysteries (1978) as Harlan Fields
 * East of Eden (1981) as Cal Trask
 * Desperate Lives (1982) as Ken Baynes
 * Return to Eden (1983)
 * No Earthly Reason (1984) as Coley
 * Island Sons (1987) as Sam Faraday
 * The Witching of Ben Wagner (1987) as Mr. George 'Dad' Wagner
 * Murder, She Wrote (1989–1991) as Joe Hellinger / Sgt. Joe Rice
 * 21 Jump Street (1990) as Robert Johnson
 * Zooman (1995) as Policeman
 * The X Files (1995) as Michael Kryder
 * My Neighbor's Daughter (1998) as Dennis Cromwell
 * Mercenary II: Thick & Thin (1997) as Camera Man
 * NYPD Blue (2004) as David Lewis

Producer

 * Picture This: The Times of Peter Bogdanovich in Archer City, Texas (1991)

title: Sam Bottoms


text:
Bidston railway station

Bidston railway station serves the village of Bidston, Merseyside, England. The station is situated at a junction of the West Kirby branch of the Wirral line, which is part of the Merseyrail network; it also serves as the northern terminus for the Borderlands line from Wrexham Central, with services operated by Transport for Wales.

History
Bidston station has for most of its existence been primarily an interchange point between trains. The station is relatively isolated except for nearby Bidston Village, and was accessed only by foot. Until 1970, the approach road to the station was an unpaved track. Because of its isolation when a through station, the station closed twice due to poor passenger usage. Today there is an adjacent car park at the station with access to the nearby Junction One retail park via a lane. The station's prime function as an interchange still remains today.

The station was originally built by the Hoylake Railway, opening on 2 July 1866 as an intermediate through station on their line from Birkenhead Dock to the east to Hoylake to the west. The Birkenhead Dock terminus was a tramway railway interchange station, with onward journeys to Birkenhead Woodside ferry by horse drawn street trams of the Wirral Tramway. The station first closed on 4 July 1870, reopening on 1 August 1872. In 1878 the Hoylake Railway line was extended to West Kirby on the River Dee coast to the west. In 1888 the line was extended to Birkenhead Park station. Birkenhead Park was an interchange station to Liverpool via the Mersey Railway. The old tramway interchange terminus at Birkenhead Dock station was converted to a goods station.

The station was again closed in June 1890 due to low passenger numbers. The station was permanently reopened on 18 May 1896 as the northern terminus of the new North Wales and Liverpool Railway. The southern terminus was at Hawarden Bridge, which joined onto the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway line to Wrexham Central. In 1898 Bidston ceased to be a terminus station with the line extended to Seacombe in Wallasey. Bidston became a passenger interchange station.

Through trains to Liverpool commenced in 1938 when the London Midland and Scottish Railway electrified the line from Birkenhead Park to West Kirby. During the earlier half of the twentieth century, Bidston station was known as Bidston Dee Junction and was a busy interchange between the Wirral line electric services and the Seacombe to Wrexham and Chester Northgate steam trains. In 1960 the Wrexham service changed to diesel trains. At the same time the northern terminus of the line was diverted further north to terminate at New Brighton due to the closure of Seacombe station. The section of line from Bidston to New Brighton was closed in 1971 due to poor passenger use with the line from Wrexham terminating at Birkenhead North. However it was subsequently cut back to Bidston and again the station became a terminus on the Borderlands Line in October 1978 and this remains the situation today.

The section of curve between Bidston West and North Junctions, on the wye to the east of the station, was severed on 28 November 1983. This removed the direct route to New Brighton for passengers, and Bidston Dock for freight.

Signal boxes
Bidston had four signal boxes in 1899. These signal boxes were situated alongside the Dee, West, East and North junctions. The nearest to the station was the Bidston Dee Junction box. The second Dee Junction signal box was built in the 1930s by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, and was much larger than the earlier signal box which had been built by the Wirral Railway. This signal box had a 65-lever frame and also took over the operation of Bidston North Junction, when built. Bidston Dee Junction signal box was closed on 17 September 1994, and demolished two months later on 20 November.

Engine shed and freight use
Bidston station had a nearby engine shed, shed code 6F, which principally operated the Wrexham line. The building was somewhat south of the running lines, halfway between Bidston and Birkenhead North stations. The shed was built by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway in 1897 and had two tracks inside. The shed had a water tank and a coaling stage for steam locomotives. Examples of locomotives, which could be found at the shed, included the LNER Class J94 Austerity, which was used around the Birkenhead docks, and the BR Standard Class 9F, which hauled iron ore trains from Bidston Dock to the John Summers steelworks in Shotton. The engine shed closed on 11 February 1963, along with transfer of its allocation of locomotives to Birkenhead Mollington Street depot. The shed remained intact for several years after closure.

Several sidings were situated adjacent to the eastern side of the station, south of the running lines. These sidings had been built prior to 1899, and were removed after goods traffic ended on 29 July 1968. A Tesco supermarket now occupies the site of these sidings.

The station was the nearest to the former Bidston Dock. The adjacent Bidston East Junction gives access to the former Birkenhead Dock Branch line, but this has been disused by freight workings since the mid-1980s and is still so at present.

Facilities
The station has a booking office, shelter and toilet facilities. Each side of the island platform can receive six carriages. The station is staffed at all times during opening hours, and has platform CCTV. Each platform has open-air seating. There is a payphone, next to the ticket office, on platform 1. The station provides a "Park and Ride" service. There are a further 198 car parking spaces, which are free to use for travellers, with lighting columns and CCTV to meet Merseytravel's Travelsafe requirements. Construction of the new car park was completed in 2010. There is no access to the platform for passengers with wheelchairs or prams, as access is by staircase only. On 3 August 2015, a new Bike & Go shelter opened at the station. This provides secure cycle storage for 28 cycles.

