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Fused lizards, giant mice, and Scottish demons

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By Xanthomelanoussprog, Hafspajen, and Bgwhite
This week we cover material promoted from 26 July to 1 August.
The Carina Nebula from the featured article Eta Carinae
Hu Zhengyan's Bamboo in snow from the Ten Bamboo Studio Manual of Painting and Calligraphy
Personnel from No. 450 Squadron RAAF in front of a Kittyhawk fighter, May 1945
In the tempestuous seas around Orkney you can find the nuckelavee, a featured article.

Fourteen Featured articles were promoted this week.

  • Ankylosaurus (nominated by FunkMonk and LittleJerry) The Ankylosaurus or "fused lizard' was an armoured dinosaur, extant about 68–66 million years ago. It walked on four legs and had a beak on its snout and a club at the end of its tail. The largest specimens were probably about 20 feet (6.5 m) long, 6 feet (2 m) wide and weighed about 6 tons.
  • Eta Carinae (nominated by Lithopsian and Casliber) Eta Carinae is a stellar system about 7500 light years away. It's reckoned that the system has at least two stars which together outshine our sun by a factor of five million. The brightness of the system is variable; between 1837 and 1856 it got brighter in what Victorian astronomers called the Great Eruption. During three days in March 1843, it was the second-brightest star in the sky (it was regarded as a single star until the middle of last century). After the 1850s Eta Carinae faded until in 1886 it was not visible to the naked eye. It brightened again, faded again and has since brightened considerably, doubling in 1998–1999. The brightening is reckoned to be due to the two major stars of the system passing close by, with a period of 5.54 years; the fading is due to ejection of gas and dust from the system which obscures emissions from the stars.
  • Giant mouse lemur (nominated by Maky) The giant mouse lemur is a small and rare nocturnal primate, native to Madagascar, with cute ears, eyes, and a long, bushy tail. Both species are living in the forest. The animals weigh approximately 300 g (11 oz). Sadly, they are listed as endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting. As our article states: "In 2012, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed both Coquerel's giant mouse lemur and the northern giant mouse lemur as endangered." Sad news.
  • Halifax Explosion (nominated by Resolute and Nikkimaria) Early in the morning of 6 December 1917, two ships collided offshore of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although the collision between a Norwegian cargo vessel, SS Imo, and the French vessel SS Mont-Blanc was minor, barrels of benzol stored on the deck of the Mont-Blanc were upset and breached, and the inflammable liquid poured out. As the Imo backed away from the Mont-Blanc, sparks from scraping metal ignited the vapours from the benzol, starting a fire at the waterline which quickly spread to the deck, producing thick black smoke. The crew took to the lifeboats and rowed as fast as they could away from the drifting Mont-Blanc, all the while shouting out warnings which remained unheard, such was the pandemonium. Many of the inhabitants of Halifax viewed the fire from their upstairs windows, and were killed or seriously injured when the ship exploded.
  • Hitler Diaries (nominated by SchroCat) The Hitler Diaries were 60 cheap notebooks in which memorabilia dealer Konrad Kujau faked what was purported to be a journal written by Adolf Hitler. They were accepted as such by journalist Gerd Heidemann who persuaded his employers at Stern to purchase them; additional verification was provided by British historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, who was told that the paper had been chemically tested and proven to be pre-war (it hadn't). Trevor-Roper was initially convinced by the range of supposed supporting documentation provided, and he wrote an article claiming they were genuine. This was published in The Sunday Times on 23 April 1983. By then he was already doubting their genuineness, and subsequent forensic testing showed their post-war origin.
  • Hu Zhengyan (nominated by Yunshui) Hu Zhengyan was a Chinese publisher, artist, and seal carver who lived in Nanjing from 1619 to 1674 CE. Here he established the Ten Bamboo Studio as a home, a meeting place for artists, and as the head office for his printing business. Hu employed ten artisans (including four family members) to publish reference works on a variety of subjects. He was a noted carver of personal seals, including ones for the emperor. Hu's usual artistic themes were bamboo, plum flowers, orchids, fruits, rocks, birds and animals. He also wrote books on calligraphy and painting.
  • JC's Girls (nominated by Neelix) JC's Girls, or "Jesus Christ's Girls", are an evangelical Christian women's organization in the United States. The JC's Girls evangelize to women working in the sex industry, and seek to help them in a non-judgmental way. The organization also helps both men and women to overcome pornography addiction.
