abstract:
This is a list of members of the Victorian Legislative Council at the election of 1 June 1916 up to the election of 5 June 1919. As half of the Legislative Council's terms expired at each triennial election, half of these members were elected at the 1913 triennial election with terms expiring in 1919, while the other half were elected at the 1916 triennial election with terms expiring in 1922. The Electoral Provinces Boundaries Act 1903 defined 17 Provinces with two members each for a total of 34 members.
  - Note the "Term in Office" refers to that members term(s) in the Council, not necessarily for that Province. John Mark Davies was President; Arthur Sachse was Chairman of Committees.
  - [a] Aikman was defeated by Daniel McNamara at the 1916 elections, but McNamara was found to be ineligible and Aikman was returned to the seat.
  - [b] R. Beckett died 2 June 1917; replaced by William Edgar in July 1917.
  - [c] McDonald left the Council in January 1917; replaced by Alexander Bell in March 1917.
  - [d] McLellan resigned April 1917; replaced by Daniel McNamara in May 1917.
  - [e] Melville died 20 March 1919; replaced by Esmond Kiernan in June 1919.
  - [f] Pearson left the Council in October 1916; replaced by George Martley Davis in January 1917.

text:
# Members of the Victorian Legislative Council, 1916–1919

This is a list of **members of the Victorian Legislative Council** at the election of 1 June 1916 up to the election of 5 June 1919. As half of the Legislative Council's terms expired at each triennial election, half of these members were elected at the 1913 triennial election with terms expiring in 1919, while the other half were elected at the 1916 triennial election with terms expiring in 1922.

The Electoral Provinces Boundaries Act 1903 defined 17 Provinces with two members each for a total of 34 members.

Note the "Term in Office" refers to that members term(s) in the Council, not necessarily for that Province.

| Name | Party | Province | Expiry Due | Term in Office |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| William Adamson | Nationalist | South Eastern | 1922 | 1910–1922 |
| John Aikman \[a\] | Nationalist | Melbourne West | 1922 | 1904–1916; 1916–1922 |
| William Angliss | Nationalist | Southern | 1922 | 1912–1952 |
| Austin Austin | Non-Labor | South Western | 1919 | 1910–1925 |
| William Baillieu | Liberal | Northern | 1922 | 1901–1922 |
| Robert Beckett \[b\] | Non-Labor | East Yarra | 1919 | 1913–1917 |
| William Beckett | Labor | Melbourne North | 1919 | 1914–1931; 1934–1952 |
| Theodore Beggs | Non-Labor | Nelson | 1922 | 1910–1928 |
| Frederick Brawn | Nationalist | Wellington | 1922 | 1907–1934 |
| James Drysdale Brown | Nationalist | Nelson | 1919 | 1904–1922 |
| Frank Clarke | Nationalist | Northern | 1919 | 1913–1955 |
| Russell Clarke | Nationalist | Southern | 1919 | 1910–1937 |
| Edward Crooke |  | Gippsland | 1922 | 1893–1922 |
| John Mark Davies |  | Melbourne | 1919 | 1889–1895; 1899–1919 |
| Arthur Disney | Labor | Melbourne West | 1919 | 1916–1943 |
| Frederick Hagelthorn | Nationalist | North Western | 1919 | 1907–1919 |
| Alfred Hicks | Nationalist | Bendigo | 1919 | 1904–1921 |
| John Percy Jones | Labor | Melbourne East | 1922 | 1910–1940 |
| William Kendell | Nationalist | North Eastern | 1919 | 1916–1922 |
| Duncan McBryde |  | South Eastern | 1919 | 1891–1896; 1901–1919 |
| John Y. McDonald \[c\] |  | Wellington | 1919 | 1898–1917 |
| Adam McLellan \[d\] | Labor | Melbourne East | 1919 | 1904–1917 |
| John McWhae | Nationalist | Melbourne | 1922 | 1910–1921 |
| Walter Manifold | Nationalist | Western | 1922 | 1901–1924 |
| Donald Melville \[e\] |  | Melbourne North | 1922 | 1882–1919 |
| James Merritt | Nationalist | East Yarra | 1922 | 1913–1928 |
| Thomas Payne | Nationalist | Melbourne South | 1922 | 1901–1928 |
| William Pearson \[f\] |  | Gippsland | 1919 | 1896–1916 |
| Richard Rees | Country | North Western | 1922 | 1903–1919 |
| Horace Richardson | Nationalist | South Western | 1922 | 1912–1934 |
| Arthur Robinson | Nationalist | Melbourne South | 1919 | 1912–1925 |
| Arthur Sachse |  | North Eastern | 1922 | 1892–1920 |
| Joseph Sternberg | Nationalist | Bendigo | 1922 | 1891–1928 |
| Edward James White | Nationalist | Western | 1919 | 1907–1931 |

John Mark Davies was President; Arthur Sachse was Chairman of Committees.

\[a\] Aikman was defeated by Daniel McNamara at the 1916 elections, but McNamara was found to be ineligible and Aikman was returned to the seat. \[b\] R. Beckett died 2 June 1917; replaced by William Edgar in July 1917. \[c\] McDonald left the Council in January 1917; replaced by Alexander Bell in March 1917. \[d\] McLellan resigned April 1917; replaced by Daniel McNamara in May 1917. \[e\] Melville died 20 March 1919; replaced by Esmond Kiernan in June 1919. \[f\] Pearson left the Council in October 1916; replaced by George Martley Davis in January 1917.


title: Weza, South Africa

abstract: Weza is a settlement in Ugu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Village some 20 km west of Harding and 50 km east of Kokstad. It takes its name from the Weza River, a northern tributary of the Mtamvuna River. Of Zulu origin, the name is said to mean ‘to cause to cross over’. The main business activity in Weza is the Hans Marensky saw mill that has been operational for more than 30years in the area. The Weza State forest close to town offers visitors a relaxing breakaway with lovely hiking trails and mountain biking trails. The forest is also home to the endangered Cape Parrot and other bird life making it a wonderful place for bird watching.

text:
# Weza, South Africa

**Weza** is a settlement in Ugu District Municipality in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.

Village some 20 km west of Harding and 50 km east of Kokstad. It takes its name from the Weza River, a northern tributary of the Mtamvuna River. Of Zulu origin, the name is said to mean ‘to cause to cross over’.

The main business activity in Weza is the Hans Marensky saw mill that has been operational for more than 30years in the area. The Weza State forest close to town offers visitors a relaxing breakaway with lovely hiking trails and mountain biking trails. The forest is also home to the endangered Cape Parrot and other bird life making it a wonderful place for bird watching.

## InfoBox

| Weza | |
| --- | --- |
| WezaWeza | |
| Coordinates: 30°35′31″S 29°44′46″E / 30.592°S 29.746°E / -30.592; 29.746 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | KwaZulu-Natal |
| District | Ugu |
| Municipality | UMuziwabantu |
| Area | |
| Total | 2.03 km2 (0.78 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
| Total | 646 |
| Density | 320/km2 (820/sq mi) |
| Racial makeup (2011) | |
| Black African | 86.2% |
| Coloured | 2.6% |
| Indian/Asian | 2.6% |
| White | 8.2% |
| Other | 0.3% |
| First languages (2011) | |
| Xhosa | 39.8% |
| Zulu | 35.6% |
| English | 8.9% |
| Afrikaans | 7.8% |
| Other | 8.1% |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| PO box | 4685 |
| Area code | 039 |


title: Nanuca sebastiani

abstract: Nanuca sebastiani is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae. It is the only species of the genus Nanuca.

text:
# Nanuca sebastiani

***Nanuca sebastiani*** is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae. It is the only species of the genus *Nanuca*.

## Distribution

The holotype of this species was found at Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil. It has been reported from Florida, Cuba and Brazil and Costa Rica as well as the Cape Verde Islands in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

## InfoBox

| *Nanuca sebastiani* | |
| --- | --- |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| (unranked): | clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Dexiarchia
clade Cladobranchia

clade Aeolidida |
| Superfamily: | Aeolidioidea |
| Family: | Facelinidae |
| Genus: | ***Nanuca*** |
| Species: | ***N. sebastiani*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Nanuca sebastiani***
Marcus, Er., 1957 | |
|


title: Nash Grose

abstract: Sir Nash Grose (1740-1814), was an English judge. Grose was the son of Edward Grose of London, and was born in 1740. He went to Cambridge University, became a fellow of Trinity Hall, and took the degree of LL.B. in 1768. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in November 1766, and became serjeant-at-law in 1774. For many years he enjoyed the best practice in the court of common pleas. On 9 February 1787 he was appointed a judge of the King's Bench, and was knighted. His growing infirmities compelled his resignation during the Easter vacation 1813, and on 31 May 1814 he died at his seat, the Priory, in the Isle of Wight. He married a Miss Dennett of the Isle of Wight.

text:
# Nash Grose

**Sir Nash Grose** (1740-1814), was an English judge.

Grose was the son of Edward Grose of London, and was born in 1740. He went to Cambridge University, became a fellow of Trinity Hall, and took the degree of LL.B. in 1768. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in November 1766, and became serjeant-at-law in 1774. For many years he enjoyed the best practice in the court of common pleas. On 9 February 1787 he was appointed a judge of the King's Bench, and was knighted. His growing infirmities compelled his resignation during the Easter vacation 1813, and on 31 May 1814 he died at his seat, the Priory, in the Isle of Wight. He married a Miss Dennett of the Isle of Wight.

"Grose, Nash". *Dictionary of National Biography*. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.


title: Yūki Shrine

abstract: Yūki Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Tsu, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Its main festival is held annually on May 1, 2 and 3. It is one of the Fifteen Shrines of the Kenmu Restoration.

text:
# Yūki Shrine

**Yūki Shrine** (結城神社, *Yūki jinja*) is a Shinto shrine located in the city of Tsu, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Its main festival is held annually on May 1, 2 and 3. It is one of the Fifteen Shrines of the Kenmu Restoration.

## History

Yūki Munehiro (1266 – 1339) was a vassal of the Kamakura shogunate who had been entrusted with southern Mutsu Province and was castellan of Shirakawa Castle He was dispatched by Hōjō Takatoki to Kyoto in 1331 during the Genkō War, but subsequently defected to the side of Emperor Go-Daigo. He returned as one of Nitta Yoshisada's generals during the 1333 Battle of Kamakura to overthrow the Hōjō. Following the Kenmu Restoration, he served alongside Kusunoki Masashige as an aide to Emperor Go-Daigo and assisted Kitabatake Akiie conquer Mutsu Province. When Ashikaga Takauji rebelled against Emperor Go-Daigo, he led the army which retook Kyoto from the Ashikaga in 1336 and was awarded a sword from the emperor. However, in 1338 Ashikaga Takauji retook Kyoto, and Yūki Munehiro was forced to flee to Yoshino, Nara where Emperor Go-Daigo had established the Southern Court. He subsequently crossed into Ise Province and attempted to take a boat back to Mutsu to rally his forces against the Ashikaga, but was shipwrecked and died. In 1824, Tōdō Takasawa, the *daimyō* of Tsu Domain erected a small shrine on the site of his grave.

