On 6 December 2017, US President Donald Trump said that he would recognise the status of Jerusalem as being Israel’s sovereign capital[4] in a departure from previous UNGA resolutions as well prevailing international norms where no state either recognises Jerusalem as a national capital nor has an embassy there. The move prompted protests from states and communities in many parts of the world.[5]
Following the failure of an United Nations Security Council resolution three days earlier, after an U.S. veto, to rescind the recognition by any states of Jerusalem as a national capital, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said that the General Assembly would vote on a draft resolution calling for Trump’s declaration to be withdrawn. He sought to invoke Resolution 377, known as the “Uniting for Peace” resolution, to circumvent a veto. The resolution states that the General Assembly can call an Emergency Special Session to consider a matter “with a view to making appropriate recommendations to members for collective measures” if the Security Council fails to act.[6]
On 20 December, US President Donald Trump threatened to cut US aid to countries voting against the US’ side.[7] The day before the vote, he said: “Let them vote against us…We don’t care…this isn’t like it used to be where they could vote against you and then you pay them hundreds of millions of dollars. We’re not going to be taken advantage of any longer.”[8]Ambassador Nikki Haley warned her country would remember and “take names” of every country that voted in favour of the resolution.[9][10][11][12] The governments of Turkey and Iran denounced USA’s threats as “anti-democratic” and “blackmail“.[13][14] She had sent to a letter to dozens of member states that warned Trump had asked her to “report back on those countries who voted against us.”[15] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned Trump that “he cannot buy Turkey’s democratic will with petty dollars” and “that opposition of other countries will teach the United States a good lesson”.[16][17]
Canada’s, which was seeking re-negotiations of the NAFTA, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland‘s spokesman confirmed its intention to abstain from the vote and that the resolution should not have come to the General Assembly.[19]
The text of the resolution includes the following key statements:[20]
The General Assembly,
Bearing in mind the specific status of the Holy City of Jerusalem and, in particular, the need for the protection and preservation of the unique spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions of the City, as foreseen in the relevant United Nations resolutions,
Stressing that Jerusalem is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations in line with relevant United Nations resolutions,
Expressing in this regard its deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem,
Affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council;
Demands that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions;
Reiterates its call for the reversal of the negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-State solution and for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Roadmap and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967.
It concluded in reading that “any decisions and actions, which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”[21]
In introducing the resolution as Chair of the Arab Group, Yemen’s Amabassador said the US decision was a “blatant violation of the rights of the Palestinian people, as well as those of all Christians and Muslims.” He emphasized that it constituted a “dangerous breach of the Charter of the United Nations and a serious threat to international peace and security, while also undermining the chances for a two‑State solution and fuelling the fires of violence and extremism.”[23]
Turkey, who was the co-sponsor of the draft resolution, also spoke as current Chair of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation(OIC).[23] Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Trump’s decision was an outrageous assault to all universal values. “The Palestinians have the right to their own state based on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is the main parameter and only hope for a just and lasting peace in the region. However, the recent decision of a UN Member State to recognise Jerusalem, or Al-Quds, as the capital of Israel, violates international law, including all relevant UN resolutions.”[22]
The General Assembly heard from Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al‑Malki, who said that the meeting was “not because of any animosity to the United States of America” but instead the sessions was “called to make the voice of the vast majority of the international community — and that of people around the world — heard on the question of Jerusalem/Al‑Quds Al‑Sharif.” He called the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move its embassy there “an aggressive and dangerous move” which could inflame tensions and lead to a religious war that “has no boundaries.” He added that though the decision would have no impact on the city’s status, it would nevertheless compromise the role of the United States in the Middle East peace process.[23] He urged member states to reject “blackmail and intimidation.”[5]
US Ambassador Nikki Haley then said that her country was “singled out for attack” because of its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. She added that: “The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation,” Haley said. We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations, and so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.”[15] She added that: “America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. That is what the American people want us to do, and it is the right thing to do. No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that…this vote will make a difference in how Americans view the UN.”[22]
Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon then told the assembly that the vowed that “no General Assembly resolution will ever drive us from Jerusalem.”[4]
Venezuela’s Ambassador, speaking for the Non‑Aligned Movement (NAM), expressed “grave concern about Israel’s ongoing violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including attempts to alter the character, status and demographic composition of the City of Jerusalem. [It was] slso concerned about the decision to relocate the United States embassy [and] warned that such provocative actions would further heighten tensions, with potentially far‑reaching repercussions given the extremely volatile backdrop.[23]
Other speakers included, Pakistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Syria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Iran and China.[23]
Malaysia’s Ambassador Datuk Seri Mohammed Shahrul Ikram Yaakob said that, as a member of the OIC and NAM, “Malaysia joins the international community in expressing our deep concern and rejects the decision by the United States to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It is also an infringement of the Palestinian people’s rights and their right to self determination.” He called for a peaceful two-state solution and that Malaysia is concerned the situation will only feed into the agenda of extremists.”[2]