Services
Currently, services run every 15 minutes (Monday to Saturday daytime) to West Kirby & Liverpool, and every hour to Wrexham. Services to and from Wrexham usually terminate/start from platform 2, which is also used by West Kirby trains. Liverpool-bound trains use platform 1.

During the evenings, trains operate every 30 minutes to West Kirby & Liverpool and every two hours to Wrexham (all day on Bank Holidays), with a service approximately every 90 minutes on Sundays.

Merseyrail services are provided by Merseyrail's fleet of Class 507 and Class 777 EMUs. Services to Wrexham are usually provided by a Transport for Wales Class 197 or Class 230 DMU.

Future
Proposals have been made to electrify some or all of the Borderlands Line and possibly incorporate it into the Wirral Line services, but no commitment has been made.

title: Bidston railway station


text:
Talk:Hong Kong representative football team

Naming Issues
Please discuss and vote on the naming issues of this article at Talk:Guam national football team. Chanheigeorge 22:30, 5 October 2005 (UTC)


text:
Talk:Orellani

I'll try to take some better pictures of the deadly webcap when I go hiking this weekend. The fool's webcap doesn't grow here, so if someone else has a picture of it we can use, that would be great.

Sadly the season seems to be over and all the deadly webcaps I've come across (around 10-20 specimens) seem to be partially rotted and hardly usuable for a picture. Therefore I won't be able to get a good picture until next year. If someone else should have a nice picture, please upload it.

Michaelll 16:58, 13 October 2005 (UTC) Michael

Seems someone has uploaded a nice picture, thanks. mic 02:20, 28 February 2006 (UTC)

World's most poisonous?
I doubt it. I added the LD50 number: 2 g/kg for freeze-dried mushrooms. Since mushrooms are about 90% water, this would be 20 g/kg for fresh deadly webcaps, or what is the convention for LD50 specifications? Anyway, I thought that amanita phalloides and amanita virosa were the most poisonous mushrooms on earth. Han-Kwang 20:06, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

I changed the ridiculous LD50 statement of 2 g/kg to 12-20 mg/kg, which is the actual number. Han-Kwang if you're unsure of something THIS IMPORTANT (because people can use this wrong info you gave them and end up dead), then just don't write anything at all PLEASE! You should be reported for supplying such outrageous misinformation!!!--The REAL Teol (talk) 12:01, 14 September 2009 (UTC)

 * Perhaps in mg/kg Alpha-amanitin is the most potent, but the latency of orellanine causes a lot of extra damage as the victims aren't treated until the damage is done, maybe? I'm not really sure, I got the reference 'The worlds most poisonous mushroom' from a page belonging to the botanical museum/University of Olso (http://natmus.uio.no/botanisk/bot-mus/giftsopper/cor_rub.html) where the first line says (translated to English): 'Cortinarius rubellus - lethal (the worlds most poisonous mushroom along with cortinarius orellanus)'. If you want to remove the statement I won't protest, long as its toxicity and the fact that it can be lethal is adequately presented.

 * Related, I'm working on moving most of the information about toxicity into the Orellanine article, and just mention a few words about it in the lethal webcaps article with a link to the main article (Orellanine), so if you'd be so kind and write your information about the LD into that article your efforts would be greatly appreciated :). —Preceding unsigned comment added by Michaelll (talk • contribs)

 * From http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic76.htm : A single gram of fresh A phalloides can yield approximately 0.2-0.4 mg of alpha-amanitin. The lethal dose is less than 0.1 mg/kg. -- So the LD50 for fresh A. phalloides is 0.25--0.5 g/kg . You have a point with the latency. My (nonscientific) mushroom books say that a-amanitin is untreatable, although that info seems to be outdated. Han-Kwang 22:40, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

title: Talk:Orellani


text:
Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Bedini SG

 * The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or on a Votes for Undeletion nomination).  No further edits should be made to this page.

The result of the debate was Delete. Carbonite | Talk 11:58, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

Bedini SG
Looks like advertising. CJCurrie 22:30, 5 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete, almost tempted to speedy it as link spam. Sjakkalle (Check!)  07:44, 6 October 2005 (UTC)
 * Delete as adspam. Almost, but not quite, a speedy. --GraemeL (talk) 12:35, 6 October 2005 (UTC)

 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in an undeletion request). No further edits should be made to this page.


text:
Talk:Macau regional football team

Naming Issues
Please discuss and vote on the naming issues of this article at Talk:Guam national football team. Chanheigeorge 22:31, 5 October 2005 (UTC)

title: Talk:Macau regional football team


text:
Tape dispenser

A tape dispenser is an object that holds a roll of tape and has a mechanism at one end to shear the tape. Dispensers vary widely based on the tape they dispense. Abundant and most common, clear tape dispensers (like those used in an office or at home) are commonly made of plastic, and may be disposable. Other dispensers are stationary and may have sophisticated features to control tape usage and improve ergonomics.

History
Prior to the development of the tape dispenser, 3M's standard clear scotch tape was sold as a roll, and had to be carefully peeled from the end and cut with scissors. To make the product more useful, the scotch tape sales manager at 3M, John Borden, designed the first tape dispenser in 1932, which had a built-in cutting mechanism and would hold the cut end of the tape until its next use.

Handheld dispenser

A handheld dispenser is a variation of handheld tape dispenser used to apply tape to close boxes, etc. Some refer to it as a "tape gun".

Some dispensers are small enough so that the dispenser, with the tape in it, can be taken to the point of application for operator ease. The dispenser allows for a convenient cut-off and helps the operator apply (and sometimes helps rub down) the tape.

Pull-and-tear
Tabletop or desk dispensers are frequently used to hold the tape and allow the operator to pull off the desired amount, tear the tape off, and take the tape to the job.

Stationary electronic tape dispenser
Tabletop dispensers are available with electrical assists to dispense and cut pressure-sensitive tape to a predetermined length. They are often used in an industrial setting to increase productivity along manufacturing or assembly lines. They eliminate the need to manually measure and cut each individual piece of tape on high volumes of product or packaging. By automating this process, automatic tape dispensers reduce material waste caused by human error. They also reduce the time needed to cut each piece of tape, therefore reducing labor costs and increasing productivity.