Following the Meiji Restoration and the establishment of State Shinto, the Meiji government wished to sponsor patriotism by recalling the events and people of the previous Kenmu Restoration. Yūki Shrine was given the official status of a village shrine in 1879 under the Modern system of ranked Shinto shrines. Emperor Meiji visited Mie Prefecture the following year and made an offering of 200 Yen to the shrine. The shrine was promoted to special status in 1882 as one of the "Fifteen Shrines of the Kenmu Restoration".

The shrine was burned down in July 1945 during World War II, and was reconstructed in the late 1950s. It is located approximately one kilometer southeast of Akogi Station on the Kisei Main Line.

## InfoBox

| Yūki Shrine <br>結城神社 | |
| --- | --- |
| *Heiden* of Yūki Shrine | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Shinto |
| Deity | Yūki Munehiro |
| Festival | May 1-3 |
| Type | Fifteen Shrines of the Kenmu Restoration |
| Location | |
| Location | 2341 Fujikata, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture |
| Yūki JinjaYūki Shrine (Japan) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 34°41′52″N 136°30′55″E / 34.6977°N 136.5152°E / 34.6977; 136.5152 |
| Architecture | |
| Date established | 1824, restored 1879 |
| Glossary of Shinto | |


title: Nannie Doss

abstract: Nannie Doss was an American serial killer responsible for the deaths of 11 people between 1927 and 1954. Doss was also referred to as the Giggling Granny, the Lonely Hearts Killer, the Black Widow, and Lady Blue Beard. Doss finally confessed to the murders in October 1954, after her fifth husband died in a small hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In all, it was revealed that she had killed four husbands, two children, one of her sisters, her mother, two grandsons, and a mother-in-law.

text:
# Nannie Doss

**Nannie Doss** (born **Nancy Hazel**, November 4, 1905 – June 2, 1965) was an American serial killer responsible for the deaths of 11 people between 1927 and 1954. Doss was also referred to as the **Giggling Granny**, the **Lonely Hearts Killer**, the **Black Widow**, and **Lady Blue Beard**.

Doss finally confessed to the murders in October 1954, after her fifth husband died in a small hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In all, it was revealed that she had killed four husbands, two children, one of her sisters, her mother, two grandsons, and a mother-in-law.

## Early life

Nannie was born on November 4, 1905 in Blue Mountain, Alabama, now part of Anniston. She was born to Louisa "Lou" (née Holder) and James F. Hazel. She had one brother and three sisters. Both Nannie and her mother hated James, who was a controlling and abusive father and husband. James would force his children to work on the family farm, refusing to let them attend school, which resulted in Nannie's poor academic performance.

Nannie was 7 and taking a train with her family to visit relatives in southern Alabama when the train abruptly stopped and she hit her head on a metal bar on the seat in front of her. For years after, she suffered severe headaches, blackouts, and depression. She blamed these and her mental instability on that accident.

During childhood, her favorite hobby was reading her mother's romance magazines and dreaming of her own romantic future. Furthermore, her favorite part was the lonely hearts column. Nannie's father forbade his daughters to wear makeup and attractive clothing as he believed it would prevent them from being molested by men. He also forbade them to go to dances and other social events.

## First marriage

Nannie was first married at age 16 to Charley Braggs, her co-worker at a linen factory. With her father's approval they married after four months of dating. Braggs was the only son of a single mother who insisted on continuing to live with him after he married. Nannie later wrote:

> I married, as my father wished, in 1921 to a boy I only knowed about four or five months who had no family, only a mother who was unwed and who had taken over my life completely when we were married. She never seen anything wrong with what she done, but she would take spells. She would not let my own mother stay all night...

Braggs' mother took up a lot of his attention and limited Nannie's activities. The marriage produced four daughters from 1923 to 1927. The stressed-out Nannie started drinking, and her casual smoking habit became a heavy addiction. Both unhappy partners correctly suspected each other of infidelity, and Braggs often disappeared for days on end.

In 1927, the couple lost their two middle girls to suspected food poisoning. Soon after, Braggs took firstborn daughter Melvina and fled, leaving newborn Florine behind. Braggs' mother died not much later and Nannie took a job in a cotton mill to support Florine and herself. Braggs brought Melvina back in the summer of 1928, accompanied by a divorcée with her own child. Braggs and Nannie soon divorced, and Nannie took her two girls back to her mother's home. Braggs always maintained he left her because he was frightened of her.

## Second marriage

Her second husband was Robert Franklin Harrelson. They met and married in 1929. They lived in Jacksonville with Melvina and Florine. After a few months, she discovered that he was an alcoholic and had a criminal record for assault. Despite this, the marriage lasted 16 years.

### Grandchildren

Melvina gave birth to Robert Lee Haynes in 1943. Another baby followed two years later but died soon afterward. Exhausted from labor and groggy from ether, Melvina thought she saw her visiting mother stick a hatpin into the baby's head. When she asked her husband and sister for clarification, they said Nannie had told them the baby was dead—and they noticed that she was holding a pin. The doctors, however, could not give a positive explanation.

The grieving parents drifted apart and Melvina started dating a soldier. Nannie disapproved of him, and while Melvina was visiting her father after a particularly nasty fight with her mother, her son Robert died mysteriously under Nannie's care on July 7, 1945. The death was diagnosed as asphyxia from unknown causes, and two months later Nannie collected the $500 life insurance she had taken out on Robert.

### Death of Harrelson

In 1945, Harrelson raped Nannie. The next day, she put rat poison in Harrelson's corn whiskey jar, and he died that evening.

## Later marriages

Nannie met her third husband, Arlie Lanning, through another lonely-hearts column while travelling in Lexington, North Carolina, and married him three days later. Like Harrelson, Lanning was an alcoholic womanizer. However, in this marriage it was Nannie who often disappeared—and for months on end. But when she was home, she played the doting housewife, and when he died of what was said to be heart failure, the townspeople supported her at his funeral.

Soon after, the couple's house, which had been left to Lanning's sister, burned down. The insurance money went to Nannie, who quickly banked it, and after Lanning's mother died in her sleep, Nannie left North Carolina and ended up at her sister Dovie's home. Dovie was bedridden and soon after Nannie's arrival she died.

Looking for yet another husband, Nannie joined a dating service called the Diamond Circle Club and soon met Richard L. Morton of Jamestown, North Carolina. They married in 1952 in Emporia, Kansas. He did not have a drinking problem, but he was adulterous. Before she poisoned him, she poisoned her mother, Louisa, in January 1953 when she came to live with them. Morton died three months later on May 19, 1953.

Nannie married Samuel Doss of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 1953. Doss was a Nazarene minister who had lost his family to a tornado in Carroll County, Arkansas. Samuel disapproved of the romance novels and stories that his wife adored. In September, Samuel was admitted to the hospital with flu-like symptoms. The hospital diagnosed a severe digestive tract infection. He was treated and released on October 5. Samuel died on October 12, 1954. Nannie killed him that evening in her rush to collect the two life-insurance policies she had taken out on him. This sudden death alerted his doctor, who ordered an autopsy. The autopsy revealed a huge amount of arsenic in his system. Nannie was promptly arrested.

## Confession and conviction

Doss confessed to killing four of her husbands, her mother, her sister, her grandson, and her mother-in-law. The state of Oklahoma centered its case only on Samuel Doss. Nannie Doss was prosecuted by J. Howard Edmondson, who later became governor of Oklahoma. She pled guilty on May 17, 1955, and was sentenced to life imprisonment; the state did not pursue the death penalty due to her sex. Doss was never charged with the other deaths. She died from leukemia in the hospital ward of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in 1965. She is buried at Oak Hill Memorial Park in McAlester, Oklahoma.

## Bibliography

## InfoBox

| Nannie Doss (Nancy Hazel) | |
| --- | --- |
| Mugshot, October 1954 | |
| Born | Nancy Hazel
(1905-11-04)November 4, 1905
Blue Mountain, Alabama, United States |
| Died | June 2, 1965(1965-06-02) (aged 59)
Oklahoma State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma, United States |
| Resting place | Oak Hill Memorial Park |
| Other names | * The Giggling Nanny * The Giggling Granny * The Jolly Black Widow * The Lonely Hearts Killer |
| Spouse | * +Charley Braggs  (m. 1921; div. 1928)     +Robert Franklin Harrelson  (m. 1929; died 1945)     +Arlie Jackson Lanning  (m. 1946; died 1952)     +Richard Lewis Morton Sr.  (m. 1952; died 1953)     +Samuel Luther Doss  (m. 1954; died 1954) |
|  | |
| Motive | Life insurance money
Search for "the real romance of life" |
| Criminal penalty | Life imprisonment |
| Details | |
| Victims | 11 |
| Span of crimes | 1927–1954 |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) |  |
| Date apprehended | October 1954 |
|  | |


title: ZQGame

abstract: Shenzhen Zhongqingbaowang Interaction Network Co Ltd or ZQGame is a Chinese company that makes massively multiplayer online games as well as other browser games and mobile games. Prior a subsidiary of a company that makes servers, it was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2010. In 2013, ZQGame announced a joint venture with Shanda located in the Shanghai Pilot Free-Trade Zone. Some of the company's browser MMO games, including Shadowland Online, are available to play outside of China published on Kabam and Kongregate. As at 8 November 2016, the company is the constituents of SZSE Component Index but not in SZSE 300 Index, making the company was ranked between the 301st to 500th by free float adjusted market capitalization.

text:
# ZQGame

| ZQGame | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Simplified Chinese | 深圳中青宝互动网络股份有限公司 |
| Literal meaning | Shenzhen "Among the Green Treasures" Interaction Network Co Ltd |
| Transcriptions  Standard Mandarin  Hanyu Pinyin Shēnzhèn zhōng qīng bǎo hùdòng wǎngluò gǔfèn yǒuxiàn gōngsī | |
|  | |

**Shenzhen Zhongqingbaowang Interaction Network Co Ltd** or **ZQGame** is a Chinese company that makes massively multiplayer online games as well as other browser games and mobile games. Prior a subsidiary of a company that makes servers, it was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2010. In 2013, ZQGame announced a joint venture with Shanda located in the Shanghai Pilot Free-Trade Zone.