Other speakers included, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and South Africa. The Permanent Observer for the Holy See, Tomasz Grysa, emphasised that Jerusalem was most sacred to the Abrahamic faiths and a symbol for millions of believers around the world who considered it their “spiritual capital.” Its significance went “beyond the question of borders, a reality that should be considered a priority in every negotiation for a political solution.” The Holy See, he said, called for a “peaceful resolution that would ensure respect for the sacred nature of Jerusalem and its universal value…reiterating that only international guarantee could preserve its unique character and status and provide assurance of dialogue and reconciliation for peace in the region.”[23]
After the motion was passed, more speeches continued with Estonia, who also spoke on behalf of other states. Australia’s Ambassador then explained her country’s government did “not support unilateral action that undermined the peace process [and] it did not believe today’s text would help to bring the parties back to the negotiating table.”[23]
Other speakers included, Paraguay, whose Ambassador said that the country would abstain because “the question of Jerusalem was a matter for the Security Council, as the primary body responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.”[23] This was followed by El Salvador, Argentina and Romania.[23]
Canada’s Ambassador Marc-Andre Blanchard called the proposal “one-sided”[23] and said: “We are disappointed that this resolution is one sided and does not advance prospects for peace to which we aspire, which is why we have abstained on today’s vote.” He, however, added that Canada wanted to emphasise Jerusalem’s special significance to the Abrahamic religions of Jews, Muslims and Christians. “Denying the connection between Jerusalem and the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths undermines the integrity of the site for all. We also reiterate the need to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem’s Holy sites.[19]
Nicaragua’s explained its support of the resolution, as it “rebuffed recent unilateral attempts to modify the character and status of Jerusalem. Such unilateral actions were in blatant violation of resolution 2234 (2016) and others…unilateral actions jeopardised peace and stability in the Middle East and drew the international community further away from a solution.”[23]
Mexico’s Ambassador then explained the abstention and emphasised that convening an emergency session was a disproportionate response. “The United States must become part of the solution, not a stumbling block that would hamper progress…the international community was further than ever from agreement.”[23]
The Czech Republic then said that while it supported the European Union position, it had abstained because it “did not believe the draft resolution would contribute to the peace process.”[23]
Armenia said that is position “remained unchanged. The situation should be resolved through negotiations paving the way for lasting peace and security.”[23]
Latvia then spoke, before Estonia re-took the floor to say it had also spoken on behalf of Albania, Lithuania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.[23]
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.
Reject
9
Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo, United States.
Abstain
35
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Haiti, Hungary, Jamaica, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu.
Absent
21
Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, El Salvador, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mongolia, Myanmar, Moldova, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Zambia.
– Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the result shortly after it was announced in call it “preposterous,” while he also thanked the states that supported “the truth” by not participating in “the theatre of the absurd.” He added that: “Jerusalem is our capital. Always was, always will be…But I do appreciate the fact that a growing number of countries refused to participate in this theatre of the absurd. So I appreciate that, and especially I want to again express our thanks to [US] President (Donald) Trump and Ambassador [Nikki] Haley, for their stalwart defence of Israel and their stalwart defence of the truth.” Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman, reminded Israelis of the longstanding Israeli disdain for such votes. “Let us just remember that this is the same UN about which our first ambassador to the organisation, Abba Eban, once said: ‘If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions’. There is nothing new in what just happened at the UN.” He also praised the US as “the moral beacon shining out of the darkness.” Minister of Strategic Affairs and Public Security Gilad Erdan said: “The historic connection between Israel and Jerusalem is stronger than any vote by the ‘United Nations’ — nations who are united only by their fear and their refusal to recognise the simple truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the Jewish people.”
However, opposition Joint List Chairman and MK Ayman Odeh called the vote a wake-up call for Israel: “In the international arena, there still exists a large and definitive majority that believes that the Palestinian people, like all other nations, deserve a place in this world and the right to self-determination. This evening’s vote by the majority of the world’s nations against Trump’s announcement, in spite of the pressure and threats, flies in the face of Trump’s and Netanyahu’s diplomatic policy and is a clear statement by the international community in support of peace and the right of the Palestinians to an independent state, whose capital is East Jerusalem,”[8]
Media
Haaretz‘s Noa Landau, wrote, in citing unnamed diplomatic sourced, that Israel was particularly disappointed with countries like India that have enhanced bilateral relations with it recently. “The main disappointment in Israel was with the countries that have enhanced bilateral relations in recent years, especially those that share a particularly conservative worldview with the Netanyahu government. For example, India – whose Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited Israel in July, a tour that was memorable mainly for the pastoral photographs of him and Netanyahu embracing and wading in the waves – voted for the resolution against Israel and the United States.”[8]
Others
At a “Solidarity to Save Jerusalem” rally organised by the Barisan National government in Malaysia, one of the attendees Association of NextGen Christians of Malaysia President Joshua Hong said at the Putra Mosque: “We are here because we feel that the decision made by President Trump on announcing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is merely a political decision. He added that the decision also hurts Christian and Arabic churches in Palestine and not just the Muslims. “To us as Christians, Jerusalem is a city of peace and after that announcement, we feel there is no more peace.I think it is not right and unjust. We believe we should continue pursuing the sustainable peace solution for Palestine and Israel, rather than just a single nation declaring it just like that.” He claimed that about 50 members of the group turned up in a show of support for the Palestinian people..[2]
In most places in the world, today’s date is written 9-11, for it is the 9th day of November.
