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offtorivendell · 28 days ago

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Elain, Gwyn and a possible January birthday...

I can't believe it's the end of the Year of our Cauldron 2024 and this argument has resurfaced, but here we go I guess.

Thank you @shitwillnotbegiven for working though this with me!

Firstly, I really want people to know that none of this even matters; the interview in which Steph asked SJM if Azriel's person could have her birthday happened after ACOSF was sent* to be published. So whatever couple was built up was already set in the text. It's a complete non issue. Secondly, SJM has fudged up the numbers before; I am pretty sure that someone did the maths and, according to canon, Eris would have only been around 8yo when he left Mor at Autumn's border! These things happen, and SJM has said she's not a numbers person (no shame).

* Correction: ACOSF was not yet published, but it would have been at the printers and/or being shipped out. Thank you @valentiinexo.

Thirdly, assuming SJM honours the promise to begin with, even if the birthday request predated ACOSF being sent to the printers, it's still a non issue because both Elain and Gwyn could have been born in January. I don't know why people are saying Elain was born over the summer, besides wanting to reassure themselves that she won't end up with Az.

But let's have a look.

Elain

Nesta said that Elain was "barely thirteen" at the ball when the heiress bullied her for whatever reason.

“She wouldn’t have gone into much detail about it,” Elain said. “Nesta was only fourteen at the last ball we went to before—well, before we were poor …” Elain shook her head. “Another young heiress was at the ball, and she positively hated me. She was several years older, and I’d never done anything to provoke her hatred, but I think …” “She was jealous of your beauty,” Amren said, an amused smile on her red lips. Elain blushed. “Perhaps.” It was definitely that. Even though Elain would have been barely thirteen at the time. “Well, Nesta saw how she treated me, her casual cruelties and snubs, and bided her time. Waited until that ball, when a handsome duke from the continent was there to find a bride. His family had run out of money, which was why he’d deigned to come over at all—to nab a rich bride to refill their estate’s coffers. Nesta knew the heiress had her sights set on him. The girl had bragged about it to all of us in the powder room at every ball for weeks leading up to it. - ACOSF, chapter 44

Nesta herself was only "fourteen," born in the spring.

Cassian held her gaze as he stalked for her, then reached out an arm— And plucked the cerulean-and-cream scarf Elain had given her for her birthday this spring off the hook on the wall. He gripped it in his fist, dangling it like a strangled snake as he brushed past her. - ACOSF, chapter 1

As the map and seasons of Prythian both coincide with the map and seasons of the UK and Ireland/the northern hemisphere in general (besides the four seasonal courts), and it should be safe to assume that the ball happened during the social season, then we can extrapolate from most online sources, which suggest that would have begun when British parliament returned after closing for the winter.

Per Wikipedia:

The Season coincided with the sitting of parliament; it began some time after Christmas and ran until midsummer, roughly late June. Some sources say it began at Parliament's Easter session break. The social season played a role in the political life of the country: the members of the two Houses of Parliament were almost all participants in the season, as all Peers sitting in the House of Lords were by definition nobility, and many if not most Members of the House of Commons were gentry. But the Season also provided an opportunity for the children of marriageable age of the nobility and gentry to be launched into society.

Feyre confirmed as much in ACOTAR, because she arrived back in the human lands after the "socialite season" had ended and it was getting into summer. Elain was even wearing summer appropriate attire and was flushed - maybe from the heat as much as her excitement?

Summer—in the weeks that I’d been painting and dining with Tamlin and wandering the court lands at his side, summer had come. Did my family still truly believe me to be visiting some long-lost aunt? What were they doing with themselves? - ACOTAR, chapter 25

I glanced sidelong at her. My sister was beaming, content—prettier than I’d ever seen her, even in her simple muslin gardening dress. Her cheeks were flushed beneath her large, floppy hat. “I think—I think I’d like to see the continent,” I said. And it was true, I realized. There was so much of the world that I hadn’t seen, hadn’t ever thought about visiting. Hadn’t ever been able to dream of visiting. “I’m surprised you’re so eager to go next spring,” I said. “Isn’t that right in the middle of the season?” The socialite season, which had ended a few weeks ago, apparently, full of parties and balls and luncheons and gossip, gossip, gossip. Elain had told me all about it at dinner the night before, hardly noticing that it was an effort for me to get down my food. - ACOTAR, chapter 29

