# Women's event at the 45th Chess Olympiad

## Abstract

The women's event at the 45th Chess Olympiad is being held from 11 to 22 September 2024. It is contested by a record number of 183 teams, representing 181 nations. Hungary, as host nation, fields three teams. A total of 909 players participate in the open event.

## Competition format and calendar

The tournament is being played in a Swiss system format. The time control for all games is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, after which an additional 30 minutes are granted and increment of 30 seconds per move is applied from the first move. Players are permitted to offer a draw at any time. A total of 11 rounds will be played, and all teams are paired in every round.

In each round, four players from each team face four players from another team; teams are permitted one reserve player who could be substituted between rounds. The four games are played simultaneously on four boards with alternating colours, scoring 1 game point for a win and ½ game point for a draw. The scores from each game are summed together to determine which team will win the round. Winning a round is worth two match points, regardless of the game point margin, while drawing a round is worth one match point. Teams will be ranked in a table based on match points. Tie-breakers for the table are i) the Sonneborn–Berger system; ii) total game points scored; iii) the sum of the match points of the opponents, excluding the lowest one.

The event takes place from 10 to 23 September 2024. Tournament rounds will start on 11 September and will end with the final round on 22 September. All rounds begin at 15:00 CEST (UTC+2:00), except for the final round which will begin at 11:00 CEST (UTC+2:00). There will be one rest day on 17 September, after the sixth round.

### Teams and players

The Women's event is being contested by a total of 909 players from 183 teams. It features only Nana Dzagnidze from the top ten players according to the FIDE rating list published in September 2024. India have the highest pre-tournament average rating of 2467, but the team is weakened due to the absence of Koneru Humpy who played in 2022. The team is lead by Harika Dronavalli and also includes Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev. Georgia, whose team won a silver medal at the previous Olympiad, are the second seeds with an average rating of 2462. The squad consists of Nana Dzagnidze, Lela Javakhishvili, Nino Batsiashvili, Bella Khotenashvili and Salome Melia. Poland is the third-seeded team with an average rating of 2422. The team is lead by Alina Kashlinskaya, who won the first leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024–25 in Tbilisi, and also includes Monika Soćko, Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, who changed federation, Oliwia Kiołbasa, who scored the best individual performance at the previous Olympiad, and Alicja Śliwicka.

Ukraine as defending champions are severely weakened due to the absence of Anna and Mariya Muzychuk, who are both among the top-ten rated players in the world. In their absence, the team will be led by Yuliia Osmak on board one followed by former World Women's Champion Anna Ushenina, Nataliya Buksa, Inna Gaponenko and Evgeniya Doluhanova. Despite the fact that China is missing all four top players— Hou Yifan, Ju Wenjun, Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie —the young team is still competitive and has the fourth highest average rating of 2416.

## Rounds

### Round 1

The favourites were in full command in the first round, and a total of 72 teams scored 4–0 victories. Amongst the favourites, Georgia, Poland and China whitewashed their opponents. Defending champions Ukraine and the top seeds India conceded a half point after former Women's World Champion Anna Ushenina was held to a draw by Kyrzgyzstan's Alexandra Samaganova on the top board and India's Vantika Agrawal split the point with Jamaica's Raehanna Brown in a queen endgame on board three. The highest-rated player in the tournament Nana Dzagnidze did not play in this round, but her team was one of the first to finish the day with four convincing wins. Lela Javakhishvili played a 20-move miniature in the London System that ended with a checkmate (see diagram).

### Round 2

There were no major upsets in the second round and a total of 41 teams scored victories in the opening two matches. Poland, China, Spain and Armenia scored their second 4–0 victories, while India, Hungary, United States, Bulgaria and France dropped a half point against Czech Republic, Ecuador, Philippines, Egypt and Luxembourg, respectively. Georgia defeated Montenegro 3–1 thanks to wins by Nana Dzagnidze, Nino Batsiashvili and Bella Khotenashvili on the first three boards, but Nikolina Koljević scored an upset win with the Black pieces over Salome Melia on the lowest board after the Georgian misplayed the position with a space-gaining pawn push.

Ukraine were one of the top-seeded teams that struggled the most in this round, but finally they managed to edge out Lithuania with a 2½–1½ scoreline. On the top board, Yuliia Osmak lost her game as White to Olena Martynkova, and Evgeniya Doluhanova drew against Gabija Šimkūnaitė on the lowest board. Martynkova fought back from a worse position to implement tactics by sacrificing a piece that led her to a winning position (see diagram). However, the Ukrainian team snatched the match victory with wins scored by Nataliya Buksa and Inna Gaponenko on the middle boards. Another close match was Kazakhstan 's minimal victory over Finland in which Finnish player Lauri Bederdin beat Alua Nurman and Anastasia Nazarova drew against Bibisara Assaubayeva on board one. The biggest surprise in this round was perhaps Singapore 's 2½–1½ victory over Latvia thanks to wins scored by Kay Yan Eden Pang and Kun Fang both with the Black pieces.

### Round 3

The third round saw the first upsets involving top-seeded teams. Georgia were held to a draw by Romania in a match wherein Nana Dzagnidze and Nino Batsiashvili defeated Irina Bulmaga and Carmen Voicu-Jagodzinsky on the first and third boards, respectively, to score full points for the Georgian team, but the Romanian players were victorious on the other boards. Mihaela Sandu caught Lela Javakhishvili in a mating net in the endgame, while Bella Khotenashvili blundered a mate in two against Alessia-Mihaela Ciolacu (see diagram). Poland and Greece tied with one per side. Ekaterini Pavlidou won a roller-coaster game against Aleksandra Maltsevskaya with the three queens on the board and the black king on d3, whereas the best player at the previous Olympiad Oliwia Kiołbasa beat Marina Makropoulou to score a full point for the Polish team. Neverhteless, the biggest upset in this round was perhaps Uzbekistan 's victory over the host country Hungary with a 2½–1½ scoreline. Afruza Khamdamova benefited from Zsóka Gaál 's blunder in a pure rook endgame to win a full point on the top board, while Umida Omonova also triumphed as Black on the third board.

Of the top-seeded teams, India, China and Ukraine did not have problems in this round. India defeated Switzerland 3–1. Alexandra Kosteniuk scored for the Swiss team against Harika Dronavalli on board one, but all other games finished in favour of the Indian players. On the second board, Vaishali Rameshbabu entered into a same-colour bishop endgame that she managed to convert due to the king's superior activity despite the material parity. Divya Deshmukh scored her third victory in the tournament after checkmating Sofiia Hryzlova with a pawn on board three.

### Round 4

Seven teams—China, India, United States, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia —scored their fourth consecutive match victories in this round. China showed a dominant performance to sweep England 4–0 and move to a cumulative score of 15½ out of 16 from the individual boards after four rounds. Zhu Jiner, Guo Qi, Ni Shiqun and 14-year-old Lu Miaoyi all kept their perfect scores. The top-seeded Indian team cruised to a 3½–½ victory over France, while the United States defeated the Netherlands with the same scoreline. On board three, American player Irina Krush found the winning 36th move after her opponent committed a blunder in an equal position (see diagram).

Ukraine split the match points with Turkey. The games on the top boards ended peacefully, while both teams exchanged wins on the lower boards. Nataliya Buksa scored a full point with the White pieces against Kübra Öztürk on board three, but Evgeniya Doluhanova lost to 18-year-old Gulenay Aydin on board four. Uzbekistan and Mongolia edged out Bulgaria 2½–1½ in a match wherein Afruza Khamdamova scored the only win by beating former Women's World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova. Mongolia upset Spain with the same scoreline due to the victories from Batkhuyagiin Möngöntuul and Bat-Erdene Mungunzul with the White pieces. Mungunzul trapped Ana Matnadze 's queen on board four, while Möngöntuul launched a crushing attack with opposite-colour bishops to beat Marta García Martín on board two. The game on the top board between Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and Törmönkhiin Mönkhzul ended in a draw, while the most entertaining game was Sabrina Vega 's victory in which she repeated Nigel Short 's famous king walk.


The Irregulars

# The Irregulars

## Abstract

The Irregulars is a British mystery adventure crime drama television series created by Tom Bidwell for Netflix. Loosely based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, it features the Baker Street Irregulars working for Dr. Watson saving London from supernatural elements.

Developed by Drama Republic, the eight-episode series premiered on 26 March 2021. In May 2021, the series was canceled after one season.

## Premise

A group of teenagers living on the streets of Victorian London known as the Irregulars work for John Watson to solve increasingly supernatural crimes, while they search for Sherlock Holmes.

## Cast

### The Irregulars

- Thaddea Graham as Bea, leader of the Irregulars. She is described as headstrong, fierce, and protective of her peers and her younger sister. She is 17 years old.

- McKell David as Spike, described as "fast-talking charmer", and "dashing". He keeps the group together with common sense and humour. He is 16 years old.

- Jojo Macari as Billy, the muscle of the group. He has a short fuse and tends to settle things with physical fights, He met Bea and Jessie in the workhouse when they were children. He is 16 years old.

- Harrison Osterfield as Leopold, a prince who has haemophilia and who has lived a rather sheltered life. He befriends Bea and the Irregulars and joins them on their adventures, providing resourcefulness and knowledge. He is based on Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, Queen Victoria's youngest son. He is 17 years old.

- Darci Shaw as Jessie, Bea's younger sister who has nightmares, and then is able to view and show the memories of the people she touches. She is 15 years old.

### Recurring

- Clarke Peters as the Linen Man, a series original character who interacts with the Irregulars using their dreams. He claims to be from Louisiana and wants the Irregulars to keep tracking down the criminals and report to him on their supernatural powers.

- Royce Pierreson as John Watson, a resident of Baker Street who hires Bea and the Irregulars.

- Edward Hogg as Daimler, Leopold's footman.

- Ian Whyte as Plague Doctor, a masked character who haunts Jessie in her nightmares.

- Alex Ferns as Vic Collins, the abusive taskmaster of the workhouse where some of the Irregulars used to be.

- Nell Hudson as Louise, Leo's older sister, a princess and daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

- Henry Lloyd-Hughes as Sherlock Holmes, a private detective who "appears to be a shadow of his former self".

- Eileen O'Higgins as Alice, the deceased mother of Bea and Jessie

### Guest

- Rory McCann as the Bird Master / Arthur Hilton, an ornithologist who acquired the ability to control birds.

- Lisa Dwyer Hogg as Sister Anna, a nun who presides over the churchyard where Bea and Jessie's mother's grave lies.

- Charles Armstrong as Mr. Bannister, Mycroft's assistant

- Jonjo O'Neill as Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's brother, in charge of a government organisation on the paranormal.