Three male bombers (allegedly all Iraqis) and 57 bystanders were killed at three hotels – the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Radisson SAS Hotel, and the Days Inn – in Amman, Jordan, on 9 November 2005. Al-Qaeda in Iraq immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Today is the 10th anniversary of that event.
On 9 November 2015, a Jordanian police officer picked this day to kill two American contractors and a South African contractor at King Abdullah Special Operations Training Center near the capital, Amman, Jordan’s official Petra news agency reported.
The gunman had been fired.
Four Jordanians and two American were also wounded in today’s incident.
Jordanian security forces killed the shooter.
No members of the U.S. military, who cycle through the training center, were involved in the shooting, the U.S. official said.
“We are in contact with the appropriate Jordanian authorities, who have offered their full support,” a U.S. Embassy spokesman in Jordan told CNN. “We will report more information when available and appropriate.”
This date, 9 November, is also the traditional date, in 1989, tied to the “Fall of the Berlin Wall.”
On another the 9th of November, in 1965, the Catholic Worker Movement member Roger Allen LaPorte, protesting against the Vietnam War, set himself on fire in front of the United Nations building.
On 9 November 694, at the Seventeenth Council of Toledo, Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accused the Jews of aiding Muslims, sentencing all Jews to slavery.
Wells Fargo & Company is an American multinational banking and financial services holding company which is headquartered…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #1 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
2Bank of America
Bank of America is an American multinational banking and financial services corporation headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #1 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
3Chase
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., doing business as Chase, is a national bank that constitutes the consumer and commercial banking…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
4Capital One
Capital One Financial Corporation is a U.S.-based bank holding company specializing in credit cards, home loans, auto…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #4 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
5American Express
The American Express Company, also known as Amex, is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
6Citibank
Citibank is the consumer division of financial services multinational Citigroup…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #6 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
7PNC Financial Services
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is an American financial services corporation, with assets of approximately $271.2 billion…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
Peaked at #6 (yearly)
6 years in top 10
8USAA
The United Services Automobile Association is a Texas-based Fortune 500 diversified financial services group of companies…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #8 (yearly)
4 years in top 10
9Fidelity Investments
FMR LLC or Fidelity Investments is an American multinational financial services corporation…Wikipedia
New in chart
Peaked at #9 (yearly)
6 years in top 10
10State Farm Insurance
State Farm is a group of insurance and financial services companies in the United States. The company also has operations in Canada…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #10 (yearly)
2 years in top 10
Energy companies
1BP
BP plc, sometimes referred to by its former name British Petroleum, is a British multinational oil and gas company…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #1 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
2Duke Energy
Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the largest electric power holding company in the United States…Wikipedia
+2 since last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
8 years in top 10
3Royal Dutch Shell
Royal Dutch Shell plc, commonly known as Shell, is an Anglo–Dutch multinational oil and gas company headquartered in the…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #3 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
4National Grid plc
National Grid plc is a British multinational electricity and gas utility company headquartered in London, United Kingdom…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
6 years in top 10
5Chevron
Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation. Headquartered in San Ramon, California, and active…Wikipedia
-3 since last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
6ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Corp., or ExxonMobil, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Irving, Texas, United States…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #2 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
7Florida Power & Light
Florida Power & Light Company, the principal subsidiary of NextEra Energy Inc., commonly referred to by its initials, FPL…Wikipedia
New in chart
Peaked at #7 (yearly)
3 years in top 10
8Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy Inc. is a utility holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving more than 3.3 million electric…Wikipedia
+2 since last year
Peaked at #5 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
9Consolidated Edison
Consolidated Edison, Inc., commonly known as Con Edison or Con Ed, is one of the largest investor-owned energy companies…Wikipedia
-3 since last year
Peaked at #6 (yearly)
4 years in top 10
10Progress Energy
Progress Energy, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a subsidiary of Duke Energy and prior to its merger with…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
Peaked at #7 (yearly)
9 years in top 10
New Cars, Trending
12014 Chevy Volt
22013 Acura NSX
32014 Fiat 500
42014 Chevy Sonic
52014 Ford Focus
62014 Kia Optima
72014 MINI Cooper
82013 Scion iQ
92014 Subaru BRZ
102014 Lexus GS 350
New Cars, Most Searched
12014 Corvette Stingray
22014 Chevrolet Camaro
32013 Honda Civic
42014 Honda Accord
52013 Jeep Wrangler