Some of the company's browser MMO games, including *Shadowland Online*, are available to play outside of China published on Kabam and Kongregate.

As at 8 November 2016, the company is the constituents of SZSE Component Index but not in SZSE 300 Index, making the company was ranked between the 301st to 500th by free float adjusted market capitalization.

## ZQGame Global

**ZQGame Global** the global publishing subsidiary of ZQGame was founded in 2011 with headquarters in El Segundo, California, US, and offices in South Korea and Taiwan. ZQGame Global publishes mobile games for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.

### Mobile titles published by ZQGame Global

| Year | Title | Platform(s) | | | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Android | iOS |
| 2013 | *Sky Boom Boom* | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 | *Pocket Knights* | Yes | Yes |
| 2014 | *Soul Guardians: Age of Midgard* | Yes | Yes |
| 2014 | *War of Tribes: Stone Age* | No | Yes |
| 2014 | *Brave Brigade* | Yes | No |
| 2015 | *Captain Heroes* | Yes | No |
| 2015 | *Celestia - Broken Sky* | Yes | Yes |

### Mobile titles soon to be released

| Year | Title | Platform(s) | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | Android | iOS |
| Winter 2015 | *Movie Studio Story* | Yes | Yes |
| Winter 2015 | *Minitropolis* | Yes | Yes |
| Winter 2015 | *Zombie Corps* | Yes | Yes |
|

## InfoBox

Shenzhen Zhongqingbaowang Interaction Network Co Ltd
|
|  |
| Traded as | SZSE: 300052 |
| Genre | Mobile games, RPG, massively multiplayer online games |
| Predecessor | a 2003 subsidiary of Powerleader Science & Technology Co |
| Founded | 2008 (2008) |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, China |
| Number of employees | 1000+ |
| Website | zqgame.com |


title: Naphrys xerophila

abstract: Naphrys xerophila is a species of jumping spider. It is found in Florida and Georgia in the southeastern United States. It is usually found in leaf litter in xeric (dry) habitats. Adults measure between 2 and 4 mm in length, females being on average larger than males.

text:
# Naphrys xerophila

***Naphrys xerophila*** is a species of jumping spider. It is found in Florida and Georgia in the southeastern United States. It is usually found in leaf litter in xeric (dry) habitats. Adults measure between 2 and 4 mm in length, females being on average larger than males.

## InfoBox

| *Naphrys xerophila* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Male in Wheeler County, Georgia | |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Salticidae |
| Subfamily: | Salticinae |
| Genus: | *Naphrys* |
| Species: | ***N. xerophila*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Naphrys xerophila***<br>(Richman, 1981) | |
|


title: Zach Muscat

abstract: Zach Muscat is a Maltese professional footballer who plays as a right back for Portuguese club Farense and the Malta national team.

text:
# Zach Muscat

**Zach Muscat** (born 22 August 1993) is a Maltese professional footballer who plays as a right back for Portuguese club Farense and the Malta national team.

## Club career

Muscat has played club football for Pietà Hotspurs, Birkirkara and Akragas. He moved to Arezzo in June 2016.

On 28 June 2018, Muscat signed a two-year contract with Pistoiese. On 31 January 2019, he moved to Portuguese club Olhanense on loan until the end of the season. He played just one game for Pistoiese in the 2019–20 season after returning from loan before on 1 September 2019 his contract was dissolved by mutual consent, and he returned to Olhanense on a permanent basis, before signing for Casa Pia.

He signed for Farense in August 2022.

## International

He made his international debut for Malta in 2014.

### International goals

*Scores and results list Malta's goal tally first.*

| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | 6 June 2017 | Liebenauer Stadium, Graz, Austria | Ukraine | **1**–0 | 1–0 | Friendly |
| 2. | 11 October 2021 | AEK Arena – Georgios Karapatakis, Cyprus | Cyprus | **1**–1 | 2-2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 12 June 2022 | National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta | San Marino | **1**–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Nations League |

## InfoBox

Zach Muscat
| Muscat with Birkirkara in 2015 | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Personal information | | | |
| Date of birth | (1993-08-22) 22 August 1993 | | |
| Place of birth | St Julian's, Malta | | |
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 12 in) | | |
| Position(s) | Right back | | |
| Team information | | | |
| Current team | Farense | | |
| Number | 6 | | |
| Senior career\* | | | |
| Years | **Team** | **Apps** | **(Gls)** |
| 2010–2012 | Pietà Hotspurs |  |  |
| 2012–2016 | Birkirkara | 100 | (8) |
| 2016 | Akragas | 17 | (0) |
| 2016–2018 | Arezzo | 45 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | Pistoiese | 17 | (0) |
| 2019 | Olhanense (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Olhanense | 15 | (0) |
| 2020–2022 | Casa Pia | 56 | (7) |
| 2022– | Farense | 43 | (5) |
| International career | | | |
| 2014– | Malta | 64 | (3) |
| \*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14 June 2024<br>‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 June 2024 | | | |


title: Nasławice, Lower Silesian Voivodeship

abstract: Nasławice is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Sobótka, within Wrocław County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland.

text:
# Nasławice, Lower Silesian Voivodeship

**Nasławice** \[naswaˈvit͡sɛ\] is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Sobótka, within Wrocław County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland.

## InfoBox

| Nasławice | |
| --- | --- |
| Village | |
|  | |
| Nasławice | |
| Coordinates: 50°53′21″N 16°48′32″E / 50.88917°N 16.80889°E / 50.88917; 16.80889 | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Lower Silesian |
| County | Wrocław |
| Gmina | Sobótka |
| Population | 000,000 |


title: Natalie Pawelski

abstract: Natalie Pawelski is an American journalist and television correspondent. From 1997 to 2003, she was an environmental correspondent for CNN. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia School of Journalism, she got her start at CNN working for Headline News as a writer and producer. She eventually became host of the award-winning CNN environment magazine program "Earth Matters." She also worked on the TBS show "News for Kids". In 2003, she was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University. From 2006 to March 2010, she was worked as the Vice Consul for Press, Political, and Public Affairs at the British Consulate-General in Atlanta. She left in March 2010 to work for Cater Communications. In 2014, she became a regular guest on Georgia Public Broadcasting's radio show "On Second Thought."

text:
# Natalie Pawelski

**Natalie Pawelski** is an American journalist and television correspondent. From 1997 to 2003, she was an environmental correspondent for CNN.

A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia School of Journalism, she got her start at CNN working for Headline News as a writer and producer. She eventually became host of the award-winning CNN environment magazine program "Earth Matters." She also worked on the TBS show "News for Kids". In 2003, she was a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University.

From 2006 to March 2010, she was worked as the Vice Consul for Press, Political, and Public Affairs at the British Consulate-General in Atlanta. She left in March 2010 to work for Cater Communications. In 2014, she became a regular guest on Georgia Public Broadcasting's radio show "On Second Thought."

1. "Breaking News, Latest News and Videos". *CNN*.
2. "Nieman Foundation | Nieman Fellowships | Meet the Fellows | Alumni Fellows | Class of 2003". Archived from the original on 2011-04-12. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
3. "Cater Communications". *www.catercommunications.com*. Archived from the original on 2008-11-01.


title: Yuri Poluneev

abstract: Yuri Poluneev is international economist, member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, professional with significant experience in board governance, international financial institutions, central banking and economic policy; long-time lecturer in international economics at Kyiv State University Institute for International Relations. Former member and deputy head of the supervisory board (Council) of the National Bank of Ukraine (2008-2015). Ex-member of Ukraine's parliament (2007-2012). Expertise: developmental economics, competitiveness strategies, monetary policy, bank and financial sector regulation and supervision, anti-crisis laws in the financial sector, bank non-performing debt restructuring, creditor and consumer rights, deposit insurance, consumer credit, financial consumer protection. Was the author or co-author of more than 40 law drafts, many of which became an important part of the financial reform agenda. As an economist, Dr. Yuri Poluneev put forward and promoted a concept that a country's strong international competitiveness should become a “national idea” for many emerging markets, particularly for Ukraine He developed an original economic concept “Technology for Economic Breakthrough” based on the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook methodology, which maps in detail the "technology" to translate a country's competitiveness rating into the economic policy objectives. Researched extensively the impact of Ukraine crisis upon the country's long-term economic prospects. He served as a member of Council of the National Bank of Ukraine and a member of the Committee for Economic Reform.

text:
# Yuri Poluneev

**Yuri Poluneev** (born 1956 in Odessa, Soviet Union) is international economist, member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), professional with significant experience in board governance (more than 16 years, including the board of a major international financial organisation), international financial institutions, central banking and economic policy; long-time lecturer in international economics at Kyiv State University Institute for International Relations.

Former member and deputy head of the supervisory board (Council) of the National Bank of Ukraine (2008-2015). Ex-member of Ukraine's parliament (2007-2012). Expertise: developmental economics, competitiveness strategies, monetary policy, bank and financial sector regulation and supervision, anti-crisis laws in the financial sector, bank non-performing debt restructuring, creditor and consumer rights, deposit insurance, consumer credit, financial consumer protection. Was the author or co-author of more than 40 law drafts, many of which became an important part of the financial reform agenda (bank debt restructuring, creditor and financial consumer rights, state deposit insurance fund, state lottery regulatory regime).

As an economist, Dr. Yuri Poluneev put forward and promoted a concept that a country's strong international competitiveness should become a “national idea” for many emerging markets, particularly for Ukraine He developed an original economic concept “Technology for Economic Breakthrough” based on the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook methodology, which maps in detail the "technology" to translate a country's competitiveness rating into the economic policy objectives. Researched extensively the impact of Ukraine crisis upon the country's long-term economic prospects. He served as a member of Council of the National Bank of Ukraine and a member of the Committee for Economic Reform.

## Education and research

Yuri Poluneev graduated in 1978 from Kyiv State University with BA in International Economy, English and Arabic languages. He is also a graduate of one-year international management programme at Toronto University (1991-1992) as well as of short-term course on management accounting and finance in 2000 at London Business School. He holds a PhD degree in International Economics from the Kyiv State University (1986). Was awarded honorary title "Merited Economist" (2010). Fellow of the International Academy of Management (Barcelona). He authored and co-authored 13 books and more than 100 publications on various aspects of transition economy reforms, country competitiveness, banking and finance. Editor-in-chief of the journal “Monitor of Competitiveness” (2006-2008), which promoted the competitiveness as a top economic policy priority.

