title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: Richard Holmes argues that French had no consistency in his strategic ideas, as was shown at the War Council in August 1914 when he proposed deploying the BEF to Antwerp. Ian Beckett does not wholly agree with Holmes, arguing that French was consistent in December 1914 – January 1915 in wanting to promote what he saw as Britain's strategic interests by deploying Territorial and New Army Divisions in an offensive along the Belgian Coast to seize Zeebrugge, although he also remarks that such plans were not unique to French, as they continued to find favour with Haig in 1916–17, and that French's hopes for amphibious landings in the Baltic or North Sea had little practicality at this stage.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: In his memoirs "1914" French wrote "no previous experience ... had led me to anticipate a war of positions. All my thoughts ... were concentrated upon a war of movement." Although French's memoirs are often unreliable this passage is confirmed by what he wrote to Lt-Gen Edward Hutton in December 1914 that the war had become "a siege ... on a gigantic scale". Ian Beckett argues that in this respect, and in his recognition of the importance of artillery as early as the Battle of the Aisne in September 1914, French's tactical views were "marginally more flexible" than those of Haig, who continued to nurse hopes of breakthrough and decisive victory until several years later.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: In 1875, French married Isabella Soundy, the daughter of a tradesman. Subalterns of that era were not expected to marry and French's first marriage may well have been kept secret from his regiment: his regiment is recorded incorrectly on the marriage certificate as "12th Hussars", a regiment that did not exist at the time. They divorced in 1878 with Isabella as a co-respondent and said to have been paid off by French's wealthy brother-in-law, John Lydall. The divorce could have ruined his career if widely known. Lydall had already paid off French's debts on a previous occasion, and later broke off relations with him when he attempted to borrow money again. Later still, when French's name was seen on newspaper headlines (most likely during the Curragh incident), he was observed to stomp off down the street muttering "sorry fellow, Jack French".


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: French married Eleanora Selby-Lowndes in 1880. Eleanore, one of seven sisters known as the "Belles of Bletchley", was somewhat older than he was.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: His first son John Richard Lowndes was born in Northumberland in 1881. A daughter was accidentally suffocated by her nurse in 1882. His second son Gerald was born in December 1883.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: Neither Eleanore, nor his daughter Essex (born late 1886, died 1979), were ever aware of his first marriage. French gave away his niece Georgina Whiteway (daughter of his sister Caroline) in 1903 when she married Fitzgerald Watt, French's stockbroker. Watt became, in uniform, his ADC as Inspector-General, then Private Secretary when CIGS, then trusted aide in the First World War. As Inspector-General in the Edwardian period French appears to have been largely separated from his wife, but she appears to have still loved him, and her children sided with her. In 1905, French purchased 20 Park Mansions from Watt as a base in London. He met George Moore, a wealthy American, in about 1909 and in 1910 they took a large house together at 94 Lancaster Gate as a base for partying and womanising. Eleanore did not accompany him to Ireland (officially, as it was too dangerous).


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: From 1922, French re-established relations with his son Gerald, who began writing to defend his father's reputation in the 1930s, and his last publication was "The French-Kitchener Dispute: A Last Word" in 1960. Gerald French died in 1970.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: Beginning in January 1915 French had an affair with Mrs Winifred Bennett, the wife of a British diplomat and former mistress of one of his own officers, Jack Annesley, who was killed near Ypres in November 1914. French wrote to her almost daily, sometimes signing himself "Peter Pan" and on the eve of Neuve Chapelle he wrote to her, "Tomorrow I shall go forward with my war cry of 'Winifred. She was tall and elegant, and the disparity in their heights caused great amusement.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: French had six sisters. One sister, Katherine Harley, by then a widow, led a group of British nurses on the Salonika front and was killed by shellfire at Monastir in March 1917. Another sister was the suffragette, anti-war campaigner and Irish nationalist Sinn Féin member Charlotte Despard, a Catholic convert. During the Irish War of Independence, while her brother the Lord Lieutenant was directing operations against Sinn Féin, Despard, together with Maud Gonne and others, was supporting republican prisoners through the Women's Prisoners' Defence League.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres, is commemorated by memorials in Ypres Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: During the Boer War, the press lionised him as "Uncle French" and "the shirt-sleeved general", writing of how he smoked a briar pipe and enjoyed being mistaken for a private soldier.


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: At the beginning of the First World War a supporter of French, Arthur Campbell Ainger, tried, with little success, to popularise a marching song in honour of French. The words read:


title: John French, 1st Earl of Ypres

text: Field Marshal French was played by Laurence Olivier in Richard Attenborough's World War I satire film "Oh! What A Lovely War" (1969). Ian Beckett writes that French and Wilson are portrayed almost as "a comic duo" in the film. By this time, although Terraine's "Mons: Retreat to Victory" (1960), Alan Clark's "The Donkeys" (1961), and A. J. Smithers' "The Man Who Disobeyed" (a 1970 biography of Smith-Dorrien) kept up some interest in French, he was already becoming a somewhat forgotten figure as popular interest from the 1960s onwards concentrated on the Battle of the Somme, inevitably focussing attention on Douglas Haig.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: Need for Speed: ProStreet is a 2007 racing video game developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts. It is the eleventh installment in the "Need for Speed" series and a follow-up to "". Unlike its immediate predecessors, which focused on the contemporary illegal street racing scene, "ProStreet" focuses on legal circuit races that take place on closed tracks. The game blends elements of both sim and arcade racing games, requiring players to customize and tune cars for various race modes. Most races take place in real-world locations such as the Portland International Raceway, Mondello Park, and Autopolis.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: Developed over the course of almost two years, "ProStreet" was conceived by the same team who led the production of "". It is the first "Need for Speed" game that was primarily developed for high-definition consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, although versions for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Wii were also released. The game features a new physics engine, which allows cars to handle in a more realistic way and take damage in accidents, and introduced a wind tunnel feature where players can see how their car's aerodynamics work. Musician Junkie XL was hired to compose the score of the game. Several downloadable content packs were released for the game, expanding its content with more cars, tracks, and races.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" received mixed reviews from critics, who generally criticized the lack of open world gameplay of its predecessors. The game's numerous online features and car customization options were highlighted as some of its strongest features. Although "ProStreet" sold more than five million units worldwide, it did not meet sales expectations according to Electronic Arts. Portable adaptations for mobile phones, Nintendo DS, and PlayStation Portable were released to varying success. These differ greatly from their console and computer counterparts, offering simpler gameplay mechanics and a reduced amount of features.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "Need for Speed: ProStreet" is a racing game where the player must tune and drive cars on various race tracks. Although it is an arcade racing game, cars handle in a more realistic way than in previous "Need for Speed" games. The player assumes the role of Ryan Cooper, a former street racer who enters a series of showdown events run by several racing organizations. Each event comprises a number of races where the player must compete against computer-controlled opponents to earn points and cash. Points allow the player to unlock more challenging events and progress through the game, while cash can be used to purchase or upgrade cars. The overall objective of the game is to ultimately confront a number of elite drivers called Kings. By individually beating every King, Cooper will be crowned the Street King.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: The game features four race modes: Grip, Drag, Drift, and Speed. Grip races involve the player racing around a circuit over several laps, where the win condition depends on four variations. These include crossing the finish line in the first position or ahead of a class of drivers based on their car performance, recording the best lap time, and recording the best sector times, with each sector representing a section of the circuit. In Drag, the player must be the first to cross a finish line on a short and straight course, changing gears manually. Some also require the player to perform long wheelies. Drag races always start out with a mini-game where the player can gain a good starting grip by heating up car tires while in braked position. Drift races require the player to score points by drifting around bends, while Speed races involve the player maintaining very high speeds on a relatively straight point-to-point course. The win condition of Speed races depends on two variants, which include crossing the finish line in the first position or reaching the highest speed at designated checkpoints. Most races take place in real-world locations such as Texas World Speedway, Portland International Raceway, Mondello Park, and Autopolis.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" features a large number of cars, ranging from affordable tuner-friendly sedans to exotic cars. Each car can be highly customized, including its performance, handling, and appearance. Body modifications such as spoilers and hoods affect the car's aerodynamics and can be sculpted accordingly. Cars and aftermarket parts are grouped into four tiers that represent performance levels, which are gradually unlocked as the player progresses through the game. Each car can have a maximum of three blueprints associated with it, with each blueprint representing a different customization. Choosing and tuning the right car for the right race mode is critical to complete the game. For example, Grip races favour cars with fast acceleration and strong drag force, while Speed races favour cars with high top speeds and stability. Cars can be damaged or completely totalled in accidents, and the player must often repair them with cash or by using repair markers, which can be awarded in events or bought separately.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: In addition to the game's main career mode, "ProStreet" features a number of predefined and stand-alone events where the player can race against computer-controlled opponents on any track without the consequences of having to spend cash to repair cars. They also serve as social areas for multiple players to compete online or via split screen. Each event has its own leaderboard, allowing the player to compare their records against top players. Although a variety of pre-tuned cars are available for each event, players also have the option to race with their custom cars from the game's career mode. Players may also create their own custom events. Options such as the location, type, and the number of races, as well as the difficulty of computer-controlled opponents and the number of repair markers available, can be individually configured. Both custom events and car blueprints can be shared with other players. Once a blueprint is shared with another player, it can no longer be modified because the records associated with it are tracked on leaderboards. Private leaderboards are automatically created for each custom event that is shared.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" was developed by EA Black Box as a follow-up to "". Unlike its immediate predecessors, which focused on the contemporary illegal street racing scene, "ProStreet" was conceived as an interpretation of where the culture was heading. After spending a lot of time familiarizing with the scene, Black Box came to the conclusion that the culture was moving away from the streets and getting more organized because the penalties for street racing were too harsh. This resulted in a stronger emphasis on car performance and driving skills, without external factors such as traffic and police chases. According to producer Andrew Hahn, the main idea for the game was to deliver "the ultimate proving ground". Development of the game started in early 2006 by the same team who led the production of "". The development team was initially composed of 20 people, who did not work on "Carbon", but gradually grew to over 100 people by June 2007.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" is the first "Need for Speed" game that was primarily developed for high-definition consoles such as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. As a result, the development team had to strip down graphical features to make it run on less powerful hardware such as the PlayStation 2 and Wii. This was the reverse process of what the team used to do with previous games, which were primarily developed for the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox and then ported up to their successors with higher fidelity. The game's near two-year development cycle gave developers time to create technologies for the car damage system and smoke effects. A new physics engine was specifically built for the game, which required a physics team to collect real data from the Porsche test track in Leipzig, Germany. Although cars behave in a realistic way, visual aids and systems such as anti-lock braking, stability management, and traction control, which can optionally be turned on, were developed to make the game accessible to players who are not racing enthusiasts. Because the game features licensed cars that can be completely totaled in accidents, full damage and customization had to be signed off by their manufacturers.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: An audio team of 12 people spent several months auditioning cars to record the loud sound effects the game required. Ultimately, racing cars without mufflers, such as the Chevrolet Corvette C6.R, the Cadillac CTS-V, and the Dodge Viper, were considered the best choice. Although car engines, turbochargers, and tire skids were individually recorded from real cars, sounds effects such as whooshes and crashes are synthetic. For example, crashes were recorded in multiple layers, combining car drops from cranes and metal hits in the studio, and then edited in post-production. Because the Nissan GT-R featured in the game was not yet out on the market, its sound effects were created from other car recordings. A new crash audio system was built to support the game's real-time damage modelling feature, allowing car parts to sound different when taking damage. Seven surface types were also modelled, resulting in collisions sounding different depending on the surface players hit, even if they hit it in the exact same way.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: The game's Auto-sculpt system, which was introduced in "Carbon" as a visual customization option, allowing players to sculpt body parts of their car, was improved so it affects the car's performance. This was complemented with a wind tunnel feature, which allows players to see how their car's aerodynamics work. Artificial intelligence was made more aggressive, allowing computer-controlled opponents to crash cars in accidents. Online features were expanded and improved with asynchronous gameplay, allowing players to compete with each other without being online at the same exact time. Australian model and former "Big Brother" contestant Krystal Forscutt, as well as Japanese model Sayoko Ohashi, was hired to appear as one of the game's flag girls. The promotional shots and video footage to capture Forscutt's animations were done in four days. Although musician Junkie XL was hired to compose the score of the game, "ProStreet" features a large number of songs from international artists. Junkie XL worked closely with the developers to make the score fully interactive and match the style of the licensed tracks, which ranges from electronic rock to electroclash, punk rock, and dance-punk.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: Although the game's title was leaked by Russian distributor Soft Club in February 2007, "ProStreet" was officially announced on May 31. The game was then presented at E3 2007, receiving a nomination for Best Racing Game at the Game Critics Awards. A playable demonstration of the game was showcased at the Games Convention in August, while an in-game single by Junkie XL, entitled "More", was digitally released on September 25, serving as a lead-up to his 2008 album "Booming Back at You". Shortly before the game was released, a demo was made available for download on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, and on the Internet for Microsoft Windows users. In the United Kingdom, advertisements for the game appeared on "The Sun"s Page 3 site, featuring topless models posing with a Ferrari. Publisher Electronic Arts later removed the material, claiming that it "slipped" through their proper approval process.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, and Wii in North America on November 14, 2007. In Europe, the game was released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, and PlayStation 2 on November 23, and for Wii on November 30. Multiple downloadable content packs for the game were released between November 2007 and February 2008 on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. These expand the game with new cars, tracks, and career mode races. Notable cars include the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, the Porsche Cayman S, the Shelby GT500, the McLaren F1, and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, while the new tracks are the Leipzig Test Track and the Tokyo Expressway. One of the updates caused technical issues such as freezes and crashes in the Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 3 versions. All of the game's online features were discontinued in April 2012.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" received mixed reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic. "GameSpot" described "ProStreet" as a solid racing game, but remarked that it misses most of the features that made its predecessors interesting. "IGN" agreed, stating that the game lacks extra features outside of the races themselves, especially when compared to the open world aspect and police chases of previous "Need for Speed" games. Other publications were more positive towards the game. "GamePro" praised "ProStreet" for its high-definition graphics, solid online features, and rewarding career mode, while "1Up.com" highlighted the game's sense of realism due to its new physics engine. The PlayStation 2 and Wii versions were considered inferior to their PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 counterparts due to their lack of online features, while the Microsoft Windows version was criticized for running poorly on high graphic settings and for lacking online players.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: The game's visuals were generally well received, although the PlayStation 2 and Wii versions were criticized for their notable aliasing. "1Up.com" noted the game's gritty and realistic style, stating that racing through the game's depiction of the Nevada desert feels very authentic. "GameRevolution" praised the smooth graphics, but remarked that the lack of elaborate cityscapes makes the track environments less interesting than those of its predecessors. "GameSpot" highlighted the detailed car models, especially when they are damaged, while "Edge" felt that the event meetings between races give the game a suitable atmosphere. However, the game's announcers annoyed some critics. According to "GameSpot", they are poorly voiced, have a bad script, yell into the microphone, insist on calling the players by their names every time they refer to them (which is hundreds of times over the course of the game), and it becomes annoying the whole time.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: The fact that "ProStreet" combines elements of both simulation and arcade racing games confused some critics. "GameRevolution" felt that the game's navigation aids were too distracting and unintuitive, while "IGN" remarked that the driving physics were not realistic enough, stating that cars feel very reluctant to want to turn. In contrast, "1Up.com" highly praised the new physics engine because more variables come into play, giving the game much more depth. "Nintendo Life" remarked that, while the motion controls of the Wii version worked well, they were not as responsive as those of Nintendo's "Excite Truck". Some critics found the gameplay to be very repetitive, especially during Drag races. "Eurogamer" explained that each involves completing several rounds of heating up car tires before starting a race that only lasts for a few seconds, resulting in players losing interest quickly. The car customization options and new Auto-sculpt system were credited for giving the game a lot of depth.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: The Xbox 360 version was condemned for its monetization practices, which allow players to alternatively upgrade and purchase cars with Microsoft Points instead of in-game cash. The fact that Microsoft Points also give players the ability to purchase any car at any point in the game's career mode was criticized for unbalancing the game mechanics, as it allows players to easily complete early courses with more powerful cars. The online features were highlighted as one of the best aspects of "ProStreet". Critics noted that the flexibity of options, leaderboard system, as well as the ability to create events and share blueprints, make the game a highly social experience. Asynchronous multiplayer events were equally praised, as they allow players to compete without having to worry about time zone differences.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: In February 2008, Electronic Arts reported that "ProStreet" had sold 5.5 million copies worldwide and that 65% of these were sold out of North America. In the United Kingdom, the game debuted at number two in the all formats charts, behind "Assassin's Creed". The PlayStation 2 version received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association, indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom. As of October 2009, the game had sold 2.4 million copies in the United States according to The NPD Group. Although "ProStreet" performed well internationally, EA Games president Frank Gibeau remarked that it did not meet sales expectations, stating that the game was a major departure from the tuner culture and police evasion aspects consumers expected, and promised that the "Need for Speed" series would go back to its roots with subsequent games.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: "ProStreet" was adapted for mobile phones and handheld game consoles. These adaptations differ greatly from their console and computer counterparts, offering simpler gameplay mechanics and a reduced amount of features. The mobile edition, which was developed by IronMonkey Studios, was released by EA Mobile in Europe and North America in October 2007. The gameplay involves the player drifting around corners as their car automatically modulates its speed on a track. By successfully drifting, the player gains nitrous oxide, which can then be used to boost the car's speed on straights. Drifting also awards the player with cash, which can be spent on upgrading a car's performance or purchasing a new one. To progress through the game, the player must complete three events comprising three races each. Completing an event gives the player a code that can be used to unlock features in the console and computer editions of the game.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: An adaptation for the Nintendo DS was developed by Exient Entertainment and released in 2007 (in North America on October 30, and in Europe on November 23). In addition to the game's four race modes, the Nintendo DS adaptation includes a rhythm mini-game where players must show off their car's hydraulics system by tapping buttons to the beat of a song. The game features a multiplayer mode that allows up to eight players to compete against each other via a single-cartridge Download Play session or a multi-cartridge Wireless LAN connection. In Download Play mode, every player must drive the same car as the host. The game also supports online play for up to four players via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Critical reception was slightly more positive than that of its console and computer counterparts, with "IGN" describing the game as a successful conversion for Nintendo DS standards.


title: Need for Speed: ProStreet

text: An adaptation for the PlayStation Portable was released in North America and Europe in February 2008. Unlike previous "ProStreet" releases, the PlayStation Portable edition has no backstory and features six race modes. These include Circuit and Sprint, which involve the player racing around a circuit over several laps or on a point-to-point course, Lap KO and Gate KO, which are races where the last player is eliminated at the end of each lap or a designated checkpoint, Time Attack, which requires the player to reach the finish line before a timer runs out, and Speed Trap, where the player must accumulate the fastest cumulative speed at designated checkpoints. The game introduces an assist tool called Driver Intuition, which temporarily gives players an acceleration and traction boost if they keep their car on an ideal driving path. A multiplayer mode is also included, allowing players to compete against each other online or wirelessly via ad hoc. Critical reception for the PlayStation Portable adaptation was more negative, with journalists criticizing its substandard controls and generic race modes.


title: Carrie Nye

text: Carolyn Nye McGeoy (October 14, 1936 – July 14, 2006), known professionally as Carrie Nye, was an American actress. In her career spanning 32 years, she was nominated for a Tony Award in 1965, a Primetime Emmy Award in 1980, and a Drama Desk Award in 1981.