Automated equipment

Some taping machinery is semi-automatic: the operator takes an object and puts it in or through a machine which automatically applies the tape. This helps save time and controls the consumption of tape.

Fully automatic equipment is available which does not require an operator. All functions can be automated.

High speed packaging machinery is an example of highly automated equipment.

Gummed (water-activated) tape dispenser
Gummed (water activated) tape dispensers measure, dispense, moisten, and cut gummed or water-activated adhesive tape. This tape is often composed of a paper backing and adhesive glue that is unable to adhere until it is "activated" by contact with water. To perform this step, gummed dispensers often employ a water bottle and wetting brush to moisten each piece of tape as it is dispensed. Many gummed dispensers feature a heater, which is mounted over the feed area to maintain the dispenser's water temperature. These heaters ensure maximum wetting, and are ideal in cold climates. Gummed tape dispensers are often used in packaging or shipping departments for closing corrugated boxes.

title: Tape dispenser


text:
Sport in Albania

Sport in Albania revolves mostly around team sports, such as football, basketball, volleyball and handball. Other sports includes boxing, weightlifting, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, badminton, rugby, cricket, and chess. Football in particular has seen a rapid transformation, with the Albania national football team making its debut at the 1964 UEFA European Football Championship. The national football team also qualified for the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship. Many Albanian athletes have also achieved significant success and have won European and Mediterranean titles in numerous sports during the years, such as wrestling, football, athletics and weightlifting. Albanian athletes have won a total 49 medals for Albania in 8 different Mediterranean sports.

Football
Football is the most popular sport in Albania. It arrived in Albania at the beginning of the 20th century. Football is played by children at school and by grown-ups on the many indoor and outdoor fields located throughout the country. The sport is governed by the Football Association of Albania (Federata Shqiptare e Futbollit).

The first recorded match was between students at a Christian mission in Shkodër. Other towns and cities followed suit and on 6 June 1930 the Football Association of Albania was established. The association became a member of football's governing body FIFA in 1932, and joined the European governing body UEFA in 1954 as a founding member.

Albania was the winner of the 1946 Balkan Cup and the 2000 Malta International Tournament. At the UEFA Euro 1964 in Spain, Albania made its first-ever appearance at a major men's football tournament. Albania's highest FIFA World Ranking for men was 22nd, in August 2015.

Albania qualified for the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. Playing in the Groupstage in Group A against France, Switzerland and Romania. The youth teams of Albania got a rich history in football as the Albania national under-21 football team won twice the Balkan Youth Championship in 1978 and 1981 and they also qualify once at the 1984 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, losing in the Quarterfinals against Italy.

One of the most successful Albanian Football Managers in the history of the Country is Shyqyri Rreli. His main success came for the Albania national under-21 football team, in which he led them to two straight titles of the Balkan Youth Championship (in 1978 and 1981) and to the quarter finals of the Euro 1984, where Albania's Under 21 side was among the best 8 European teams. He also led Tirana to the best 16 clubs in three European competitions 1986–87 European Cup Winners' Cup, 1988–89 European Cup, and 1989–90 European Cup. He also will be remembered for getting Albania close to qualifying in the Mexico 1986 campaign, most notably through a victory against Belgium and draws against Poland and Greece finishing third the best result for Albania in twenty years.

Pre war history of Albania
Founded on 6 June 1930, Albania had to wait 16 years to play its first international match, which was against Yugoslavia in 1946. In 1932, Albania had already joined FIFA (during the congress 12–16 June) and in 1954 it was one of the founding members of UEFA. Albania was invited to play in the 1938 World Cup, but did not take part due to logistical problems.

1946: Champion of the Balkans

The early years oversaw a notably successful Balkan Cup in the 1946 campaign. Albania won the cup after overcoming Yugoslavia on level points but a better goal difference. The final match ended in a 1–0 win against Romania. Four days earlier, Albania had already beaten Bulgaria 3–1. Albania was not expected to participate, but the withdrawal of Greece from the tournament offered Albania a chance to join in the re-established post-war cup.

1964: Among the best 16 teams of Europe
Albania waited until 1962 to compete in a Euro Cup competition and the only time Albania was between the best 16 teams of the Continent, the reason being Albania got past the first leg as Greece, for political reasons forfeited the game. Albania beat Denmark in the second leg in the round of 16 thanks to an early goal from Panajot Pano. Despite that win Albanian could not progress further as they lost the first leg with 4–0 away from home. At the end of the tournament Albania ranked 9th in Europe.

1964-1972: Qualification for Tokyo and Munich at the Summer Olympics
Albania participated for the first time in football at the 1964 Summer Olympics in the men's qualification tournament. They faced Bulgaria in the preliminary round, losing both matches, in close games, in the process. They participated for the second and last time ever at the 1972 Summer Olympics in which they faced Romania at the Men's European Qualifiers in the playoffs. Albania lost both matches close with 2–1 in the first leg and 1–2 in the second leg.

1986: Near-qualification for the World Cup in Mexico
In the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification Albania faced Belgium, Poland and their rivals Greece. Despite their first loss away from home against Belgium, 3–1, despite an equalizer from Bedri Omuri. Albania could draw against Poland away with 2-2 scoring their first point. After that, Albania famously beat Belgium, at home, 2–0 in the Qemal Stafa Stadium. The goals were scored by Mirel Josa and Arben Minga securing Albania their first and only win in this qualification. It was their most successful FIFA World Cup qualification, finishing third above Greece but behind Belgium and Poland in the process.

2014–2016: Success at the European Championship
Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years. This earned the team the Honor of Nation Order from Albania's President Bujar Nishani. The national team of Albania was given awards of honor and city recognition by the cities of Tirana, Vlore, Kamëz, and Bajram Curri.