The following afternoon, bleary-eyed and quiet, we all gathered at the lunch table. I thanked my sister and father for the party, and dodged my father’s inquiries regarding whether any of his friends’ sons had caught my eye. The summer heat had arrived, and I propped my chin on a fist as I fanned myself. I’d slept fitfully in the heat last night. It was never too hot or too cold at Tamlin’s estate. - ACOTAR, chapter 31

Spring is "right in the middle of" Prythian's social season. Winter > spring (tulip season) > summer. Feyre gives us this information.

All of this is to say that it is absolutely possible for Elain to be born in January and be "barely thirteen" years of age in the late winter/early spring of the same year "weeks" later, when Nesta got revenge for her at the ball. And Nesta, who was "only fourteen" at the time, could have been nearing her fifteenth birthday. "Two under two" is a common saying for a reason, and I suspect the "only" was not to suggest that Nesta had recently turned fourteen (though two in one year is definitely possible), but that she was too young for marriage in her father's/family's opinion, and the entire situation was ludicrous.

Perhaps the wooden rose was actually a birthday gift for Elain from Papa Archeron?

She plucked another figurine from the mantel: a rose carved from a dark sort of wood. She held it in her palm, its solid weight surprising, and traced a finger over one of the petals. “He made this one for Elain. Since it was winter and she missed the flowers.” - ACOSF, chapter 55

Gwyn

If Gwyn and Catrin were conceived on Calanmai, which is the first of May, and faerie pregnancies last ten months - this is of course assuming that their half-nymph mother would have expected the same duration of her pregnancy as a high fae like Feyre - then yes, a pregnancy with a due date of May plus ten months (it's impossible to count from her last missed period as we know at least the high fae only have two cycles a year, so the conception date will have to do) could end with a set of twins born in January.

Gwyn went on, “My mother was unwanted by either of their people. She could not dwell in the rivers of the Spring Court, but was too untamed to endure the confinement of the forest house of Autumn. So she was given in her childhood to the temple at Sangravah, where she was raised. She partook in the Great Rite when she was of age, and I, we—my sister and I, I mean—were the result of that sacred union with a male stranger. She never found out who he was, for the magic chose him that night, and no one ever showed up to ask about twin girls. We were raised in the temple as well. I never left its grounds until … until I came here.” - ACOSF, chapter 29

Around half of twin pregnancies make it to term, and 90% are born after 32 weeks (per google), so even with the extrapolation between human data and the barely existent faerie pregnancy "lore" I think that a January birthdate for Gwyn and Catrin is not a risky guess. I also think it's much more exciting to refer to pregnancy "lore" than data, so can we all get that going? 😂

So yeah, there you have it. Both Elain and Gwyn could have been born in January. Though again, it was a request made after ACOSF was finished. This argument doesn't "benefit" either side, and to suggest that it eliminates either Elain or Gwyn is disingenuous. Why does it keep popping up?

#acotar #elain archeron #gwyneth berdara #azriel shadowsinger #rant #tw pregnancy #january birthday

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scotianostra · 10 months ago

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Ooh, what’s Edinburgh like? Moving there next year hopefully, from Africa, and after a few quick trips I can’t say I’ve gotten too much of a sense of the city :(

I'm kinda biased, but it's a good place, quite small and easy to get around, the main bus serice is Lothian Buses, for a flat fare of £2 you can get from ato b on one bus, for £5 cash you can hop on and off, the best value is paying by debit card , what they call TapTapCap from as little as £4.80 per day and £22 per week, so if you are one 3 or more buses in one day it caps at £4.80, and £22 is the most you will pay fr a week. The bus service is very good and I use their bustracker, find it on Google Play "My Bus Edinburgh" The vast majority of Museums and Art Galleries are free, only charges tend to be if there are special exhibitions, like The National Museum of Scotland had a Doctor Who exhibition last year. There are two main train stations, Waverley and Haymarket, and several small ones and stops.