title: Carrie Nye

text: Nye was born Carolyn Nye McGeoy in Greenwood, Mississippi. Her father, Frank McGeoy, was president of a local bank, and her mother was the former Evelyn Redditt. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, then attended the Yale School of Drama, graduating in 1959.


title: Carrie Nye

text: Most of Nye's work was on the stage. She joined the Williamstown Theatre Festival in 1955 and portrayed a number of roles at the festival through the 1960s and 1970s. Among her credits were the leads in "The Skin of Our Teeth" and "A Streetcar Named Desire". She was in the American Shakespeare Festival that performed "Troilus and Cressida" at the White House during the Kennedy administration.


title: Carrie Nye

text: She made her debut on Broadway in 1960 in "A Second String". The following year she portrayed Tiffany Richards in the original cast of "Mary, Mary". She received a Tony Award nomination in 1965 for her portrayal of Helen Walsingham in "Half a Sixpence". She appeared in two more productions on Broadway during the 1960s, "A Very Rich Woman" (1965) and "Cop-Out" (1969).


title: Carrie Nye

text: Nye made her feature film debut in "The Group" (1966), the film adaptation of Mary McCarthy's novel. Other film appearances included "The Seduction of Joe Tynan" (1979), the classic horror film "Creepshow" (1982), "Too Scared to Scream" (1985), and the Shelley Long comedy "Hello Again" (1987).


title: Carrie Nye

text: Nye was featured in a number of television movies during the 1970s, including "Screaming Skull" (1973) and "The Users" (1978). She also acted in the television movie "Divorce His, Divorce Hers" (1973), which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Nye wrote a humorous essay that year published in "Time" about the experience. In 1978, Nye was a semi-regular panelist on the PBS quiz show "We Interrupt This Week". She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1980 for her portrayal of Tallulah Bankhead in the television film "The Scarlett O'Hara War". That same year she returned to Broadway to perform the role of Lorraine Sheldon in a revival of "The Man Who Came to Dinner". She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance.


title: Carrie Nye

text: In 1984, Nye was cast on the daytime soap opera "Guiding Light" as Susan Piper, an unscrupulous real estate agent going to great lengths, including murder, trying to reclaim a cottage that harbors a deep secret. Her portrayal of the villainous character proved popular for some time, culminating in a location shoot in Barbados, ending with a memorable death scene where she fell into quicksand.


title: Carrie Nye

text: When Nye's friend Ellen Weston became head writer of "Guiding Light" in 2003, she created another character for Nye, the mysterious Caroline Carruthers. Despite acclaim for Nye's performance, this storyline was unpopular, changing history for several of the show's core characters (whom she had crossed paths with in her first stint) and Nye's character was written off after six months.


title: Carrie Nye

text: Nye was married to Dick Cavett, from June 4, 1964, until her death. They met at Yale and had no children. Nye and Cavett bought Tick Hall, a house in Montauk, New York, designed by Stanford White. It burned down in 1997, but with the assistance of architects and preservationists, she and Cavett built an exact replica of the house. Their accomplishment became the subject of a documentary film "" (2003).


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: The Blue Line or ORR-Airport Metro Line is part of the Namma Metro rail network for the city of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It consists of two sections - Phase-2A (Silkboard to KR Puram) and Phase-2B (KR Puram to Airport). Construction of Phase-2A began in August-2021. Construction of Phase-2B is expected to begin in February-2022. The 58.19 km line connects Central Silk Board with the Kempegowda International Airport. The Line is mostly elevated but also has an at-grade (surface) section close to the Airport and 2 short underground sections where it passes the Jakkur Aerodrome and Yelahanka AFB. There are 30 stations on the line of which the two station/s at the Airport may be at surface level or underground. Blue Line will have interchanges with the Yellow Line at Central Silk Board, Purple Line at KR Pura, Pink Line at Nagawara and with the future /proposed Orange Line at Hebbal. The extension of the Purple Line and construction of the Pink and Yellow Lines is currently in progress. Pink, Yellow and the Blue Line will be CBTC signaling enabled, unlike Namma Metro's first two lines (Purple and Green Lines use distance-signaling).


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: The routes under Phase-2A and Phase-2B (Blue Line) were actually part of Phase-3 but 'fast-tracked' and prioritized under Phase-2. As early as in February 2012, the Central government had also requested BMRC to start work on the airport link during Phase 2 itself.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: The route from Central Silkboard to K R Puram along the eastern part of Outer Ring Road (ORR) was included as Phase-2A since development on that part of ORR had leap-frogged much ahead of the rest of the city with huge number of new office buildings. As a result, traffic increased several fold with employees traveling from different parts of the city to this new CBD. Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah announced in September 2016 that a new 18 km (11 mi) line connecting Central Silk Board with K.R.Puram along ORR would be included in Phase 2 as Phase-2A of the project at an estimated cost of ₹4202 crores.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Kempegowda International Airport (opened during May 2008) being very far from city center (about 35 km), commuting time by road in traffic congestion is time consuming. Hence, attention for building a fast mass transit was in the minds of planners from the very beginning, especially since air traffic had kept increasing. The old airport in Bengaluru, the HAL Airport, located well within the city, had closed for commercial operations as part of the terms of the PPP for the new airport.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: To connect airport to city, there had initially been a proposal to build a 33 km (21 mi) high speed rail line from MG Road to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). Cost was estimated at ₹5,767 crore (US$810 million). This was to be executed by an independent SPV - Bangalore Airport Rail Link Limited (BARLL). However, the plan for an exclusive city-airport high speed rail was canceled during October 2013 due to high cost and viability concerns.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: It was decided that BMRC would manage the airport rail project and a regular metro line with fewer halts would be built instead of a high speed rail. Following this, suggestions were invited from public during September 2016 to choose any one of nine possible extension routes from existing and proposed metro lines to the airport. The proposed extension routes had an average length of 30 km (19 mi), and cost estimates ranged between ₹4,500 crore and ₹7,000 crore. A 25.9 km (16.1 mi) extension from Nagawara via Kannur and Bagaluru was the shortest, while the 35.4 km (22.0 mi) extension from Yeshwanthpur via Yelahanka, Kannur and Bagaluru was the longest of the proposed routes. BMRC received 1,300 responses from the public. The shortest (25.9 km, 16.1 mi) extension of the Kalena Agrahara (previously Gottigere) – Nagawara line via Kannur and Bagaluru to the airport emerged as the most popular choice. In February 2017, the Centre requested BMRC to start work on the airport link before Phase 3. Thus, the Airport Line was included in Phase 2 as Phase 2B.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Since the airport's managing company, "Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL)" forbade underground construction from the southern side of the airport (due to security concerns as it would have to pass beneath the airport's second runway), the shortest route options (i.e. extending the Pink line from Nagawara directly north) were eliminated. An alternate route proceeding north till RK Hegde Nagar and then turning west to Jakkur and then along Airport Road was explored. Bangalore Development Minister K. J. George announced on 12 May 2017 that the government had finalized the Nagawara—Ramakrishna Hegde Nagar—Jakkur—Yelahanka route to the airport. However, this route had an obstacle as a high-pressure petroleum pipeline was passing through the originally proposed route.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: This was changed and on 10 January 2019, the State Cabinet approved a change in alignment for the proposed metro line to the airport. The new line would begin at Krishnarajapura (K.R. Puram) and be aligned along the northern part of ORR (Outer Ring road), passing Kasturinagar, Nagawara, Hebbal, and Jakkur before heading towards the airport. The line would be 38 km long, about 9 km longer than the route previously proposed, estimated to cost ₹10,584 crore (US$1.5 billion).


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: BMRCL prepared the detailed project report for the proposed Central Silk Board - KR Puram Line and submitted the DPR to the state government on 28 October 2016. Phase 2A was approved by the State Cabinet on 1 March 2017.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Tenders for the ORR (East) Metro line were called in February 2018 and IL&FS emerged the lowest bidder for all packages. However, the tenders were quashed due to cash flow problems and bankruptcy proceedings by the selected firm, IL&FS. A second round of tendering was done in December 2019. The project cost was revised to ₹5994 crores. Fresh bids were received by multiple firms in March 2020. There are two packages. The first package included 2.84Km of ramps for a flyover at Central Silk board junction in addition to 9.859Km of viaduct with six elevated stations. The second package was for 8.377Km viaduct with seven elevated stations, 1.097 Km depot line and a 0.30 Km pocket track.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Central government's approval was much delayed and finally received in April-2021. Tenders were awarded in May-2021 and construction on Phase-2A finally began in August-2021. Opening of this phase as per August 2022 from MD of BMRCL is expected around "December 2024."


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: DPR for the Airport Line had been prepared in September 2017 and cleared by Government of Karnataka in January 2019.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Tenders for the Airport line were called in July 2020. There are three packages. The first package was for 11.003 km viaduct, including 281 mtrs viaduct beyond Phase-2A with eight elevated stations and 650 mtrs link line to Baiyyappanahalli depot. The second package was for 11.678 km viaduct with 250 mtrs pocket track and two elevated stations. The third package was for 15.011 km viaduct, including 718.18 mtrs cut and cover portion in front of Yelahanka Air Force Station. All three packages include road widening, utility diversion and allied works.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Bettadahalasuru station would be built by Embassy group at a cost of ₹140 crore. Kempegowda International Airport is likely to fund the construction of two airport stations off the highway. An MoU was signed between BMRC and KIAL for construction of the 4.95 km line and stations entailing an investment of ₹800 crore.


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Central government's approval was delayed and finally received in April 2021. Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) emerged as the lowest bidder to construct the line on September 16, 2021. Construction finally began in February 2022. Opening of this phase as per August 2022 from MD of BMRCL is expected around "December 2025."