Albania started the qualifiers of the UEFA Euro 2016 with an emphatic 1–0 away win against Portugal, which was followed by a 1–1 draw against Denmark at the newly renovated stadium Elbasan Arena. After beating Armenia 3–0 in the last qualifying match, Albania made history by qualifying for the UEFA Euro 2016, its first appearance at a major men's football tournament after 50 years and Albania's first-ever appearance at a competitive tournament in the history. In the tournament itself, Albania lost 0–1 to Switzerland and 0–2 to hosts France. While they beat Romania 1–0 (their first win against Romania since 1947), the team finished last among the third-placed teams and did not progress beyond the group stage.

2021-2023: From an unlucky FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign to an Historical qualification for the UEFA Euro 2024 held in Germany
After their close miss to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, in which Albania finished third in the Group with an record of six wins and 18 points along the way. Notably beating Hungary twice in fact with the same score. Albania would part ways with Edoardo Reja after a shocking display for Albania in the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League Group 2 in Division B in which the Albanians were performing badly especially against Israel losing at home 1-2 and away with the same score. Securing only two points in total both against Iceland 1-1 and 1–1 away as well. Still Albania secured another year in the same Division B after Russia was excluded from Group 2.

In the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group E Albania were drawn together with Czech Republic, Poland, Faroe Islands and Moldova. In which the new coach Sylvinho gave his debut for the Country. Albania lost his first match against Poland away close with 1-0 despite playing well. In the following matches Albania wouldn't loss any of them. Beating Moldova at home 2–0 with Jasir Asani scoring the goal of the Matchday for his side. Followed by a win against the Faroe Islands 1–3 away in which Kristjan Asllani scored a beautiful UEFA Match day winning goal for the second time running for Albania in their campaign. After a hard earned 1–1 draw in Prague against the Czech Republic with a screamer goal from Nedim Bajrami, the Albanians were able to beat Poland at Arena Kombëtare with 2-0 and another Jasir Asani mega goal. For the third time Albania scored the most beautiful goal of the Matchday. They would also beat the Czech Republic with a dominant 3-0 display. Albania would secure the Qualification for the second time in the History for the UEFA European Championship at the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany, after drawing to Moldova 1-1 despite leading most of the match. Although drawing once more against the Faroe Islands Albania would finish the qualifications in the first place with 15 points for the first time ever in their history being also eight matches unbeaten at the moment. They secured the second pot for the UEFA Group stage draws after ranking 10th in the power rankings.

UEFA Euros 2024 in Group B of "Death" for Albania
On 17 November 2023, Albania qualified for UEFA Euro 2024, their second major tournament. They were drawn in Group B, which is considered the group of death by many fans, containing three-time Euro winners Spain, two-time Euro winners and defending champions Italy, as well as Croatia, which came third in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Kategoria Superiore
The Kategoria Superiore is the main division in Albania; their first season started in 1930. Apart from 1938 to 1944 it took place every season. The club with the most titles is KF Tirana who won this competition 25 times. The Albanian Football Cup was founded since 1938-39 in which KF Tirana being the most successful club in the country with 16 titles closely followed by Partizani Tirana who won this competition 15 times so far. The Albanian league sides enjoyed success also in European football competitions. KF Skënderbeu Korçë qualify twice for the  UEFA Europa League first in 2015-16 and for the second time in 2017-18, as they qualify as the first Albanian football club after four qualifying rounds to the groupstage. Partizani Tirana won the one and only international club title for Albania as they won the 1970 Balkans Cup against Beroe Stara Zagora in the finals. KF Tirana qualified three times in the round of sixteen in the European Cup first in 1982-83 defeating Linfield in the first round. They achieved the same results in 1988-89 by defeating this time in the first round Ħamrun Spartans from Malta after two legs. They faced in the round of 16 the Swedish league side IFK Göteborg but lost both matches after two legs were played. In the following year in 1989-90 KF Tirana once more qualified for the best 16 of Europe as they defeated this time another Maltese side in Siliema Wanderers after two legs in the first round. Their highest win at this competition came in the second leg at home defeating the Wanderers with 5–0. They faced in the next round Bundesliga side FC Bayern Munich. They could not go through to the quarterfinals as they lost both legs. In the UEFA Cup Flamutari Vlora is the most successful club for Albania. As they did compete for the first time in 1986-87 against FC Barcelona in the first round drawing both matches and nearly qualified for the next stage, at this competition. Losing out on the away rule. At the following season in 1987-88 they achieved their greatest result so far. They qualified for the first time at the round of sixteen, defeating surprisingly the Yugoslav side Partizan Belgrad with 2–0 at home and qualified for the second round after a 1–2 defeat in which Sokol Kushta scored a famous goal for his club side. In the following round Flamutari Vlora defeated then East German side Wismut Aue after two legs, winning at home with 2–0. They faced Barcelona for the second time in a row in which they lost the first leg in Camp Nou with 4-1 but beat the Spanish side in the following leg with 1–0 by a goal from Kushta, to secure the most famous win for Albania in a UEFA club competition.

Women's football
The women's national team was formed in 2011. The women's highest FIFA World Ranking was 40th in April 2015. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 was the first time Albania entered a senior competitive tournament.

The Albanian Women's National Championship started its first championship since 2009. Vllaznia Shkodër is the most successful club at this competition, as they won so far nine league titles, in which also nine times in a row, between 2013–14 and most recently in 2021-22. They also do compete in Europe, since their debut in the 2011–12 UEFA Women's Champions League.

Most recently Vllaznia were able to achieve great success in the UEFA Women's Champions League. As they qualified for the first time ever in the history as a football club to the knockout phase in the round of 32 in the 2019–20 UEFA Women's Champions League, in which they faced Fortuna Hjørring from Denmark. They lost both matches, at home with 0-1 and away with 2–0, despite being one of the greatest successes in the history of women's football in Albania. After some years they were able to replicate the success they had earlier. After beating in Round 2 FC Vorskla Poltava from Ukraine, they first played a draw, but won the following match with 2–1 to qualify, for the first time ever as a country to the group stage of the UEFA Women's Champions League, in this years edition.