## Professional career

In **2005-2007**, Yuri Poluneev served as President of the oldest MBA school in Ukraine, International Management Institute (MIM-Kyiv). During that period, he also was a member of the UNECE Team of Specialists on Innovation and Competitiveness Policies (TOS-ICP).

**During 1996-2005**, served as a member of the board of directors (executive director) at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the EBRD), a multilateral financial institution based in London, representing five sovereign Bank shareholders - Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.

**In 1996**, served as a deputy head of economic department in the Administration of the President of Ukraine. During 1994-1996, Yuri Poluneev was assistant Director General for Programmes at the International Committee for Economic Reform & Cooperation (Bonn, Germany) where he developed and implemented programmes for cooperation and investment in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union.

**In 1989-1994**, worked as deputy director general for the International Management Institute (MIM-Kyiv), was a visiting professor at the Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University (Ithaca, New York, USA) and served as a consultant for the OECD FDI Advisory Group for Ukraine and Belarus. Co-authored two pioneering OECD country investments reviews for Ukraine (1993) and Belarus (1994).

**In 1978-1983 and in 1985-1989**, he worked as a research fellow at the Institute of Social and Economic Problems of Foreign Countries (Ukrainian SSR Academy of Sciences). In 1983-1985, served as analyst and interpreter of English and Arabic in the Office of the Economic Advisor to the USSR Embassy in Iraq.

## Social activities and personal profile

In 2005, Yuri Poluneev founded an NGO “Council on Competitiveness of Ukraine”. It mobilized prominent personalities from various venues of life with the mission to initiate the public discussion involving authorities, business, civil society and education (research) as well as mass media to elevate competitiveness to the forefront of public awareness and policy-making in Ukraine. By 2008, the competitiveness theory has formally become an integral part of the government economic policy setting and strategic thinking. He had also focused on the reform in the financial consumer protection by preparing with the USAID assistance a number of new draft legislation focusing on consumer credit and consumer protection in accordance with the OECD guidelines.

Yuri Poluneev was a member of the board of the British Ukrainian Society and had been an active promoter of closer political and business links between the two countries, especially when served as a co-chairman of the UK-Ukraine Inter-Parliamentary Group (2007-2012).

Poluneev actively contributed to charitable activities. From proceeds of sale of his own music album, he founded the charity “Music – to Children” (2004), which provided financing and assistance to teach disabled children fine arts and music.

Yuri Poluneev speaks fluent English, Ukrainian and Russian. Has a good knowledge of German, reads Arabic. He is married and has four children.


title: Narakot

abstract: Narakot is a village development committee in Jumla District in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2752 persons living in 494 individual households.

text:
# Narakot

**Narakot** is a village development committee in Jumla District in the Karnali Zone of north-western Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census it had a population of 2752 persons living in 494 individual households.

1. "Nepal Census 2001". *Nepal's Village Development Committees*. Digital Himalaya. Retrieved 11 September 2008.

## InfoBox

| Narakot नरकोट | |
| --- | --- |
| Municipality | |
| NarakotLocation in Nepal | |
| Coordinates: 29°20′N 82°01′E / 29.34°N 82.02°E / 29.34; 82.02 | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Zone | Karnali Zone |
| District | Jumla District |
| Population (1991) | |
| Total | 2,752 |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (Nepal Time) |


title: Zagórowa

abstract: Zagórowa is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Trzyciąż, within Olkusz County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately 5 kilometres (3 mi) south-east of Trzyciąż, 18 km (11 mi) east of Olkusz, and 28 km (17 mi) north of the regional capital Kraków.

text:
# Zagórowa

**Zagórowa** \[zaɡuˈrɔva\] is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Trzyciąż, within Olkusz County, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, in southern Poland. It lies approximately 5 kilometres (3 mi) south-east of Trzyciąż, 18 km (11 mi) east of Olkusz, and 28 km (17 mi) north of the regional capital Kraków.

## InfoBox

| Zagórowa | |
| --- | --- |
| Village | |
| Zagórowa | |
| Coordinates: 50°18′N 19°49′E / 50.300°N 19.817°E / 50.300; 19.817 | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Lesser Poland |
| County | Olkusz |
| Gmina | Trzyciąż |


title: Naoko Fujioka

abstract: Naoko Fujioka Naoko Fujioka is a Japanese former professional boxer. She is Japan's first ever five-division world champion, having held the WBA female flyweight title between March 2017 to April 2022. She also previously held the WBC female minimumweight; WBO female junior-flyweight; WBA female super-flyweight; and WBO female bantamweight titles between 2012 and 2017.

text:
# Naoko Fujioka

**Naoko Fujioka** (藤岡奈穂子, *Fujioka Naoko*, born 18 August 1975) is a Japanese former professional boxer. She is Japan's first ever five-division world champion, having held the WBA female flyweight title between March 2017 to April 2022. She also previously held the WBC female minimumweight; WBO female junior-flyweight; WBA female super-flyweight; and WBO female bantamweight titles between 2012 and 2017.

## Professional career

Fujioka made her professional debut on 15 September 2009, scoring a second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory against Napaporn Boonchuon (5–6, 3 KOs) at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. After winning her first three fights, all by TKO, she faced Kanittha Kokietgym (8–2, 2 KOs) for the vacant WBC-OPBF female minimumweight title on 24 September 2010, at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka captured her first professional title via unanimous decision (UD), with two judges scoring the bout 98–92 and the third scoring it 98–93.

She successfully defended her WBC regional title in December before challenging for her first world title against reigning champion Anabel Ortiz. The bout took place on 8 May 2011 at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka captured Ortiz' WBC female minimumweight title by eighth-round corner retirement (RTD) after Ortiz failed to come off her stool for the ninth round. At the time of the stoppage, Fujioka was ahead on all three judges' scorecards by 78–72.

Following four more wins, including two defences of her WBC world title against Kanittha Kokietgym in September 2011 and Victoria Argueta in October 2012, Fujioka moved up three weight divisions to challenge Naoko Yamaguchi for her WBA female super-flyweight title on 13 November 2013 at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka scored a third-round knockdown en route to a UD victory to become a two division world champion, with two judges scoring the bout 97–92 and the third scoring it 98–91. After successfully defending her title against Tomoko Kawanishi in July 2014, Fujioka moved down in weight to challenge Susi Kentikian for her WBA female flyweight title on 8 November 2014 at the Porsche-Arena in Stuttgart, Germany. Fighting for the first time outside of Japan, Fujioka suffered the first defeat of her career in her attempt at a third world title via UD, with the judges' scorecards reading 96–94, 97–94 and 97–93.

She bounced back from defeat with a split decision (SD) win against Mariana Juárez in March 2015 before facing Hee Jung Yuh for the vacant WBO female bantamweight title. The bout took place on 19 October 2015 at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka defeated Jung Yuh by UD, becoming a three-division world champion with two judges scoring the fight 100–90 and the third scoring it 99–91. Following a successful defence against Shindo Go in June 2016, she moved down two-divisions to challenge Jessica Chávez for her WBC female flyweight title on 1 October 2016 at Centro Regional de Deporte de Las Américas in Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico. In a contest which saw Fujioka knocked down in the sixth round and a point deduction from Chavez in the tenth and final round for excessive holding, Fujioka suffered the second defeat of her career via UD, with the scorecards reading 94–93, 95–93 and 96–92.

In her next fight she faced Isabel Millan, making her second attempt for the WBA female flyweight title which was left vacant by Kentikian. The bout took place on 13 March 2017 at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka dropped Millan twice, first in the second round and again in the tenth and final round, prompting the referee to call off the fight 21 seconds into the round, awarding Fujioka a TKO victory. At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had her ahead, with scores of 89–81 twice and 88–82. With the win, she became Japan's first ever four-division world champion. She moved down in weight for her next fight, facing Yokasta Valle for the vacant WBO junior-flyweight title on 1 December 2017 at the Korakuen Hall. Fujioka defeated Valle via UD with scores of 99–91, 98–92, and 96–94 to become Japan's first ever five-division world champion. Moving back up to flyweight, she successfully defended her WBA title by UD against Irma Sánchez in September 2018 before retaining the title through a split draw (SD) against WBO female junior-flyweight champion Tenkai Tsunami in July 2019.

## Professional boxing record

| 23 fights | 19 wins | 3 losses |
| --- | --- | --- |
| By knockout | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 12 | 3 |
| Draws | 1 | |

| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 23 | Loss | 19–3 | Marlen Esparza | UD | 10 | 9 Apr 2022 | Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | Lost WBA female flyweight title;
For WBC and inaugural *The Ring* female flyweight titles |
| 22 | Win | 19–2 | Sulem Ochoa | MD | 10 | 9 Jul 2021 | Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained WBA female flyweight title |
| 21 | Draw | 18–2–1 | Tenkai Tsunami | SD | 10 | 12 Jul 2019 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA female flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 18–2 | Irma Sánchez | UD | 10 | 14 Sep 2018 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA female flyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 17–2 | Yokasta Valle | UD | 10 | 1 Dec 2017 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBO female junior-flyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 16–2 | Isabel Millan | TKO | 10 (10), 0:21 | 13 Mar 2017 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBA female flyweight title |
| 17 | Loss | 15–2 | Jessica Chávez | UD | 10 | 1 Oct 2016 | Centro Regional de Deporte de Las Américas, Ecatepec de Morelos, Mexico | For WBC female flyweight title |
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Shindo Go | UD | 10 | 13 Jun 2016 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBO female bantamweight title |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Hee Jung Yuh | UD | 10 | 19 Oct 2015 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBO female bantamweight title |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Mariana Juárez | SD | 10 | 14 Mar 2015 | Auditorio Municipal, Naucalpan, Mexico |  |
| 13 | Loss | 12–1 | Susi Kentikian | UD | 10 | 8 Nov 2014 | Porsche-Arena, Stuttgart, Germany | For WBA female flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Tomoko Kawanishi | UD | 10 | 7 Jul 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA female super-flyweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Naoko Yamaguchi | UD | 10 | 13 Nov 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBA female super-flyweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Maribel Ramírez | KO | 4 (8), 1:30 | 12 Mar 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan |  |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Victoria Argueta | UD | 10 | 28 Oct 2012 | Furukawa Sogo Gym, Ōsaki, Japan | Retained WBC female strawweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Mayela Perez | UD | 8 | 11 Jul 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan |  |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Kanittha Kokietgym | TKO | 9 (10), 0:37 | 22 Sep 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC female strawweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Anabel Ortiz | RTD | 8 (10), 2:00 | 8 May 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBC female strawweight title |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Naoko Shibata | UD | 10 | 15 Dec 2010 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC-OPBF female strawweight title |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Kanittha Kokietgym | UD | 10 | 24 Sep 2010 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBC-OPBF female strawweight title |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Pornboonon Por Vongporramet | TKO | 2 (8), 1:58 | 1 Apr 2010 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan |  |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Kazumi Izaki | TKO | 2 (6), 1:55 | 30 Nov 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan |  |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Napaporn Boonchuon | TKO | 2 (6), 1:27 | 15 Sep 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan |  |
|

## InfoBox

| Naoko Fujioka | |
| --- | --- |
| Born | 藤岡奈穂子
(1975-08-18) 18 August 1975
Ōsaki, Miyagi, Japan |
| **Statistics** | |
| Weight(s) |  |
| Height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm) |
| Reach | 63+12 in (161 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
|  | |
| **Boxing record** | |
| Total fights | 23 |
| Wins | 19 |
| Wins by KO | 7 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
|  | |


title: Zaida Morales-Martínez

abstract: Zaida Morales-Martínez is an American chemist and professor. She is currently professor emeritus of chemistry at Florida International University.

text:
# Zaida Morales-Martínez

**Zaida Morales-Martínez** is an American chemist and professor. She is currently professor emeritus of chemistry at Florida International University.