62014 Ford F-150
72014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
82014 Ford Explorer
92013 Range Rover
102014 Nissan Altima
Car Companies
1Tesla
2Bugatti
3MINI
4Ford
5Jeep
6Toyota
7GMC
8Dodge
9Subaru
10Mazda
Hybrid and Electric Cars
1Chevy Volt
2Fisker Karma
3Toyota Prius C
4Toyota Prius V
5Toyota Camry Hybrid
6Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
7Kia Optima Hybrid
8Ford Focus Electric
9Honda Civic Hybrid
10Mitsubishi I-Miev
Donations
1Donate to Philippines
2Donate to Oklahoma
3Donate to Boston
4Donate to Wikipedia
5Donate to Moore
6Donate to Russia
7Donate to OptiFine
8Donate to Cancer
9Donate to Uttarkhand
10Donate to WikiLeaks
Colleges and Universities
1University of Phoenix
2Liberty University
3Columbia University
4Ashford University
5Northwestern University
6University of Michigan
7University of Washington
8Duke University
9Ohio State University
10Cornell University
Countries & regions
1United States
The United States of America, commonly referred to as the United States, America, and sometimes the States, is a federal…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
2United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign state in Europe…Wikipedia
#4 most searched
3North Korea
North Korea, officially the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula…Wikipedia
#22 most searched
4Vietnam
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia…Wikipedia
#19 most searched
5Russia
Russia or, also officially known as the Russian Federation, is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic…Wikipedia
#14 most searched
6Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech…Wikipedia
#38 most searched
7Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a federal republic in North America…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
8Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a federal parliamentary republic in western-central Europe consisting…Wikipedia
#15 most searched
9Syria
Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to…Wikipedia
#35 most searched
10Canada
Canada is a country in North America consisting of ten provinces and three territories…Wikipedia
#5 most searched
Cities US
1Las Vegas
Las Vegas, officially the City of Las Vegas and often known as simply Vegas, is the most populous city in the state of…Wikipedia
#7 most searched
2Boston
Boston is the capital and largest city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
3New York City
New York – referred to as New York City or the City of New York to distinguish it from the State of New York, of which it…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
4Chicago
Chicago is the third most populous city in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
5Los Angeles
Los Angeles, officially the City of Los Angeles, often known by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S…Wikipedia
#5 most searched
6Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is the seat of Allegheny County and with a population of 305,841 is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania…Wikipedia
#25 most searched
7Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, “the District”, or simply D.C…Wikipedia
#10 most searched
8Buffalo
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City…Wikipedia
#41 most searched
9Dallas
Dallas is a major city in Texas and is one of the two urban centers of the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the…Wikipedia
#6 most searched
10Cleveland
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state…Wikipedia
#33 most searched
Animals
1Turkey
The turkey is a large bird in the genus Meleagris, which is native to the Americas…Wikipedia
#16 most searched
2Dog
The domestic dog is a member of the Canidae family of the mammalian order Carnivora…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
3Cat
The domestic cat is a small, usually furry, domesticated, and carnivorous mammal…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
4Horse
The horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus. It is an odd-toed ungulate mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
5Owl
Owls, birds of the order Strigiformes, include about 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified…Wikipedia
#28 most searched
6Iguana
Iguana is a genus of herbivorous lizards native to tropical areas of Mexico, Central America, several islands in Polynesia…Wikipedia
#151 most searched
7Camel
A camel is an even-toed ungulate within the genus Camelus, bearing distinctive fatty deposits known as “humps” on its back…Wikipedia
#44 most searched
8Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. They have long bodies with muscular tails, and live in…Wikipedia
#18 most searched
9Goat
The domestic goat is a subspecies of goat domesticated from the wild goat of southwest Asia and Eastern Europe…Wikipedia
#26 most searched
10Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to 3.38 m over curves and weighing up to 388.7 kg in the wild…Wikipedia
#20 most searched
Endangered Species
1Tiger
2Killer Whale
3Red Panda
4Ocelot
5Dugong
6Saola
7Brown Bear
8Harpy Eagle
9Hammerhead Shark
10Great White Shark
Dog Breeds
1Bulldog
2Chihuahua
3Poodle
4Golden Retriever
5Pug
6Pomeranian
7Shih Tzu
8Collie
9Beagle
10Maltese
Authors
1Tom Clancy
2John Green
3Ree Drummond
4Vince Flynn
5Orson Scott Card
6Sylvia Day
7Stephen King
8Neil Gaiman
9Veronica Roth
10Maya Banks
Books
1Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead
2The Great Gatsby
3Divergent
4Soul Healing Miracles: Ancient and New Sacred Wisdom, Knowledge, and the Practical Techniques for Healing the Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical Bodies
5The Fault in Our Stars
6Wonder
7Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander
8The Book Thief
9Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow
10The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus, Book 4)
Drinks
1Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage prepared from the roasted or baked seeds of several species of an evergreen shrub of the genus Coffea…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #1 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
2Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #1 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