- Sheila Atim as the Tooth Fairy

- Olivia Grant as Patricia Coleman Jones, a participant in the order of the Golden Dawn.

- Aidan McArdle as Inspector Lestrade

- Tim Key as Gregson, a Scotland Yard inspector

## Production

### Development

On 20 December 2018, it was announced that Netflix was planning a series with Tom Bidwell based on the Baker Street Irregulars. Tom Bidwell (who had directed Netflix's Watership Down) described the program as "my dream project and my oldest idea" and it takes a different view of Holmes and his relationship to the Irregulars.

Sherlock Holmes had a group of street kids he’d use to help him gather clues so our series is what if Sherlock was a drug addict and a delinquent and the kids solve the whole case whilst he takes credit.

Bidwell will serve as executive producer alongside Jude Liknaitzky and Greg Brenman. Directors for the series have been announced as Endeavour ’s Johnny Allan as lead director with Joss Agnew and Weronika Tofilska also directing.

### Casting

In December 2019 the cast was announced as Henry Lloyd-Hughes in the role of Sherlock, Royce Pierreson as Doctor Watson, and Clarke Peters as Linen Man, Thaddea Graham as Bea, Darci Shaw as Jessie, Jojo Marcari as Billy, McKell David as Spike, and Harrison Osterfield as Leopold. In September, 2020 it was announced that Aidan McArdle had joined the cast in the role of Inspector Lestrade along with Olivia Grant as Patricia Coleman-Jones. In December, 2020 Sheila Atim was also credited as having an unknown role.

### Filming

The series was announced to be filmed in the UK, with reports In early December 2019 that filming had taken place in Nantwich at Dorfold Hall. Filming took place in Liverpool and on the Wirral in late 2019 and early 2020, making use of several locations including St George's Plateau, the palm house in Sefton Park, Falkner Street in the Georgian Quarter and the Grand Entrance at Birkenhead Park. Scenes were also filmed in Stoke-on-Trent at the Gladstone Pottery Museum.

Filming was temporarily disrupted in January 2020 when a cast member was injured on set on Liverpool's Ormond Street. Filming took place in Chester towards the end of January 2020, in Abbey Square, next to Chester Cathedral and also in the city's suburb of Hoole. Production then went to North Wales in March.

Filming resumed in August 2020, starting with scenes in Ellesmere Port that were intended to be filmed in March.

On 31 March 2021, Esquire magazine reported that the second season was scheduled to film in Liverpool during the summer of 2021. However, on 4 May 2021, Netflix announced that they had cancelled the show for undisclosed reasons.

## Release

On 22 February 2021 Netflix released the first teaser trailer for series. The eight-episode series premiered on Netflix on 26 March 2021.

## Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 80% based on 40 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "It taps into some fairly regular plot points, but when it dares to defy expectations and focus on its charming young cast, The Irregulars hints at something truly special lingering beneath the surface." Metacritic reported a weighted average score for the series of 60 out of 100 based on 12 critic reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

It was ranked second on the Top “Shows on the Rise” Week Ended March 28 list by Rise Ratio. The show managed to top Nielsen's Original Streaming Shows Charts, beating out Disney+'s The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.


Carleton Ravens football

# Carleton Ravens football

## Abstract

The Carleton Ravens football team represents Carleton University, which is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Ravens play U Sports football in the Ontario University Athletics conference. The Ravens football program started in 1945 and was continuously in operation until 1998 when the program was disbanded. The football program was brought back to the university in 2011 and began play in 2013. The football team has won one conference championship, winning the Dunsmore Cup in 1985 while playing in the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference.

## History

Historically, the Ravens football team first began play just after the Second World War in 1945 and was in continuous operation until the program was dropped in 1998. While the team had some success in the mid-1980s, poor performances and a plan by the Carleton Athletic department to invest more funds in other sports led to the sport being cut after the 1998 season. In their history, the Ravens won one Dunsmore Cup conference championship in 1985, but lost in the following Western Bowl to the Calgary Dinos 56 to 14.

### Beginnings (1945-1949)

The Originals, the first Carleton College football team, played its first organized game on a rainy October day in 1945. The Second World War had just ended and 36 war veterans, turned students, lined up to face their opponents Macdonald College in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que. Though the Carleton College team was bigger and more experienced, Macdonald took home the win (15-0). Carleton College, established in 1942, did not have the facilities or finances for academics, let alone a football team. Citizens of Ottawa rallied to help out the newborn squad. W.D.T. Atkinson allowed the team to practice at Glebe Collegiate, the school where he was principal. Charlie Kerr, one of the players, found the team matching brown and orange hockey jerseys to wear and the Strathcona junior team donated equipment. Tiny Hermann, a former Rough Rider star, agreed to volunteer his time as head coach. Joe Scanlon, author of History of Football at Carleton, lists these fine gentlemen as the members of the Originals:

Bob Forbes, Frank MacIntyre, Mel Carson, Bill O'Neill, Johnny Urquhart, Bill Rankin, Charlie Kerr, Don Sim, Johnny Moore, Charlie Charlebois, Donald McGregor, Merton Keith Salisbury, Wayne Dunphy, Ross Cavey, Al Holtby, Johnny Chown, Jim McNee, Lyall Graham, Bernard Garand, Harold Barnhart, Jim McKnight, Chuck Winters, Peter Ayearst, Russ Brown, Rock Robillard, Ted Graves, Robert Forbes, John Bell, Bill Morgan, Doug Good, Dave Morgan, Al Holley, J W York, Ted Ricker, Peter McDougal and Johnny Shore. The two managers were Jim Hanna and Don Anderson.

The Originals ended their first season with one win, two losses and a tie. The "Ravens" name came from the Carleton College student newspaper staff in 1948, when they started using that moniker with no explanation. It may have had something to do with the team's raven-like black uniform. By 1946, Carleton College was located on First Avenue, with the Ravens occupying a 12'x15' locker room in the basement. The dressing room was in the attic and practices were held in a small, poorly-lit yard behind the school. In 1947, the team entered the intermediate league with St. Patrick's College, the University of Ottawa and Queen's University. It was in this newly-formed league that the long rivalry between the University of Ottawa and Carleton College began, and the Ravens became an integral part of university life. Fans would rally and march from First Avenue to Lansdowne Park for home games and pile onto buses for the away games. The first decade of Ravens football history endured hardships such as under-funding, changes in leadership and, as veterans graduated, depleting numbers.

### Trying times and turnaround (1950-1959*)

The early 1950s were trying years for the Ravens. The low enrolment and roster numbers left Coach Arnie McWatters with a "patchwork" team. High scoring losses against teams in the newly formed Ottawa-St. Lawrence Conference left the Ravens low on morale. Ravens football came to a grinding halt, with no inter-varsity team in the 1951 season after the loss of college grant money. The seemingly bleak future of the Ravens was brightened when the college revived the program in 1952. Norm Fenn, assistant coach and full-time director of Athletics, provided the first link between the college administration and the football team, and would prove vital in the years to come. The new team entered a league with Macdonald College, Bishop's University and St. Patrick's College. There was little carryover of players from the previous decade, but the new players were ready and willing pupils.

The Ravens were on their way to a significant turnaround in 1953, with their first winning season. The new head coach, Bill Stanton, led the team to winning games against Loyola (now Concordia University) and McGill. For the first time, in 1954, Carleton was in the running for a league title. They ended the season in a tie for second place with the Royal Military College (RMC), and won the first Panda game in 1955. This season was one of the best in Ravens' history, with Carleton holding first in the league until a final game with the University of Ottawa (U of 0). However, the success would be shortlived1955 to 1959 were not to be as successful as the years before. The competition grew with the establishment of the Ontario Intercollegiate Football League, with the inclusion of the University of Ottawa, RMC, McMaster University, University of Waterloo and the Ontario Agricultural and Veterinary College at Guelph (now University of Guelph).

(*)Carleton football suspended operations for one year in 1951 due to financial constraints and began play again in 1952.

### Keith Harris era begins (1960-1969)

Coach Keith Harris arrived for the start of the 1959 season, bringing needed leadership and routine to the Ravens squad. He began the Monday night "horror movie" tradition where films of previous games were picked apart and analyzed. Primitive but effective recruitment strategies picked young men from the registration lines in September. The 1960s also saw the first football training camps, where tactical knowledge and skills, along with kinship, were developed. The players did odd jobs on campus to earn room and board in the new campus fieldhouse at the newly opened Rideau Campus. Harris was also the assistant director of Athletics while Norm Fenn, assistant coach, filled the position of director.

The results of these changes began to surface as early as the 1960 season, when the Ravens beat RMC twice in a row and non-winning games had small point spreads. For the first time in five years, no team shut the Ravens out, and player retention from year-to-year was on the rise. In 1962, Carleton fought its way to the top of the Ottawa-St. Lawrence conference, ready to take the conference title. Carleton challenged the first-place team in the conference: the McMaster Marauders. Although both morale and skill were at an all-time high, the McMaster team won, putting Carleton in second place. The 1963 season was also very successful, and 1964 brought Pedro the Panda back to Carleton after an eight-year stay with the Gee-Gees. Players like Bob Amer, Dave Dalton and Gord Pranschke set league records. These three players, along with Murray Thrift, Larry Matheson and Earl Hammond, made the 1965 league all-star game. A unique challenge was presented to Carleton's football Ravens in 1967, when St. Patrick's College, one of Carleton's frequent opponents, was incorporated into Carleton University. The two very separate football teams were to become one squad. By 1968, the integrated Ravens team earned a second-place finish and sixth-place nationally. The 1960s were truly the Ravens' first Golden Age.

### Tougher competition (1970-1979)

The Ravens football club moved from the mediocre Central Canada Intercollegiate Conference (CCIC) into the highly-competitive Ontario University Athletic Association (OUAA) in 1971. This league contained the nationally ranked University of Toronto Varsity Blues and the Queen's University Golden Gaels. Carleton's first game in the OUAA was against the Varsity Blues. Though they were the underdogs, the Ravens upset the Blues with an impressive 12-3 win. One of the highlights of the 1971 season was the Panda Game, when the number one team in the nation, the Gee-Gees, was upset by the Ravens 28-14. All in all, the 1971 season was an impressive debut in the OUAA.

The 1972 highlights included a phenomenal game against Waterloo, where the offence finally proved themselves with a 35-6 score. The Ravens seemed to score every time they touched the ball. After shattering 21 team records, the Ravens were proud going into the 1974 season. The Ravens struggled, but secured a 10th-place national ranking, obtaining a playoff spot in the OUAA eastern division. Though the Ravens didn't take the Panda game or the playoff semi-final with Toronto, 1974 was a season where the Ravens commanded the respect of the OUAA.