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: The Union and State governments will contribute ₹3,973 crore by way of equity and subordinate debt. Land acquisition costs, estimated at ₹2,762 crore, will be funded by the Government of Karnataka. BMRCL will raise the remaining amount of ₹5,960 crores through loans. In March-2021, it had entered into a loan agreement with JICA for USD 318 million (₹2,317 crore). BMRC has raised USD 500 million (₹3643 crore) from ADB to fund construction of the Blue Line (Phase-2A and 2B).


title: Blue Line (Namma Metro)

text: Thus, financial arrangements have been completed for Phases 2A and 2B. The 58.19-km line is estimated to cost ₹14,788 crores.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: Termination Shock is a science fiction novel by American writer Neal Stephenson, published in 2021. The book is set in a near-future Earth where climate change has significantly altered human society, and follows the attempts of a solar geoengineering scheme. The novel focuses on the geopolitical and social consequences of the rogue fix for climate change, themes common in the growing climate fiction genre.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: The book is about a solar geoengineering project conceived by a Texas oil-industry billionaire named T.R. Schmidt. Schmidt builds a launcher on the Texas-Mexico border to fire sulfur into the air, a form of stratospheric aerosol injection intended to cool the planet by reflecting sunlight into space. This technique replicates the effects of volcanic eruptions that inject sulfates into the atmosphere and produce global cooling, such as the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption. Schmidt's plan has uneven effects, helping low-lying areas such as the Netherlands, Venice, and the Maldives, but threatening the Punjab with drought.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: The main characters are Frederika Mathilde Louisa Saskia, the Queen of the Netherlands, and granddaughter of Queen Beatrix; Rufus Grant, a part-Comanche exterminator of feral hogs; and Deep "Laks" Singh, a Punjab-Canadian Sikh. Saskia and Grant become entangled in Schmidt's plan, while Singh travels to the Line of Actual Control on the China-India border, where Chinese and Indian volunteers fight each other using non-lethal martial arts. Singh becomes a world-famous hero after several dramatic and well-promoted victories, but is felled by Chinese directed-energy weapons.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: Meanwhile, the Chinese government observes Schmidt's geoengineering efforts, and engages in advanced psychological warfare, cyberwarfare, and deadly tsunami bombs to shift European governments towards a pro-geoengineering stance. This also results in Saskia abdicating her throne for her daughter, after which she joins the growing consortium of smaller pro-geoengineering nations as the "Queen of the Netherworld."


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: In the climax of the book, Singh is sent with a team of drones on a covert mission by India, whose monsoons were delayed by Schmidt's geoengineering campaign, to destroy the Texas launcher. He is thwarted by Rufus, who takes action largely to protect Saskia, who is hiding in the launcher's subterranean shaft.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: The book's title refers to the idea that once a solar geoengineering scheme begins, abruptly stopping it would result in rapid warming, called a termination shock.


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: Omar El Akkad, reviewing "Termination Shock" for "The New York Times", wrote that it was "...at once wildly imaginative and grounded...both a response to a deeply broken reality, and an attempt to alter it." "Reason" magazine noted that the book concerns many small-scale adaptations to climate change, and interpreted it as, "...a novelistic attempt to break down the challenges of climate change and address them clearly and concretely rather than as a mass of unsolvable civilizational mega-challenges." The "Chicago Review of Books" found it to be a "compelling read" but "only obliquely an example of Stephenson’s great gifts for speculative fiction", while "Publishers Weekly" called it, "fiercely intelligent, weird, darkly witty, and boldly speculative." "The Sunday Times" reviewed it negatively, saying that, "Stephenson’s vision of our climate future doesn’t rise above the level of slightly smug, nerdy fun."


title: Termination Shock (novel)

text: Francis Fukuyama compared it favorably to a 2020 work of climate fiction, "The Ministry for the Future" by Kim Stanley Robinson.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: Madhavan Nair, commonly known by his stage name Madhu, is an Indian actor, director, producer, former college lecturer and former film studio owner, who works in Malayalam cinema and a certain number of Hindi and Tamil films. He was a prominent lead actor during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and has acted in more than 400 films. Madhu has also directed 12 films, produced 15 films and at one time owned the Uma Film Studio. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2013 for his contributions towards the arts. He was honored with the J. C. Daniel Award by the Government of Kerala in 2004, for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam films. He is the president of Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) Kerala Unit.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: "Mini", a children's movie produced by him, bagged the Indira Gandhi National Award for Best Film on Family Welfare, at the 43rd National Film Awards in 1995. He is the inaugural winner of the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam for his performance in "Swayamvaram" (1972), and has received three more Filmfare awards and is also the recipient of five Kerala State Film Awards. Madhu starred "Chemmeen" won the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film in 1965, becoming the first Malayalam film to win the title.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: He was born on 23 September 1933 at Gourishapattom, Thiruvananthapuram. His father, R. Parameswaran Pillai, was the erstwhile Mayor of Trivandrum and his mother Thankamma was a housewife. He has four sisters. He had his primary schooling up to the fourth standard at Kunnukuzhi L.P School, fifth class (preparatory) at S. M. V. School, 1st form to 3rd form at Pettah Middle School and fourth form to sixth form (SSLC) at St. Joseph's High School. He did pre university degree from Mahatma Gandhi College and graduation in Hindi from University College. He did his post graduation in Hindi from Banaras Hindu University (BHU).


title: Madhu (actor)

text: He started his career as a Hindi lecturer in S. T. Hindu College and then Scott Christian College at Nagercoil. During that time he chanced upon a newspaper advertisement inviting applications for the National School of Drama course. While studying at NSD, he became acquainted with Ramu Karyat, who offered him a role in his forthcoming film "Moodupadam". After completing the course, Madhu went to Chennai to screen test for Karyat's film. While there, in 1963, he was offered a role in N N Pisharody's film, "Ninamaninja Kalpadukal" and this became his debut. In the movie, he portrayed Stephen, a brave soldier of the Indian army who sacrifices his life, on the battle field, for his motherland. The role and the movie were well received by the public. ‘Moodupadam’, for which he had come to Chennai for the make up test, became his second film. From thereon, there was no looking back.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: He has expressed all facets of life through his various acting roles. Perhaps his most notable role during his early career, was in Karyat's "Chemmeen", which won the President's Gold Medal. Madhu entered Malayalam cinema at a time when lead roles were dominated by actors like Prem Naseer and Sathyan and created a niche for himself. One of his early films where he made a mark was "Bhargavi Nilayam", a suspense movie, where he is the only actor on screen during the first half of the movie. Followed by "Udhyogastha", "Virunnukari", and "Veettu Mrugam", by P. Venu. Madhu has brought to life on screen, memorable characters from the works of eminent writers in Malayalam; Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Thakazhi, P. Kesavadev, Uroob, Ponkunnam Varkey, S. K. Pottekkatt, Changampuzha, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, G. Vivekanandan, N. N. Pisharady and C. Radhakrishnan, to name a few.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: In an acting career spanning over five decades, Madhu acted in over 370 films. Although he was a big star in commercial films, he was generous enough to act in parallel movies. He acted in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's "Swayamvaram", P. N. Menon's "Olavum Theeravum" etc.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: Madhu also proved his talents as a film maker and director. His first directorial venture "Priya" released in 1970, was a trend setter in Malayalam. The film won the Kerala Government award for the second best film that year. Madhu directed twelve movies including hit films like ‘"Sindooracheppu"’, ‘"Manya Shree Vishwamitran"’, ‘"Neela Kannukal", ‘"Akkaldama"’, "'Kamam Krodham Moham"’, ‘"Theekanal"’, ‘"Dheerasameere Yamunathere"’, ‘"Aaradhana"’, ‘"Oru Yuga Sandhya"’ and ‘"Udayam Padinjaru"’. He was the producer of most of these films. He produced fifteen movies including ‘"Kaithapoo"’, ‘"Asthamayam"’, ‘"Shudhi Kalasham"’, ‘"Prabhatha Sandhya"’, ‘"Vaiki Vanna Vasantham"’, ‘"Archana Teacher"’, ‘"Grihalakshmi"’, ‘"Njan Ekananu"’, ‘"Rathilayam"’ and "Mini". He also produced and directed a movie in English ‘Sunrise in the West’, which was shot entirely in the USA. He was instrumental in introducing a number of talented actors, directors, lyricists, producers, singers and other technicians to the Malayalam filmdom. He was the owner of once-renowned "Uma" studio at Puliyarakonam in Thiruvananthapuram. "Mini" produced by Madhu won the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare, at the 43rd National Film Awards in 1995. The film focuses on the social issue of alcoholism.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: Madhu was one of the lead actors in the Hindi film "Saat Hindustani", which was the debut movie of the Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan in 1969. His other Hindi films are ‘"Chakachak"’ directed by Sai Paranjpye and "Maiyya" directed by Anil.


title: Madhu (actor)

text: Madhu has also done three Tamil films, as Rajinikanth's father in "Dharma Dorai", "Oru Ponnu Oru Paiyan" and "Bharatha Vilas".


title: Madhu (actor)

text: Madhu has so far acted in more than 400 movies including Malayalam, Hindi and Tamil languages and directed 12 movies.


title: Edifice complex

text: The term "edifice complex" was coined in the 1970s to describe Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos' practice of using publicly funded construction projects as political and election propaganda.


title: Edifice complex

text: Built with a Brutalist architectural style, perhaps to emphasize their grandiose character, these construction projects were funded by foreign loans, allowing the incumbent Marcos administration to create an impression of progress, but instead put the Philippines through a series of debt crises. The first of the crises occurred in 1970, which many economic historians consider to have triggered the socioeconomic unrest which later led Marcos to impose martial law in 1972.


title: Edifice complex

text: The expression has also been generalized outside of the context of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos and the Philippines.


title: Edifice complex

text: While earlier use of the term elsewhere in the world has been suggested, the term was independently coined by Behn Cervantes to criticise the construction of the Cultural Center of the Philippines during the buildup to the 1969 presidential election campaign, during which Imelda Marcos' husband Ferdinand Marcos was running for a then-unprecedented second term as President of the Philippines.