Most people don't realise that Edinburgh and the surrounding areas have some great beaches, Portobello is the best in the city, ad has plenty of places to eat and drink at there. Cramond Beachis a mecca for dog walkers, there is a Causeway there where you can explore Cramond Island, just watch the tide times. There are plenty of parks and green spaces, the city is officially the greenest city in the UK, with almost half the city (49.2%) being classed as 'green space'.

If you are relatively fit there are plenty hills to climb to get great views, some are very easy, Calton Hill, Corstorphine to name but two. Arthur's Seat offers different routes to the summit of varying difficulty, but you can actually drive so far up and just make the easy climb to the top, there are three man made "Lochs" around Arthur's Seat, if you're lucky you will see Otters at Dunsapie, Duddingston and St Margarets have plenty swas and ducks. For more serious walkers the Pentland Hills are a great place to explore, there is even a herd of oor Highland "Hairy Coos" up there. If you can ski, there is a dryslope on The Pentlands, the longest in the UK.

Pubs and clubs are a plenty, I have no idea of your age as you have decided to remain anon, but many places cater for students, prices vary, I pay between £2 and £4 for my drinks, although the touristy places will charge you up to twice this amount, over £6 for a drink is not unusual.

Of course we have the Festival, well there are several throughout the year, Edinburgh gets the tag of Festival City at times. The main one is in August and the population of Edinburgh is said to double in the time, licensed premises are automatically given an extension to their opening hours, some open to 5 in the morning.

It's a safe city with a low crime rate, but as with other places you have to be aware of your own safety. If you plan on taking in the paid attractions The Castle wil set you back about £20, as will The Palace of Holyrood House. Opposite the Palace is The Scottish Parliament, you can visit thisfor free and sit in while it is in session. If you are planning on venturing around Scotland and like your history I recommend a membership of Historic Scotland, again I don't know your age, but prices start at under £3 a month and are less than a fiver for adults over 24. National Trust of Scotland also offer meberships from £3.35 to £5.80.

Can't really think of much more to put for now, perhaps my followers can make suggestions, or ask questions?

Oh and pack your umbrella get a waterproof jacket, even in summer we can get some heavy showers, naturally you will be aware it can get cold as well, invest in a decent winter jacket and layers to keep warm.

I hope this has been helpful.

#scotland #scottish #history #edinburgh #Advice

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zindagi-toh-bewafa-hai · 1 year ago

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Our elected representatives are currently sitting in the Winter session of Parliament until the 22nd of December 2023. As the leaders of the world’s largest democracy, their silence on the genocide in Palestine, and refusal to call for an end to all ties with Israel is not only shocking but morally reprehensible. Let us, the people of India, demand them to take a stand in the Parliament by passing a resolution stating that: 1. India calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. 2. India unequivocally stands with the Palestinian people and against Israeli occupation. 3. India will end all diplomatic, military and trade ties with the State of Israel and 4. India will provide humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza including food, water, medical supplies and fuel

From this website you can email your constituency's Member of Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of External Affairs. They won't do shit unless pressured.

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sambhavami · 1 year ago

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The Lost Flute - Part 12 (Backwards and Forwards)

Almost a year had passed since sage Durvasa's fateful visit to Dwarika. The news of Rukmini's pregnancy had spread through the palace overnight like Satyabhama's passion project- the unruly vines enveloping nearly every royal palace wall that burst into blossoms at the turn of every season. Yashoda had once again delayed her departure, albeit with lighthearted complaints about having to unpack her bags every time she tried to leave. Rukmini's sister-in-law had come over to stay for the duration of the pregnancy, with her husband tagging along sourly. Even though Rukmi had glared at Krishna the entire time, he had still cried upon meeting his sister and kissed Manmatha's forehead while exclaiming how much the young boy resembled his 'uncle'. Rukmini hadn't bothered to tell him about the adoption, and neither had Rukmavati.

