April 10, 2007

reprobate

DEFINITION: (noun) A morally unprincipled person. SYNONYMS: miscreant. USAGE: The prison was full of notorious reprobates.

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow is an award-winning Swedish actor who is known in particular for his collaboration with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, his mentor. Von Sydow worked profusely on stage and screen in Scandinavia before moving to Los Angeles to star in Hollywood films. In 2002, he had one of his largest commercial successes, co-starring with Tom Cruise in what Steven Spielberg film?

Belfast Agreement Signed

The Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, was a major step in the Northern Ireland peace process. Signed by the British and Irish governments and endorsed by most of Northern Ireland's political parties, it was also endorsed by voters in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in separate referenda on May 23, 1998. In what way did vague wording in some of the agreement's provisions help ensure its acceptance?

Burqa

The burqa is a loose, opaque, and all-enveloping outer garment worn by women in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India; similar garments in the Middle East are known as the hijab or chador. The burqa covers the wearer's entire face except for a small region around the eyes. A full burqa conceals the entire body and includes a net panel that hides the wearer's eyes. What is the "burqa ban," and where was it proposed?