title: Edifice complex

text: Deyan Sudjic, in his 2005 book "The Edifice Complex: How the Rich and Powerful Shape the World", generalizes the term, expanding it outside of the context of Marcos and the Philippines. He writes: There is a psychological parallel between making a mark on the landscape with a building and the exercise of political power. Both depend on the imposition of will. Certainly, seeing their worldview confirmed by reducing an entire city to the scale of a doll's house in an architectural model has an inherent appeal for those who regard the individual as of no account. ...Architecture feeds the egos of the susceptible. They grow more and more dependent on it to the point where architecture becomes an end to itself, seducing the addicts as they build more and more on an even larger scale.Building is the means by which the egotism of the individual is expressed in its most naked form: the Edifice Complex. Sudjic goes on to explore many instances of the complex both historically and in the modern world, including the example of Imelda Marcos and her architect, Leandro V. Locsin.


title: Edifice complex

text: Buildings cited as examples of the Marcos era edifice complex include the buildings of the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex (conceived in 1966), the San Juanico Bridge (conceived in 1969), the Philippine International Convention Center (conceived in 1974), the Philippine Heart Center (conceived in 1975), the National Arts Center in Los Baños, Laguna (inaugurated in 1976), Coconut Palace (conceived in 1978), the Lung Center of the Philippines (conceived in 1981), the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (conceived in 1981), the Philippine Plaza Hotel (conceived in 1976), and Terminal 1 of Manila International Airport (completed in 1981).


title: Edifice complex

text: The 1976 Tondo evictions which were part of the "Tondo Urban Renewal Project" and the deaths of construction workers at the Manila Film Center are also counted as signs of Imelda's having the complex.


title: Edifice complex

text: The "designer hospitals" were particularly criticized as wrongly prioritised healthcare projects, draining public funds for the benefit of only a handful of patients, while basic health institutions, such as the Quezon Institute for Tuberculosis Patients, were overflowing and underfunded.


title: Edifice complex

text: One other example, which was never completed, was the Palace in the Sky complex in Tagaytay, Cavite, which Imelda intended to host the visit of US President Ronald Reagan. The construction of the palace, which was suddenly stopped when Reagan canceled his visit, drastically changed the landscape of the Cavite highland, because preparations for the construction meant leveling the geographically distinct Mount Sungay to about half of its former height.


title: Edifice complex

text: When the People Power Revolution in 1986 overthrew the Marcoses, the new government renamed the palace as the People's Park in the Sky, opening it to the public to help demonstrate the excesses of the ousted regime.


title: Edifice complex

text: The term was mentioned in the contemporary 1974 disaster film "The Towering Inferno" in which the developer of the ill-fated skyscraper was maneuvering with a U.S. Senator to secure federal funding for similar buildings around the United States.


title: Edifice complex

text: In episode 39 of the 1990s television sitcom "Home Improvement", titled "Love is a Many Splintered Thing," main character Tim Taylor's next door neighbor, Wilson, jokes that Tim has "an edifice complex" due to the fact that he is a handyman who enjoys building things.


title: Edifice complex

text: The term is again mentioned in the 1997 James Bond movie "Tomorrow Never Dies" when, after being captured by Stamper and taken to the CMGN tower in Saigon (from which Carver has hung a large banner featuring his face), he remarks "Another Carver Building, if I didn't know any better I'd say he developed an edifice complex"


title: Rashida Jones filmography

text: Rashida Jones is an American actress, writer, and producer, best known for starring on the NBC comedy series "Parks and Recreation" (2009–2015) as Ann Perkins, and as Karen Filippelli in "The Office" (2006–2009; 2011).


title: Rashida Jones filmography

text: Jones first role of prominence was as Louisa Fenn on the Fox drama series "Boston Public" (2000–2002). From 2016 to 2019, Jones starred as the lead eponymous role in the TBS comedy series "Angie Tribeca".


title: Rashida Jones filmography

text: In film, Jones has appeared in "I Love You, Man" (2009), "The Social Network" (2010) and "Celeste and Jesse Forever" (2012), which she co-wrote. Jones also co-wrote the story of "Toy Story 4" (2019).


title: Rashida Jones filmography

text: As a filmmaker, she directed the first episode of "Hot Girls Wanted", a series that focused on the sex industry. She was also executive producer of the series. In 2018, her documentary "Quincy", about her father, Quincy Jones, debuted on Netflix; it won the Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2019.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Rosemary Kathleen Lavelle (born May 14, 1995) is an American professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for OL Reign of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and for the United States national team.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle represented the United States at multiple youth levels before making her senior international debut in 2017. After finishing her collegiate career with the Wisconsin Badgers in 2016, Lavelle began her professional career with Boston Breakers before moving to Washington Spirit a year later. She started six games for the United States at the 2019 World Cup, scoring three goals, and was awarded the Bronze Ball. The same year, she was named the sixth best player in the world at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 and was named to the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI. In the 2020 Olympics, she scored one goal for the United States on the way to a bronze medal.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to parents Marty and Janet, and was raised with three siblings, John, Nora and Mary. She played competitive soccer initially with GSSA Sycamore United Club before moving to Lakota United Soccer Club and later with Cincinnati United Premier Soccer Club. She credits her love of soccer to long-time Cincinnati Soccer Trainer Neil Bradford, who began as her trainer at age 8 and predicted her rise to the Women's Soccer National Team as a youth. As part of a third-grade book report, Lavelle chose to write about professional soccer star Mia Hamm.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: A four-year varsity girls' soccer player at Mount Notre Dame High School, Lavelle was named Cincinnati's Player of the Year by "The Cincinnati Enquirer" her senior year. The same year, she scored 15 goals (38 points) for her team. Lavelle finished her high school career as the team's leading scorer with 57 goals. She was twice-named NSCAA All-Region, as a junior and senior, and received first-team all-state honors. She was awarded the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Sports Women of the Year award in 2013.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle was accepted to play college soccer at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2013. A four-year starter, Lavelle made 19 appearances as a freshman, scoring 6 goals and registering 7 assists on the way to being named Big Ten Conference Freshman of the Year. Wisconsin won the Big Ten Women's Soccer Tournament in 2014. Lavelle was named Big Ten midfielder of the year consecutively in 2015 and 2016. In 2015, she was also named first-team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the first Wisconsin Badger to do so since 1991.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle played with the Dayton Dutch Lions in the USL W-League during the 2014 season. During her college break in the summer of 2015, Lavelle played for the Seattle Sounders Women of the W-League, where she was named all-league.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: After the W-League folded she returned to the Lions for the 2016 Women's Premier Soccer League season.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: On January 12, 2017, Lavelle was selected number one overall at the 2017 NWSL College Draft by the Boston Breakers. Lavelle started her professional career by scoring two goals in eight games and was named Player of the Month for April. However, after suffering a hamstring injury in June while on international duty, Lavelle missed over two months and finished the season with only ten appearances as a rookie. The Breakers folded before the start of the 2018 season.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: A dispersal draft was held by the NWSL to distribute Breakers players across the league. Lavelle was selected first overall by Washington Spirit, who acquired the first pick through a trade with Sky Blue FC. Due to injury and international duty Lavelle appeared in only eleven games for the Spirit in 2018. Despite making only six appearances the following year due to international duty, scoring one goal and recording one assist, Lavelle was named to the 2019 NWSL Best XI in the end of the season awards. With the 2020 season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lavelle took part in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, making four appearances and scoring one goal as Washington finished second in the preliminary group but were eliminated in the first knockout round by Sky Blue FC on penalties.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: On August 16, 2020, Lavelle was traded to OL Reign in exchange for OL Reign's natural first-round pick in the 2022 NWSL College Draft, $100,000 in allocation money, and further performance-based allocation money with the acknowledgement that she would be signing outside the league.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: On August 18, 2020, Lavelle signed with Manchester City of the English FA WSL ahead of the 2020–21 season. She scored her first goal on October 7, 2020 in a 3–1 win over Everton in the 2020–21 FA Women's League Cup, scoring her second goal against Liverpool a month later in the same competition. On January 31, 2021, Lavelle scored her first WSL goal as a substitute during City's 4–0 win over West Ham United.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: On May 17, 2021, OL Reign announced the return of Lavelle to the NWSL as an allocated player having acquired her playing rights prior to her move to England in August 2020.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle represented the United States at multiple youth levels. On November 24, 2015, Lavelle was called up to train with the senior United States women's national soccer team. One of eight players who joined the team's Victory Tour following the 2015 Women's World Cup, she earned her first senior international cap on March 4, 2017, during a match against England at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup. She was named Player of the Match following the team's 1–0 loss.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: In September 2018, Lavelle was named to the national team roster for the 2018 CONCACAF Women's Championship, the qualifying tournament for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She appeared in all five games for the U.S. and scored three goals. Her final goal of the tournament was scored in the second minute of the championship game against Canada, helping the U.S to a 2–0 victory, and their second straight CONCACAF Championship.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle started six games for the U.S. at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, scored three goals, and was awarded the Bronze Ball at the FIFA Women's World Cup awards as the third best player in the tournament. During the team's first group stage match against Thailand, Lavelle scored a brace helping the U.S. win 13–0. During the U.S. knockout round match against Spain, she drew a penalty kick that was converted by Megan Rapinoe to seal the team's 2–1 win and advance to the quarterfinals. Lavelle scored the U.S.' second goal in the final against the Netherlands helping the team win 2–0.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: Lavelle was named one of the world's top 11 players by The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 (finishing sixth), and was chosen as one of the world's top three midfielders by her professional peers in the 2019 FIFA FIFPro World XI.