  • Jeremy Thorpe (nominated by Brianboulton) British politician Jeremy Thorpe was leader of the UK Liberal Party between 1967 and 1976. Under his leadership, the Liberals gained or regained the support of many voters; in the first of two general elections held in 1974 the party received 19% of the vote. With neither of the two main parties (Labour and Conservative) having enough parliamentary seats to give them a clear majority, the Liberals were courted by the incumbent Conservatives to form a coalition government. Thorpe insisted that this proposed government have a commitment to electoral reform of the "first past the post" system.
  • Mary Margaret O'Reilly (nominated by Wehwalt) Mary Margaret O'Reilly was hired by the United States Bureau of the Mint as a temporary clerk in 1904. She was aged 38. By the time O'Reilly reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 she was assistant director of the Mint, with such an extensive knowledge of bureau affairs that she was granted a year's extension by President Roosevelt at the request of the Mint's director, Nellie Taylor Ross. O'Reilly was granted two further extensions, but a fourth extension lobbied for by Treasury Secretary Morgenthau was refused, and O'Reilly retired in October 1938.
  • Master of Puppets (nominated by Retrohead) Master of Puppets is the third album by the heavy metal band Metallica. Released in 1986, the album is regarded as a seminal album in the genre, and many cover versions of the "atmospheric and meticulously performed songs" have been recorded. It's also been credited with "consolidating the American thrash metal scene".
  • No. 450 Squadron RAAF (nominated by Ian Rose and AustralianRupert) No. 450 Squadron was a Royal Australian Air Force unit, established in February 1941. Initially it was staffed only with ground crew, who were to be joined by experienced pilots when the squadron had transferred to a theatre of active operations. No. 450 Squadron arrived in Egypt in May 1941, where it was combined with the pilots of No. 260 Squadron and their Hurricane fighters. The operational squadron, known as No. 260/450 (Hurricane), moved to Amman, Syria, in June 1941 where it flew missions to attack Vichy French airfields in Syria. This active phase lasted ten days; later in August the two squadrons were separated when No. 260 received its own ground crew—No. 450 became a training unit. By January 1942 the squadron had again become an active fighter unit, which served in the North African, Italian and Yugoslav campaigns, often in a ground attack role. It was disbanded in August 1945.
  • Nuckelavee (nominated by Eric Corbett and Sagaciousphil) The nuckelavee is the most horrible of the demons inhabiting the Scottish islands. When on land it appears as a horse-like creature with some human characteristics. The man's torso growing from its back has very long arms and a head as large as 3 feet (0.91 m) in diameter; some accounts say that the nuckelavee has two heads, one human the other equine. It has no skin, showing its black blood flowing through yellow veins. The nuckelavee's breath can wilt crops and sicken livestock, and it can only be controlled by the Mither o' the Sea, an Orcadian divine who keeps it confined during the summer months.
  • Stanley Price Weir (nominated by Peacemaker67) Stanley Price Weir (1866 – 1944) was an Australian Army officer who after his retirement became a public servant. Brigadier general Weir commanded the 10th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force during the landing at Anzac Cove, the Gallipoli Campaign, World War I. For his efforts as a commander in the army, during these events and for participating in the Pozières and Battle of Mouquet Farm in France, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was actively contributing to several religious, charitable, and welfare organisations.
  • Youth on the Prow, and Pleasure at the Helm (nominated by Iridescent) The painting is by English artist William Etty and owned by the Tate Gallery in London. It is one of Etty's best-known works. It was inspired by Thomas Gray's poem The Bard about the misrule of Richard II of England. The poem describes a gilded ship drifting on the sea, but the storm is near. The occupants are unaware of an approaching trouble, a moral warning about the pursuit of pleasure. The painting was not uncontroversial, as our article states: "the reaction of the lower classes to these paintings caused concern throughout the 19th century."
Fair laughs the morn, and soft the zephyr blows,
While proudly riding o'er the azure realm,
In gallant trim, the gilded vessel goes,
Youth on the prow and Pleasure at the helm,
Unmindful of the sweeping whirlwind's sway,
That, hushed in grim repose, expects his evening prey.
Audrey Hepburn on screen and stage, here in Sabrina.

