From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day
International Women's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc).In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.
The IWD is also celebrated as the first spring holiday, as in the listed countries the first day of March is considered the first day of the spring season.
Click here to read about the History of the Women's Day:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Women's_Day
For very good qualified listening about womens' ideas on IWD: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Surprise!!!:) A museum in the internet; without having to go; Great Idea:)
International Museum of Women
International Women's Day 2007 - United Nations web site
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Giant telescope opens both eyes
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7282385.stm
LBT has 10 times the resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope
Click to see the Image
The world's most powerful optical telescope has opened both of its eyes.
Astronomers at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona have released the first images taken using its two giant 8m diameter mirrors.
The detailed pictures show a spiral galaxy located 102 million light-years away from the Milky Way.
LBT has been 20 years in the making but promises to allow astronomers to probe the Universe further back in time and in more detail than ever before.
"The amount of time and work that was put into this project to reach the point where we are today is immense," said LBT Director Richard Green. "To see the telescope operational with both mirrors is a great feeling."
The $120m (£60m) telescope uses two mirrors in tandem to maximise the amount of light it gathers, which allows astronomers to look deep into the Universe.
Using two 8.4 m (27ft) mirrors will give LBT the equivalent light-gathering capacity of a single 11.8m (39ft) instrument and the resolution of a 22.8m (75ft) telescope.
Impressive detail
The resolution is 10 times greater than the space-based Hubble telescope, which has a 2.4m (8ft) mirror.
"The images that this telescope will produce will be like none seen before," said Professor Peter Strittmatter of the University of Arizona.
The first pictures are false-colour images of the spiral galaxy NGC 2770. The pictures show what is a flat disc of stars and glowing gas.
Click to see graphics: LBT
The images - which take advantage of the telescope's ability to view the same point in space with multiple wavelengths of light - emphasise different features of the galaxy.
Combining ultraviolet and green light shows up clumpy regions of newly formed hot stars in the spiral arms, whilst a combination of red wavelengths highlights older, cooler stars.
The images were taken on 11 and 12 January but have only just now been released.
The LBT is located on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona. It achieved "first light" with one mirror on 12 October 2005 when it imaged a spiral galaxy in the constellation of Andromeda.
More news and beautiful photos of space: http://medusa.as.arizona.edu/lbto/astronomical_images.htm
LBT has 10 times the resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope
Click to see the Image
The world's most powerful optical telescope has opened both of its eyes.
Astronomers at the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in Arizona have released the first images taken using its two giant 8m diameter mirrors.
The detailed pictures show a spiral galaxy located 102 million light-years away from the Milky Way.
LBT has been 20 years in the making but promises to allow astronomers to probe the Universe further back in time and in more detail than ever before.
"The amount of time and work that was put into this project to reach the point where we are today is immense," said LBT Director Richard Green. "To see the telescope operational with both mirrors is a great feeling."
The $120m (£60m) telescope uses two mirrors in tandem to maximise the amount of light it gathers, which allows astronomers to look deep into the Universe.
Using two 8.4 m (27ft) mirrors will give LBT the equivalent light-gathering capacity of a single 11.8m (39ft) instrument and the resolution of a 22.8m (75ft) telescope.
Impressive detail
The resolution is 10 times greater than the space-based Hubble telescope, which has a 2.4m (8ft) mirror.
"The images that this telescope will produce will be like none seen before," said Professor Peter Strittmatter of the University of Arizona.
The first pictures are false-colour images of the spiral galaxy NGC 2770. The pictures show what is a flat disc of stars and glowing gas.
Click to see graphics: LBT
The images - which take advantage of the telescope's ability to view the same point in space with multiple wavelengths of light - emphasise different features of the galaxy.
Combining ultraviolet and green light shows up clumpy regions of newly formed hot stars in the spiral arms, whilst a combination of red wavelengths highlights older, cooler stars.
The images were taken on 11 and 12 January but have only just now been released.
The LBT is located on Mount Graham in southeastern Arizona. It achieved "first light" with one mirror on 12 October 2005 when it imaged a spiral galaxy in the constellation of Andromeda.
More news and beautiful photos of space: http://medusa.as.arizona.edu/lbto/astronomical_images.htm
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Suggested Opinion Essay Plan
The number of Body paragraphs of an opinion essay might be one or two. However, it is not easy to write a second paragraph consisting of only the counter argument and refutation. That is why we suggest writing all in one paragraph. As long as you provide the balance between the body paragraphs, you can write two body paragraphs, too. Monday, 3 March 2008
Discussion Subject of the Week 3rd - 7th March
Please Read and Study, then answer the survey question of the week on the right.
Turkish dam threatens historic site
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6990438.stm
11 September 2007
The ancient city of Hasankeyf is perched on rock, towering above the river Tigris.
It is a spectacular setting filled with monuments to multiple civilisations.
The caves at the very top are 3,000 years old.