1975 and 1976 were rough years for the team. Coach Kim McCuaig left to work full time with the Athletics Department and was replaced by Brian Kealey. These two seasons were, in fact, winless, but the 1977, 1978 and 1979 seasons got the attention of the league and eventually the entire nation! Pat Stoqua, a Ravens basketball star, joined the team in 1977 and was a key contributor to the defence strategy. A whopping 61-0 exhibition win against Royal Military College gave the Ravens the spirit and confidence needed to win against the Gee-Gees, in a tremendous show of defensive skills. This was the first time in six years that the Ravens had won against their eternal foe. The Ravens were legitimate contenders in the league and the 1977 Panda game was won 36-16 by Carleton.

The 1978 team won a title at the Ontario-Quebec pre-season jamboree, and was ready for anything. When Coach Kealey joined the team in 1975, he vowed that the team would reach the College Bowl by 1980, and this dream was finally looking attainable. The Panda Game was, yet again, the deciding game for a playoff spot. The Ravens repeated their stellar performance from the previous year and won 24-13.

1979 was being called the Year of the Ravens. University football forecasters predicted that the team would finish first or second in the eastern division. The dream team went on to win three consecutive games, making them the only undefeated team in the conference and third in the country, the highest ranking ever obtained by a Ravens football team. The club began to receive media attention as the newest legitimate national contender on the block. Queen's Golden Gaels became the team to beat to solidify the conference title. The Ravens lost the semifinal against the Gaels. The last season of the decade was like a roller-coaster that ended in disappointment, yet the Ravens had much to be happy about. The club went from division doormat to well-respected national contenders and a team to be reckoned with.

### Successful years (1980-1989)

The Ravens entered 1980 with a positive outlook and the determination to take it one game at a time, with Coach Kealey being backed by a completely new team of assistant coaches. Though the Birds lost the first three games of the year, the season was redeemed when the Ravens brought "Pedro the Panda" home with a 30-21 win over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

1982 brought a new head coach, Wayne (Ace) Powell Jr., as well as some reforms. Training camp had the Ravens practicing two or three times a day, with a largely veteran team that was hungry for a taste of success. Highlights of the season included the first win against Queen's Golden Gaels since 1974. Things were definitely starting to look up for the team, with a 28-17 win over Bishop's that placed the Ravens in second place in the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference (O-QIFC). However, the next loss (19-7) against the Gee-Gees, ended the season.

Cam Collins, Clark Oliver, Dan Petschenig, Steve Hamlin and Tom Timlin formed the nucleus of the 1983 team. An exciting see-saw battle between the Ravens and fIfth-ranked Bishop's team gave the Ravens their first win of the season. A three-game winning streak followed and wide receiver John Dawley helped to turn around the Panda Game, which the Ravens snagged 33-28. After just one season of heading up the coaching staff, Ace Powell managed to bring the Ravens to the O-QIFC playoffs.

The 1984 team was stacked with many potential CFL drafts. A 10-9 win over Queen's, which was in the midst of negotiating the establishment of an elite league with Western, Toronto and McGill, was the highlight of the season. The Ravens bulldozed over Bishop's, the third-ranked team in Canada at the time. After this game, the Bishop's coach stated, "I said at the season's start that I felt Carleton had the best team in the conference and today they went out and proved it." The Ravens were ninth in the country going into the 1984 Panda game. Predictions from NFL executives to local radio personalities pointed to a Ravens'victory. As expected, Pedro went to the Ravens. The 1984 season was the best year the Ravens had had for years. Yet no one was prepared for 1985 and 1986, the two most successful seasons in Ravens history.

The 1985 team began the season with a very balanced attack against its opponents, using the new Cam Collins-Mark Brown quarterback-wide receiver combination to fuel the offence. Fan support was at an all-time high and the Ravens took home their third Panda game in a row, a first in Ravens' history. After a 40-20 win over Bishop's in play-offs, the Birds found themselves heading to the Ontario-Quebec-conference final to meet the Concordia Stingers for the first time since the days of Coach Harris (1962). Fullback, Mark Skidmore, in his first start for Ravens scored 4 touchdowns (tied record CIS most touchdowns in a playoff game) to lead to Carleton to victory 46-21.

Everyone in Ottawa and the surrounding areas had Ravens fever as the Carleton team headed to Calgary to face the Dinosaurs in the Western Bowl (Vanier Cup semi-final). In -32C weather, the Ravens season came to an end with a 56-14 win for the Calgary Dinosaurs. However, all was not lost - the Ravens enjoyed the best season in the history of the club. They were the first to win a playoff game as well as a league championship, and the first to enter the Final Four.

The 1986 team fed off the fire of the 1985 squad. Many chose the Ravens to repeat their O-QIFC title. Mark Brown and Mark Skidmore in the backfield on fire for Five consecutive wins over Bishop's, Ottawa U., Queen's and McGill made it seem as if the Ravens were surely on their way to the Western Bowl once again. The 30-29 Panda game loss that followed was felt to be perhaps the biggest upset of the year. But the Ravens didn't let it stop them. Their 6- 1-0 record sent them to the conference semi-finals, where sweet revenge for the Panda game loss was obtained with a win over the Gee-Gees. The Ravens, the defending championship team, lost in a heartbreaking game against the Bishop's Gaiters. In 1987, the Panda came back to Carleton, but 1988 and 1989 proved to be years of famine in the land of the Ravens. Would the 1990s bring years of plenty?

### End of an era (1990-1998)

1990 marked the 45th year of football at Carleton University. Gary Shaver, a former Raven and assistant coach to Ace Powell, took over leadership in the 1989 season. Shaver began his second season with a very young and inexperienced team, as only two players were in their fourth year with the squad. The team experienced difficulties establishing an effective offence, a problem that would continue throughout the decade. However, two Ravens players, Phil Schnepf and Mark Whitton, were named to the 1990 O-QIFC all-star team.

1991 brought another win against the Ravens' cross-town rivals, and 1992 brought four new assistant coaches. Gary Shaver decided to step down as head coach in 1993. Over his four-year tenure, Shaver encouraged both the academic standards and performance of the players through individual counselling and assistance.

New coach Donn Smith had experience with championship teams and brought an air of success to the demoralized Ravens. A group of 11 Ottawa Sooners followed their former coach to Carleton, adding a new energy to the squad. These members knew what it was like to play for a winning team and their enthusiasm was contagious. Spirits began to rise after a respectable loss to McGill and a close 19-18 win over Ottawa University. During Smith's first season with the team, they beat the defending Vanier Cup champions the Queen's Golden Gaels. This win, after a 12-game losing streak, put the Ravens in a three-way tie for second place in the O-QIFC. Although the Ravens missed the playoffs that year, they were the most improved team in the conference. They doubled their offensive output from the previous season and trimmed points allowed by 71.

Expectations were high for the team going into the 1994 season. Veteran starting quarterback Sean O'Neil and Harry Van Hofwegan on defence were expected to help bring the team new success. After a longawaited Panda game win, the Ravens went on to win a match against the Gaels, however, they continued to struggle throughout 1995. Dave Bosveld, Harry Van Hofwegan (the O-QIFC outstanding lineman of the year) and Sean O'Neil (the TSN Russ Jackson Award winner) had individual successes that shed a positive light on the team.

The 1996 season was truly the high point of the decade as the Ravens started out well with wins against Laval, Ottawa, and Bishop's. This gave them the best start to a season since 1986. While sitting in first place in the conference and eighth nationally, a rainy day in Kingston brought a bitter loss against Queen's. A playoff spot was secured after winning against Laval, McGill and Concordia. For the third time that year, the Ravens would meet the Gee-Gees; this time in the O-QIFC semi-final. For the first time in almost a decade, the Ravens entered the realm of post-season play. Losing this playoff game was painful, but the Ravens could bask in the success of their first winning season in years. As a part of the restructuring of the Carleton University Department of Physical Recreation and Athletics, and the University Administration, the Ravens football team played its final game on October 31, 1998. From the small group of war veterans in 1945 to its 78-member squad in 1998, Ravens football made a memorable contribution to the rich heritage of Carleton University and to sports in the Ottawa area.

### The Old Crow Society

The Old Crow Society, established in 1963, is a group of Carleton University football alumni. With the encouragement of coach Keith Harris, Ravens veterans Jim Sevigny, Norm Jamison, Jeff White and Kim McCuaig established this group to further football at Carleton and nurture lasting team kinship. Over the years, the Old Crows have provided support through fundraising, contests and selling concessions at the home games, like Crow Burgers. The Old Crow Society held an annual dinner to honour Ravens, young and old, and to present the O-QIFC Frank Tindall Trophy for Coach of the Year, an award the Crows inaugurated in 1969. The Old Crow Society serves as the living testimony of Carleton's football legacy.

### Historical regular season results

## Revival

For a number of years, there had been movements to revive the team, but there was no real interest from the university. However, on June 25, 2009, an announcement was made that the Lansdowne Live group, which owns the Ottawa Redblacks, the new Canadian Football League team, was in negotiations with the university to bring back the football program and play at a rebuilt Frank Clair Stadium to be shared with the CFL team and the Ottawa Gee-Gees. Lansdowne Live partner and Ravens alumnus John Ruddy has pledged $2.5 million to provide funding for the program and it would follow the private partnership model that has proved successful both financially and on the field with the Regina Rams and Laval Rouge et Or teams. The program needed to raise a minimum of $5 million in pledge commitments in order to secure final approvals, and establish Old Crows Football Inc. by May 2011 for the team to start play in time for the 2012 season.

While the group closely missed the May deadline, Old Crows Football Inc. and Carleton University announced on July 6, 2011 that the program would return in 2013. The $5 million was raised and the team operates independently by Old Crows Football Inc. as a non-profit corporate entity that will fund and market the program. Renovations to the locker rooms, coaches' offices and Keith Harris Stadium will be paid for by the Old Crows. On January 16, 2012, Steve Sumarah was named the team's head coach.