## Early life and education

Zaida Morales-Martínez was born in Naranjito, Puerto Rico, as the oldest of three children. Her mother was a schoolteacher. She attended a Catholic high school. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico in 1957 with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. In 1962, she graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Master of Science.

## Career

Morales-Martínez was an assistant professor at University of Puerto Rico from 1962 until 1967, and an instructor at Florida State University from 1967 until 1973. Afterwards, she joined the faculty of Florida International University. She became professor emeritus of chemistry at FIU in 2003.

In 2002, Morales-Martínez received the Women Chemists Committee Regional Award for Contributions to Diversity from the American Chemical Society (ACS). In 2018, she received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. She was named a fellow of the ACS in 2020.

The Zaida C. Morales Martinez Prize for Outstanding Mentoring of ACS Scholars was established through a donation from The Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, and is awarded to exceptional members of the American Chemical Society's mentorship program.

## InfoBox

| Zaida Morales-Martínez | |
| --- | --- |
| Born | Naranjito, Puerto Rico |
| Alma mater | University of Puerto Rico (BS) |
| Awards | Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring |
| **Scientific career** | |
| Fields | Chemistry |
| Institutions | Florida International University |
|  | |


title: Zalesie, Gmina Zelów

abstract: Zalesie is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Zelów, within Bełchatów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It lies approximately 9 kilometres (6 mi) west of Zelów, 20 km (12 mi) north-west of Bełchatów, and 46 km (29 mi) south-west of the regional capital Łódź.

text:
# Zalesie, Gmina Zelów

**Zalesie** \[zaˈlɛɕɛ\] is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Zelów, within Bełchatów County, Łódź Voivodeship, in central Poland. It lies approximately 9 kilometres (6 mi) west of Zelów, 20 km (12 mi) north-west of Bełchatów, and 46 km (29 mi) south-west of the regional capital Łódź.

## InfoBox

| Zalesie | |
| --- | --- |
| Village | |
| Zalesie | |
| Coordinates: 51°26′26″N 19°6′21″E / 51.44056°N 19.10583°E / 51.44056; 19.10583 | |
| Country | Poland |
| Voivodeship | Łódź |
| County | Bełchatów |
| Gmina | Zelów |


title: Nacre

abstract: Nacre, also known as mother of pearl, is an organic–inorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is also the material of which pearls are composed. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent. Nacre is found in some of the most ancient lineages of bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods. However, the inner layer in the great majority of mollusc shells is porcellaneous, not nacreous, and this usually results in a non-iridescent shine, or more rarely in non-nacreous iridescence such as flame structure as is found in conch pearls. The outer layer of cultured pearls and the inside layer of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells are made of nacre. Other mollusc families that have a nacreous inner shell layer include marine gastropods such as the Haliotidae, the Trochidae and the Turbinidae.

text:
# Nacre

**Nacre** (/ˈnkər/ *NAY-kər*, also /ˈnækrə/ *NAK-rə*), also known as **mother of pearl**, is an organicinorganic composite material produced by some molluscs as an inner shell layer. It is also the material of which pearls are composed. It is strong, resilient, and iridescent.

Nacre is found in some of the most ancient lineages of bivalves, gastropods, and cephalopods. However, the inner layer in the great majority of mollusc shells is porcellaneous, not nacreous, and this usually results in a non-iridescent shine, or more rarely in non-nacreous iridescence such as *flame structure* as is found in conch pearls.

The outer layer of cultured pearls and the inside layer of pearl oyster and freshwater pearl mussel shells are made of nacre. Other mollusc families that have a nacreous inner shell layer include marine gastropods such as the Haliotidae, the Trochidae and the Turbinidae.

## Physical characteristics

### Structure and appearance

Nacre is composed of hexagonal platelets of aragonite (a form of calcium carbonate) 10–20 μm wide and 0.5 μm thick arranged in a continuous parallel lamina. Depending on the species, the shape of the tablets differs; in *Pinna*, the tablets are rectangular, with symmetric sectors more or less soluble. Whatever the shape of the tablets, the smallest units they contain are irregular rounded granules. These layers are separated by sheets of organic matrix (interfaces) composed of elastic biopolymers (such as chitin, lustrin and silk-like proteins).

Nacre appears iridescent because the thickness of the aragonite platelets is close to the wavelength of visible light. These structures interfere constructively and destructively with different wavelengths of light at different viewing angles, creating structural colours.

The crystallographic *c-*axis points approximately perpendicular to the shell wall, but the direction of the other axes varies between groups. Adjacent tablets have been shown to have dramatically different c-axis orientation, generally randomly oriented within ~20° of vertical. In bivalves and cephalopods, the *b-*axis points in the direction of shell growth, whereas in the monoplacophora it is the *a*-axis that is this way inclined.

### Mechanical properties

This mixture of brittle platelets and the thin layers of elastic biopolymers makes the material strong and resilient, with a Young's modulus of 70 GPa and a yield stress of roughly 70 MPa (when dry). Strength and resilience are also likely to be due to adhesion by the "brickwork" arrangement of the platelets, which inhibits transverse crack propagation. This structure, spanning multiple length sizes, greatly increases its toughness, making it almost as strong as silicon. The mineral–organic interface results in enhanced resilience and strength of the organic interlayers. The interlocking of bricks of nacre has large impact on both the deformation mechanism as well as its toughness. Tensile, shear, and compression tests, Weibull analysis, nanoindentation, and other techniques have all been used to probe the mechanical properties of nacre. Theoretical and computational methods have also been developed to explain the experimental observations of nacre's mechanical behavior. Nacre is stronger under compressive loads than tensile ones when the force is applied parallel or perpendicular to the platelets. As an oriented structure, nacre is highly anisotropic and as such, its mechanical properties are also dependent on the direction.

A variety of toughening mechanisms are responsible for nacre's mechanical behavior. The adhesive force needed to separate the proteinaceous and the aragonite phases is high, indicating that there are molecular interactions between the components. In laminated structures with hard and soft layers, a model system that can be applied to understand nacre, the fracture energy and fracture strength are both larger than those values characteristic of the hard material only. Specifically, this structure facilitates crack deflection, since it is easier for the crack to continue into the viscoelastic and compliant organic matrix than going straight into another aragonite platelet. This results in the ductile protein phase deforming such that the crack changes directions and avoids the brittle ceramic phase. Based on experiments done on nacre-like synthetic materials, it is hypothesized that the compliant matrix needs to have a larger fracture energy than the elastic energy at fracture of the hard phase. Fiber pull-out, which occurs in other ceramic composite materials, contributes to this phenomenon. Unlike in traditional synthetic composites, the aragonite in nacre forms bridges between individual tablets, so the structure is not only held together by the strong adhesion of the ceramic phase to the organic one, but also by these connecting nanoscale features. As plastic deformation starts, the mineral bridges may break, creating small asperities that roughen the aragonite-protein interface. The additional friction generated by the asperities helps the material withstand shear stresses. In nacre-like composites, the mineral bridges have also been shown to increase the flexural strength of the material because they can transfer stress in the material. Developing synthetic composites that exhibit similar mechanical properties as nacre is of interest to scientists working on developing stronger materials. To achieve these effects, researchers take inspiration from nacre and use synthetic ceramics and polymers to mimic the "brick-and-mortar" structure, mineral bridges, and other hierarchical features.

When dehydrated, nacre loses much of its strength and acts as a brittle material, like pure aragonite. The hardness of this material is also negatively impacted by dehydration. Water acts as a plasticizer for the organic matrix, improving its toughness and reducing its shear modulus. Hydrating the protein layer also decreases its Young's modulus, which is expected to improve the fracture energy and strength of a composite with alternating hard and soft layers.

The statistical variation of the platelets has a negative effect on the mechanical performance (stiffness, strength, and energy absorption) because statistical variation precipitates localization of deformation. However, the negative effects of statistical variations can be offset by interfaces with large strain at failure accompanied by strain hardening. On the other hand, the fracture toughness of nacre increases with moderate statistical variations which creates tough regions where the crack gets pinned. But, higher statistical variations generates very weak regions which allows the crack to propagate without much resistance causing the fracture toughness to decrease. Studies have shown that this weak structural defects act as dissipative topological defects coupled by an elastic distortion.

### Formation

The process of how nacre is formed is not completely clear. It has been observed in *Pinna nobilis*, where it starts as tiny particles (~50–80 nm) grouping together inside a natural material. These particles line up in a way that resembles fibers, and they continue to multiply. When there are enough particles, they come together to form early stages of nacre. The growth of nacre is regulated by organic substances that determine how and when the nacre crystals start and develop.

Each crystal, which can be thought of as a "brick", is thought to rapidly grow to match the full height of the layer of nacre. They continue to grow until they meet the surrounding bricks. This produces the hexagonal close-packing characteristic of nacre. The growth of these bricks can be initiated in various ways such as from randomly scattered elements within the organic layer, well-defined arrangements of proteins, or they may expand from mineral bridges coming from the layer underneath.

What sets nacre apart from fibrous aragonite, a similarly formed but brittle mineral, is the speed at which it grows in a certain direction (roughly perpendicular to the shell). This growth is slow in nacre, but fast in fibrous aragonite.