Achievements in Football

 * UEFA European Championship:
 * Round of 16  (1): 1964 European Nations' Cup qualification.
 * Groupstage  (2): UEFA Euro 2016 in France, UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
 * Balkan Cup:
 * Champions (1): 1946
 * Malta International Football Tournament:
 * Champions (1): 2000
 * UEFA Nations League
 * Promotion (1): 2020–21 UEFA Nations League C
 * UEFA European Under-21 Championship
 * Quarterfinals (1): in 1984
 * Balkan Youth Championship
 * Winners (2): 1978, 1981
 * Football at the Mediterranean Games
 * 6th Place finish (1): at the 1991 Mediterranean Games for Albania (U23)
 * UEFA European Under-19 Championship
 * Groupstage (1): by the Albania U19 in 1982
 * WAFF U-19 Championship
 * Groupstage (1): in 2024
 * UEFA European Under-17 Championship
 * Groupstage (2): by the Albania U17 in 1994 and also hosting the 2025 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

Albanian football clubs in UEFA Club Competitions

 * UEFA Champions League:
 * Round of 16 (3): KF Tirana in 1982, 1988, 1989 European Cup
 * UEFA Europa League:
 * Round of 16 (1): Flamutari Vlora in 1987
 * Groupstage (2): KF Skënderbeu Korçë in 2015–16 and 2017–18
 * UEFA Cup Winners' Cup:
 * Round of 16 (3): KF Besa Kavajë in 1972, KF Tirana in 1986 and KF Vllaznia Shkodër in the 1987 European Cup Winners' Cup
 * Balkans Cup:
 * Winners (1): Partizani Tirana,
 * 1970 Balkans Cup

Albanian Female Football clubs in UEFA Competitions

 * UEFA Women's Champions League
 * Round of 32 (1): by Vllaznia Shkodër in 2019–20 and they qualified to the Groupstage (1): by Vllaznia Shkodër in 2022–23

EuroBasket
Albania competed in two European championships at EuroBasket 1947 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where they finished 14th and at EuroBasket 1957 in Sofia, Bulgaria, finishing in 16th place. Some years later they nearly qualified for the EuroBasket 1975 in Yugoslavia finishing third in the qualifying, winning matches against Luxembourg with 95–71 beating Iceland with a record win of 112-77 and Sweden with a score of 71-82 respectively. Missing out slightly for their "third" Eurobasket appearance in their history.

Mediterranean Games
Albania also participated twice at the Mediterranean Games in basketball. Their debut participation came in 1991. They also participated in the 2009 Mediterranean Games.

Olympic Games
The men's national basketball team tried twice to qualify at the Summer Olympics in basketball. As they participate in two Pre-Olympic Basketball Tournaments. First in the qualifying in 1972. They had three matches, losing all but had two close encounters one against Belgium with 83-82 and the other one being against the Netherlands with 84-81 missing so out to the Final Round.Being also Albania's best ever Olympic Qualification attempt in their Basketball History. Their following participation came in 1992 in the 1992 Pre-Olympic Basketball Tournament. They competed in Group A. The Albanians securing their first win at this competition against Switzerland 84–85 as it was their only win in their campaign. Albania had close loses against Italy 73-87 and Latvia with 78-94 despite that Albania failed to qualify for the playoffs stage, with a 5th-place finish.

Universiade
Despite not qualifying for the Summer Olympics. Albania were able to take place at the 1970 Summer Universiade in Torino, Italy. In which Albania finished 24th after being able to win matches against Luxembourg even twice with 84-67 and 90–60 as well as beating Sudan an record 116-74 and against Senegal with 83–71 to secure four wins in their campaign being Albania's most successful tournament in Basketball. Notable for Albania by almost upsetting one of the strongest national basketball teams Yugoslavia by losing only by two points difference with an result of 74-72 respectively. So far Albania's only participation at the Summer Universiade.

Albanian Basketball League
The Albanian Basketball League have a long history as their first division was held in 1946. BC Partizani Tirana is the most successful club in this league, as they won it 33 times in their history most recently in 1996. It is also the most successful Albanian team in Europe, competing in the past with success in the FIBA European Champions Cup and other major competitions.

The history of B.C. Partizani Tirana in the European competitions starts on December 18, 1968, when Italian champions Pallacanestro Cantù (then Oransoda Cantù) were seeking an "easy journey" in Albania when it had to meet B.C. Partizani Tirana in the Champion Club's Cup (in that time the highest European competition organized by FIBA). The match ended with the result 73–73. The playmaker of B.C. Partizani Tirana, Agim Fagu scored 48 points in this match, and for that was awarded with the "FIBA Banner Badge" by the Secretary-General of FIBA, William Jones, who was present at this match.

BC Partizani Tirana first competed for the Albanian Basketball Superleague in the 1969–70 FIBA European Champions Cup, but lost both their first-round games against CS Dinamo București. In the 1970–71 FIBA European Champions Cup, forfeited against İTÜ from Turkey in the first round due to a cholera outbreak at the time in Turkey

In the 1972–73 FIBA European Champions Cup BC Partizani Tirana faced Jeunesse Sportivo Alep from Syria, who withdrew yet again, allowing BC Partizani Tirana to progress to the round of 16 for the first time in their history. They then faced Crvena zvezda from Yugoslavia, losing both games. The 1973–74 FIBA European Champions Cup campaign saw even bigger success for BC Partizani Tirana, who faced Csepel SC in Hungary. Despite an unlucky 57–58 loss away, at home the Albanian side won a FIBA European Champions Cup match for the first time, 78–71, to progress yet again in the round of 16 for the third year running. There, Partizani Tirana faced Wienerberger from Austria. They proved for the first time to be competitive in such a high stage, winning with 72–71. In the second leg in Wien they missed their chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, losing 78–68.