3Beer
Beer is an alcoholic beverage produced by the saccharification of starch and fermentation of the resulting sugar…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #3 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
4Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #4 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
5Milk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #5 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
6Juice
Juice is a liquid that is naturally contained in fruit and vegetables. It can also refer to liquids that are flavored with…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
Peaked at #6 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
7Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines throughout the world…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #6 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
8Cocktail
When used to refer to any generic alcoholic mixed drink, cocktail may mean any beverage that contains two or more ingredients…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #8 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
9Vodka
Vodka is a distilled beverage composed primarily of water and ethanol, sometimes with traces of impurities and flavorings…Wikipedia
-2 since last year
Peaked at #7 (yearly)
10 years in top 10
10Smoothie
A smoothie is a blended and sometimes sweetened beverage made from fresh fruit, vegetables and in special cases can contain…Wikipedia
+1 since last year
Peaked at #10 (yearly)
1 year in top 10
11Whisky
Whisky or whiskey is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
Peaked at #10 (yearly)
9 years in top 10
12Rum
Rum is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses, or directly from sugarcane juice…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
13Champagne
Champagne is a sparkling wine produced from grapes grown in the Champagne region of France following rules that demand…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
14Milkshake
A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is usually made from milk, ice cream, or iced milk, and flavorings or sweeteners…Wikipedia
+5 since last year
15Margarita
The margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec and lime or lemon juice, often served with salt on the rim of the glass…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
16Lemonade
Lemonade is a lemon-flavored drink sweetened with sugar. In different parts of the world, there are variations on the drink and its name…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
17Ale
Ale is a type of beer brewed from malted barley using a warm fermentation with a strain of brewers’ yeast…Wikipedia
-1 since last year
18Cider
Cider is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from the unfiltered juice of apples…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
19Espresso
Espresso is coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans…Wikipedia
New in chart
20Latte
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. The term as used in English is a shortened form of the…Wikipedia
Same rank as last year
DJs
1Moby
Richard Melville Hall, known by his stage name Moby, is an American singer-songwriter, musician, DJ and photographer…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
2W&W
W&W is a Dutch electronic dance music duo from Breda, consisting of Dutch Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst…Wikipedia
#26 most searched
3Avicii
Tim Bergling, better known by his stage name Avicii is a Swedish EDM DJ, remixer, and record producer…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
4Hardwell
Robbert van de Corput, better known by his stage name Hardwell, is a Dutch progressive and electro house DJ and music producer…Wikipedia
#14 most searched
5Armin van Buuren
Armin van Buuren is a Dutch music producer and DJ. He is known for mostly playing progressive trance and uplifting trance…Wikipedia
#12 most searched
6Headhunterz
Willem Rebergen, better known by his stage name Headhunterz, is a Dutch DJ and music producer…Wikipedia
#91 most searched
7Diplo
Thomas Wesley Pentz, better known by his stage name Diplo, is an American DJ, music producer, rapper, and songwriter based…Wikipedia
#11 most searched
8Mr. C
Richard West is a British DJ, musician, actor and rapper, who uses the monikers Mr.C, Sycophant Slags & Indigo Kidz…Wikipedia
#77 most searched
9Sasha
Sasha is a Welsh DJ and record producer. Sasha began his career playing acid house dance music in the late 1980s…Wikipedia
#42 most searched
10Classixx
Classixx is an American production and DJ duo, based in Los Angeles, composed of Michael David and Tyler Blake…Wikipedia
#102 most searched
Dance Moves
1Gangnam Style
2The Cat Daddy
3The Dougie
4The Wobble
5YMCA
6The Bernie
7The John Wall
8Macarena
9Cotton Eye Joe
10Shuffling
Beer
1Blue Moon
2Bud Light
3Bud Light Platinum
4Kingfisher
5Stella Artois
6Bud Light Lime
7Coors
8Yuengling
9Birra Moretti
10Coors Light
Whiskeys
1Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch Whisky owned by Diageo that originated in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
2J&B
Justerini & Brooks is a fine wine business selling wines to merchants, restaurants, hotels and private clients…Wikipedia
#15 most searched
3Jameson
Jameson is a blended Irish whiskey produced by the Irish Distillers subsidiary of Pernod Ricard…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
4Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve is the flagship brand of bourbon whiskey owned by the “Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery” company…Wikipedia
#8 most searched
5Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s is a brand of Tennessee whiskey that is the highest selling American whiskey in the world…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
6Maker’s Mark
Maker’s Mark is a small-batch bourbon whisky that is distilled in Loretto, Kentucky, by Beam Suntory…Wikipedia
#5 most searched
7Macallan
The Macallan distillery is a single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Craigellachie, Moray…Wikipedia
#7 most searched
8Lagavulin
Lagavulin distillery is an Islay single malt Scotch whisky distillery in Lagavulin on the island of Islay, Scotland…Wikipedia