Additionally, Krishna had successfully gotten a proposal banning alcohol on the island of Dwarika to pass in the parliament, and Balarama had left on an angry pilgrimage, after a blowout row with Krishna regarding the same. Subhadra, inspired by Yashoda, had taken to churning out colourful sweaters at an alarming rate, despite the marked absence of a winter season in the seaside mansions. While no one had batted an eye when the entire royal family had received matching sweaters from her quarters, Krishna had finally deemed it necessary to have a talk with her when all the ministers had turned up panting, to a parliamentary session, wearing matching blue and yellow sweaters in the sultry summer heat. Vasudeva had taken up primary residence in Prabhasa where liquor was still aplenty, and Krishna had attempted to have a productive conversation with his mother after having given up on the prospect for almost a decade.

---

When Krishna had entered Devaki's darkened chambers in the beginning, he had been taken aback anew by the apparent neglect of the rooms. However, he had known, even then, better than to override the wishes of his mother, who preferred the rooms just as they were. Inside this coven, he had found his mother seated on her bed, playing with her 'children'. Having been imprisoned for the better part of her life, Devaki had gotten used to further enclosing herself within an imaginary world- one where she had never lost control of her own life. As Devaki had grown more and more terrified of the real world, she had wrapped herself in the imaginary one. In Devaki's mind, her six older children remained alive and thriving, and Devaki spent most of her time immersed in this perfect world she had constructed for herself. Here, even though decades had passed, her children never aged, and never died.

Krishna liked to come to her at least once a week, spending hours playing with her pretend children, for he couldn't bring himself to break her illusion. Not that he hadn't tried. When he was younger, he had often appealed to his mother's common sense, in an attempt to drag her back to reality, but over time had made peace with their peculiar arrangement that allowed them to have some semblance of a civil relationship.

When he was younger, Krishna would return from these visits almost in tears. Most of the time, Devaki would be so engrossed in her own world, that she would fail to even recognize her living son. Those days, Krishna would run to seek refuge in Rohini's arms, only to be thrown back into the unforgiving field of battle. Now, Krishna just went along with whatever Devaki wished on a particular day, only gently nudging her with the latest news of their family now and then.

"You're not my son, Krishna. I don't know why everyone keeps saying that! You're God, right?" Devaki would implore, in between her plays, "You saved me, and my boys!"

"Yeah," Krishna would nod, forcing a smile through profound sadness, "But that's a secret, remember? To the rest of the world, I am your son, and the only one, mind you!"

One day, Devaki had asked him, "Why wouldn't you let me take the boys out for a walk? You said there was a beach!" Devaki had been brought to Dwarika in a closed palanquin. She had insisted upon never opening the shutters 'lest the enemy take her sons away'. Hence, while she had heard the waves from her room, she had never actually felt the ocean at her feet.

"Yes," Krishna had said as his eyes had lit up, "You and I should definitely take a walk on the beach. I'd love to show you all the nice spots, and the boats, and the shops!"

"But what about the children? You said children aren't allowed on the beach!" Devaki had asked innocently.

"Yes! There are strong winds, that might blow them away!" Krishna had nodded, "They'll be fine alone for an hour. I can call a nanny, and then you and I could go!"

Devaki had shook her head sadly, "I cannot leave them even for a second! No matter what you tell me."

"Okay!" Krishna had backed off. He always steered clear of actually upsetting her.

"Let's not, then." He had said instead, "How about instead, I open that window? Your rooms are all sea-facing, you know! You could see the ocean from right here!"

Devaki had shook her head, "I don't know! What about the wind?"

Krishna had held her palms in his, " You and I will hold the boys' hands very tightly! How about then?"

Devaki had nodded. Although she hadn't been fully convinced, dread always creeping up at the back of her neck, she also hadn't been able to bring herself to completely disregard this young man's suggestions. Even though she wasn't quite sure why, she always intrinsically trusted him. Krishna, on the other hand, had been glad for every little victory he had gotten. Throwing open the wide window, he had invited the frail woman to come closer to him. Devaki had stood transfixed, taking in the petrichor of the waves that crashed on the rocks, her palms still curled around her imaginary children. Krishna too had stood by the window, feeling the fresh breeze wash over his face, looking over occasionally at his mother's face, who still remained six children away.