The 2013 team began the new era of Ravens football on September 2 against the Western Mustangs in London, Ontario with a 71-4 loss. They would finish the season with eight losses in eight games as was expected for a program in its first year. In 2014, the Ravens earned the revived program's first win with an away victory against the Waterloo Warriors. Overall, the team finished with a 4-4 record that year, including a memorable Hail Mary Panda Game victory over the Ottawa Gee-Gees. In 2015, the Ravens qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 1996 season with a 5-3 record. They defeated the Queen's Golden Gaels in the first round, but lost to the Guelph Gryphons in the semi-finals. In 2016, the team hosted their first playoff game since 1986, with both games featuring wins over the Ottawa Gee-Gees. The team suffered a setback in 2017 as they finished with a 3-5 record and out of the playoffs. Three of their five losses were by five points or less. In 2018, the team went on to finish the regular season with a 5-3 record. This was enough to put them into the playoffs, where they lost in the semi-finals to the Western Mustangs. The 2019 season saw the Ravens go 2-4 through six games, making the last two regular season games must wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Ravens went on to upset the second place McMaster Marauders, and beat the Laurier Golden Hawks in the final two games of the season to secure a playoff spot at a 4-4 record on the season. In the quarter-final game, the Ravens lead the Guelph Gryphons 17-16 with under two minutes to play. A blocked punt by the Gryphons lead to a touchdown and a last-minute heartbreaker to end Carleton’s season.

## Traditions and rivalries

### Panda Game

In 1955, Bryan McNulty, a University of Ottawa student and associate editor for the Fulcrum, decided to promote the rivalry between his school and Carleton University. He asked a local jeweller, Jack Snow, to donate a stuffed panda that would be named "Pedro" to be used as a Gee-Gee mascot (as they had not adopted the Gee-Gee horse mascot yet). McNulty later convinced Snow to display the panda in his front window and then organized the first "Pandanapping", a ritual in which Pedro would be stolen from each campus in various ways. "Pandanapping" would progress over the years to the point where major vandalism was involved and almost jeopardized the game's future.

In a short matter of time, both Pedro and the Panda Game itself became national icons. In 1958, after a 25-0 Gee-Gee victory, Pedro went on a world tour. He made visits to McGill University in Montréal, Dalhousie University in Halifax, the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, UCLA in Los Angeles, and Alabama State University in Montgomery. It is said that Pedro was even sent to Peru, Mexico and Europe.

The game quickly became the most well-known football game in Canada behind the Grey Cup and the Vanier Cup. The attendance at the Panda Game often was higher than that of the Vanier Cup that same season.

In 1998, it was decided that Carleton University would be cancelling their football program at the end of the season after numerous years of sustained losses. This decision rendered the Panda Game tradition dead and left the Gee-Gees as the lone collegiate football team in the city for the first time in 53 years.

In 2013, the Panda Game returned to a great success. Approximately 4,000 fans packed into the brand-new Gee-Gees Field, the game resulted in the Gee-Gees getting their hands on a Pedro trophy after a dominant 35-10 win.

In 2014 the game moved back to Lansdowne, being played for the first time at TD Place.

In 2016, the Panda Game was nationally televised and had a game day attendance of 23,329 fans at the sold out TD Place, which is the highest attendance total in modern history to watch a regular season U Sports football game.

## Ravens season-by-season record

Team records since the program was revived in 2013:

## Ravens in the CFL

As of the start of the 2024 CFL season, forty-three former Ravens players have played in the CFL, seven of whom are currently on CFL teams' rosters:

- Patrick Lavoie, Edmonton (2024)

- Cedrick Lavigne, Winnipeg (2022)

- Keaton Bruggeling, Ottawa (2022–24)

- Jack Cassar, Toronto (2021–24)

- Trevor Hoyte, Toronto, Hamilton (2021–24)

- Kwabena Asare, Edmonton, Calgary, Montréal (2019–21)

- Kene Onyeka, Ottawa (2019–24)

- Michael Domagala, Hamilton, Edmonton, Ottawa (2019–23)

- Jay Dearborn, Saskatchewan (2019–21)

- Zack Annen, Montréal (2018)

- Malcolm Carter, Montréal (2018–19)

- Justin Howell, Ottawa (2018–24)

- Tunde Adeleke, Calgary, Hamilton, Toronto (2017–24)

- Emmanuel Adusei, Saskatchewan (2017–18)

- Nate Behar, Edmonton, Ottawa (2017–23)

- Nate Hamlin, BC, Edmonton (2017–18, 2022)

- Mike Homewood, Saskatchewan, Calgary (2002–04)

- Jason Kralt, BC Lions, Ottawa (1999-2005)

- Cameron Legault, Winnipeg, Calgary, BC Lions, Ottawa (1998-2006)

- Harry Van Hofwegen, Winnipeg, BC Lions, Edmonton (1996–98)

- Jason Mallett, Saskatchewan, Hamilton (1995-2003)

- Carl Coulter, BC Lions, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatchewan, Hamilton (1990-2004)

- Mike Philbrick, Ottawa, Hamilton (1990, 1994-2001)

- Moustafa Ali, Winnipeg, Calgary (1989–90)

- Bob Forest, Ottawa (1989)

- Michael Allen, Winnipeg, Ottawa, BC Lions (1988–94)

- Andrew Murray, BC Lions, Toronto, Ottawa (1988–94)

- Dan Petschenig, Toronto (1985–88)

- Lance Thompson, Hamilton (1985)

- Jim DeSilva, Ottawa (1984–85)

- Kevin Dalliday, Ottawa (1983–84)

- Gary Cook, Ottawa (1980–82)

- David Green, Toronto (1979)

- Malcolm Inglis, Ottawa (1979–81)

- Pat Stoqua, Ottawa (1979–84)

- Joe Colvey, Ottawa, Montréal, Calgary (1975–77)

- Brian Hedges, Ottawa (1976–79)

- Peter Stenerson, Ottawa (1975–82)

- Dave Montagano, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Edmonton (1974–78)

- John Kennedy, Montréal, Ottawa, BC Lions, Toronto (1971–76)

- Stu Kennedy, Ottawa (1952–53)

- Johnny Shore, Toronto (1949–54)

- Matt Robillard, Montréal, Ottawa (1952–54)*

- Benny MacDonnell, Ottawa (1949–54)*

- Frank Dunlap, Ottawa, Toronto (1945–51)*

- Jake Dunlap, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton (1945–54)*

- Don Grimes, Ottawa (1945–47)*

- Orville Burke, Ottawa, (1936–46)*

- Tony McCarthy, Ottawa (1934–47)*

(*)denotes played college football at St. Patrick’s College pre-merger with Carleton.

## National award winners

- J. P. Metras Trophy: Jim DeSilva (1983), Harry Van Hofwegen (1995)

- Presidents' Trophy: Tom Timlin (1983)

- Peter Gorman Trophy: Mark Brown (1985)

- Russ Jackson Award: Sean O'Neill (1996)

## Carleton Ravens football records

All records are as of the conclusion of the 2019 season.

### Scoring records

Most points, game

- 24 – Ross Reid, Carleton vs. York, October 27, 1969; Joe Barnabe, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, November 9, 1985; Mark Skidmore, November 16, 1985.

- 18 – Clem Chappell, Carleton vs. Laurentian, October 1, 1966; Scott Alexander, Carleton vs. Waterloo, October 13, 1973; John Dawley, Carleton vs. Ottawa, October 22, 1983; Jeff Morris, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, September 28, 1985; Leo Benvenuti, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, October 11, 1986, David Bosveld, Carleton vs. Queens 1993, Ed Joseph, Carleton vs. Laval, October 5, 1996, Nate Behar, Carleton vs. Ottawa, September 20, 2014, Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 22, 2018.

Most points, season

(Note, up until 1994, the Ravens played a 7-game schedule. From 1995 to present, they play an 8-game schedule.)

- 82 – Michael Domagala, 2015; Michael Domagala, 2016

- 76 – Michael Domagala, 2018

- 68 – Jeff Morris, 1985

- 63 – Michael Domagala, 2017

- 62 – Scott Alexander, 1973

- 61 – Michael Domagala 2014

- 57 – Jeff Morris, 1986

- 54 – Nathaniel Behar, 2016; Jayde Rowe, 2016

Most points, career

- 367 – Michael Domagala

- 228 – Jeff Morris

- 165 – Mario Arnone

- 134 – Scott Alexander

- 132 – Nathaniel Behar, Joe Barnabe

- 114 – Nathan Carter

- 96 – Gary Cook, Kyle Van Wynsberghe

- 90 – Mark Brown

Most touchdowns, game

- 4 - Ross Reid, Carleton vs. York, October 27, 1969; Joe Barnabe, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, November 9, 1985; Mark Skidmore, November 16, 1985.

- 3 – Clem Chappell, Carleton vs. Laurentian, October 1, 1966; Scott Alexander, Carleton vs. Waterloo, October 13, 1973; John Dawley, Carleton vs. Ottawa, October 22, 1983; Leo Benvenuti, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, October 11, 1986, David Bosveld, Carleton vs Queens 1993, Nate Behar, Carleton vs. Ottawa, September 20, 2014.

Most touchdowns, season

- 10 – Scott Alexander, 1973

- 9 – Nathaniel Behar, 2016; Jayde Rowe, 2016

- 8 – Bruno Dinardo, 1982; Nathaniel Behar, 2014

- 7 – Con Poulin, 1956; Tommy Mann, 1957; John Dever, 1962; Ross Reid, 1969; Gary Cook, 1977; Mark Brown, 1986; Nathaniel Behar, 2015; Nathan Carter, 2018

- 6 –Jim Sevigny, 1963; Gord Pranschke, 1965; Don Gormley, 1971; Joe Barnabe, 1983; Nathan Carter, 2017

Most touchdowns, career

- 22 – Scott Alexander; Nathaniel Behar, Joe Barnabe

- 19 – Nathan Carter

- 16 – Gary Cook; Kyle Van Wynsberghe

- 15 – Mark Brown

- 14 – Bruno Dinardo; Ross Reid, Phil Iloki

Most field goals, game

- 5 – Jeff Morris, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, September 28, 1985; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 22, 2018

- 4 – Mario Arnone, Carleton vs. McGill, 1976, Jim McMillan, Carleton vs. Concordia, September 7, 1997, Jim McMillan, Carleton vs. Laval, September 27, 1998; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 19, 2015; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Ottawa, October 3, 2015; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Ottawa, October 1, 2017

- 3 – Don “Duke” Hayes, Carleton vs. McGill, October 23, 1954; Mario Arnone, Carleton vs. Concordia, September 10, 1977; Jeff Morris, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, 1986; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, October 4, 2014; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Waterloo, September 16, 2017; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Western, August 26, 2018.

Most field goals, season

- 16 – Michael Domagala, 2015; Michael Domagala, 2018

- 14 – Michael Domagala, 2016; Michael Domagala, 2017;

- 13 – Jeff Morris, 1985; Michael Domagala, 2014

- 10 – Roy Gallo, 1979

Most field goals, career

- 70 – Michael Domagala

- 38 – Jeff Morris

- 26 – Mario Arnone

Longest field goal

- 50 – Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Western, August 26, 2018

- 48 – Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 10, 2016; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. York, October 12, 2018.