#16 most searched
9Jim Beam
Jim Beam is brand of bourbon whiskey produced in Clermont, Kentucky by Beam Suntory…Wikipedia
#6 most searched
10Haig
Haig is brand of Scotch whisky, originally manufactured by John Haig & Co Ltd. The distillery is now part of the Diageo conglomerate…Wikipedia
#36 most searched
TV Shows
Global
1Under The Dome
2Defiance
3Big Brother 15
4Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
5Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
6Sleepy Hollow
7Masters of Sex
8Homeland
9The Blacklist
10Survivor
Us
1Breaking Bad
2Game of Thrones
3Orange Is the New Black
4Scandal
5House of Cards
6Downton Abbey
7Suits
8NCIS
9Dexter
10New Girl
TV Shows, Most Searched
global
1Breaking Bad
2Duck Dynasty
3Big Bang Theory
4Good Morning America
5South Park
6True Blood
7Big Brother 15
8New Girl
9Castle
10Scandal
US
1Breaking Bad
2Duck Dynasty
3Big Bang Theory
4Good Morning America
5South Park
6True Blood
7Big Brother 15
8New Girl
9Castle
10Scandal
TV Series Finales
global
1Breaking Bad
2Buckwild
3Ready for Love
4Zero Hour
5Deception
6Dexter
7Red Widow
8Smash
9All My Children
10Golden Boy
US
1Breaking Bad
2Game of Thrones
3Orange Is the New Black
4Scandal
5House of Cards
6Downton Abbey
7Suits
8NCIS
9Dexter
10New Girl
Movies
Global
1Man of Steel
2Iron Man 3
3World War Z
4Django Unchained
5Despicable Me 2
6Gravity
7Chennai Express
8Les Misérables
9The Conjuring
10Argo
Us
1Man of Steel
2Iron Man 3
3World War Z
4Jobs
5The Conjuring
6The Great Gatsby
7Despicable Me 2
8The Purge
9Pacific Rim
Kids’ TV
1Sofia the First
Sofia the First is an American-British-Spanish-French computer-animated television series that incorporates characters…Wikipedia
#22 most searched
2Sam & Cat
Sam & Cat is an American teen sitcom that originally aired from June 8, 2013 to July 17, 2014, on Nickelodeon…Wikipedia
#31 most searched
3Lego Legends of Chima
Lego Legends of Chima is a theme of Lego toys released in 2013. The toys are set in a fantasy-style land called “Chima”,…Wikipedia
#48 most searched
4My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is a children’s animated television series produced by Hasbro Studios in the United…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
5Girl Meets World
Girl Meets World is an American coming of age television sitcom. The series made its debut on June 27, 2014 on Disney…Wikipedia
#52 most searched
6Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer is an American educational animated TV series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner…Wikipedia
#4 most searched
7Liv and Maddie
Liv and Maddie is an American sitcom created by John Beck and Ron Hart and produced by It’s a Laugh Productions for Disney Channel…Wikipedia
#86 most searched
8Teen Titans Go!
Teen Titans Go! is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics fictional superhero team, the Teen Titans…Wikipedia
#58 most searched
9Dog with a Blog
Dog with a Blog is an American television sitcom that premiered on Disney Channel on October 12, 2012. It stars G…Wikipedia
#29 most searched
10Kratts’ Creatures
Kratts’ Creatures is a half-hour children’s television program on PBS Kids. The show was hosted by the Kratt Brothers, Chris and Martin…Wikipedia
#81 most searched
Video Games
1Grand Theft Auto V
2Cookie Clicker
3Atari Breakout
4Candy Crush
5BioShock Infinite
6Cube World
7Battlefield 4
8Neverwinter
9SimCity
10Skylanders SWAP Force
Sports
1Basketball
2Running
3Football
4Golf
5Shooting
6Hockey
7Tennis
8CrossFit
9Bowling
10Hunting
Sports teams
1Texas Longhorns football
The 1950 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas in the 1950 NCAA college football season…Wikipedia
#104 most searched
2Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois…Wikipedia
#14 most searched
3Mexico national football team
The Mexico national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Federation of…Wikipedia
#55 most searched
4Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that competes in Major League Baseball…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
5Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States…Wikipedia
#19 most searched
6United States men’s national soccer team
The United States men’s national soccer team, often referred to as the USMNT, represents the United States in international soccer…Wikipedia
#41 most searched
7San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas…Wikipedia
#28 most searched
8Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football franchise based in Seattle, Washington…Wikipedia
#9 most searched
9Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area…Wikipedia
#30 most searched
10Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team located in Los Angeles, California…Wikipedia
#13 most searched
Sports teams
1Texas Longhorns football
The 1950 Texas Longhorns football team represented the University of Texas in the 1950 NCAA college football season…Wikipedia
#104 most searched
2Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois…Wikipedia
#14 most searched
3Mexico national football team
The Mexico national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Federation of…Wikipedia
#55 most searched
4Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, that competes in Major League Baseball…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
5Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States…Wikipedia
#19 most searched
6United States men’s national soccer team
The United States men’s national soccer team, often referred to as the USMNT, represents the United States in international soccer…Wikipedia
#41 most searched
7San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas…Wikipedia
#28 most searched
8Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football franchise based in Seattle, Washington…Wikipedia
#9 most searched
9Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area…Wikipedia
#30 most searched
10Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team located in Los Angeles, California…Wikipedia
#13 most searched
Stadiums / Arenas
1AT&T Park
2BB&T Center
3Sleep Train Arena
4Forest National
5United Center
6Staples Center
7Rose Bowl
8Verizon Center
9Madison Square Garden
10Yankee Stadium
Scientists
1Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
2John Venn
John Venn, FRS, FSA was an English logician and philosopher noted for introducing the Venn diagram, used in the fields of…Wikipedia
#30 most searched
3William Herschel
Sir Frederick William Herschel, KH, FRS was a German-born British astronomer, composer, and brother of Caroline Herschel…Wikipedia
#16 most searched
4Robert Resnick
Robert Resnick was a physics educator and author of physics textbooks. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland on January 11,…Wikipedia
#102 most searched
5Alfred Kinsey
Alfred Charles Kinsey was an American biologist, professor of entomology and zoology, and sexologist who in 1947 founded…Wikipedia
#32 most searched
6Léon Foucault
Jean Bernard Léon Foucault was a French physicist best known for his demonstration of the Foucault pendulum, a device…Wikipedia
#52 most searched
7Grace Hopper
Grace Murray Hopper was an American computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral…Wikipedia
#35 most searched
8Werner Heisenberg
Werner Karl Heisenberg was a German theoretical physicist and one of the key pioneers of quantum mechanics…Wikipedia
#17 most searched
9White Watson
White Watson was an early English geologist, sculptor, stonemason and carver, marble-worker and mineral dealer…Wikipedia
#85 most searched
10Martin Lowry
Thomas Martin Lowry CBE FRS was an English physical chemist who developed the Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory simultaneously…Wikipedia
#117 most searched
Chemical elements
1Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element with symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive…Wikipedia
#14 most searched
2Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with symbol Mg and atomic number 12. Its common oxidation number is +2…Wikipedia
#8 most searched
3Gold
Gold is a chemical element with symbol Au and atomic number 79. It is a bright yellow dense, soft, malleable and ductile metal…Wikipedia
#1 most searched
4Oxygen
Oxygen is a chemical element with symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group on the periodic…Wikipedia
#7 most searched
5Silver
Silver is a chemical element with symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it possesses…Wikipedia
#2 most searched
6Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a chemical element with chemical symbol H and atomic number 1. With an atomic weight of 1.00794 u, hydrogen…Wikipedia
#10 most searched
7Copper
Copper is a chemical element with symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity…Wikipedia
#5 most searched
8Chromium
Chromium is a chemical element with symbol Cr and atomic number 24. It is the first element in Group 6…Wikipedia
#26 most searched
9Iron
Iron is a chemical element with symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series…Wikipedia
#3 most searched
10Aluminum
Aluminium is a chemical element in the boron group with symbol Al and atomic number 13. It is a silvery white, soft, ductile metal…Wikipedia
February 15 – A meteor explodes over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, injuring 1,491 people and damaging over 4,300 buildings. It is the most powerful meteor to strike Earth’s atmosphere in over a century.[9] The incident, along with a coincidental flyby of a larger asteroid, prompts international concern regarding the vulnerability of the planet to meteor strikes.[10][11]
February 21 – American scientists use a 3D printer to create a living lab-grown ear from collagen and animal ear cell cultures. In the future, it is hoped, similar ears could be grown to order as transplants for human patients suffering from ear trauma or amputation.[12]
October 10 – Delegates from some 140 countries and territories sign the Minamata Treaty, a UNEP treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.[41]
“Give me control over a nations currency, and I care not who makes its laws” – Baron M.A. Rothschild
ROTHSCHILD OWNED BANKS: Afghanistan, Bank of Afghanistan, Albania, Bank of Albania, Algeria, Bank of Algeria, Argentina, Central Bank of Argentina, Armenia, Central Bank of Armenia, Aruba, Central Bank of Aruba, Australia, Reserve Bank of Australia, Austria, Austrian National Bank, Azerbaijan, Central Bank of Azerbaijan Republic, Bahamas, Central Bank of The Bahamas, Bahrain, Central Bank of Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, Barbados, Central Bank of Barbados, Belarus, National Bank of the Republic of Belarus, Belgium, National Bank of Belgium, Belize, Central Bank of Belize, Benin, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Bermuda, Bermuda Monetary Authority, Bhutan, Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Bolivia, Central Bank of Bolivia, Bosnia, Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bank of Botswana, Brazil, Central Bank of Brazil, Bulgaria, Bulgarian National Bank, Burkina Faso, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Burundi, Bank of the Republic of Burundi, Cambodia, National Bank of Cambodia, Came Roon, Bank of Central African States, Canada, Bank of Canada – Banque du Canada, Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, Central African Republic, Bank of Central African States, Chad, Bank of Central African States, Chile, Central Bank of Chile,
China, The People’s Bank of China,
Colombia, Bank of the Republic, Comoros, Central Bank of Comoros, Congo, Bank of Central African States, Costa Rica, Central Bank of Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Croatia, Croatian National Bank, Cuba, Central Bank of Cuba, Cyprus, Central Bank of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Czech National Bank, Denmark, National Bank of Denmark, Dominican Republic, Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, East Caribbean area, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Ecuador, Central Bank of Ecuador, Egypt, Central Bank of Egypt , El Salvador, Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Bank of Central African States, Estonia, Bank of Estonia, Ethiopia, National Bank of Ethiopia, European Union, European Central Bank,
Fiji, Reserve Bank of Fiji, Finland, Bank of Finland, France, Bank of France, Gabon, Bank of Central African States, The Gambia, Central Bank of The Gambia, Georgia, National Bank of Georgia, Germany, Deutsche Bundesbank, Ghana, Bank of Ghana, Greece, Bank of Greece, Guatemala, Bank of Guatemala,