As Krishna had watched, Devaki's palms had fallen to her side, lax against her plain dress. Her gaze had been fixed upon the sky, now bursting with colour, as the sun neared the horizon against the sparkling, dancing ocean. It had seemed as though, just for a second, she had forgotten about the children. Krishna had inched closer, carefully placing a hand on her shoulder, "You know, mother, I just wanted you to know this: I understand what happened now. What truly happened. With you. With father."

Devaki had looked up at him quizzically, "How would you know? You're God. You know nothing!" She finished, almost on the brink of anger. It seemed as though, for a split second, she had remembered her reality, and Krishna had turned away, leaving the subject at that.

---

Krishna stood by the gate leading up to Devaki's bedroom, leaning on the door frame as he watched his mother shuffle from cupboard to cupboard in her room, muttering quietly to herself.

Ever since he had gotten her to trust the open window, Devaki had added more colour to her quarters and wardrobe. She had even asked to be sent some more clothes and had finally begun taking an interest in the colours and fabrics. Krishna, overjoyed, had sent over Jambavati and Satyabhama along with an entire entourage of tailors and jewellers the very moment he had received her request.

Drawing up courage, Krishna finally walked in, a bright smile on his lips. Devaki laughed as she greeted him, dragging him to the open window. "I'm matching your ocean today!" She exclaimed as she twirled around, showing off her turquoise dress.

Krishna laughed at his mother's lighthearted display. He lightly ran his fingers over different sapphire-based jewellery sets Devaki had spread out on her dressing table as she looked at him expectantly. Krishna's smile turned playful as he pulled out an ethereal necklace with sparkling pearls enclosed in bright, pale shells. Devaki gasped in joy as she laid the necklace against her neck and turned to the mirror.

Krishna peered over her head. Good feet and a half taller than his mother, he whispered encouragements as Devaki tried on the necklace.

"Why'd you buy it though?" She asked, "Not that I don't love it, but any occasion?"

Krishna smiled, happy wrinkles forming around his sparkling eyes, "I- well, a beautiful little girl recently came into our lives. This," He pointed to the necklace, "Is in her honour." Krishna drew in a deep breath as he waited for his mother's reaction.

Devaki nodded as she stepped backwards, leaning back against her bedpost, eyes downcast. Krishna watched her intently as she processed the news. "Good for you," She whispered after a long silence. She "Good that she is born now. No one can snatch her away from you!"

Krishna smiled and nodded despite his eyes watering. He hadn't told her about his son. He had meant to, after a few days. After the tragedy, he hadn't found the courage to inform Devaki. Then, time had rolled and rolled, and the appropriate time to tell her had slipped farther and farther away.

"I do treat you very harshly, don't I?" said Devaki, seemingly out of nowhere, catching Krishna off-guard. He still shook his head, laughing charmingly.

"Be honest," she continued, "This old me: you hadn't bargained for this when you came to live with us!"

Krishna gingerly put an arm around her, "Maybe you were not exactly what I imagined you to be, but you've been fantastic. No regrets!" He added, laughing, in an attempt to steer from the conversation. "Allow me to apologize nevertheless." She whispered as she leaned into his embrace, while Krishna stared blankly at the rolling ocean outside the window. Any emotion slipping by, and he might have just broken down. And that display of weakness was probably the last thing his mother needed.

Krishna sighed. He didn't have much of a choice. He spoke after a minute of silence, "Did I ever tell you about Pradyumna?"

"No? Who is he?" Devaki asked.

"Was," Krishna whispered hoarsely. He recounted, painstakingly steering around the more gory details. By the end, Krishna found his palm enclosed in Devaki's. Her grip was painful, but it made Krishna more grateful than anything. Rising slowly, Devaki gently planted a kiss on his forehead, before wrapping him in a warm embrace, with her chin resting on his head.