- 47 – Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Guelph, October 21, 2017

- 45 – Jim McMillan, Carleton vs. Concordia, September 12, 1998

- 44 – Jeff Morris, Carleton vs. Waterloo, September 8, 1984; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 22, 2018.

- 43 – Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Ottawa, September 20, 2014; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Ottawa, October 3, 2015; Michael Domagala, October 7, 2016

Most points after touchdown, game

- 8 – Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Windsor, September 12, 2015; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, September 10, 2014; Michael Domagala, Carleton vs. Toronto, 2016

- 7 – Don McGregor, Carleton vs. Ontario Agricultural College (Guelph), October 27, 1962; Mario Arnone, Carleton vs. RMC, 1977; Jeff Morris, Carleton vs. Bishop’s, October 11, 1986.

Most points after touchdown, season

- 35 – Michael Domagala, 2016

- 30 – Michael Domagala, 2015

- 26 – Don McGregor, 1961; Michael Domagala, 2018

- 25 – Jeff Morris, 1985; Jeff Morris, 1986

- 24 – Mario Arnone – 1974

- 22 – Michael Domagala, 2018

Most points after touchdown, career

- 132 – Michael Domagala

- 78 – Jeff Morris

- 66 – Mario Arnone

- 41 – Mike Sharp

- 26 – Don McGregor

## Notable alumni

- Carl Coulter: Played in the Canadian Football League for 15 seasons as a centre, including one-year stints with the Ottawa Rough Riders and Ottawa Renegades. He was a CFL Eastern All-star twice and a CFL All-star once. He was a member of the 87th Grey Cup champion Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

- Michael Allen: Played in the CFL for seven seasons as a defensive back and played with the Ottawa Rough Riders for two seasons. He was a three-time Grey Cup champion.

- Joe Colvey: Played in the CFL for three seasons as a defensive back and was a member of the 64th Grey Cup champion Ottawa Rough Riders.

- Frank Graves: Pollster. Played for Carleton as a lineman in 1971.

- Jason Kralt: Played in the CFL for seven seasons as a linebacker including four spent with the Ottawa Renegades. He was a member of the 88th Grey Cup champion BC Lions, but did not play in the championship game due to injury.

- Cameron Legault: Played in the CFL for eight seasons as a defensive tackle, including one year with the Ottawa Renegades. He won the 88th Grey Cup championship as a member of the BC Lions. He also won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy as the most outstanding Canadian player in the West Division.

- Michael Philbrick: Played in the CFL for nine seasons as a defensive lineman and played one game for the Ottawa Rough Riders after being drafted by the team in 1990. He was named an East Division All-star three times and was a member of the 87th Grey Cup championship team with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

- Frank McGee: Played for Carleton in the late 1940s. He went on to become a Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Minister, then a nationally-known journalist and host of a CBC news show.

- Mark Lee: Quarterback of the Ravens in the mid-to-late 1970s. Became one of Canada’s prominent sports broadcasters with Rogers Sportsnet and formerly with CBC Sports.

- Hugh Fraser: Olympic sprinter who skipped the 1978 Commonwealth Games in order to play for Carleton. He would serve on the Ontario Court of Justice and the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal.


Clara Vale

# Clara Vale

## Abstract

Clara Vale is a village situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in Tyne and Wear, England. Once an independent village in County Durham it became incorporated into the new metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear in 1974 as part of the Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead.

## Location

Clara Vale stands on the south bank of the River Tyne in a low-lying and quite secluded spot. Crawcrook borders the hamlet to the south. Across the river (in Northumberland) are Close House to the north and the village of Wylam to the west. It is notable for being the first settlement in Tyne and Wear that the river Tyne passes after leaving Northumberland.

## Politics

In local government, Clara Vale is located in the 'Crawcrook, Greenside ward' of Gateshead Council. The ward is at the far west of Gateshead and borders part of Northumberland. The ward is served by three councillors (three Labour). Gateshead Council is Labour controlled.

Clara Vale is located within the parliamentary constituency of Blaydon. Its current MP is Labour's Liz Twist.

## History

Before the colliery and village were developed, a water-driven corn mill called Crawcrook Mill stood near the centre of the current village, with two small stone cottages and a mill dam apparently fed from Edington Well. This 'pot-pie' well is damaged but still stands near the road to the south of the village.

Stannerford Road is the only vehicular route into Clara Vale, named after a former ford across the River Tyne which it led to, linking Crawcrook to the south and Heddon-on-the-Wall to the north.

Maps from 1850 show a farmhouse called Stanner (or Stannar) House, which was later divided into two dwellings and demolished in the mid 1960s.

Clara Vale was purpose built as a colliery community by the Stella Coal Company around the time the coal mine was opened in July 1893. The colliery and settlement were named after the wife of colliery owner John Bell Simpson, Clara was Atkinson (née Draper). There are early references to Claraville and some old maps refer to the village as Claravale.

An Anglican 'tin tabernacle', the Church of the Good Shepherd stood in the centre of the village from 1886 to 1979. Two successive miners' institutes were on adjacent land, the last being demolished in the early 1990s. The village school educated children from ages 5-14 between 1898 to 1962. A community association took over the running of the building in 1967, establishing it as a volunteer-run community centre and village hall.

A peak of 1221 employees were recorded at the colliery in 1925, declining to 562 in 1965, shortly before closure in February 1966 (around the same time as many other nearby pits such as Emma, Greenside and Stargate).

Like many former pit communities, Clara Vale was then given 'Category D' status by Durham County Council, meaning capital investment was discouraged and the settlement was expected to decline over time.

Many derelict colliery buildings remained until demolition in the 1980s, though the original ambulance shed remains. The former pithead baths building was repurposed for use by a succession of light industrial companies, and was a sound recording studio for some years. It was damaged and ultimately destroyed by fires in the 2010s.

## Modern-day Clara Vale

By avoiding the suburbanisation experienced by nearby towns and villages such as Crawcrook, Greenside and Ryton. Clara Vale has largely retained its rural character, with farms and countryside surrounding the village. This includes a Local Nature Reserve on the site of the old colliery, actively managed by the volunteers of Clara Vale Conservation Group to promote biodiversity.

Clara Vale has very little in the way of modern development. A bungalow was built on the site of the former village shop in 1984 and in 1997 a short terraced street was built, more in the traditional style of the village. The former Co-Op building (dating from around 1900) stood empty for decades but was converted to flats in the mid 2010s. Also around that time, the Methodist chapel was converted to a private residence and the adjacent Sunday school was converted to an Airbnb holiday rental.

The village hall benefited from some refurbishment in the early 21st century and offers a range of activities and amenities including room hire for sports and events, various groups and classes, community meals and occasional music and theatre events. In the 2010s, part of the village hall was converted to small office units which are leased out, providing regular income to maintain the whole building.

Clara Vale has no shops, having over recent years been served by a mobile greengrocer, butcher, fishmonger and wholefoods supplier. Nearby Crawcrook, Ryton and Wylam offer a range of shops and services within walking distance; so whilst Clara Vale remains secluded, it is by no means isolated.

## Sport

The village recreation ground was originally provided by the pit owners for the miners' welfare, originally including a bowling green and tennis courts. These became derelict and were subsumed by the local nature reserve, but the football pitch, cricket pitch and pavilion remain in active use. Clara Vale Cricket Club play matches there on Saturdays during the Summer, with Ovingham Bridge End Cricket Club playing on some Sundays and Merz and McLellan Cricket Club on some Wednesday evenings. Ryton and Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club also use the football pitch.

Ryton Golf Club, to the north edge of the village, was established in 1891 (on riverside land known as Doctors Stanners), expanding in 1982 to use the former sites of allotment gardens and colliery railway works. Tyneside Golf Club is based in Ryton but its course borders Clara Vale's eastern edge. Close House golf club is to the north, over the river.


CCDC47

# CCDC47

## Abstract

Coiled-coil domain 47 (CCDC47) is a gene located on human chromosome 17, specifically locus 17q23.3 which encodes for the protein PAT complex subunit CCDC47. The protein itself contains coiled-coil domains, the SEEEED superfamily, a domain of unknown function (DUF1682) and a transmembrane domain. The function of the protein is unknown, but it has been proposed that CCDC47 is involved in calcium ion homeostasis and the endoplasmic reticulum overload response.

## Gene

The CCDC47 gene itself is located on the minus strand of human chromosome 17 and contains 13 exon splice sites and 14 distinct introns. After removal of exons, the gene is 3445 base pairs in length. No evidence for micro RNA or pseudogenes has been found. The gene does not have various isoforms, only transcript variant 1X exists.

## Protein

### Structure

The protein encoded by CCDC47 is 483 amino acids in length and contains both a signal peptide and transmembrane domain. It is rich in negatively charged amino acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid giving it an acidic isoelectric point of 4.56. The protein is also rich in methionine. In total, it weighs 55.9 kDal which is conserved through various orthologs. CCDC47 also contains the SEEEED superfamily and domain of unknown function 1682 (DUF1682). The SEEEED superfamily is a short, low complexity region which is composed mainly of serine. The family routinely lies on the clathrin adaptor complex 3 beta-1 subunit proteins. The exact function of DUF 1682 is unclear but one member of the family has been described as an adipocyte-specific protein.

There are two predicted disulfide bonds in the structure of CCDC47 at cysteines 209 to 214 and cysteines 215 to 283, respectively. The C-terminal portion of the protein is highly charged and its secondary structure is predicted to be that of an alpha helix region. This region also contains coiled coil domains which are structural motifs in which 2-7 alpha helices are coiled together and are subsequently involved in biological expression. These domains typically follow the pattern HxxHCxC where H is a hydrophobic amino acid, C is a charged amino acid and x is any amino acid. Many amino acid sequences following this pattern are seen in the C-terminal region of CCDC47 where the highest conservation through orthologs is represented.

### Regulation and translation

CCDC47 is regulated by the promoter GXP43413. The promoter is 819 base pairs in length and is highly conserved in mammals. Conserved binding sites in mammals which are located on this promoter include nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), PAR bZIP family and Sp4 Transcription Factor. NRF1 encodes a protein which homodimerizes and activates expression of key metabolic genes. CREB binds to cAMP response elements thereby increasing or decreasing the transcription of downstream genes while PAR bZIP family is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms. In regards to the mRNA, translation begins at base pair 337 and ends at 1728. There is a strong stem loop located in the 5' UTR from bases 289-318 which likely is involved in regulation of the mRNA due to its close proximity to the start codon.