A 2021 paper in *Nature Physics* examined nacre from *Unio pictorum*, noting that in each case the initial layers of nacre laid down by the organism contained spiral defects. Defects that spiralled in opposite directions created distortions in the material that drew them towards each other as the layers built up until they merged and cancelled each other out. Later layers of nacre were found to be uniform and ordered in structure.

### Function

Nacre is secreted by the epithelial cells of the mantle tissue of various molluscs. The nacre is continuously deposited onto the inner surface of the shell, the iridescent *nacreous layer*, commonly known as *mother of pearl*. The layers of nacre smooth the shell surface and help defend the soft tissues against parasites and damaging debris by entombing them in successive layers of nacre, forming either a blister pearl attached to the interior of the shell, or a free pearl within the mantle tissues. The process is called *encystation* and it continues as long as the mollusc lives.

### In different mollusc groups

The form of nacre varies from group to group. In bivalves, the nacre layer is formed of single crystals in a hexagonal close packing. In gastropods, crystals are twinned, and in cephalopods, they are pseudohexagonal monocrystals, which are often twinned.

## Commercial sources

The main commercial sources of mother of pearl have been the pearl oyster, freshwater pearl mussels, and to a lesser extent the abalone, popular for their sturdiness and beauty in the latter half of the 19th century.

Widely used for pearl buttons especially during the 1900s, were the shells of the great green turban snail *Turbo marmoratus* and the large top snail, *Tectus niloticus*. The international trade in mother of pearl is governed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an agreement signed by more than 170 countries.

## Uses

### Decorative

#### Architecture

Both black and white nacre are used for architectural purposes. The natural nacre may be artificially tinted to almost any color. Nacre tesserae may be cut into shapes and laminated to a ceramic tile or marble base. The tesserae are hand-placed and closely sandwiched together, creating an irregular mosaic or pattern (such as a weave). The laminated material is typically about 2 millimetres (0.079 in) thick. The tesserae are then lacquered and polished creating a durable and glossy surface. Instead of using a marble or tile base, the nacre tesserae can be glued to fiberglass. The result is a lightweight material that offers a seamless installation and there is no limit to the sheet size. Nacre sheets may be used on interior floors, exterior and interior walls, countertops, doors and ceilings. Insertion into architectural elements, such as columns or furniture is easily accomplished.

#### Musical instruments

Nacre inlay is often used for music keys and other decorative motifs on musical instruments. Many accordion and concertina bodies are completely covered in nacre, and some guitars have fingerboard or headstock inlays made of nacre (or imitation pearloid plastic inlays). The bouzouki and baglamas (Greek plucked string instruments of the lute family) typically feature nacre decorations, as does the related Middle Eastern oud (typically around the sound holes and on the back of the instrument). Bows of stringed instruments such as the violin and cello often have mother of pearl inlay at the frog. It is traditionally used on saxophone keytouches, as well as the valve buttons of trumpets and other brass instruments. The Middle Eastern goblet drum (darbuka) is commonly decorated by mother of pearl.

#### Indian mother of pearl art

At the end of 19th century, Anukul Munsi was the first accomplished artist who successfully carved the shells of oysters to give a shape of human being which led to the invention of new horizon in Indian contemporary art. For the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, he received a gold medal. His eldest son Annada Munshi is credited with drawing *Indian Swadesi Movement* in the form of Indian advertising. Anukul Charan Munshi's third son Manu Munshi was one of the finest mother of pearl artists in the middle of 20th century. As the best example of "Charu and Karu art of Bengal," the former Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, sent Manu's artwork, "Gandhiji's Noakhali Abhiyan", to the United States. Numerous illustrious figures, such as Satyajit Ray, Bidhan Chandra Roy, Barrister Subodh Chandra Roy, Subho Tagore, Humayun Kabir, Jehangir Kabir, as well as his elder brother Annada Munshi, were among the patrons of his works of art. "Indira Gandhi" was one of his famous mother of pearl works of art. He is credited with portraying Tagore in various creative stances that were skillfully carved into metallic plates. His cousin Pratip Munshi was also a famed mother of pearl artist.

#### Other

Mother of pearl buttons are used in clothing either for functional or decorative purposes. The Pearly Kings and Queens are an elaborate example of this.

It is sometimes used in the decorative grips of firearms, and in other gun furniture.

Mother of pearl is sometimes used to make spoon-like utensils for caviar (i.e. caviar servers) so as to not spoil the taste with metallic spoons.

### Biomedical use

The biotech company Marine Biomedical, formed by a collaboration between the University of Western Australia Medical School and a Broome pearling business, is as of 2021 developing a product nacre to create "PearlBone", which could be used on patients needing bone grafting and reconstructive surgery. The company is applying for regulatory approval in Australia and several other countries, and is expecting it to be approved for clinical use around 2024–5. It is intended to build a factory in the Kimberley region, where pearl shells are plentiful, which would grind the nacre into a product fit for use in biomedical products. Future applications could include dental fillings and spinal surgery.

## Manufactured nacre

In 2012, researchers created calcium-based nacre in the laboratory by mimicking its natural growth process.

In 2014, researchers used lasers to create an analogue of nacre by engraving networks of wavy 3D "micro-cracks" in glass. When the slides were subjected to an impact, the micro-cracks absorbed and dispersed the energy, keeping the glass from shattering. Altogether, treated glass was reportedly 200 times tougher than untreated glass.

## Further reading


title: Nina Kinert

abstract: Nina Kinert Levahn, is a Swedish musician/artist. Her musical style is a mix between pop, folk and electronic music.

text:
# Nina Kinert

**Nina Kinert Levahn** (born **Nina Micaela Kinert**, 26 September 1983), is a Swedish musician/artist. Her musical style is a mix between pop, folk and electronic music.

## History

In 2004 she released her first album *Heartbreaktown* on her own label Another Records. The following EP *Visitor* and the album *Let There Be Love* were issued on the Swedish branch of V2 Records in 2005. In 2006-07 she was featured by Norwegian singer Ane Brun on her concert tours (*Live in Scandinavia*, 2007).

Beside the support of the already established Brun, Kinert rose to prominence in 2007 following the use of her song "Through Your Eyes" in a worldwide publicity campaign for the Swedish car company SAAB (a song she did not write, but lent her voice to). In October 2007, she was featured on the Steve Jansen album *Slope*, singing on "Playground Martyrs (Reprise)" (another version of that song on the album featured Jansen's brother David Sylvian).

In November 2010, she released *Red Leader Dream*, an album inspired by the *Star Wars* trilogy. It was issued by her new own label *NinkinaRecordings*.

## Discography

* *Heartbreaktown* (Another, 2004)
* *Visitor* (EP, V2 Sweden, 2005)
* *Let There Be Love* (V2, 2005. Re-released with bonus track "Through Your Eyes" in 2007)
* *Pets & Friends* (Another, 2008)
* *Red Leader Dream* (Ninkina, 2010)
* *On Ice* (Ninkina, 2015)
* *Romantic* (Ninkina, 2018)
* *In Twos* (EP, NinKina, 2018)
* *Religious* (NinKina, 2023)
* *Chorals* (NinKina, 2024)

## InfoBox

| Nina Kinert | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nina Micaela Kinert |
| Also known as | Nina K |
| Born | (1983-09-26) 26 September 1983<br>Stockholm, Sweden |
| Instrument(s) | piano, guitar |
| Labels | Ninkina Recordings |
|  | |
| Website | http://www.ninakinert.com/ |


title: Puya prosanae

abstract: Puya prosanae is a species in the genus Puya. This species is endemic to Bolivia.

text:
# Puya prosanae

***Puya prosanae*** is a species in the genus *Puya*. This species is endemic to Bolivia.

* Krömer, Thorsten; Kessler, Michael; Holst, Bruce K.; Luther, Harry E.; Gouda, Eric J.; Ibisch, Pierre L.; Till, Walter; Vásquez, Roberto (1 October 1999). "Checklist of Bolivian Bromeliaceae with Notes on Species Distribution and Levels of Endemism". *Selbyana*. **20** (2): 201–223. ISSN 2689-0682. JSTOR 41760025.

## InfoBox

| *Puya prosanae* | |
| --- | --- |
|  | |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| *Clade*: | Tracheophytes |
| *Clade*: | Angiosperms |
| *Clade*: | Monocots |
| *Clade*: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Bromeliaceae |
| Genus: | *Puya* |
| Subgenus: | *Puya subg. Puyopsis* |
| Species: | ***P. prosanae*** |
| Binomial name | |
| ***Puya prosanae***<br>Ibisch & E. Gross | |
|


title: Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League

abstract: Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League(UPKL) is an Indian professional Kabaddi League. It was founded by Sambhav Jain in 2024. The first season is organised with the cooperation of UP Kabaddi Association.

text:
# Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League

**Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League**(UPKL) is an Indian professional Kabaddi League. It was founded by Sambhav Jain in 2024. The first season is organised with the cooperation of UP Kabaddi Association.

## Seasons 1

The first UPKL mega auction was held on 10 June 2024 at Sarovar Hotel, Noida. The first season of league started on July 11 till July 25 2024 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow Lion placed the highest bid, paying 3.10 lakhs for Arjun Deswal, while Yamuna Yodha paid 3.10 lakhs for Vinay. Abhijeet Malik was acquired by Sangam Challengers for 2.60 lakhs, Amit Nagar was purchased by Noida Ninja for 1.45 lakhs, and Ashu Singh was purchased by Avadh Ramdoot for 1.5 lakhs. The Lucknow Lions defeated the Sangam Challengers 59-33 to win the championship.