"I thought Gods were above these human troubles?" Devaki asked after a while, gently stroking his hair.

"God. Human. Wretched life either way." Krishna tutted.

"Yes, it is." Devaki smiled sadly. Oddly, she felt much closer to the young man seated before her, "So, you said you have a daughter now." It seemed for a brief interval their roles had been reversed.

It was Devaki now, who attempted to lighten the mood, "What did you call her?"

"Charumati," Said Krishna, relishing every syllable of the name he had chosen himself, "Would you like to meet her?"

"Not today," Devaki smiled, "But yes." Even though she had managed to pull herself together for a brief moment, she did not feel she could hold herself much longer. She wanted to be happy, but it was tough to be happy when the ghosts of the past surrounded her at all times. How could she bring herself to be part of a celebration when she couldn't promise to be happy?

#krishna #hindu mythology #original writing #balalrama #fanfic #devaki #mahabharata #vrindavan #the lost flute #india #desi tumblr

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indianexpalert · 4 days ago

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Parliament winter session comes to end amid BJP-INDIA bloc showdown | India News

NEW DELHI: The final day of Parliament’s winter session was marked by intense protests as INDIA bloc members marched from Vijay Chowk to Parliament on Friday, demanding Union home minister Amit Shah’s resignation and apology for his comments about Dr B.R. Ambedkar.Both houses of Parliament were subsequently adjourned Sine Die amidst continuing protests.This comes a day after altercation at…

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#Adani Group bribery accusations #Amit Shah resignation #BJP-Congress clash #Breaking news #Congress protests #Dr B.R. Ambedkar controversy #Google news #india #INDIA bloc protests #India news #India news today #Lok Sabha proceedings #one election #One nation #parliament winter session #Today news

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todayworldnews2k21 · 19 days ago

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Rahul, Priyanka Join In As INDIA Bloc Leaders Continue Protest Over Adani Issue, JPC Probe Demand — WATCH

Parliament Winter Session: Leaders of several INDIA bloc parties continued their protest on the Parliament premises on Thursday over the Adani indictment issue and called for a joint parliamentary probe into the matter. Opposition MPs, including LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protested at the Parliament premises. #WATCH | Delhi: Opposition MPs, including LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi protest over Adani…

#Adani Indictment #Congress #Lok Sabha #Opposition Portest #Parliament Winter session #Priyanka Gandhi #rahul gandhi

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brookstonalmanac · 2 years ago