More recent sandstone mosques in the valley below testify to a time when Hasankeyf was among the richest cities in Mesopotamia.
Soon the entire valley is to be flooded with a dam. The controversial project was first conceived in 1954 and abandoned six years ago.
Now a new funding deal from an international consortium including Austria, Germany and Switzerland means it is on the brink of realisation.
Environmental activists are horrified.
"The castle of Hasankeyf is a million years monument made by nature, the Tigris and the rocks. Can you imagine all this will sink for only 50 years economic benefit?" asks Nuri Ozbagdatli.
"You can transport the dam plans to wherever suitable. But you cannot carry nature and the archaeological heritage from here."
Economic development
The 1.2bn euro (£816m) Ilisu dam is part of Turkey's vast GAP project - a network of dams and hydroelectric power plants along both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
It will flood more than 300 sq km (116 sq miles) of land to create the second largest reservoir in the country.
The aim is to generate electricity to feed rapidly rising demand and fuel Turkey's economic development.
Dam supporters also argue it will help develop the neglected south east of Turkey, racked by years of conflict with Kurdish separatists.
Many locals migrated away from the violence and the poverty. Now some are starting to come back because of the dam.
At least 4,000 jobs should be created.
In the small, dusty town closest to the dam site - but out of the flood zone - a new restaurant has just opened, in anticipation of hungry construction workers and their families.
Other locals are building additional floors on their houses to rent out.
"I wish Hasankeyf wasn't flooded. But most people here can't find jobs," says teacher Benjamin Alp, playing backgammon in the shade on a side street.
"There's no industry, nothing. So people do want the dam to find work."
"This region has a lot of economical problems," his friend Ridvan agrees.
"The economic benefits of the dam will help people improve their situation and prevent them choosing other ways," he says - referring to support for the outlawed Kurdish separatist PKK.
Rich history
But the cost to history will be high.
The dam consortium plans to create a culture park on the edge of the reservoir and transfer key monuments from Hasankeyf there.
That includes the remains of a 900-year-old bridge, built when Hasankeyf was the capital of the Artukid Empire - and now the symbol of the city.
Most experts argue the sandstone much of Hasankeyf is built from will crumble if it is moved.
They scorn the notion the city can be recreated in a culture park.
Archaeologists also believe there are layers rich with history beneath ground they will not have time to reach before the flood.
So they are working against the clock to recover whatever possible.
This month the dig team uncovered fragments of the first Roman wall mosaic ever found here.
"For an archaeologist who has been working here for years nothing can be so painful as seeing all these artefacts flooded," says excavation leader Abdusselam Ulucam, as he brushes the dust of centuries from his new discovery.
"We are constantly bringing things to light here from the smallest stone to big walls. Knowing that all this will vanish far from human eyes is deeply upsetting."
New opportunities
Fifty-four thousand people will be displaced by the dam in total.
Those who live in Hasankeyf will be offered new apartments nearby. Others will get compensation.
But it is another major upheaval in the mainly Kurdish-populated region, where tens of thousands have already been forcibly displaced during the worst years of fighting here.
The man in charge of the dam says his project will leave those people better off and he is convinced he is doing no harm to history.
"Nine sites will be transported to a culture park. The new appearance will be marvellous!" Yunus Bayraktar enthuses.
The project co-ordinator has a vision of caves converted to villas, crowds of tourists - and jet skis.
He points out that the uppermost part of Hasankeyf will remain above water and suggests any monuments that cannot be moved can be rebuilt - leaving the originals as an underwater paradise for divers.
"The cultural heritage in Hasankeyf is collapsing in any case. It only has eight or so years left to survive," he argues.
"This project will transfer it to the next centuries."
The dam consortium says this is the only viable location for their reservoir.
They want to generate tourist revenue here as well as electricity.
Opponents insist they are drowning at least 3,000 years of history in the process.
From http://www.hasankeyfgirisimi.com/en/index.htm
We are leading a struggle against the Ilisu dam and Hydro Powerplant Project planned to be built on the Tigris river, because construction of this dam will:
- flood the ancient city Hasankeyf and hundreds of several other historical-cultural assets in the Tigris Valley where the first cultures of the humanity were cultivated.
- displace up to 78.000 people in the dam region which will intensify the economic, social and psychological problems in the cities that will receive migration.
- flood the wonderful, unique and irreplaceable nature in the Tigris valley, with its very rich habitat and wildlife.
- fail to improve the socio-economic living conditions in the region, as had been the case with the other dam projects in the region as well.
- not be based on a participatory framework that takes into account the views of the local stakeholders, e.g. the affected people.
We demand that the Ilisu project should be stopped and alternatives should be developed with all relevant stakeholders at all stages in order to enhance the soci-economic situation of the people in the region, develop the cultural heritage and save the nature
Turkish dam threatens historic site
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6990438.stm
11 September 2007
The ancient city of Hasankeyf is perched on rock, towering above the river Tigris.