title: Rose Lavelle

text: In July 2021, she was named to the roster for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Lavelle appeared in all six games as the team won the bronze medal, losing to Canada 1–0 in the semi-final before beating Australia 4–3 in the third-place playoff. She scored one goal at the tournament, during a 6–1 group stage win over New Zealand.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: The Battle of the North Cape was a Second World War naval battle that occurred on 26 December 1943, as part of the Arctic campaign. The , on an operation to attack Arctic Convoys of war materiel from the Western Allies to the Soviet Union, was brought to battle and sunk by the Royal Navy's battleship with cruisers and destroyers, including an onslaught from the destroyer of the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy, off the North Cape, Norway.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: The battle was the last between big-gun capital ships in the war between Britain and Germany. The British victory confirmed the massive strategic advantage held by the British, at least in surface units. It was also the penultimate engagement between battleships, the last being the October 1944 Battle of Surigao Strait.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Since August 1941, the western Allies had run convoys of ships from the United Kingdom and Iceland to the northern ports of the Soviet Union to provide essential supplies for their war effort on the Eastern Front. These endured much hardship, frequently attacked by German naval and air forces stationed in occupied Norway. A key concern were German "Kriegsmarine" battleships such as the and "Scharnhorst". Even the threat of these ships' presence was enough to cause disastrous consequences for the convoys, such as Convoy PQ 17 that was scattered and mostly sunk by German forces after false reports of the "Tirpitz" sailing to intercept them. To ward off the threat of Germany's capital ships in the Arctic and to escort convoys with a high level of success, the Royal Navy had to outlay great assets.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Operation Ostfront was an attempt by the German "Kriegsmarine" to intercept the expected Arctic convoys. In late December 1943, there was a Russia-bound convoy JW 55B consisting of 19 cargo vessels under the command of the Commodore, retired Rear-Admiral Maitland Boucher, accompanied by a close escort of two destroyers, and , among others, and an ocean escort of eight Home Fleet destroyers led by . Also in the area was convoy RA 55A, returning to the United Kingdom from Russia, consisting of 22 cargo ships, accompanied by a close escort of two destroyers and four other vessels, and an ocean escort of six Home Fleet destroyers led by . It had arrived safely at Murmansk with its normal escorts and the additional protection by Force 1, commanded by Vice Admiral Robert Burnett, consisting of the cruiser , the flagship, and the cruisers and .


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Escorting the convoys to Russia was the responsibility of the Home Fleet and its commander-in-chief, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser. Fraser wished to neutralize "Scharnhorst", a major threat to the convoys, and planned a confrontation over Christmas 1943 in which convoy JW 55B would be used to draw the enemy out. Fraser expected and hoped that "Scharnhorst" would attempt to attack JW 55B. At a conference of the captains of the ships in his force Fraser described his plan to intercept "Scharnhorst" at a position between the convoy and the enemy's Norwegian base. He would then approach the enemy to within in the Arctic night, illuminate "Scharnhorst" with star shell, and open fire using .


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Convoy JW 55B had left Loch Ewe on 20 December and was sighted two days later by a "Luftwaffe" aircraft which commenced shadowing. By 23 December it was clear to the British from intelligence reports that the convoy had been sighted and was being shadowed by enemy aircraft. Fraser then put to sea with Force 2 consisting of his flagship the battleship , the cruiser and S-class destroyers , , , and of the exiled Royal Norwegian Navy. Fraser was anxious not to discourage "Scharnhorst" from leaving its base, so did not approach before it was necessary to do so. As JW 55B and its escorts approached the area of greatest danger on the same day, the 23rd, travelling slowly eastward off the coast of north Norway, Burnett and Force 1 set out westward from Murmansk while Fraser with Force 2 approached at moderate speed from the west. On 25 December, "Scharnhorst" (under Captain Fritz Hintze) with the s , , , and left Norway's Altafjord under the overall command of "Konteradmiral" Erich Bey. "Scharnhorst" set course for the convoy's reported position as a south-westerly gale developed.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Fraser received confirmation from the Admiralty in the early hours of 26 December that "Scharnhorst" was at sea and searching for convoy JW 55B. The stormy weather had resulted in the grounding of all "Luftwaffe" reconnaissance planes. With no ability to search for the British ships from the air and heavy seas hampering the movement of his ships, Rear Admiral Bey was unable to locate the convoy. Despite a German U-boat spotting the convoy and reporting its position, Bey was still not able to make contact with the British ships. Thinking he had overshot the enemy, he detached his destroyers and sent them southward to increase the search area, and the destroyers subsequently lost contact with their flagship. Admiral Fraser, preparing for the German attack, had diverted the returning empty convoy RA 55A northward, out of the area in which it was expected, and ordered JW 55B to reverse course to allow him to close. He later ordered four of the destroyers with RA 55A; , , and , to detach and join him.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: The now unescorted "Scharnhorst" encountered Burnett's Force 1 shortly after 09:00. "Belfast" was the first ship to obtain radar contact on "Scharnhorst", and the British cruisers rapidly closed the range. At a distance of nearly , the British cruisers opened fire and "Scharnhorst" responded with her own salvoes. While no hits were scored on the British ships, the German battleship was struck twice, with one shell destroying the forward Seetakt radar controls and leaving "Scharnhorst" virtually blind in a mounting snowstorm. Without radar, gunners aboard the German battleship were forced to aim at the enemy's muzzle flashes. This was made more difficult because two of the British cruisers were using a new flashless propellant, leaving "Norfolk" the least difficult target. Bey, believing he had engaged a battleship, turned south in an attempt to distance himself from the pursuers and perhaps draw them away from the convoy.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: "Scharnhorst's" superior speed allowed Bey to shake off his pursuers, after which he turned northeast in an attempt to circle round them and attack the undefended convoy. Burnett, instead of giving chase in sea conditions that were limiting his cruisers' speed to , correctly guessed Bey's intentions and positioned Force 1 so as to protect the convoy. It was a decision that he had some personal doubts about as it would result in the cruisers losing contact with "Scharnhorst", and the decision was criticised by some of the British force's other officers but supported by Fraser. To Burnett's relief, shortly after noon, "Scharnhorst" was once again detected by the cruiser's radars as it attempted to approach the convoy. As fire was again exchanged, "Scharnhorst" scored two hits on "Norfolk" with 11-inch shells, disabling a turret and her radar. Burnett's destroyers were also unable to get close enough to "Scharnhorst" to launch a torpedo attack on the German ship. Following this exchange, Bey decided to return to port, while he ordered his destroyers to attack the convoy at a position reported by the U-boat earlier in the morning. The reported position was out-of-date, and the destroyers missed the convoy.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: "Scharnhorst" ran south for several hours, once again taking advantage of its superior speed. Burnett pursued, but both "Sheffield" and "Norfolk" suffered engine problems and were forced to drop back, leaving the outgunned "Belfast" as the sole pursuer and dangerously exposed for a while. The lack of working radar aboard "Scharnhorst" prevented the Germans from taking advantage of the situation, allowing "Belfast" to reacquire the German ship on her radar set. Unbeknownst to Bey, his ship was now sailing into a trap, with Admiral Fraser's main force steaming towards "Scharnhorst's" position and perfectly placed to intercept the fleeing German ship. With "Belfast" sending a constant stream of radio signals on the "Scharnhorst's" position, the battleship "Duke of York" battled through the rough seas to reach the German ship. Fraser sent his four escorting destroyers to press ahead and try to get into torpedo-launching positions. The main British force soon picked up "Scharnhorst" on radar at 16:15 and were maneuvering to bring a full broadside to bear. At 16:17 "Scharnhorst" was detected by "Duke of York"s Type 273 radar at a range of 45,500 yards (41,500 m) and by 16:32 "Duke of York"s Type 284 radar indicated that the range had closed to 29,700 yards (27,700 m).


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: At 16:48, "Belfast" fired star shells to illuminate "Scharnhorst". "Scharnhorst", unprepared with her turrets trained fore and aft, was clearly visible from "Duke of York". "Duke of York" opened fire at a range of and scored a hit on the first salvo, disabling "Scharnhorst"s foremost turrets ("Anton" and "Bruno"), while another salvo destroyed the ship's aeroplane hangar. Bey turned north, but was engaged by the cruisers "Norfolk" and "Belfast", and turned east at a high speed of . "Scharnhorst" was now being engaged on one side by "Duke of York" and "Jamaica" while Burnett's cruisers engaged from the other side. The Germans took continuing heavy punishment from "Duke of York's" 14-inch shells, and at 17:24 a desperate Bey signalled to Germany "am surrounded by heavy units".


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Bey was able to put some more distance between "Scharnhorst" and the British ships to increase his prospects of success. Two 11-inch shells from one of her salvoes passed through the masts of the "Duke of York", severing some of the wireless aerials, and, more serious still, knocking over the radar aerial to the Type 284 gunnery control radar set. These hits could not have been known to Bey, and Lt H. R. K. Bates RNVR, the electrical officer, despite the appalling conditions (a force 8 gale, darkness and substantial ice), climbed the mast and managed to return the aerial to the horizontal and restarted the gyro-stabiliser so that within a few minutes the radar was working again (a myth proceeded to be told of Bates repairing the wires with his bare hands causing his nickname to be "Barehand" Bates). "Scharnhorst"'s fortunes took a dramatic turn for the worse at 18:20 when a shell fired by "Duke of York" at extreme range pierced her belt armor and destroyed the No. 1 boiler room. "Scharnhorst"s speed dropped to only , and though immediate repair work allowed it to recover to , "Scharnhorst" was now vulnerable to torpedo attacks by the destroyers. Five minutes later, Bey sent his final radio message to the German naval command: "We will fight on until the last shell is fired." At 18:50 "Scharnhorst" turned to starboard to engage the destroyers "Savage" and "Saumarez", but this allowed "Scorpion" and the Norwegian destroyer "Stord" to attack with torpedoes, scoring two hits on the starboard side. As "Scharnhorst" continued to turn to avoid the torpedoes, "Savage" and "Saumarez" scored three hits on her port side. "Saumarez" was hit several times by "Scharnhorst"s secondary armament and suffered 11 killed and 11 wounded.