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Events 1.17

38 BC – Octavian divorces his wife Scribonia and marries Livia Drusilla, ending the fragile peace between the Second Triumvirate and Sextus Pompey. 1362 – Saint Marcellus' flood kills at least 25,000 people on the shores of the North Sea. 1377 – Pope Gregory XI reaches Rome, after deciding to move the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon. 1524 – Giovanni da Verrazzano sets sail westward from Madeira to find a sea route to the Pacific Ocean. 1562 – France grants religious toleration to the Huguenots in the Edict of Saint-Germain. 1595 – During the French Wars of Religion, Henry IV of France declares war on Spain. 1608 – Emperor Susenyos I of Ethiopia surprises an Oromo army at Ebenat; his army reportedly kills 12,000 Oromo at the cost of 400 of his men. 1648 – England's Long Parliament passes the "Vote of No Addresses", breaking off negotiations with King Charles I and thereby setting the scene for the second phase of the English Civil War. 1649 – The Second Ormonde Peace creates an alliance between the Irish Royalists and Confederates during the War of the Three Kingdoms. The coalition was then decisively defeated during the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. 1773 – Captain James Cook leads the first expedition to sail south of the Antarctic Circle. 1781 – American Revolutionary War: Battle of Cowpens: Continental troops under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan defeat British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton at the battle in South Carolina. 1799 – Maltese patriot Dun Mikiel Xerri, along with a number of other patriots, is executed. 1811 – Mexican War of Independence: In the Battle of Calderón Bridge, a heavily outnumbered Spanish force of 6,000 troops defeats nearly 100,000 Mexican revolutionaries. 1852 – The United Kingdom signs the Sand River Convention with the South African Republic. 1873 – A group of Modoc warriors defeats the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, part of the Modoc War. 1885 – A British force defeats a large Dervish army at the Battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan. 1893 – Lorrin A. Thurston, along with the Citizens' Committee of Public Safety, led the Overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the government of Queen Liliʻuokalani. 1899 – The United States takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean. 1903 – El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico becomes part of the United States National Forest System as the Luquillo Forest Reserve. 1904 – Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard receives its premiere performance at the Moscow Art Theatre. 1912 – British polar explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott reaches the South Pole, one month after Roald Amundsen. 1915 – Russia defeats Ottoman Turkey in the Battle of Sarikamish during the Caucasus Campaign of World War I. 1917 – The United States pays Denmark $25 million for the Virgin Islands. 1918 – Finnish Civil War: The first serious battles take place between the Red Guards and the White Guard. 1920 – Alcohol Prohibition begins in the United States as the Volstead Act goes into effect. 1941 – Franco-Thai War: Vichy French forces inflict a decisive defeat over the Royal Thai Navy. 1943 – World War II: Greek submarine Papanikolis captures the 200-ton sailing vessel Agios Stefanos and mans her with part of her crew. 1944 – World War II: Allied forces launch the first of four assaults on Monte Cassino with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome, an effort that would ultimately take four months and cost 105,000 Allied casualties. 1945 – World War II: The Vistula–Oder Offensive forces German troops out of Warsaw. 1945 – The SS-Totenkopfverbände begin the evacuation of the Auschwitz concentration camp as the Red Army closes in. 1945 – Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg is taken into Soviet custody while in Hungary; he is never publicly seen again. 1946 – The UN Security Council holds its first session. 1948 – The Renville Agreement between the Netherlands and Indonesia is ratified. 1950 – The Great Brink's Robbery: Eleven thieves steal more than $2 million from an armored car company's offices in Boston. 1950 – United Nations Security Council Resolution 79 relating to arms control is adopted. 1961 – U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers a televised farewell address to the nation three days before leaving office, in which he warns against the accumulation of power by the "military–industrial complex" as well as the dangers of massive spending, especially deficit spending. 1961 – Former Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba is murdered in circumstances suggesting the support and complicity of the governments of Belgium and the United States. 1966 – Palomares incident: A B-52 bomber collides with a KC-135 Stratotanker over Spain, killing seven airmen, and dropping three 70-kiloton nuclear bombs near the town of Palomares and another one into the sea. 1969 – Black Panther Party members Bunchy Carter and John Huggins are killed during a meeting in Campbell Hall on the campus of UCLA. 1977 – Capital punishment in the United States resumes after a ten-year hiatus, as convicted murderer Gary Gilmore is executed by firing squad in Utah. 1981 – President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos lifts martial law eight years and five months after declaring it. 1991 – Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm begins early in the morning as aircraft strike positions across Iraq, it is also the first major combat sortie for the F-117. LCDR Scott Speicher's F/A-18C Hornet from VFA-81 is shot down by a Mig-25 and is the first American casualty of the War. Iraq fires eight Scud missiles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation. 1991 – Crown prince Harald V of Norway becomes King Harald V, following the death of his father, King Olav V. 1992 – During a visit to South Korea, Japanese Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa apologizes for forcing Korean women into sexual slavery during World War II. 1994 – The 6.7 Mw  Northridge earthquake shakes the Greater Los Angeles Area with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving 57 people dead and more than 8,700 injured. 1995 – The 6.9 Mw  Great Hanshin earthquake shakes the southern Hyōgo Prefecture with a maximum Shindo of VII, leaving 5,502–6,434 people dead, and 251,301–310,000 displaced. 1996 – The Czech Republic applies for membership in the European Union. 1997 – Cape Canaveral Air Force Station: A Delta II carrying the GPS IIR-1 satellite explodes 13 seconds after launch, dropping 250 tons of burning rocket remains around the launch pad. 1998 – Clinton–Lewinsky scandal: Matt Drudge breaks the story of the Bill Clinton–Monica Lewinsky affair on his Drudge Report website. 2002 – Mount Nyiragongo erupts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displacing an estimated 400,000 people. 2007 – The Doomsday Clock is set to five minutes to midnight in response to North Korea's nuclear testing. 2010 – Rioting begins between Muslim and Christian groups in Jos, Nigeria, results in at least 200 deaths. 2013 – Former cyclist Lance Armstrong confesses to his doping in an airing of Oprah's Next Chapter. 2016 – President Barack Obama announces the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. 2017 – The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 is announced to be suspended.

