Wednesday 28 October 2009

Looking Back - Cuban Missile Crisis Ends

On this day 1n 1962, the world breathed a collective sigh of relief after the superpowers reached an agreement ending the immediate threat of nuclear war.
Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed to dismantle all Russian missiles based in Cuba and ship them back to the Soviet Union.
The announcement was made in a public message to President John F Kennedy (pictured) broadcast on Moscow Radio.
In response, President Kennedy said the decision to remove the Cuban missiles was an "important contribution to peace". He has also promised the US will not invade Cuba and will eventually lift the US naval blockade imposed on the island. The blockade will continue until effective UN inspection ensures that the missiles in Cuba have been dismantled.
The crisis began on 14 October after a U-2 reconnaissance plane revealed the existence of several nuclear missiles based on the Caribbean island capable of reaching the US.
A week earlier , President Kennedy made an address to the nation denouncing the Soviet actions. He declared a naval blockade on Cuba and threatened the USSR itself with attack if any Cuban missile were launched against the USA.
Since then the world has been on tenterhooks wondering which superpower would back down first, desperately hoping this was not the beginning of a nuclear World War III.
Four days before the announcement, faced with a huge US fleet including eight aircraft carriers that had formed an arc 500 miles (800km) from the eastern tip of Cuba, Soviet vessels approaching the island turned back.
The British Foreign Secretary the Earl of Home welcomed Khrushchev's decision to dismantle the weapons in Cuba and praised President Kennedy's diplomatic skills. China has expressed anger at the Soviet climb-down and said it will support Cuba "through thick and thin".
As part of the settlement Cuba's president Fidel Castro, angered that he was not consulted on the agreement, ordered all Americans off the American base at Guantanamo used by US military for 60 years.
The US ended its blockade on 20 November 1962, the Soviets removed their nuclear weapons by the end of the year and, as part of the agreement, US missiles in Turkey were withdrawn in 1963. A hot line between the USA and USSR was set up to prevent such a crisis happening again.

A Royal Trip Down Memory Lane

Presidents and Prime Ministers come and go, but The Queen continues to reign, as she has done for more than 56 years, since the 2 June 1953. Take a Royal trip down memory lane with these pictures of Her Majesty. See how many other faces you recognize in the pictures:
















Dementia Quiz

Dementia Quiz

Below are four (4) questions and a Bonus question to test your perception, reasoning and the quickness of your logical processing.

They are stated simply so you should try to answer them instantly.

To assure the accuracy of the results, you should not take your time, but instead, answer each of them immediately.

OK? Lets find out just how clever you really are .....

Ready? GO!!! (scroll down slowly to uncover Questions then check your Answers at the end).

First Question:

You are a participant in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in?

Now answer the second question, but don't take as much time as you took for the first question. OK?

Second Question:
If you overtake the last person, then you are .....?

Third Question:
Very tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do not use paper and pencil or a calculator.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000. Now add 10. What is the total?

Fourth Question:

Mary's father has five daughters: 1 Nana, 2 Nene 3 Nini 4 Nono and ??? What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Okay, now the Bonus round, this might be a chance to redeem yourself:

A mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done. Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does HE indicate what he wants?
Now scroll down to check your answers:

Answer to first question:
If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place. You are in second place!
Answer to second question:
If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong. Tell me sunshine, how can you overtake the last person???
Answer to third question:
Did you get 5000. The correct answer is actually 4100 ..... If you don't believe it, check it with a calculator!
Answer to fourth question:
Did you answer Nunu? No! Of course it isn't. Her name is Mary! Read the question again!
Answer to Bonus question:
It's really very simple. He opens his mouth and asks for it .....
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Mothers


Brainteaser

Today we offer you another chance to test your general knowledge in our 'Trivia' quiz. Ten questions requiring ten answers. Simple! Or is it ....see what you think:

01 What system of writing survives on Egyptian monuments?
02 The croup, the hook, the stifle and the gaskin are the names of parts of the body of a four-legged animal. Which one?
03 What type of music did Louis Armstrong play?
04 What is a primula?
05 The lion is the symbol of England. What is the symbol of France?
06 What is the highest point on the African continent?
07 What is the capital of the Irish Republic?
08 What is the scientific study of plants called?
09 What mineral is put into the ground by lightning?
10 What are bones held together with?

Best of luck with the above questions!