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Due to the torpedo hits, "Scharnhorst"s speed again fell to , allowing "Duke of York" to rapidly close the range. With "Scharnhorst" illuminated by starshells "hanging over her like a chandelier", "Duke of York" and "Jamaica" resumed fire, at a range of only . At 19:15, "Belfast" joined in from the north. The British vessels subjected the German ship to a deluge of shells, and the cruisers "Jamaica" and "Belfast" fired their remaining torpedoes at the slowing target. "Scharnhorst"s end came when the British destroyers "Opportune", "Virago", "Musketeer" and "Matchless" fired a further 19 torpedoes at her. Wracked with hits and unable to flee, "Scharnhorst" finally capsized and sank at 19:45 on 26 December, her propellers still turning, at an estimated position of . She was later identified and filmed at . Of her total complement of 1,968, only 36 were pulled from the frigid waters, 30 by "Scorpion" and six by "Matchless". Neither Rear Admiral Bey nor Captain Hintze were among those rescued (although both were reported seen in the water after the ship sank), nor were any other officers. "Scorpion" tried to rescue Bey but he foundered. British casualties, in contrast, were relatively light with only 21 killed and 11 wounded. The majority of British casualties occurred on "Saumarez", with 11 of the destroyer's sailors being killed as the ship attempted to close with "Scharnhorst". HMS "Norfolk" suffered most of the remaining casualties with seven of her men being killed while the destroyer "Scorpion" also had one of its men missing in action. Fraser ordered the force to proceed to Murmansk, making a signal to the Admiralty: ""Scharnhorst" sunk", to which the reply came: "Grand, well done."


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: Later in the evening of 26 December, Admiral Fraser briefed his officers on board "Duke of York": "Gentlemen, the battle against "Scharnhorst" has ended in victory for us. I hope that if any of you are ever called upon to lead a ship into action against an opponent many times superior, you will command your ship as gallantly as "Scharnhorst" was commanded today". After the battle Admiral Fraser sent the following message to the Admiralty: "... Please convey to the C-in-C Norwegian Navy. "Stord" played a very daring role in the fight and I am very proud of her...". In an interview in The "Evening News" on 5 February 1944 the commanding officer of HMS "Duke of York", Captain Guy Russell, said: "... the Norwegian destroyer "Stord" carried out the most daring attack of the whole action...".


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: The loss of "Scharnhorst" demonstrated the vital importance of radar in modern naval warfare. While the German battleship should have been able to outgun all of her opponents save the battleship "Duke of York", the early loss of radar-assisted fire control combined with the problem of inclement weather left her at a significant disadvantage. "Scharnhorst" was straddled by 31 of the 52 radar-fire-controlled salvoes fired by "Duke of York". In the aftermath of the battle, the "Kriegsmarine" commander, "Großadmiral" Karl Dönitz remarked, "Surface ships are no longer able to fight without effective radar equipment."


title: Battle of the North Cape

text: The sinking of the "Scharnhorst" was a major victory for the Allied war effort in the Arctic theater and further altered the strategic balance at sea in their favour. The Battle of the North Cape took place only a few months after the successful Operation Source, which had severely damaged the German battleship "Tirpitz" as she lay at anchor in Norway. With "Scharnhorst" destroyed and Germany's other battleships out of service, the Allies were now for the first time in the war free from the threat of German battleships raiding their convoys in the Arctic and Atlantic. This would allow the Allies to reallocate their naval resources that had been previously tied up to counter the threat of the German 'fleet in being'. This would prove to be the final battle of battleships in European waters and was one of few major surface ship-on-ship battles in the Second World War without air support.


title: Observer (video game)

text: Observer (stylised as >observer_) is a psychological horror video game developed by Bloober Team and published by Aspyr. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in August 2017, followed by versions for Linux, macOS and Nintendo Switch. An upgraded and expanded version called Observer: System Redux was released in November 2020 for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, for Amazon Luna in March 2021, and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in July 2021. "Observer" follows Daniel Lazarski, a detective known as an Observer, who can hack people's minds as a method of interrogation.


title: Observer (video game)

text: A team of around thirty developed the game using the Unreal Engine 4. It stars Rutger Hauer, who was also in "Blade Runner", one of the primary influences. Arkadiusz Reikowski composed the score, infusing it with choral, diegetic and ambient music. "Observer" received generally favourable reviews. Critics praised the world design, visual effects and hacking sequences but criticised the stealth and its focus on style over substance.


title: Observer (video game)

text: "Observer" is a psychological horror video game played from a first-person perspective. The player controls Daniel Lazarski, a Krakowian detective of the Observers police unit. He can hack people's brain implants with a device known as the Dream Eater, for interrogation purposes. Equipped with augmented vision split into Electromagnetic Vision—which scans for electronic devices—and Bio Vision—which scans for biological evidence—he is able to analyse and highlight certain objects in his environment. Objects can be interacted with and examined, while dialogue trees are used for speaking with non-player characters. "Nanophage" cards, patient records, radio-controlled cars and roses serve as collectibles. A mini-game called "With Fire and Sword: Spiders" is accessed through computer terminals, which can also read documents.


title: Observer (video game)

text: "Observer" is set in 2084 Kraków, Poland after the "nanophage", a "digital plague" that cost the lives of thousands, resulting in war and rampant drug use. After Chiron, a megacorporation, took control of Poland and manifested the Fifth Polish Republic, a police unit known as Observers was put in control of the denizens with license to hack their minds. Drug and hologram addicts were made Class C and cast off to live in tenement buildings.


title: Observer (video game)

text: One morning, Observer detective Daniel Lazarski receives a call from his estranged son Adam, whose caller ID is traced to a tenement building. Locating Adam's apartment, Daniel discovers a body missing its head. He scans a ComPass implant and sees a missed call from "H.N." Checking the tenant log, he learns the initials belong to Helena Nowak who lives in apartment 104. At this point, a lockdown has been triggered. In apartment 104, Daniel finds a moribund man and hacks his brain for clues. Given a glimpse of the tattoo parlour outside, he heads to the courtyard.


title: Observer (video game)

text: Helena is found dead inside the parlour; hacking her brain reveals she was working for Adam, smuggling data out of Chiron. Daniel goes looking for Jack Karnas, the owner of the tattoo parlour, in apartment 210. He finds Jack murdered and follows a trail of the killer's blood to the attic, where he is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he regains consciousness, he finds the killer dead and hacks the remains. Daniel continues from there into the sewers, arriving at the killer's hideout. Adam's severed head lies underneath a cover on a table. Distraught, Daniel is met with his son's voice mentioning a place called "Sanctuary". He finds his way deeper underground, ending up at "Sanctuary"s gates.


title: Observer (video game)

text: Inside "Sanctuary", Daniel meets Adam in a virtual world and learns that Adam's consciousness was transferred into a digital realm hoping it was out of Chiron's reach. However, Adam claims Chiron deployed a virus to break down his defences. Daniel is urged to manually override the signal that caused the lockdown, releasing Adam from the building's private network. In the adjoining building, Adam reveals he killed the original Adam for sending the virus after him and triggered the lockdown to lead Daniel to "Sanctuary". Adam asks that he be hosted in Daniel's Observer mind to save what is left of his son; if Daniel accepts, Adam takes full control over him. If he refuses, Adam transfers Daniel's consciousness into a maintenance drone and steals his body. Daniel manages to steal the body of the drone's owner and uses it to attack Adam but is shot dead by police as the lockdown is finally lifted.


title: Observer (video game)

text: At Kraków-based Bloober Team, a staff, at times exceeding thirty members, developed "Observer" with Unreal Engine 4. By December 2015, the game was in pre-production with one of two scripts bearing its concept. Development began with the idea of changing the setting from that of the studio's previous title, "Layers of Fear", to a dystopian society embellished with 1980s and '90s references to Eastern European culture and architecture, and adding in-game propaganda reminiscent of the Soviet Union. Influences included "Blade Runner", "Cyberpunk 2020", and comic books; all used so that the game could distinguish itself from American and Japanese cyberpunk. The ever-changing level design in hacking sequences features compression artefact effects. HRZ3D Studio worked on the opening intro; frameshunter contributed additional animations. The involvement of Rutger Hauer, who plays the lead, was revealed in July 2017: Hauer had previously starred in "Blade Runner". Arkadiusz Reikowski composed the soundtrack, which was influenced by the music of "Akira", "Ghost in the Shell" and "Blade Runner". Reikowski used an analogue synthesizer to keep faithful to the atmosphere, worked with the Polish band for the choral music (using words intended as ominous, alien and ritual) and employed diegetic music by psytrance artist Mirror Me. Przemek Laszczyk, with whom Reikowski worked on the 2015 video game "Kholat", provided additional ambient music like the tattoo parlour theme.


title: Observer (video game)

text: The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 15 August 2017, and launched for macOS and Linux on 24 October. Techland published a limited edition in Poland; Limited Run Games released a physical version for PlayStation 4 in July 2018. "Observer" was released for Nintendo Switch on 7 February 2019. "Observer: System Redux", a version featuring more story content and enhanced visuals and gameplay, was released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox Series X on 10 November 2020, and for PlayStation 5 on 12 November. This version was released for Amazon Luna on 25 March 2021 and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on 16 July 2021.