In the 1974–75 FIBA European Champions Cup Partizani Tirana played Sparta Bertrange away in Luxembourg, and won comfortably with 103–89, for their first away win in a FIBA Cup competition. At home in Tirana they beat the opposition deservedly with 90–70, resulting in an impressive aggregate of 193–159 in the process. In the round of sixteen Partizani Tirana had to face Bulgarian side BC Balkan Botevgrad, but withdrew before the first leg and lost so the chance to qualify for the next round as well.

After some years where BC Partizani Tirana did not participate in the FIBA European Champions Cup, they returned in the 1978–79 FIBA European Champions Cup, competing for the first time in the quarterfinals. In Group E they faced KK Bosna Royal, BC Brno and AEL Limassol B.C. as their opponents. In the first match they had to face at home BC Brno, Partizani beating them comfortably with 100–79. In the next match they faced KK Bosna Royal away in Sarajevo. Partizani lost the match with 64–99. In the third match they faced AEL Limassol at home. They beat them easily with 151–58 at the process being its highest win in this competition. In the fourth Quarterfinal's group match Partizani Tirana faced BC Brno away. It was the most important match for Partizani in its Basketball club history. As they still had the chance to qualify for the semifinals. Partizani could not hold on to the result, as they did in the first half (41–46) as they lost the match in the end with 104–83 and also their "chances" to qualify for the semifinals.

In the following 1979–80 FIBA European Champions Cup season B.C. Partizani Tirana faced in the Quarterfinal Groupstage in group E KK Partizan Belgrade, Budapesti Honvéd SE and Al Ittihad Aleppo respectively. BC Partizani Tirana would show a strong display. Winning four matches alone three at Home. Defeating Budapesti Honvéd SE at home with 91-85 then KK Partizan Belgrade with 101-98 and Al Ittihad Aleppo at home with a result of 105–93. To finish second in this Group, missing out close on the semifinals at the end. Partizani was among the best twelve clubs of Europe.

Women's national basketball team
The Albania women's national basketball team is the most successful basketball team in Albania.

They participated in two international tournaments so far three times at the Mediterranean Games first in 1987 Syria. They won in their debut participation the tournament, after beating the women's from Turkey in the finals. To win their maiden gold medal in their debut participation. They would compete two more times most recently for the third time in 2009 Pescara. Where they finished in 6th place.

The Albanian female also competed regularly at the Championship for Small Countries. In which they won three medals. They first came runners-up in 1996 losing to Iceland with 81–73 respectively. Before winning just six years later against them with 84–79 to secure their second achievement in their history. In 2008 they once more won silver after losing to Malta in the finals.

Volleyball
Albania has a long tradition in volleyball as it is the second-most successful club sport in Albania after football. Especially the Albanian female national team have a strong reputation in this sport. The women of Dinamo Tirana reached the final of the CEV Women's Champions League twice in their history, in 1979–80 and 1989–90, finishing both times in third place. They also qualified for the finals in the CEV Cup in 1986-87 where they did not take place in the finals, do to the regime at that time. It is the best sport achievement for Albania out of any club sports, they participated so far.

The Albania women's national volleyball team won at the 1987 Mediterranean Games in Syria, their biggest success ever. In their following participation at the Mediterranean Games in 1991 they finished their campaign in 4th place. In the same year the women's of Albania qualified for the Women's European Volleyball Championship in 1991 Italy where they finished 11th. It is their only time they participated at this competition.

The women of Albania also participated with success at the Balkan Female Volleyball Championship. Winning this tournament in 1990 in Bulgaria, two years before they finished runners-up in Tirana. They collected four medals overall.

The Albania national team participated in the 2018 Women's European Volleyball League, defeating Estonia in the third-place match, winning an unforeseen bronze medal.

Men's volleyball
As of January 2023, the Albania men's national volleyball team ranked 55th in the world, somewhat less successful than the women's team. They did compete in several tournaments, especially throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

They participated three times in their history at the Men's European Volleyball Championship with their first participation in the 1955 Men's European Volleyball Championship in Romania. In which the Albanians had their best result ever in the history as they finished 10th on their debut. They would participate two more times in 1958 in Czechoslovakia and their third and last appearance came at the 1967 Men's European Volleyball Championship in Turkey.

The Albanians also made history at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in which they qualified at the 1962 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in the Soviet Union. In which they finished this Tournament in the 16th place. After winning four matches in the process against nations such as Tunisia 3–0 after two loses they beat Finland with 3–1 after set games. Than Austria with 3–0 in the final score. In the eighth and final group stage they beat Asian side Mongolia with 3–0 as well to secure their final win at this competition. It is Albania's only participation at the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship to date.

The Albanian men Volleyball Club Dynamo Tirana were able to reach its heights at the CEV Champions League in 1971–72, after eliminating Panathinaikos Athens after beating it after both legs. In the Semifinals Group Dinamo Tirana were able to win two matches, against CSKA Sofia 3-2 and Rebels Lier from Belgium with an 3-1 set were enough to go through to the finals. In which Tirana faced Volejbal Brno, AMVJ Amstelveen, Ruini Firenze. They would loss unfortunately all matches to finish 4th in the end.It is the best result so far for the Albanian men's at this competition.

Athletics
Athletics has been a successful individual sport in Albania. Izmir Smajlaj won gold in the men's long jump in 2017 European Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade and Luiza Gega won silver at the 2013 Summer Universiade in the 1500 metres run, the first medal for Albania at the Summer Universiade. Gega also won silver in the women's 3000 metres steeplechase in the 2016 European Championships in Athletics in Amsterdam. She wrote history for Albania as she won the first ever gold medal for her country at the 2022 European Athletics Championships in Munich, winning the contest with a time of 9:11.31. It is also her first gold medal, in her athletic carrier at the European Athletics Championships. Achieving also a European Athletics Championships record. In the 2023 European Games she would write history for Albania, as she won the gold medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase with a time of 9:17.31 minutes a European team championship record. Also equaling the record of the Bulgarian athlete Ivet Lalova-Collio with 11 Wins in her athletic carrier. She also secured the qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris after winning yet another gold medal this time in the Balkan Athletics Championship in Serbia.