It is a spectacular setting filled with monuments to multiple civilisations.
The caves at the very top are 3,000 years old.
More recent sandstone mosques in the valley below testify to a time when Hasankeyf was among the richest cities in Mesopotamia.
Soon the entire valley is to be flooded with a dam. The controversial project was first conceived in 1954 and abandoned six years ago.
Now a new funding deal from an international consortium including Austria, Germany and Switzerland means it is on the brink of realisation.
Environmental activists are horrified.
"The castle of Hasankeyf is a million years monument made by nature, the Tigris and the rocks. Can you imagine all this will sink for only 50 years economic benefit?" asks Nuri Ozbagdatli.
"You can transport the dam plans to wherever suitable. But you cannot carry nature and the archaeological heritage from here."
Economic development
The 1.2bn euro (£816m) Ilisu dam is part of Turkey's vast GAP project - a network of dams and hydroelectric power plants along both the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
It will flood more than 300 sq km (116 sq miles) of land to create the second largest reservoir in the country.
The aim is to generate electricity to feed rapidly rising demand and fuel Turkey's economic development.
Dam supporters also argue it will help develop the neglected south east of Turkey, racked by years of conflict with Kurdish separatists.
Many locals migrated away from the violence and the poverty. Now some are starting to come back because of the dam.
At least 4,000 jobs should be created.
In the small, dusty town closest to the dam site - but out of the flood zone - a new restaurant has just opened, in anticipation of hungry construction workers and their families.
Other locals are building additional floors on their houses to rent out.
"I wish Hasankeyf wasn't flooded. But most people here can't find jobs," says teacher Benjamin Alp, playing backgammon in the shade on a side street.
"There's no industry, nothing. So people do want the dam to find work."
"This region has a lot of economical problems," his friend Ridvan agrees.
"The economic benefits of the dam will help people improve their situation and prevent them choosing other ways," he says - referring to support for the outlawed Kurdish separatist PKK.
Rich history
But the cost to history will be high.
The dam consortium plans to create a culture park on the edge of the reservoir and transfer key monuments from Hasankeyf there.
That includes the remains of a 900-year-old bridge, built when Hasankeyf was the capital of the Artukid Empire - and now the symbol of the city.
Most experts argue the sandstone much of Hasankeyf is built from will crumble if it is moved.
They scorn the notion the city can be recreated in a culture park.
Archaeologists also believe there are layers rich with history beneath ground they will not have time to reach before the flood.
So they are working against the clock to recover whatever possible.
This month the dig team uncovered fragments of the first Roman wall mosaic ever found here.
"For an archaeologist who has been working here for years nothing can be so painful as seeing all these artefacts flooded," says excavation leader Abdusselam Ulucam, as he brushes the dust of centuries from his new discovery.
"We are constantly bringing things to light here from the smallest stone to big walls. Knowing that all this will vanish far from human eyes is deeply upsetting."
New opportunities
Fifty-four thousand people will be displaced by the dam in total.
Those who live in Hasankeyf will be offered new apartments nearby. Others will get compensation.
But it is another major upheaval in the mainly Kurdish-populated region, where tens of thousands have already been forcibly displaced during the worst years of fighting here.
The man in charge of the dam says his project will leave those people better off and he is convinced he is doing no harm to history.
"Nine sites will be transported to a culture park. The new appearance will be marvellous!" Yunus Bayraktar enthuses.
The project co-ordinator has a vision of caves converted to villas, crowds of tourists - and jet skis.
He points out that the uppermost part of Hasankeyf will remain above water and suggests any monuments that cannot be moved can be rebuilt - leaving the originals as an underwater paradise for divers.
"The cultural heritage in Hasankeyf is collapsing in any case. It only has eight or so years left to survive," he argues.
"This project will transfer it to the next centuries."
The dam consortium says this is the only viable location for their reservoir.
They want to generate tourist revenue here as well as electricity.
Opponents insist they are drowning at least 3,000 years of history in the process.
From http://www.hasankeyfgirisimi.com/en/index.htm
We are leading a struggle against the Ilisu dam and Hydro Powerplant Project planned to be built on the Tigris river, because construction of this dam will:
- flood the ancient city Hasankeyf and hundreds of several other historical-cultural assets in the Tigris Valley where the first cultures of the humanity were cultivated.
- displace up to 78.000 people in the dam region which will intensify the economic, social and psychological problems in the cities that will receive migration.
- flood the wonderful, unique and irreplaceable nature in the Tigris valley, with its very rich habitat and wildlife.
- fail to improve the socio-economic living conditions in the region, as had been the case with the other dam projects in the region as well.
- not be based on a participatory framework that takes into account the views of the local stakeholders, e.g. the affected people.
We demand that the Ilisu project should be stopped and alternatives should be developed with all relevant stakeholders at all stages in order to enhance the soci-economic situation of the people in the region, develop the cultural heritage and save the nature
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