### Cellular distribution

The final protein is thought to be translated from the endoplasmic reticulum into the cytoplasm of the cell. The protein is anchored in the membrane of the ER at the transmembrane domain located from amino acid 137 to 165. The portion of the protein which extends into the cytosol is predicted to be highly phosphorylated as the protein's phosphorylation sites are conserved into the bony fish orthologs. Research has shown that CCDC47 is expressed in the response to an ER overload making this close proximity to the ER important.

### Post translational modification

In addition to the high levels of phosphorylation seen in CCDC47, three sulfation sites are predicted and conserved in mammals, reptiles and birds but not in fish, amphibians or invertebrates. Five potential sumoylation sites are also seen and conserved back to the bony fish. There is no glycosylation of the protein as it is not predicted to extend into the extracellular space.

## Expression

Microarray tissue expression patterns from GEO were analyzed and showed that CCDC47 appears to be an ubiquitously expressed at moderate levels in many different human tissues. Although the protein is ubiquitously expressed, the highest levels of expression are seen in neuronal tissues such as the superior cervical ganglion, brain amygdala and ciliary ganglion. Elevated expression is also seen in the thyroid and CD34 cells.

## Homology

CCDC47 has no known paralogs through text based queries, BLAST and BLAT. The gene has many orthologs extending back to invertebrates such as C. elegans and is highly conserved in mammals with a percent identity greater than 95%. CCDC47 has been sequenced in a wide taxonomy of organisms including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, bony fish and invertebrates. Percent identity of human CCDC47 to a specific ortholog declines with increasing years of divergence, as expected. Homologous genes of CCDC47 are also present in mosquitos, mushrooms, arabidopsis and Asian rice. These homologs contain the same DUF1682 which is found in CCDC47.


# January 8–10, 2024 North American storm complex

## Abstract

A large and robust storm system, unofficially named Winter Storm Finn by The Weather Channel, brought widespread impacts to much of the contiguous United States early in January 2024. In the northern United States, heavy snow, hail, and gusty winds affected areas from the Great Plains to New England. In the southern United States, a widespread tornado outbreak along the Gulf Coast caused two fatalities and numerous injuries.

## Meteorological synopsis

On January 2, 2024, meteorologists from the Storm Prediction Center began tracking a large upper-level trough forecast to move across the United States, with multiple embedded shortwave perturbations. By January 4, evidence of strong surface cyclogenesis pointed towards an intensifying and negatively tilted trough in the south, with a strong surface-low response to the north. These elements were conducive to strong thunderstorms across the country, with intensifying winter storm potential across the north and discrete supercell formation in the southeast. By January 5 as forecast, a powerful winter storm formed in the Gulf of Alaska from the trough, which dove southwards through British Columbia and the Western United States. The now mid-latitude cyclone then moved eastwards, bringing blizzard conditions to the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains on January 7. Six states recorded whiteout conditions during this time. The storm continued to intensify and further severe weather in the east was forecast—more specifically, strong shortwaves from the initial trough were predicted to become robust and affect the south-southeast portions of the United States, as well as create wind-threats for the east coast.

During the early morning hours of January 8, a powerful mid-level shortwave trough was observed moving east across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This feature initiated blizzard conditions and heavy snow across Southeast Colorado, the Raton Mesa of northeast New Mexico and far western Kansas. As the storm moved east on January 8 and 9th, the cyclone remained negatively tilted, and formed a tornado outbreak in the Deep South, whilst portions of Indiana recorded record low pressure. Strong mid-level to low-level flow contributed to extreme weather, allowing storms to mature at the mesoscale, with strong moisture return near the coast, and CAPE values in excess of 500-1000 j/kg. The strongest tornado from the outbreak formed near the coast of Panama City, FL, moving on shore and producing EF3 damage.

screw you, Ponyo

## Impact

Across the United States, over 600,000 customers lost power and 7,000 flights were cancelled.

### Western United States

Due to the winter storm in the Sierra Nevada, chains were required for driving on I-80 and US 50. I-80 was also briefly closed. In Reno, Nevada, around 27,000 customers briefly lost power. Heavy snow also fell in Coconino County, Arizona, with Forest Lakes receiving 14 in (36 cm) of snow. Portions of I-40 and SR 89A shut down due to the snow.

On January 7, in Colorado, I-70 was closed from Watkins, Colorado to the Kansas state line due to the storm. High winds were also reported in the region, with winds in Colorado gusted up to 80 mph (130 km/h), while winds in the state of New Mexico reached 76 mph (122 km/h). Snowfall totals in the state of Colorado reached up to 21 in (53 cm) in Wolf Creek Pass.

### Midwest

As the storm continued on January 8, many highways were closed in Kansas, including significant portions of I-70, K-4, K-149, K-15 and US 56. Visibility in Kansas due to the blizzard dropped as low as 15 feet (4.6 m). Portions of I-80 in Nebraska also closed due to the snowfall. Blizzard conditions also occurred in the Texas Panhandle, where 4 in (10 cm) of snow fell in Dalhart and winds gusted up to 70 mph (110 km/h). Further south, the storm resulted in a leak at NRG Stadium before the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship.

Record snowfall fell in Des Moines on January 9, with 8.3 in (21 cm) of snow, with the event total being 11.2 in (28 cm). Portions of Iowa recorded 15 in (38 cm) of snow. Snow was lighter in the Chicago metropolitan area, with a peak of around 3.5 in (8.9 cm); the snowfall resulted in a ground stop at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Slushy roads led to two fatalities in the Midwest – one in Wisconsin and one in Michigan.

### Northeast

The storm resulted in flooding across the Northeastern US. The Delaware River in Philadelphia exceeded its all time crest record. The severe storms also produced over 4 in (100 mm) of rain in spots. The storm resulted in 110,000 customers losing power in New York, 70,000 customers losing power in Pennsylvania, 56,000 customers losing power in New Jersey, and 28,000 customers losing power in Maine. Dozens of Amtrak trains were cancelled due to the storm. An evacuation order was briefly issued along the Yantic River in Norwich, Connecticut due to a partial dam failure from the heavy rain. The National Park Service shut down parts of Fire Island National Seashore due to flooding. Flooding also resulted in Lodi Public Schools canceling school on January 10. High winds also affected the Northeast, with a peak gust of 95 mph (153 km/h) at Isle au Haut, Maine. Parts of Acadia National Park closed due to the storm, and the park suffered heavy damage. Reid State Park in Maine was also shut down due to the storm. Western New York was hit hard by high winds, with winds gusting to 74 mph (119 km/h) in Dunkirk and 78 mph (126 km/h) in Watertown; the National Weather Service 's Buffalo office warned in an Area Forecast Discussion that gusts from the southeast descending from Tug Hill could reach "potentially generational" levels.

## Tornado outbreak

Severe weather tore through the southeastern United States on January 8 into January 9th, resulting in 4 fatalities, with 2 of them being tornadic: one each in Alabama and North Carolina. Additional non-tornadic fatalities occurred in the states of Alabama and Georgia. The first January EF3 or stronger tornado in Florida history occurred. The tornado outbreak led to a ground stops at Orlando International Airport.

### Confirmed tornadoes

#### Graceville, Florida/Cottonwood–Gordon, Alabama

This large, long-tracked tornado developed over remote swampland north of Chipley, Florida in Jackson County and moved north-northeastward along Hickshill Road at EF1 intensity, snapping or uprooting trees and damaging an outbuilding. The tornado then turned northeastward, continuing to damage trees along with the roof of a double-wide mobile home along Piano Road. Continuing northeastward, the tornado continued to snap and uprooted trees and damaged another outbuilding. South of Graceville along SR 77, the tornado damaged homes, blew out the windows of a mobile home, heavily damaged or destroyed outbuildings, and snapped or uprooted countless trees. It also destroyed a pair of 90-foot-tall (27 m) concrete silos along Cliff Road. Southeast of town, more trees were snapped or uprooted and a home along CR 169 suffered considerable roof damage in this area. Another home along Shiloh Church Loop also suffered significant roof damage to the east of Graceville. The tornado then crossed SR 2, snapping or uprooting more trees and causing minor roof damage to another home before moving over open terrain, where little if any damage occurred. Right before crossing the Florida – Alabama state line, the tornado inflicted minor roof damage to a small business along with minor damage to an outbuilding as it crossed US 231.

Continuing northeastward, the tornado then crossed the state line into Houston County, Alabama while still at EF1 intensity. South of Madrid, the tornado struck a large McLane Company warehouse, which had multiple exterior walls blown out. Many trees were snapped or uprooted, and a power pole was damaged. Beyond this point, several houses, mobile homes, and outbuildings had roofing material torn off, a few power poles were snapped, and countless trees were snapped or uprooted along this segment of the path as well. The tornado briefly reached EF2 intensity as it approached Cottonwood, completely destroying a well-anchored mobile home. The tornado then moved directly through Cottonwood, where several homes and businesses had major roof damage, and one business in the downtown area sustained a total collapse of its front masonry wall. A couple of churches also had roof and window damage and a metal building was left with a large dent in it and had wall panels removed. Much of the peak damage in Cottonwood was rated EF1, but a small area of EF2 damage occurred along SR 53, where a two-story house had its roof torn off. Another area of EF2 damage occurred as the tornado left the town when it leveled a cinderblock Moose Lodge building and a third area of EF2 damage occurred from large trees being snapped. The tornado continued northeastward, continuing to snap trees with a mobile home suffering minor damage. The tornado then briefly reached its peak intensity of high-end EF2 along September Road where a double-wide mobile home was leveled, resulting in a fatality. After moving over another area of open terrain, the tornado caused EF1 tree damage along Creek Church Road. A small outbuilding was also knocked over and at least one power pole was snapped. After crossing US 84 at EF0 strength, the tornado caused some additional tree damage. One final area of EF1 damage occurred along Ed Tolar Road, where a home suffered minor roof damage before the tornado dissipated as it reached CR 95 northwest of Gordon.

The tornado traveled 34.76 miles (55.94 km) and reached a width of 1,000 yards (910 m). One person was killed, and five others were injured.


The Beatles discography

# The Beatles discography

## Abstract

Worldwide, the British rock band the Beatles released 12 studio albums (17 in the US), 5 live albums, 51 compilation albums, 36 extended plays (EPs), 63 singles, 17 box sets, 22 video albums and 53 music videos. In their native United Kingdom, during their active existence as a band, they released 12 studio albums (including 1 double album), 1 compilation album, 13 EPs (including 1 double EP), and 22 singles (including 4 double A-sided singles). The early albums and singles released from 1962 to March 1968 were originally on Parlophone, and their albums and singles from August 1968 to 1970 were on their subsidiary label Apple. Their output also includes vault items, remixed mash-ups and anniversary box-sets.

The Beatles are the biggest selling band of all time, selling over 500 million records.