Luiza Gega also competed for Albania at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics in the women's 3000 metres steeplechase. She was the flag bearer for Albania at the 2016 Olympics and together with Briken Calja in 2020. Gega qualified as the first Albanian to the finals in Athletics at the 2020 Summer Olympics. As she finished in fifth place with a time of 9:23.85 at the end enough to qualify for the final, in which she finished in 13th.

Albania is also successful in Athletics at the Mediterranean Games in which they won seven medals, two gold, two silvers and three bronze. Gega has been the most successful athlete for Albania at this competition. Winning first silver in 2013 and her second medal came at the 2018 Mediterranean Games winning gold in the 3000 metres steeplechase. She won gold in the 2022 Mediterranean Games, improving her own record with a time of 9:14.29. She is the first Albanian athlete to achieve this feat at the Mediterranean Games.

Boxing
Albania competed at the AIBA World Boxing Championships held in Belgrade in 2021. Alban Beqiri won the first-ever medal for Albania at this competition, winning bronze in the light middleweight category.

Florian Marku is a former kickboxer who competes in boxing. In 2014 he won the WKU World Championship in kickboxing. He won the IBF world title against Maxim Prodan. He won after 10 rounds via split decision, becoming world champion. He recently fought against Jorick Luisetto in Wembley Stadium, extending his unbeaten record in boxing, after winning via split decision.

Albania competed in boxing at the 2018 Mediterranean Games held in Tarragona. Krenar Zeneli secured the silver medal in bantamweight, the first silver medal for Albania in boxing at the Mediterranean Games.

Shooting
Shooting is a well-known sport in Albania. The best-known shooter from Albania is Elizabeta Karabolli, who won three medals at the European Shooting Championships. She won her first medal (bronze) in 1977 in Rome, then silver in 1978, and gold in Frankfurt 1979 in the 25m pistol discipline. She was the first European champion in shooting for Albania. Ermira Dingu won her first gold medal in the 50m rifle prone in 1980 in Madrid, the first medal in this category for her country. Lindita Kodra became the third European female shooting champion for Albania in 2007 in Granada, Spain. She also represented Albania at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Albania has won five medals at the European Shooting Championships with three of them being three gold, one silver and one bronze.

Gymnastics
Gymnastics has only a brief history in Albania. Matvei Petrov, born in Russia, has represented Albania since 2018 in the pommel horse event. In the 2020 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series he won bronze, the first medal for Albania at this sport. He also won the gold medal in the 2020 European Championships with a score of 14.566 in total. This is the first medal won for Albania at the European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

Weightlifting
Weightlifting is one of the most successful individual sports for the Albanians, with the national team winning medals at the European Weightlifting Championships and other international competitions. Albanian weightlifters have won a total of 34 medals at the European Championships with 9 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze. In the World Weightlifting Championships, the Albanian weightlifting team has won one gold medal in 1972, a silver in 2002 and a bronze in 2011. And most recently a Silber medal in the 2021 World Weightlifting Championships with Birken Calja. At the Mediterranean Games, the nation has won 5 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals since their debut.

 * Ymer Pampuri finished 9th at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games.
 * Briken Calja He finished 5th in the 2016 Summer Olympics. He also finished 4th at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
 * Evagjelia Veli finished 8th at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Wrestling
Wrestling has wide participation in Albania. The country made its debut in wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, participating regularly since then in the Olympics and other competitions. Albania won so far five medals at the Mediterranean Games in wrestling with one of them gold, one silver and three times bronze, since their debut.

Zelimkhan Abakarov is a Russian-born Albanian wrestler of Chechen origin. He is the best-known wrestler in Albania, and won the gold medal, in the Mediterranean Games, the first ever gold medal for Albania in wrestling. At the 2022 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade he wrote history, as he became the first Albanian to win the gold medal in the men's freestyle 57 kg division. The next year he secured Albania's first medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, as he won silver in the freestyle 65 kg division. In the following year Zelimkhan Abakarov would win his second medal with bronze this time at the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade in the Men's freestyle 57 kg category. He also led Albania to another success as he won silber at the 2023 European Wrestling Championships held in Zagreb. Abakarov secured another silber medal at the following European Wrestling Championships held in Romania.

Sahit Prizreni is a well-known wrestler from Albania. He is a bronze medalist from 2007 in Baku. Being the first ever Medalist for Albania at the World Wrestling Championships. He competed for the second time for Albania in the Summer Olympics in 2008 in Beijing. Prizreni advanced to the round of 16 in the men's freestyle 60 kg category where he lost to Bazar Bazarguruev from Kyrgyzstan. After that he won the silver medal at the 2011 European Wrestling Championships in Dortmund.

Summer Olympics
Albania made his debut at the Olympic Games at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Four men and one female represented the country, in two different sports. The weightlifter Ymer Pampuri achieved a great feat as he is the first and only Albanian to break an Olympic record, in military press, after lifting 127,5 kg respectively. After 20 years without participating do to the regime, boycotting the next four Olympic Games. Albania is participating since 1992 regularly at the Olympic games. They made their Winter Olympic Games debut in 2006 in Turin.

Briken Calja finished 5th in Weightlifting at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the 69 kg division. In the following olympics he came closer as he finished 4th at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Missing the bronze medal by one kg after lifting 341 kg. Luiza Gega qualified for the finals in Athletics after finishing 5th in the semifinals, with a time of 9:23.85 being the first Albanian athlete to do so. In her final run she would finish in 13th place.