Four featured lists were promoted this week.

  • Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (nominated by Birdienest81) The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress is an anual award distributed by the US Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since in 1937. The first winner of this award was Gale Sondergaard who won this award for her role in Anthony Adverse. As our article states: "It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role while working within the film industry."
  • Audrey Hepburn on screen and stage (nominated by Cowlibob) Audrey Hepburn was a British actress, and one of the most charming and enchanting actresses ever to appear on screen. She was regarded as "both a film and style icon." Hepburn's experiences of living in the Netherlands during the German occupation in the Second World War were the seed for her devotion to humanitarian work through UNICEF.
  • List of awards and nominations received by Adele (nominated by Another Believer and FrB.TG) Adele is an English singer-songwriter who has received 86 awards. The first awards were the BBC Sound of 2008 and Brit Awards for Critics' Choice. As our article states: "She is the recipient of a BT Digital Music Award, 4 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, 10 Grammy Awards, 13 Billboard Music Awards, and 4 American Music Awards. Her 2007 song "Hometown Glory" was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Female Pop Vocal Performance category. At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, she earned the Best New Artist award, with two additional nominations at the same ceremony. The song "Someone like You" won three Grammy Awards, and "Set Fire to the Rain" won 54th and 55th Annual Grammy Awards, respectively. There are many more awards: Adele was awarded several other accolades, including the Echo Music Award and Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and won in 12 Billboard Music Award categories. In 2012, she released "Skyfall", a song of the 2012 James Bond film of the same name."
  • Tabu filmography (nominated by Krimuk90) Indian film actress Tabu's first role was played as teenager in Dev Anand's Hum Naujawan (1985). After some less well received films she went on to greater successes. As our article states: "Her most critically acclaimed performances were in the films Maachis (1996), Virasat (1997), Hu Tu Tu (1999), Astitva (2000), Chandni Bar (2001), Maqbool (2003), Cheeni Kum (2007), and Haider (2014)." She played the leading role in Mira Nair's drama The Namesake (2007) that got some positive reviews from American critics. She also had a role in Ang Lee's adventure film Life of Pi from (2012).
Griffon vulture
Tectarius coronatus, some pretty sail shells.
Koshary
Frying the eggs, Velasquez.
Áron Szilágyi (left) is up against Nikolay Kovalev (right) in the semi-finals at the 2013 World Fencing Championships

Twenty-eight Featured picturess were promoted this week.

The Lidder Valley


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You know, you really need to watch crediting. You failed to give proper creit for three of my images this week; in two cases neglecting I restored them, and in one, removing all credit from the original creator. It may well be that there's other issue. I don't have the knowledge to be able to immediately spot them Also, watch your italics:Anklyosaurus, Youth on the Prow, and Pleasure at the Helm, Abraxas sylvata, The Lady with the Lamp, La favorite, Béatrice et Bénédict, Aida, Tectarius coronatus ( and Old Woman Frying Eggs should all be italicised at every occurrence (Genuses and species, and also titles of books, paintings, operas, &c are all italicised); "Eta Carinae" should never be, but is. And "Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna (1939–44), Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna (1939–44),Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna (1939–44), Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna (1939–44),Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna (1939–44), Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia koruna ..." needs taken out back and shot. Seriously, reformat your sets. =) Adam Cuerden (talk) 11:05, 14 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

I applaud the restraint that caused the editing team not to include a graphic from the Hegassen scroll. I was looking through the Featured Picture candidates and came across that scroll, only to have to enlarge it several times to see what was being depicted. I think that is the first time I've seen farting illustrated in artwork! I wonder if this was a common theme in some periods of time. Liz Read! Talk! 23:38, 14 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]

My life ambition is now to find more farting-related illustrations for Liz. --Roisterer (talk) 00:27, 17 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]
…et voilà. Xanthomelanoussprog (talk) 05:48, 17 August 2015 (UTC)[reply]
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