With the first CD releases of their albums in 1987 and 1988, the Beatles' core catalogue was harmonised worldwide to encompass their 12 original UK studio albums, the 1967 US Magical Mystery Tour album and the newly assembled Past Masters: Volumes One and Two compilation albums consisting of all the studio recordings released during 1962 to 1970 that are not present on the UK studio albums or Magical Mystery Tour (mainly non-album singles, B-sides and EP tracks). When the core catalogue was reissued in remastered editions in 2009, the two volumes of Past Masters were combined into one double album. Since then, other past releases have been reissued in digital formats and on vinyl. The catalogue is currently distributed by Universal Music Enterprises ' Calderstone Productions. This core catalogue contains all 217 tracks intended for commercial release, either as album tracks, EP tracks, or singles, that were put out by the Beatles from 1962 to 1970.

The Beatles' international discography is more complicated due to different versions of their albums sometimes being released in other countries, particularly during their early years on Capitol Records in North America. Prior to 1967, it was common practice for British releases to be reconfigured for the American market. The first seven British Beatles albums were converted into ten LPs for the American market, adding material from singles and the UK EPs; the band were unhappy with these reconfigurations. With the exception of Magical Mystery Tour, studio releases from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967 forward were uniform in both the UK and the US. The band's first eight albums were released on Parlophone. From 1968, in both the UK and the US, starting with the single " Hey Jude " and the album The Beatles (better known as "the White Album"), new releases appeared on the Beatles' own Apple record label, although Parlophone and Capitol catalogue numbers continued to be used for contractual reasons.

The Beatles' discography was originally released on the vinyl format, with full-length long plays (LPs), shorter EPs and singles. Over the years, the collection has also been released on cassette, 8-track, compact disc (CD), on a USB flash drive in MP3 and 24-bit FLAC format, and on digital media streaming services. The Beatles' UK discography was first released on CD in 1987 and 1988. Between 1962 and 1968, the Beatles released their songs in both mono and stereo versions. The band's catalogue was remastered in both mono and stereo in 2009.

## Albums

### Standardised studio albums

Since the first release of their music on CD during 1987–1988, the Beatles' studio albums have been standardised worldwide to the following albums:

- Please Please Me (original UK album)

- With the Beatles (original UK album)

- A Hard Day's Night (original UK album)

- Beatles for Sale (original UK album)

- Help! (original UK album)

- Rubber Soul (original UK album)

- Revolver (original UK album)

- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (original UK and US album)

- Magical Mystery Tour (original US album)

- The Beatles ("The White Album") (original UK and US album)

- Yellow Submarine (original UK and US album)

- Abbey Road (original UK and US album)

- Let It Be (original UK and US album)

- Past Masters (see Compilation albums; compiles all studio recordings the Beatles commercially released during 1962–1970 that do not appear on the thirteen previously listed albums)

## Flexi discs

The Beatles released seven consecutive Christmas records on flexi disc for members of their UK and US fan clubs, from 1963 to 1969, ranging in length between 3:58 and 7:48. These short collections had a mix of spoken and musical messages for their official fan clubs.

## Other appearances

The Beatles notably very rarely appear on compilation albums with other artists.

## Videography

### Other TV appearances


LGBT rights in Africa

# LGBT rights in Africa

## Abstract

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Africa are generally poor in comparison to the Americas, Western Europe and Oceania.

As of June 2024, homosexuality is outlawed in 30 out of the 54 African states recognised by the United Nations or African Union. Human Rights Watch notes that another two countries, Benin and the Central African Republic, do not outlaw homosexuality, but have some laws which discriminate against homosexual individuals. Many of the laws that criminalize homosexuality are colonial-era laws. Most states which have legalised homosexuality do not have legislation specifically protecting homosexuals from discrimination in areas of life such as employment.

Homosexuality has never been criminalised in Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, and Rwanda, and was decriminalised in Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, the Seychelles and South Africa. However, in six of these countries (Benin, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Congo, Niger and Madagascar), the age of consent is higher for same-sex sexual relations than for opposite-sex ones. Namibia was the most recent country in Africa to decriminalize homosexuality.

In November 2006, South Africa became the first country in Africa and the fifth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. In May 2023, the Supreme Court of Namibia ruled foreign same-sex marriages must be recognized equally to heterosexual marriages. LGBT anti-discrimination laws exist in ten African countries: Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and South Africa.

In some of the countries with criminal punishments for homosexuality, governments have recently been enforcing the law more harshly, and many legislators have recently proposed stricter sentences for same-sex activity. Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023, which allows the death sentence for certain types of consensual same-sex activities, has attracted international attention.

Since 2011, some developed countries have been considering or implementing laws that limit or prohibit general budget support to countries that restrict the rights of LGBT people. In spite of this, many African countries have refused to consider increasing LGBT rights, and in some cases have drafted laws to increase sanctions against LGBT people. Past African leaders such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni claimed that LGBT behaviour was brought into the continent from other parts of the world. Nevertheless, most scholarship and research demonstrates that homosexuality has long been a part of various African cultures.

## Overview

In a 2011 UN General Assembly declaration for LGBT rights, state parties were given a chance to express their support, opposition or abstention on the topic. Only Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritius, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and South Africa expressed their support. A majority of African countries expressed their opposition. State parties that expressed abstention were Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of the Congo, and Zambia.

In southern Somalia, Somaliland, Mauritania, northern Nigeria, and Uganda, homosexuality results in death penalty. In Sudan, Gambia, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone, offenders can receive life imprisonment for homosexual acts, although the law is not enforced in Sierra Leone. In addition to criminalizing homosexuality, Nigeria has enacted legislation that would make it illegal for heterosexual family members, allies and friends of LGBT people to be supportive. According to Nigerian law, a heterosexual ally "who administers, witnesses, abets or aids" any form of gender non-conforming and homosexual activity could receive a 10-year jail sentence.

The Republic of South Africa has the most liberal attitudes toward gays and lesbians, as the country has legalized same-sex marriage and its Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian rights and protections. South Africa is the only country in Africa where any form of discrimination against the LGBT community is constitutionally forbidden. In 2006, South Africa became the first country in Africa and the fifth in the world to enact same-sex marriage. Discrimination is, however, far rarer in bigger cities, and there are large LGBT communities in cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, East London, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Pietermaritzburg, Kimberley and George. South Africa's three largest cities, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, are considered fairly accepting of the LGBT community and are promoted as tourist destinations for LGBT people. However, despite legal recognition, social discrimination against South African LGBT people does still occur, particularly in rural areas, where it is fueled by a number of religious figures and traditions. Spanish, Portuguese, British and French territories legalised same-sex marriages.

Travel advisories encourage gay and lesbian travelers to use discretion whilst in Africa to ensure their personal safety, including by avoiding public displays of affection (advice which applies to both homosexual and heterosexual couples). South Africa is generally considered to be the most gay-friendly African country in respect of the legal status of LGBT rights, although other nations such as Namibia, Cape Verde, Mauritius, Seychelles, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and Rwanda are also frequently regarded as being very socially tolerant and accepting of LGBT rights.

## History of male homosexuality in Africa

### Ancient history

#### Egypt

It remains unclear what view the ancient Egyptians fostered about homosexuality. Any document and literature that actually contains sexually oriented stories never names the nature of the sexual deeds but instead uses stilted and flowery paraphrases. Ancient Egyptian documents never clearly say that same-sex relationships were seen as reprehensible or despicable. No ancient Egyptian document mentions that homosexual acts were set under penalty. Thus, a straight evaluation remains problematic.

The best-known case of possible homosexuality in ancient Egypt is that of the two high officials Nyankh-Khnum and Khnum-hotep. Both men lived and served under pharaoh Niuserre during the 5th Dynasty (c. 2494–2345 BC). Nyankh-Khnum and Khnum-hotep each had families of their own with children and wives, but when they died their families apparently decided to bury them together in one and the same mastaba tomb. In this mastaba, several paintings depict both men embracing each other and touching their faces nose-on-nose. These depictions leave plenty of room for speculation, because in ancient Egypt the nose-on-nose touching normally represented a kiss.

Egyptologists and historians disagree about how to interpret the paintings of Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep. Some scholars believe that the paintings reflect an example of homosexuality between two married men and prove that the ancient Egyptians accepted same-sex relationships. Other scholars disagree and interpret the scenes as an evidence that Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep were twins, even possibly conjoined twins. No matter what interpretation is correct, the paintings show at the very least that Nyankh-khnum and Khnum-hotep must have been very close to each other in life as in death.

The Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD is said to have exterminated a large number of "effeminate priests" based in Alexandria.

### Modern history

#### North Africa

North Africa contained some of the most visible and well-documented traditions of homosexuality in the world – particularly during the period of Mamluk rule. Arabic poetry emerging from cosmopolitan and literate societies frequently described the pleasures of pederastic relationships. There are accounts of Christian boys being sent from Europe to become sex workers in Egypt. In Cairo, cross-dressing men called " khawal " would entertain audiences with song and dance (potentially of pre-Islamic origin).

The Siwa Oasis in Egypt was described by several early twentieth century travellers as a place where same-sex sexual relationships were quite common. A group of warriors in this area were known for paying reverse dowries to younger men; a practice that was outlawed in the 1940s.

Siegfried Frederick Nadel wrote about the Nuba tribes in Sudan the late 1930s. He noted that among the Otoro, a special transvestitic role existed whereby men dressed and lived as women. Transvestitic homosexuality also existed amongst the Moru, Nyima, and Tira people, and reported marriages of Korongo londo and Mesakin tubele for the bride price of one goat. In the Korongo and Mesakin tribes, Nadel reported a common reluctance among men to abandon the pleasure of all-male camp life for the fetters of permanent settlement.

#### East Africa

Gender-nonconforming and homosexuality has been reported in a number of East African societies. In pre-colonial East Africa there have been examples of male priests in traditional religions dressing as women. British social anthropologist Rodney Needham has described such a religious leadership role called "mugawe" among the Meru people and of Kenya, which included wearing women's clothes and hairstyle. Mugawe are frequently homosexual, and sometimes are formally married to a man.

A similar role is played by some men within the Swahili-speaking Mashoga —who often take on women's names and cook and clean for their husbands.

##### Ethiopia

In Ethiopian history, the recognition of same-sex activity is generally obscure, which means little evidence left for scholarly research. However, The Life and Struggles of Our Mother Wälättä P̣eṭros (1672) is the first reference of homosexuality between nuns in Ethiopian literature. In the country’s Constitution's Article 629, same-sex activity is criminalized with up to 15 years to life imprisonment.