title: Observer (video game)

text: According to Metacritic, "Observer" received generally favourable reviews. It was a runner-up for the Best World award at "Giant Bomb"s 2017 Game of the Year Awards, and won for Best Setting in "Game Informer"s 2017 Adventure Game of the Year Awards. "Eurogamer" and "Polygon" ranked it among the best games of 2017. The game was also nominated for Use of Sound, New IP at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards, and won the award for Best Emotional Indie Game at the Emotional Games Awards 2018. "Game Informer"s Javy Gwaltney wrote ""Observer" makes the most of its fusion of cyberpunk sci-fi and terror", citing the minimalistic setting as something that distinguished it from other futuristic stories. He commended the hacking sequences for being "intense, terrifying" and interesting. The game was praised for its puzzles, consistent scares and plot revelations, which Gwaltney thought kept it from being boring, despite the lack of combat. Brittany Vincent of "Game Revolution" said the game was, "by far", among the best of the year. She felt the exploration was thrilling and declared the atmosphere and visual effects during hacking sequences "masterful". David Rayfield at "GameSpot" praised the detailed environments and found the story to be "one of the most intriguing" in the genre in years. He felt the ability to open doors inches at a time added to the horror. He liked the blend of the sound design with Reikowski’s music, and how the writing made "even the most fleeting of characters" genuine. Writing for "PC Gamer", Jody Macgregor said certain moments of "surrealness" were effective, finding the visual effects "genuinely shocking" at times. The cat-and-mouse levels were lauded for "livening up the dreams". "Shacknews" Chris Jarrard agreed with Rayfield that the "hyper-detailed world" made an impression. He observed a "superb" use of binaural recording and thought the pacing was "excellent".


title: Observer (video game)

text: Conversely, Gwaltney criticised Rutger Hauer's line delivery and the stealth sequences. Vincent and Rayfield both disparaged the stealth areas, calling them "frustrating". Macgregor complained that, although the visual effects looked "kind of cool", they eventually lost their appeal; similarly, he called the cat-and-mouse sequences "overused". Other complaints included the use of jump scares and a disappointing plot. Jarrard saw the exploration as "cumbersome and mildly ".


title: Observer (video game)

text: In December 2017, a film adaptation with American production company Zero Gravity was announced, increasing the value of Bloober Team's shares by over 8%.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: Hours (stylised as 'hours...' ) is the 22nd studio album by English musician David Bowie. It was originally released on 21September 1999 through the Internet on Bowie's website BowieNet, followed by a physical CD release on 4October through Virgin Records. It was the first album by a major artist available to download over the Internet. Originating as a soundtrack to the video game "Omikron: The Nomad Soul" (1999), "Hours" was the final collaboration between Bowie and guitarist Reeves Gabrels, whom he had worked with since 1988. The album was recorded in mid-1999 between studios in Bermuda and New York City. A song contest conducted on BowieNet in late 1998 resulted in a fan contributing lyrics and backing vocals to one of the tracks.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: In contrast to the experimental nature of Bowie's other works throughout the decade, "Hours" presents a pop rock and art pop style reminiscent of 1971's "Hunky Dory", further evoking styles and ideals previously explored on Bowie's past works. The lyrics are introspective, detailing topics such as the collapse of relationships and subjects of angst. Also present are overtly Christian themes, which is reflected in the cover artwork. Inspired by the Pietà, it depicts the short-haired Bowie persona from the "Earthling" era, resting in the arms of a long-haired, more youthful version of Bowie. The title, originally "The Dreamers", is a play on "ours".


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: Accompanied by multiple UK top 40 singles, "Hours" peaked at number five on the UK Albums Chart but was Bowie's first album to miss the US "Billboard" 200 top 40 since 1972. It also received mixed reviews from music critics, many of whom praised individual tracks but criticised the album as a whole, sentiments echoed by later reviewers and Bowie's biographers. Bowie promoted the album through the Hours Tour and various television appearances. Retrospective lists ranking all of Bowie's studio albums have placed "Hours" among Bowie's weaker efforts. The album was reissued with bonus tracks in 2004 and remastered in 2021 for inclusion on the box set "Brilliant Adventure (1992–2001)".


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: After maintaining a relatively large media profile throughout 1997, David Bowie retreated from the limelight in 1998, primarily devoting his time to ventures outside of music, such as establishing his website BowieNet, but nevertheless continued recording and making film appearances. Besides mixing a potential live album from the Earthling Tour, later released in 1999 as "LiveAndWell.com", Bowie was inactive in the studio throughout 1998; his sole recording from the year was a cover of George and Ira Gershwin's "A Foggy Day in London Town", which appeared on the "" compilation. He also reconciled with his former collaborator Tony Visconti.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: In late 1998, Bowie accepted an offer to compose the soundtrack for the upcoming video game "Omikron: The Nomad Soul", developed by Quantic Dream and published by Eidos Interactive. Writer and director David Cage chose Bowie over a list of applicants including Björk, Massive Attack and Archive. Biographer Nicholas Pegg contends that Bowie was drawn to the game due to its Buddhist overtones, noting that when a character died, he or she was reincarnated. Along with composing the music, Bowie appeared in the game as a character named Boz and, along with guitarist Reeves Gabrels and bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, as the singer of an in-game band performing gigs in the bars of Omikron City. Bowie's wife Iman also appeared as a character the player can reincarnate into.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: The "Omikron" project provided the springboard for Bowie's next album. Between late 1998 and early 1999, Bowie and Gabrels amassed a large number of songs, some of which were written for "Omikron" and others for a Gabrels solo album, including "Survive", "The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell" and the B-side "We All Go Through". Unlike the experimental cut-up nature of Bowie's other 1990s recordings, the tracks were written in a more conventional style reminiscent of his mid-1980s works. He explained: "There was very little experimentation in the studio. A lot of it was just straightforward songwriting." As a result, the demos were primarily written on guitar, while "Thursday's Child" and "The Dreamers" were written on keyboards. Gabrels stated that "Omikron" provided the musical direction for the songs, elaborating:


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: At an E3 press conference in 1999, Bowie said that his main priority was to imbue the game with "emotional subtext" and regarded this as a success. In the end, "Omikron" featured variants of every "Hours" track except "If I'm Dreaming My Life", "Brilliant Adventure" and "What's Really Happening?", along with "We All Go Through". Various instrumentals also appeared in the game, some of which were further developed for release as B-sides.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: After Bowie completed collaborations with the band Placebo in February and March 1999, he and Gabrels entered Seaview Studios in Bermuda—his new residence after he sold his home in Switzerland—the following month to commence recording. Bowie and Gabrels completed most of the work by themselves. Aside from returning musicians Mark Plati and drummer Sterling Campbell, who played on "Earthling" (1997) and "Outside" (1995), respectively, Bowie hired entirely new personnel for "Hours". Mike Levesque contributed drums and percussion, while additional players included Everett Bradley on percussion ("Seven"), Chris Haskett on rhythm guitar ("If I'm Dreaming My Life") and Marcus Salisbury on electric bass ("New Angels of Promise"). Bowie initially wanted R&B trio TLC to perform backing vocals for "Thursday's Child", but the idea was vetoed by Gabrels. Instead, Gabrels hired his friend Holly Palmer, who afterwards joined Bowie's touring band.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: In late 1998, Bowie launched a songwriting competition on BowieNet where the winner would win a chance to complete the lyrics for an unfinished composition titled "What's Really Happening?". He or she would also earn the chance to be flown to New York to observe the recording session. Ohio native Alex Grant was revealed as the winner in January 1999 and was flown to New York for the vocal and overdub session on 24May 1999, which was broadcast live on BowieNet. Grant also contributed backing vocals. On the experience, Bowie stated: "The most gratifying part of the evening for me was being able to encourage Alex and his pal Larry to sing on the song that he had written." Plati later commended the idea to biographer Marc Spitz, stating that "it was a new way to reach out to his fans".


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: According to Plati, the "Hours" sessions were more relaxed and Bowie himself was calmer compared to the quick rush of the "Earthling" sessions. When speaking with biographer David Buckley, he described having leisurely conversations with Bowie and Gabrels, from the Internet to contemporary topics of the time. Nevertheless, disagreements arose between Bowie and Gabrels, primarily regarding the musical direction. Gabrels wanted to do a follow-up to "Earthling" in a manner similar to "Ziggy Stardust" (1972) and "Aladdin Sane" (1973). Later on, he revealed that "Hours" was initially a different record, comparing it to "Diamond Dogs" (1974). He was also frustrated at the hiring of Plati and the demotion of tracks such as "We All Go Through" and "1917" to B-side status. According to O'Leary, the finished album was mixed and mastered by June.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: "Hours" marks a major departure from the experimental nature of its two predecessors. Deduced by Plati as "the anti-"Earthling"", its represents a style more akin to the acoustic and conventional textures of 1971's "Hunky Dory". Author James Perone writes that the record evokes folk rock, 1960s soul and rock, while retrospective commentators have categorised it as pop rock and art pop.


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: Numerous themes prevail throughout "Hours". Biographers analyse the tracks as seeming to reflect Bowie looking at his own mortality. Surmised by Perone as "Bowie's angels album", the album contains overtly Christian themes last seen on the "Station to Station" track "Word on a Wing" (1976); it contains paraphrases from the Bible and the poetry of John Donne, along with numerous references to life and death, heaven and hell, "gods", "hymns" and "angels". Additionally, the number seven pervades on "Thursday's Child" and "Seven". Perone states: "the number that governs the passing of days into words appears in several guises. The listener is left with the feeling that not only is the passage of time controlled by some indefinable supreme power, but possibly are the events of one's life."


title: Hours (David Bowie album)

text: With an overall ideal of introspection, "Something in the Air" and "Survive" examine the downfall of relationships, "If I'm Dreaming My Life" and "Seven" question the reliability of memory, while "What's Really Happening?", "The Dreamers" and "The Pretty Things Are Going to Hell" reflect the helplessness of age felt when looking back on life. Regarding the similar themes, Bowie explained: "I wanted to capture a kind of universal angst felt by many people of my age. You could say that I am attempting to write some songs for my generation. Due to the retrospection of the material, some commentators wondered if "Hours" was autobiographical, to which Bowie refuted, telling "Uncut":