## Teams

* Awadh Ramdoot
* Brij Stars
* Ganga Kings of Mirzapur
* JD Noida Ninjas
* Kashi Kings
* Lucknow Lions
* Yamuna Yodhas
* Sangam Challengers

## InfoBox

Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League
| Country | India |
| --- | --- |
| Administrator | Sambhav Jain |
| First tournament | 2024 |
| Current champions | Lucknow Lions |


title: Wonga.com

abstract: Wonga.com, also known as Wonga, was a British payday loan firm that was founded in 2006. The company focused on offering short-term, high-cost loans to customers via online applications, and began processing its first loans in 2007. The firm operated across several countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland and South Africa; it also operated in Canada until 2016, and in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands through the German payments business, BillPay, between 2013 and 2017. The company was responsible for inventing fully automated risk processing technology to provide short-term, unsecured personal loans online, including via tablet and mobile app. However, it also drew wide criticism for the interest it charged, equated to an annual percentage rate (APR) of 1,509%; an example of this was that a loan of £100 over seventeen days required £113.60 to repay. The company was criticised heavily by politicians, including former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband as a leading example of predatory lending. The firm's debt collection practices were also scrutinised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who found the firm had lent money to many who would never be able to repay and Wonga agreed to compensate 45,000 customers for unfair and misleading debt collection practices. By 2015, the company began to incur losses, which were further increased by discontinuation of sponsorship deals, a data breach in 2017, and a surge of customer compensation claims. Despite an emergency cash injection from shareholders to prevent it becoming insolvent, the firm fell into administration on 30 August 2018, with Grant Thornton appointed to wind down the business, sell assets and identify creditors. By March 2019, administrators noted that compensation claims against the firm increased, but with many claimants unlikely to receive the full value of their claim.

text:
# Wonga.com

**Wonga.com**, also known as **Wonga**, was a British payday loan firm that was founded in 2006. The company focused on offering short-term, high-cost loans to customers via online applications, and began processing its first loans in 2007. The firm operated across several countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland and South Africa; it also operated in Canada until 2016, and in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands through the German payments business, **BillPay**, between 2013 and 2017.

The company was responsible for inventing fully automated risk processing technology to provide short-term, unsecured personal loans online, including via tablet and mobile app. However, it also drew wide criticism for the interest it charged, equated to an annual percentage rate (APR) of 1,509%; an example of this was that a loan of £100 over seventeen days (Wonga's average loan term) required £113.60 to repay. The company was criticised heavily by politicians, including former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband as a leading example of predatory lending. The firm's debt collection practices were also scrutinised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), who found the firm had lent money to many who would never be able to repay and Wonga agreed to compensate 45,000 customers for unfair and misleading debt collection practices.

By 2015, the company began to incur losses, which were further increased by discontinuation of sponsorship deals, a data breach in 2017, and a surge of customer compensation claims. Despite an emergency cash injection from shareholders to prevent it becoming insolvent, the firm fell into administration on 30 August 2018, with Grant Thornton appointed to wind down the business, sell assets and identify creditors. By March 2019, administrators noted that compensation claims against the firm increased, but with many claimants unlikely to receive the full value of their claim.

## History

### Founding and growth

Wonga was co-founded by Errol Damelin and Jonty Hurwitz in October 2006, who derived the name from the Romany slang term for money that was in use in some parts of Britain since the 1980s. The plan for the company was to disrupt the short-term credit industry with a new branch of lender that provided transparency, exact control of amount and payment date, and immediate access to funds to customers, without hassling them through faxing or emailing documents. Although both men had previous experience in internet start-up operations, neither Damelin or Hurwitz had any within retail banking, which presented a problem when seeking out funding, as many potential investors they approached perceived the short-term, small-loans business as an unprofitable, risky backwater. After being denied funding by UK banks, Wonga secured venture capital through Balderton Capital.

The company's first year was spent on software development for a beta website. The business model of lending only to those who could pay back reliably, as opposed to the much wider catchment practice of payday loans, required an algorithm that could fully determine risk in an automated manner – something they had difficulty developing in the early stages. In addition, Damelin and Hurwitz required the co-operation of leading banks to help get funds directly to customer's bank accounts as quickly as possible, by convincing them that customer identity could be provided without physical documentation, a factor in their plan that banks were uncertain with. A beta website was eventually finalised and launched in 2007, and within five minutes, Wonga was processing its first loan application; within a week, the firm faced its first loan default. The subsequent months of operation showed increased demand, but traditional methods of credit risk assessment proved inadequate, leading the company to experience default rates of around 50%. During the first year of operations, the company used this period to gather data on customer behaviour in order to develop their own proprietary risk technology.

The full market launch of Wonga.com was officially made in July 2008, and within a year it had processed around 100,000 loans. Through the experience of processing these loans, the company developed technologies which began to dramatically reduce the percentage of defaults. In July 2009 Wonga raised a further £13.9m of funding in a Round B led by Accel Partners, Greylock Partners and Dawn Capital. In 2009 the company was already profitable and default rates were below 10%, less than the average for credit cards. A third round of funding was completed in 2011, for £73m led by Oak Investment Partners including additional investors Meritech Capital Partners and the Wellcome Trust. By the end of 2011, Wonga's technology could reliably reject two-thirds of applications and predict the ability of a customer to repay a loan by an accuracy of around 93%. In May 2012, the firm expanded into South Africa, offering consumer loans, and began testing their technology in November that year for a possible expansion into Canada.

### Decline and collapse

On 30 September 2014, Wonga announced that its profits for the previous year had fallen by 53% to £39.7 million. The company blamed the cut in profits to "remediation costs" – compensation paid to customers – which in total cost the company £18.8m, and predicted its profitability would be reduced through new controls set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from June of that year. Along with conforming to the new rules set out by the FCA, which limited roll-overs of loans and forced them to increase affordability checks, price caps were introduce from the start of 2015. The tougher regulations on the payday loan sector impacted the firm significantly, doubling its loss as its UK consumer base was greatly reduced; around almost 3.8 million of the 4 million loans it granted around that time were to UK customers. By the end of 2015, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £80.2m for the year – up from £38.1m the year before . In April 2017, Wonga suffered a data breach which affected around 245,000 of its customers in the UK. The range of information stolen in the breach included details on customers' bank cards – information used by some banks as part of the login process for online accounts.

On 4 August 2018, the company received an emergency £10m cash injection from shareholders after its chief executive warned it was in danger of becoming insolvent due to a surge in customer compensation claims. On 26 August, Grant Thornton were lined up to act as administrators in the event Wonga became insolvent, pending a decision to be made within weeks, and assumed these responsibilities the day after the firm went into administration on 30 August. Grant Thornton focused on conducting a wind-down of the business that would involve the sale of assets and identifying creditors, along with handling claims for compensation. By March 2019, the administrators informed the Treasury Select Committee that the number of claims had increased fourfold - increasing from around 10,500 to over 40,000 - since the firm's collapse, but that the lack of assets and the sheer volume meant that many claimants — denoted as unsecured creditors — were likely to receive much less than they were entitled to.

By January 2020, the number of claimants was 358,000. They shared around £23m in compensation, around 4.3% of what they were owed.

Wonga was dissolved on 19 December 2020.

## Ownership and corporate structure

Over 180 million shares of the company are owned by venture capital firms, around 77.1%. The balance of the company is owned by staff, board members and founders with Errol Damelin owning 26.5m shares through Castle Bridge Ventures, an offshore trust based in the British Virgin Islands, while Jonty Hurwitz owns 12.6m shares (around 5.5%) through a BVI company. Damelin resigned as Chief Executive in November 2013 to become part-time chairman and non-executive director. He resigned entirely as a Director in June 2014. Hurwitz resigned from the company in November 2011 and left the board of Wonga in November 2013.

By 2011, Wonga had refined its business model to such an extent that it started to make significant profits and in September 2012 it reported profits of £45.8m for 2011 from revenue of £185m, up from a profit of £12.4m in 2010.

### CEOs

* December 2006 to November 2013 – Errol Damelin.
* November 2013 to May 2014 – Neil Wass.
* May 2014 to November 2014 – Tim Weller.
* November 2014 – Tara Kneafsey – Managing Director.

## Customer profile

Wonga claimed that its customers were "tech-savvy young professionals who previously used the banks to borrow money". It accepted that its APR was "not cheap" but claimed that its typical customer was someone on a mid-level salary temporarily short of cash because of an unexpected bill, for example to buy a new central heating boiler or tickets to a music festival.

Dr Gathergood of the University of Nottingham described payday loan users as falling into two groups, those who have had a financial shock but can repay the money and those who were unable to control their expenditure, though he said lenders preferentially associated their clients with the first group. The committee also looked at credit unions. Mark Lyonette of Association of British Credit Unions said that although credit unions now provided 90 million loans in the United States, they were not able to match the "sophisticated automation and credit scoring behind the scenes" of the "high-tech, payday-lending Wonga model", though he welcomed the possibility of using post offices as a vehicle to expand the Credit Union market in the UK.

Wonga said that most applicants were not credit-worthy enough to obtain a loan from the firm, but that it only lent to those with a good credit record. Some commentators, however, warned that taking a loan from a payday lender could damage the customer's credit record and their ability to obtain a mortgage, even where the loan was repaid years prior. Ray Boulger of John Charcol, for instance, told BBC *Newsnight* that "Our experience is that mortgage lenders will often turn down requests for people who have had a payday loan...", and Robert Sinclair, Chief Executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, said "From a consumer perspective, anybody who takes out a payday loan is clearly showing some financial distress and existing lenders will think these consumers may be maxed out."

## Defaults and renewal of loans

Wonga stated that if the money was not available on the day a customer has nominated to pay it back, a £30 fee would be charged and interest would accrue for a maximum of 60 days and that it did not allow automatic "rolling over" of loans, limiting to specific requests and to a maximum of three instances in accordance with the Finance and Leasing Association lending code.

On 28 November 2012, following concerns that small loans, intended to be short-term, could become prohibitively expensive, the government announced it would give the Financial Conduct Authority powers to prevent indefinite rolling over of loans and effectively limit charges.

In August 2018, the company announced that it would not be offering more loans because of the critical financial situation of the company. However, it decided to only entertain their existing clients.

## Sponsorship and public relations

Wonga sponsored free travel on the London Underground on New Year's Eve in 2010, and posters were put up on the network advertising the website with the slogan "sometimes you need some extra cash". A member of the London Assembly said that it was 'shameful' that the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, had allowed such sponsorship at a time of year when people are most vulnerable financially. *Media Week* noted that the deal was "highly criticised" and that Transport for London later banned payday loan companies from sponsoring their services.

In August 2012 the company launched OpenWonga, an online "digital platform that aims to 'inform the debate' around the brand".

In October 2012 Wonga announced that they were sponsoring the football team Newcastle United for £8 million a year. Several MPs spoke out against the deal and the leader of Newcastle City Council told *The Guardian* he was "appalled and sickened" that the club had signed a deal with "a legal loan shark" and in July 2013 Papiss Cissé refused to wear the kit, citing religious reasons as a practising Muslim despite "pictures ... of him gambling in a casino". The sponsorship was not renewed after the 2016–17 season.

In 2012, Wonga.com sponsored ITV's *Red or Black?*, which was widely criticised.

*The Guardian* reported, in November 2012, that a computer in the Wonga offices appeared to have been used to remove from the company's Wikipedia page a reference to controversy over its sponsorship of Newcastle United Football Club and to delete the category of "usury" under the See Also section.