According to the Pew Research Center in 2007, 97% of Ethiopians said that homosexuality is a way of life that society should not accept, marking the highest level of rejection after Mali. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church plays a significant role in maintaining society’s opinion against homosexuality, and some members form anti-gay movements. One of them is "Zim Anlem" founded by Dereje Negash, who is strongly affiliated with the Church.

Among the Maale people of southern Ethiopia, historian Donald Donham documented "a small minority crossed over to feminine roles. Called "ashtime", these (biological) males dressed like women, performed female tasks, cared for their own houses, and apparently had sexual relations with men". They were also protected by the king.

##### Uganda

Similarly to neighbouring Kenya, Burundi, male homosexual relations were acknowledged and tolerated in precolonial Ugandan society. Among the Baganda, Uganda's largest ethnic group, homosexuality was usually treated with indifference. The Luganda term abasiyazi refers to homosexuals, though usage nowadays is commonly pejorative. Among the Lango people, mudoko dako individuals were believed to form a " third gender " alongside male and female. The mudoko dako were effeminate men, mostly treated by Langi society as women and could marry other men without social sanctions. Homosexuality was also acknowledged among the Teso, Bahima, Banyoro, and Karamojong peoples. Societal acceptance eroded after the arrival of the British and the creation of the Protectorate of Uganda.

##### Kenya

Swedish anthropologist Felix Bryk reported active (i.e., insertive), and also mentioned "homo-erotic bachelors" among the pastoralist Nandi and Maragoli (Wanga). The Nandi as well as the Maasai would sometimes cross-dress as women during initiation ceremonies.

#### West Africa

The Dagaaba people, who lived in Burkina Faso, believed that homosexual men were able to mediate between the spirit and human worlds. They also believed that gender was based on the energy of a person rather than that of anatomy.

#### Southern Africa

Writing in the 19th century about the area of today's southwestern Zimbabwe, David Livingstone asserted that the monopolization of women by elderly chiefs was essentially responsible for the "immorality" practised by younger men. Edwin W. Smith and A. Murray Dale mention one Ila-speaking man who dressed as a woman, did women's work, lived and slept among, but not with, women. The Ila label "mwaami" they translated as "prophet". They also mentioned that pederasty was not rare, "but was considered dangerous because of the risk that the boy will become pregnant".

Marc Epprecht's review of 250 court cases from 1892 to 1923 found cases from the beginnings of the records. The five 1892 cases all involved black Africans. A defense offered was that "sodomy" was part of local "custom". In one case a chief was summoned to testify about customary penalties and reported that the penalty was a fine of one cow, which was less than the penalty for adultery. Over the entire period, Epprecht found the balance of black and white defendants proportional to that in the population. He notes, however, only what came to the attention of the courts—most consensual relations in private did not necessarily provoke notice. Some cases were brought by partners who had been dropped or who had not received promised compensation from their former sexual partner. And although the norm was for the younger male to lie supine and not show any enjoyment, let alone expect any sexual mutuality, Epprecht found a case in which a pair of black males had stopped their sexual relationship out of fear of pregnancy, but one wanted to resume taking turns penetrating each other.

#### Malawi

Demone talks about how Malawi culture does not value homosexuality as something acceptable in their culture. British Colonial rule included laws against homosexuality, which influenced later government policies. Although Malawi gained its independence from Britain in 1964, Malawi officials kept their anti-homosexuality laws enforced.

In 2010, there was a case in Malawi about a man named Steven Monjeza Soko and a transgender woman, named Tiwonge Chimbalanga Kachepa, who had an engagement ceremony, were caught by the Malawi Police and charged. The court denied bail and sentenced both Soko and Kachepa to prison. The court did not have evidence of sexual activity and based the sentence on the grounds that Soko and Kachepa had the ceremony.

In Malawi prisons, there is documented homosexual behavior. During 1980s and early 1990s, President Hasting Kamuzu Banda ignored the massive rise in of HIV/AIDS. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Malawians became increasingly educated on HIV/AIDS, but they associated it with homosexual behavior.

#### Morocco

Nicholas Hersh reports how in Morocco, LGBTQ asylum-seekers and refugees fear for their lives due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Queer Moroccan Refugees experience social discrimination, violence including rape and imprisonment. Queer Moroccan Refugees who have been outed in their communities may experience poverty and may resort to sex in exchange for housing.

## Public opinion

### Views of African leaders on homosexuality

The former president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, was uncompromising in his opposition to LGBT rights in Zimbabwe. In September 1995, Zimbabwe's parliament introduced legislation banning homosexual acts. In 1997, a court found Canaan Banana, Mugabe's predecessor and the first President of Zimbabwe, guilty of 11 counts of sodomy and indecent assault. Mugabe has previously referred to LGBT people as being "worse than dogs and pigs".

In the Gambia, former President Yahya Jammeh led the call for legislation that would set laws against homosexuals that would be "stricter than those in Iran ", and that he would "cut off the head" of any gay or lesbian person discovered in the country. News reports indicated his government intended to execute all homosexuals in the country. In the speech given in Tallinding, Jammeh gave a "final ultimatum" to any gays or lesbians in the Gambia to leave the country. In a speech to the United Nations on 27 September 2013, Jammeh said that "omosexuality in all its forms and manifestations which, though very evil, antihuman as well as anti-Allah, is being promoted as a human right by some powers", and that those who do so "want to put an end to human existence". In 2014, Jammeh called homosexuals "vermins" by saying that "We will fight these vermins called homosexuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively". He also went on to disparage LGBT people by saying that "As far as I am concerned, LGBT can only stand for Leprosy, Gonorrhoea, Bacteria and Tuberculosis; all of which are detrimental to human existence". In 2015, in defiance of western criticism Jammeh intensified his anti-gay rhetoric, telling a crowd during an agricultural tour: "If you do it I will slit your throat—if you are a man and want to marry another man in this country and we catch you, no one will ever set eyes on you again, and no white person can do anything about it."

In Uganda there were recent efforts to institute the death penalty for homosexuality until March 22, 2023, where gay sex is punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment. British newspaper The Guardian reported that President Yoweri Museveni "appeared to add his backing" to the legislative effort by, among other things, claiming "European homosexuals are recruiting in Africa", and saying gay relationships were against God's will. In a 2014 interview with CNN, Museveni described homosexuals as "disgusting", saying that their acts are "unnatural" and that he would be able to ignore them if it was proven that " is born that way". He also said that he had appointed a group of scientists in Uganda to determine if homosexuality was a learned orientation. This led to widespread criticism from the scientific community, with an academic of the National Institutes of Health calling on his Ugandan counterparts to reconsider their findings. And as of March 22, 2023, Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023 to make it illegal to identify as LGBT and made it punishable with life imprisonment, and imposes the death penalty for aggravated gay sex.

Abune Paulos, the late Patriarch of the ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which has a very strong influence in Christian Ethiopia, stated homosexuality is an animal-like behavior that must be punished.

Chad in 2017 passed a law criminalizing sodomy. Previously, the country never had any laws against consensual same-sex activity. Conversely, some African states like Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles have abolished sodomy laws in the 21st century. Legalization is proposed in some African states like Eswatini, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Togo, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Gabon passed a law criminalizing sodomy in 2019 and reversed its decision by once again decriminalizing homosexuality a year later in 2020.

### Marriage

### Adoption


Seneca

# Seneca

## Abstract

Seneca may refer to:

## People, fictional characters and language

- Seneca (name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname

- Seneca the Elder (c. 54 BC – c. AD 39), a Roman rhetorician, writer and father of the stoic philosopher Seneca

- Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BC – AD 65), a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist

- Seneca people, one of the six Iroquois tribes, native to the area south of Lake Ontario (present day New York state) Seneca language, the language of the Seneca people

- Seneca language, the language of the Seneca people

## Places

### United States

#### New York State

- Seneca County, New York

- Seneca Falls, New York

- Seneca Village, New York, a former settlement in Manhattan that was displaced to create Central Park

#### Other communities

- Seneca, California, an unincorporated community

- Seneca, Illinois, a village

- Seneca, Kansas, a city

- Seneca, Keweenaw County, Michigan, an unincorporated community

- Seneca, Maryland, an unincorporated community

- Seneca, Missouri, a city

- Seneca, Nebraska, a village

- Seneca, New Mexico, an unincorporated community

- Seneca, New York, a town in Ontario County

- Seneca, Oregon, a city

- Seneca, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place

- Seneca, South Carolina, a city

- Seneca, South Dakota, a town

- Seneca, Wisconsin (disambiguation), various places

- Seneca County, Ohio

- Seneca Township (disambiguation)

#### Water features

- Seneca Creek (North Fork South Branch Potomac River), West Virginia

- Seneca Creek (Potomac River), Maryland

- Seneca Lake (New York), the largest of the Finger Lakes

- Senecaville Lake or Seneca Lake, Ohio, a reservoir

- Seneca River (New York), the outlet of Seneca Lake

- Seneca River (South Carolina)

#### Other United States

- Seneca Army Depot, Seneca County, New York

- Seneca Caverns (Ohio)

- Seneca Caverns (West Virginia)

- Seneca Historic District (disambiguation)

- Seneca Park (disambiguation)

- Seneca Rocks, a large crag and local landmark in West Virginia

### Canada

- Seneca Township, a historic township in Haldimand County, Ontario

### Outer space

- Seneca (crater), a lunar crater

- 2608 Seneca, an asteroid

## Brands and enterprises

- Seneca Data, an American custom computer manufacturer and technology distributor

- Seneca Foods, a major fruit and vegetable processor

- Seneca Oil, an American oil company formed in 1858

## Education

- Seneca College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

- Seneca Institute – Seneca Junior College, an African-American school in Seneca, South Carolina, from 1899 to 1939

- Seneca High School (disambiguation), various schools in the United States

## Music

- Senakah (formerly Seneca), an alternative rock band from Limerick, Ireland

- "Seneca", a song from the 2001 album Standards by the band Tortoise

## Aircraft

- Piper PA-34 Seneca, a light twin-engine aircraft

- YH-41 Seneca, a US Army version of the Cessna CH-1 helicopter

## Ships

- USS Seneca, five US Navy ships

- USCGC Seneca (1908), a US Coast Guard cutter, decommissioned in 1936

- USCGC Seneca (WMEC-906), a US Coast Guard cutter

## Train stations

- Seneca Avenue (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line), a station of the New York City Subway

- Seneca station (Buffalo Metro Rail), a railway station in Buffalo, New York, US

- Seneca Station (Illinois), a Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad station in Seneca, Illinois

## Other uses

- Seneca Presbyterian Church, Stanley, New York, on the US National Register of Historic Places

- LORAN-C transmitter Seneca, a radio navigation transmitter operated by the U.S. Coast Guard