#Events

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bhaskarlive · 29 days ago

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Parliament’s Winter Session to start today, govt seeks smooth functioning of both houses

The Parliament’s Winter Session will start today with the government appealing to all the parties to ensure smooth conduct of business in both houses while representatives of 30 parties have highlighted several issues for inclusion in the agenda in the nearly-month-long proceedings.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

#Parliament’s Winter Session #Parliament #Winter Session

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morgancoslett · 2 years ago

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The day began as it always did.

It began with the great bells tolling the dawn of a new session of Parliament, deep within hallowed halls where so few were permitted to venture, situated at the very apex of the city’s endless labyrinth.

The privilege of being one of those few was not lost on me. I couldn't deny that I’d long waived my right to speak within the chambers; that much was undeniable.

And yet, despite all I’d wrought against him, I was still permitted to hear his lofty wishes. I was still privy to the whims that dictated the fate of every soul from Poltross to the rift itself, every ounce of their longevity rooted within those walls every morning without fail, his figure akin to an almighty spectre that dared not slack in its grip.

I was not fool enough to deny that position. This I’d told the many others who'd been swayed to my cause, all of whom had listened, if not truly understood. Chief among that number was one Senator Laurent Danat, whose presence I now awaited with no shortage of impatience.

I sighed, looking about my chosen alleyway as if something new would suddenly jump out and occupy me. It was as dingy as the upper echelons of Potross could possibly muster, dark and musty, complete with deep cracks marring the surface of every wall, an injury only worsened by the biting cold.

It was so typical of Laurent to make me wait. Never mind it being one of the coldest winters Audern had seen in decades, and never mind that the demand for warmth and sustenance almost outstripped what little I remembered of my childhood, of hazy memories over two-hundred years old. At least those days were spent curled up beside a warm hearth conjured by the finest mage the realm had to offer; not left out in the cold while he lounged in comparative comfort; calm and content, awaiting the arrival of his beloved government. Said assembly would certainly linger as long as he demanded they do so. Their own obligations were of no accord, of such minute importance when faced with the fate of the realm, tantamount to nothing against whatever he saw fit to impress upon his people. Suffice it to say I’d always had little hope indeed of securing his focus. Not even those who called themselves his rivals could possibly deter him from his aims.

Doubtless those same men would delude themselves with their supposed grandeur shortly. Despite not knowing what awaited me in that day’s session, that fact was ever a constant. Parliament had been quiet as of late, the assembly being summoned less and less as the winter dragged on, as if the cold had wormed its way into the workings of statecraft itself, freezing both hands and imagination alike. Such could certainly be said of my own hands, which shook every so often despite their trappings of thick, leather gloves; a gift from my father, in a time when he still saw fit to grant me his attention.

The bell tolled once more.

I rolled my eyes. I knew what that sound meant. It meant that Laurent was yet again too late to give me his report before the session, leaving me completely defenseless against whatever our dear leader had seen fit to gather us for, and had, in turn, utterly dashed my hopes of a productive, well-researched plan of who exactly I should speak to following the assembly.

Resigned to my fate, I pushed away from the wall and tucked my hands under my arms, striding away from the alley as the sharp glare of the midday sun welcomed me back under its wing. Not even the High Houses could hide me from that light, for all they dominated the sky with ease even streets away. They framed the city’s silhouette with gentle brutality, curving where they should stand up straight, pliant where they should be steadfast.

Conventional laws be damned; the city's other buildings still bowed to their majesty.

I lowered my gaze.

Deference, I was all too familiar with.

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