Wonga sponsored Blackpool Football Club from 2010 to the end of the 2014–15 season. Wonga's sponsorship of Heart of Midlothian Football Club ended prematurely in 2014 after the club cancelled the deal.

## Awards

* Alternative Lender of the Year, Credit Today Magazine 2010.
* Winner, *The Guardian* Digital Innovation Digital Entrepreneur Award 2011.
* Number 1, *The Sunday Times* Tech Track 100 2011.
* Fastest Growing Company, Media Momentum Awards 2012.

## Criticism

### Alleged tax avoidance

The involvement of the Swiss company and the transfer of the trademark to it in 2012 have been seen by Corporate Watch as part of a scheme by the firm designed to avoid tax. According to *Accountancy Age*, in 2012, a net amount of £35 million was paid to WDFC SA, the profit on which will only be taxed in Switzerland. Several Wonga executives, are now believed to be based in Geneva in connection with the business of WDFC SA.

In 2013, an Irish subsidiary of Wonga patented "user authentication software", telling *Corporate Watch* that "it is common practice for international groups to consolidate their IP holdings in a location where the substantial activity relating to the IP is performed." Richard Murphy from *Tax Research UK* commented that "the transfer of key business processes – especially those that are technology based and that can be protected by patents and copyrights – is a classic way in which companies try to move their profits between countries."

### Debt collection practices

In May 2012, the company was required by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to improve its debt collection practices, after it was found that it had sent letters to customers in 2010 accusing them of committing fraud and saying that the police might be informed. Telephone scripts used by Wonga warned borrowers working in the public or financial sectors that their terms of employment said they should not be in debt. Wonga appealed the decision and said it believed it had grounds for suspecting dishonest conduct by the specific customers to whom letters had been sent, and that they had been sent on isolated occasions more than 18 months previously and had not been sent since. It stated that it had put in place procedures to make sure similar problems did not occur in future, and that since then it referred cases of suspected fraud to an in-house team to investigate. The phone scripts had not been used since January 2010, it said. In November 2013, after being challenged repeatedly by members of Parliament in a Business, Innovation and Skills select committee hearing on pay day lenders, Wonga said that they had not been censured by the OFT, but had been asked to make various changes, and that criticism by the OFT was "an open issue"; the company could not say more on an ongoing process. The practice of allowing debtors to "roll on" an existing loan was also called into question by the MPs. Regulation for the consumer credit industry passed from the OFT to the new Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) from April 2014.

In June 2014, the FCA found that Wonga's debt collection practices were unfair and ordered that they compensate affected customers. The FCA found that between October 2008 and November 2010, Wonga had sent their customers letters purporting to be from non-existent law firms "Chainey, D'Amato & Shannon" and "Barker and Lowe Legal Recoveries", described as "fake" in reports, to collect money from them. In some cases, customers were charged for the supposed lawyers' fees for these letters; Labour MP Stella Creasy asked why the police were not investigating. This practice had been uncovered by the OFT in 2011, after Wonga was asked to disclose information about its debt collection practices. "Wonga's misconduct was very serious because it had the effect of exacerbating an already difficult situation for customers in arrears," said Clive Adamson, director of supervision at the FCA. He added: "The FCA expects firms to pay particular attention to fair treatment of those who have difficulty in meeting their loan repayments". Richard Lloyd of *Which?* described the findings as "a shocking new low for the payday industry that is already dogged by bad practice and Wonga deserves to have the book thrown at it." Wonga UK managing director, Tessa Cook, said: "Today is not a proud day for Wonga and I'd like to apologise". As the misconduct happened before the FCA took over the regulation of payday lenders, it is unable to fine Wonga. It also said there would be no criminal investigation as it wanted to set up a compensation scheme (of about £2.6 million) as quickly as possible and a criminal probe would take time. However, the issue was later passed onto the police for potential criminal investigation. The head of the Law Society, Desmond Hudson, said that Wonga's activity, which he qualified as dishonest, could amount to blackmail, deception, and other breaches of the law. The City of London Police began reassessing the case for an investigation, but announced the following year that after a thorough review of all the material gathered, that there was insufficient evidence to progress an investigation.

Consequent to discussions with the FCA, on 2 October 2014 Wonga agreed to write off the debts – thought to total £220m – of 330,000 customers who were in arrears of thirty days or more.

### Church of England

In May 2012, Justin Welby (then the Bishop of Durham) called Wonga.com's high interest rates "shocking" and "usurious". Wonga declined to comment.

By July 2013, Welby was Archbishop of Canterbury and had been a member of the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. He announced that he had had a "good conversation" with Errol Damelin and told him that he wanted to see competition, not legislation, put Wonga out of business. According to the BBC the church would help credit unions by providing premises and expertise. However Welby was reported to be furious when the *Financial Times* pointed out that, despite denying involvement in payday lending, the Church Pension fund invested in venture capitalists Accel Partners which raised funds for Wonga in 2009.

In a November 2013 interview for ITV, Niall Wass defended the firm's practices and challenged critics to "go use the service, see if you think it is fair and transparent, take out £30 for ten days, pay it back after a week, look at the price, tell me if that is fair and transparent."

By July 2014, The Church of England had severed its ties with the payday lender.

### Politicians

An all-party Early Day Motion tabled in November 2011 highlighted Wonga's "high APR" and sought to restrict the level of interest that can be charged on all loans by financial institutions. British MP Stella Creasy has also proposed legislation for interest rate caps. A Policis report on proposed interest rate capping said it would cause an exit from the market and those with access to the credit mainstream would be diverted to products such as overdrafts and revolving credit that could be higher cost than high APR products and those without access to credit would be diverted to the black credit market. *The Times* said capping will further limit the availability of credit to people from regulated entities.

On 20 November 2012, Creasy demanded an apology from the company after *The Guardian* reported that abusive tweets were sent to her by Wonga employees. Further investigation of the Creasy case showed that computers registered to Wonga.com's London office were used to abuse Creasy over Twitter, and delete criticism, as well as the reference to "usury" from the English Wikipedia's Wonga.com page. Wonga.com admitted that a "junior employee" may have sent the tweets and defended what it regards as its right to correct "inaccurate" Wikipedia articles, though Wikipedia policy on conflict of interest says such edits are "strongly discouraged." Wonga.com later apologised to Creasy and condemned the Twitter comments, saying they were posted without the knowledge of the company and disciplinary action would be taken.

In June 2013, the consumer minister called payday lenders to a summit to discuss "widespread irresponsible lending." The article quoted the APR of Wonga -the largest lender as 5835%. Wonga's pre-tax profits were quoted as £62.4m.

In November 2013, Labour Party leader Ed Miliband criticised payday lenders for creating a "Wonga economy" and "a quiet crisis of thousands of families trapped in unpayable debt." He also called for Wonga's cartoon-type ads aired during children's programmes to be banned, and promised to introduce legislation to that effect. He accused Wonga and other payday lenders of 'targeting children'.

In 2018, once the company had gone into administration, chairman of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee Frank Field wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in a letter urging the Archbishop to lead a consortium with Wonga's administrators and for the Church of England to purchase the company's loans, preventing the company from selling its loans on to debt recovery businesses at "knockdown rates".

### APR and the cost of a loan

The firm claimed its loans were often cheaper than unauthorised bank charges and although APR disclosure is mandatory, it is a poor comparison measure for short-term loans. The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee heard evidence from consumer money expert Martin Lewis that the total cost of a payday loan was more useful than APR. Lewis calculated in his blog that at a compounding interest rate of 4,212%, a £100 loan that is not repaid would in seven years amount to more than the USA's entire national debt, however, he explained that his calculation "bears little resemblance to reality", because Wonga does not charge compound interest. He also explained that he had performed this calculation purely to raise awareness of the risks of payday loans and concluded by expressing the hope that his example would make people "think twice before getting payday borrowing". Wonga stated that they stopped charging interest altogether once a loan became more than 60 days overdue.

Wonga argued that their rates may be high but the amount charged is transparent and without lenders like them, borrowers would be forced to use illegal lenders. In April 2014, a loan shark in Manchester was jailed for illegal money lending and other offences despite claiming that his rates were lower than Wonga. His lawyer said: "Within his community there are large numbers of people who because of their debt history are very limited in terms of the places they can go, other than companies such as Wonga."

In October 2014, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned Wonga from using a TV advert that it said breached its code because of a claim that customers would save money. The authority said this was likely to be interpreted as a statement that Wonga's loans were cheaper than those of other lenders and was therefore a price comparison. It ruled that Wonga should consequently have informed consumers of its 5,853% annual interest rate. The ruling was in response to a complaint from the charity Citizens Advice, whose chief executive Gillian Guy, said: "Adverts must be clear about what taking out a loan means and how much it will cost. The consequences are really serious when payday lending goes wrong. High interest rates and fees can mean that a small loan balloons into a huge debt... both the advertising and payday loan industries need to look at why so many adverts are not meeting the grade and change their ways". It was the third Wonga advert to be banned by the ASA in 2014.

## InfoBox

Wonga Group Limited
|
|  |
| Trade name | Wonga.com |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Technology finance |
| Founded | 2006 (2006) |
| Founders |  |
| Defunct | 2020 (2020) |
| Fate | Administration |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Areas served |  |
| Key people | Tara Kneafsey (CEO)<br>Grant Thornton (Administrators) |
| Products | Payday loans |
| Subsidiaries | BillPay (2013-2017) |
| Website | www.wonga.com |


title: Witold Kasperski

abstract: Witold Kasperski is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He made one appearance for the Poland national team in 1974. Kasperski joined French club AS Angoulême in 1979.

text:
# Witold Kasperski

**Witold Kasperski** (born 26 October 1949) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

He made one appearance for the Poland national team in 1974. Kasperski joined French club AS Angoulême in 1979.

## InfoBox

Witold Kasperski
| Personal information | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Date of birth | (1949-10-26) 26 October 1949 | | |
| Place of birth | Wałbrzych, Poland | | |
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | | |
| Position(s) | Midfielder | | |
| Senior career\* | | | |
| Years | **Team** | **Apps** | **(Gls)** |
| 1963–1969 | Star Starachowice |  |  |
| 1969–1971 | Cracovia |  |  |
| 1971–1973 | Star Starachowice |  |  |
| 1973–1979 | Zagłębie Sosnowiec |  |  |
| 1979–1981 | AS Angoulême |  |  |
|  | Stade Le Bon |  |  |
| 1981–1983 | La Louviére |  |  |
| International career | | | |
| 1974 | Poland | 1 | (0) |
| \*Club domestic league appearances and goals | | | |