Mediterranean Games
Albania made his debut at the Mediterranean Games in 1987 Latakia, Syria. It would be their most successful games as the women of Albania would win gold in Basketball and Volleyball. Kristi Robo would win one gold medal in Shooting. Albania won in total eight medals in their campaign. To finish the 1987 Mediterranean Games in an 11th-place finish. Their most successful sport is Weightlifting in which Albania won 26 medals in which of them being 5 gold medals, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals. Followed by sports such as Shooting 7 medals and Athletics with seven medals with two being gold. Albania won so far 49 medals in which of them being 11 Gold, 19 Silver and 19 Bronze medals, since their debut. They won medals in eight different sport competitions. Ranking 17th in the all-time medal table.

Their highest ranking per Sports is 7th in Volleyball 8th in Basketball and 9th in Weightlifting, being the only three sports who Albania is ranking in the top ten so far.

Football

 * Albania national football team
 * Albania national under-21 football team
 * Albania national under-20 football team
 * Albania national under-19 football team
 * Albania national under-18 football team
 * Albania national under-17 football team
 * Albania national under-16 football team
 * Albania national under-15 football team
 * Albania women's national football team
 * Albania women's national under-19 football team
 * Albania national futsal team

Basketball

 * Albania national basketball team
 * Albania national under-20 basketball team
 * Albania women's national basketball team

Volleyball

 * Albania women's national volleyball team
 * Albania men's national volleyball team

Tennis

 * Albania Davis Cup team

Badminton

 * Albanian national badminton team

Sporting venues

 * List of football stadiums in Albania
 * Category:Sports venues in Albania

National leagues

 * Albanian Superliga – football
 * Albanian Basketball Superliga – basketball

Sports events

 * Albania at the Olympics
 * Albania at the Mediterranean Games
 * Albania at the European Games

title: Sport in Albania


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Joetex Asamoah Frimpong

Kwabena Joseph "Joetex" Asamoah Frimpong (born 17 April 1982) is a Ghanaian former professional footballer who played as a striker.

Club career
Frimpong was born in Mampong. He began his career in Nigeria with Gabros of Nnewi and El-Kanemi, where he became top scorer and earned a move to Enyimba F.C. He won the CAF African Champions League with Enyimba in 2003 and 2004, scoring a total of 14 goals, but he missed the 2005 competition through injury.

He signed on loan for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nasr on 3 February 2006, with an option to make the deal permanent. He left the club on 7 April 2006, scoring three goals in ten appearances.

Frimpong signed for CS Sfaxien of Tunisia later in 2006, and made an immediate impact in the group stages of the CAF Champions League. He scored a vital goal in the first-leg of the final

In November 2006, Frimpong expressed a desire for a move to Europe and on 16 February 2007 his wish was granted, after he signed a three-year deal with Swiss Premier side BSC Young Boys. He made his league debut for the club on 25 February 2007, in a 3–1 victory over FC Thun; Frimpong celebrated his debut with two goals.

In September 2007, Frimpong was handed a four-match ban and given a fine of 1,100 US dollars after assaulting St. Gallen player Jürgen Gjasula during a league match. The Swiss FA decided not to give him the maximum six match ban after video evidence showed that he was provoked by Gjasula.

On 6 September 2008, he was loaned to FC Luzern.

International career
Frimpong was initially invited to the Nigerian U-23 side, but was dropped when the coach was informed of his true nationality.

Frimpong was a member of the Ghana Squad that played in the 2006 African Cup of Nations. He was however not selected into the Ghana Squad that played in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, having spent a large part of last year out injured and then failing to shine at the year's 2006 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

On 7 February 2007, Joetex continued his excellent performances at the International level by scoring his 1st goal for Ghana in their 4–1 victory over Nigeria in London

Frimpong Football Academy
He is the founder and chairman of the Football talents company Frimpong Football Academy (since 2010), which is based in Minna.

Honours
Enyimba
 * African Champions League: 2003, 2004
 * 2x Nigerian Professional Football League
 * Nigerian Cup: 2005

CS Sfaxien
 * Tunisian Cup: 2006

title: Joetex Asamoah Frimpong


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title: User talk:142.22.186.12


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Bourg, Louisiana

Bourg is a census-designated places in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Houma–Bayou Cane–Thibodaux Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal Service operates the Bourg Post Office within the Presquille CDP.

Education
Terrebonne Parish School District operates public schools in the entire parish. Schools with Bourg addresses include Bourg Elementary School (PK-4) and South Terrebonne High School (9-12).

Terrebonne Parish Library System formerly operated the Bourg Branch. Due to damage from Hurricane Ida, the library permanently closed. Another library was to be built in an area near Bourg.

The initial location of the non-district public school École Pointe-au-Chien was to be in the Vision Christian Center in Bourg.

WMA
Access to the Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area (WMA) can be made through Bourg, LA 24, and down LA 55 or LA 665.

title: Bourg, Louisiana


text: User talk:68.80.116.254

title: User talk:68.80.116.254


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Stronghold (1993 video game)

Stronghold is a Dungeons & Dragons city-building real-time strategy computer game published by SSI and developed by Stormfront Studios in 1993.

Gameplay
Players balance resources to build a town with unique neighborhoods, each with its own unique architecture. Residents and craftspeople of each neighborhood can be summoned to defend any part of the city that comes under attack. Players can choose from a variety of neighborhood leaders, including Mages, Clerics, Thieves, Fighters, Elves (a combination of fighters and mages), Dwarves (stout fighters who are also great miners), and Halflings (excellent farmers with some thief abilities). Players can use, for example, a spawned Elf to build a building on a plot or the player can focus the elf on training to build up character levels, amass an army and march them overland and defeat a neighboring monster. Or a player can focus entirely on city development and win the game in that way instead. Maps are constructed from triangular wireframe colored tiles. The color of each tile designate the terrain type – water, plains, mountains and hills. The game includes a random map generator.

Reception
According to GameSpy, "cities could quickly become very difficult to manage, but those players who became fans swore that the game was one of the most addictive management simulations they had ever played".

title: Stronghold (1993 video game)