Guinea Bissau, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Guyana, Bank of Guyana, Haiti, Central Bank of Haiti , Honduras, Central Bank of Honduras, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Hungary, Magyar Nemzeti Bank, Iceland, Central Bank of Iceland, India, Reserve Bank of India, Indonesia, Bank Indonesia, Iran, The Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran,
Iraq, Central Bank of Iraq,
Ireland, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland, Israel, Bank of Israel, Italy, Bank of Italy, Jamaica, Bank of Jamaica, Japan, Bank of Japan, Jordan, Central Bank of Jordan, Kazakhstan, National Bank of Kazakhstan, Kenya, Central Bank of Kenya, Korea, Bank of Korea, Kuwait, Central Bank of Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Bank of Latvia, Lebanon, Central Bank of Lebanon, Lesotho, Central Bank of Lesotho,
Libya, Central Bank of Libya,
Uruguay, Central Bank of Uruguay, Lithuania, Bank of Lithuania, Luxembourg, Central Bank of Luxembourg, Macao, Monetary Authority of Macao, Macedonia, National Bank of the Republic of Macedonia, Madagascar, Central Bank of Madagascar, Malawi, Reserve Bank of Malawi, Malaysia, Central Bank of Malaysia, Mali, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Malta, Central Bank of Malta, Mauritius, Bank of Mauritius, Mexico, Bank of Mexico, Moldova, National Bank of Moldova, Mongolia, Bank of Mongolia, Montenegro, Central Bank of Montenegro, Morocco, Bank of Morocco, Mozambique, Bank of Mozambique, Namibia, Bank of Namibia, Nepal, Central Bank of Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Bank, Netherlands Antilles, Bank of the Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Nicaragua, Central Bank of Nicaragua,
Niger, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Nigeria, Central Bank of Nigeria, Norway, Central Bank of Norway, Oman, Central Bank of Oman, Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Bank of Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Central Bank of Paraguay, Peru, Central Reserve Bank of Peru, Philip Pines, Bangko Sentralng Pilipinas, Poland, National Bank of Poland, Portugal, Bank of Portugal, Qatar, Qatar Central Bank, Romania, National Bank of Romania, Russia, Central Bank of Russia,
Rwanda, National Bank of Rwanda, San Marino, Central Bank of the Republic of San Marino, Samoa, Central Bank of Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency,
Senegal, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Serbia, National Bank of Serbia, Seychelles, Central Bank of Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Bank of Sierra Leone, Singapore, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Slovakia, National Bank of Slovakia, Slovenia, Bank of Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Central Bank of Solomon Islands, South Africa, South African Reserve Bank, Spain, Bank of Spain, Sri Lanka, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Sudan, Bank of Sudan, Surinam, Central Bank of Suriname, Swaziland, The Central Bank of Swaziland, Sweden, Sveriges Riksbank, Switzerland, Swiss National Bank,
Tajikistan, National Bank of Tajikistan, Tanzania, Bank of Tanzania, Thailand, Bank of Thailand, Togo, Central Bank of West African States, (BCEAO), Tonga, National Reserve Bank of Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Central Bank of Tunisia, Turkey, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey,
Uganda, Bank of Uganda, Ukraine, National Bank of Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Central Bank of United Arab Emirates,
United Kingdom, Bank of England,
United States, Federal Reserve, Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
Vanuatu, Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, Venezuela, Central Bank of Venezuela,
Vietnam, The State Bank of Vietnam, Yemen, Central Bank of Yemen, Zambia, Bank of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe,
Bank For International Settlements, (BIS),
Civitan International, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is an association of community service clubs founded in 1917. The organization aims “to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities.” The organization includes 40,000 members (referred to as Civitans) in almost 1,000 clubs around the world.
In 1917, a group of Birmingham, Alabama, businessmen were members of the local Rotary club. Many of the men thought that the club focused too much on increasing the business of club members, so they surrendered their club’s charter. Led by Courtney Shropshire, a local doctor, they formed an independent service club named Civitan, derived from the Latin word for citizenship.[1] Since the creation of Esperanto in 1887 “civitan” has been the root—civitano in common usage—for the word “citizen”. Rotary’s first fellowship was its Esperanto-speaking fellowship.[2]
The United States entered World War I just one month after the club formed. With all attention focused on the war, Civitan remained a local organization. Some of the earliest projects the club undertook supported soldiers,[3] helped European war orphans, and encouraged voter participation through the payment of poll taxes.[4]
Herbert Hoover (bottom right) holding a reception for delegates to the 12th Civitan International Convention
Shropshire envisioned an international organization of Civitan clubs dedicated to serving humanity. The process to incorporate was begun, and the International Association of Civitan Clubs was founded in 1920. In the years immediately following World War I, the organization saw rapid growth. By June 1922 at the second international convention, delegates from 115 clubs attended; there were more than 3,300 Civitans throughout the United States. Service clubs like Civitan were extremely popular, since they promoted the spirit of optimism which characterized much of the Roaring Twenties.
“
The vast multiplication of voluntary organizations for altruistic purposes are themselves proof of the ferment of spirituality, service, and mutual responsibility. These associations for advancement of public welfare, improvement, morals, charity, public opinion, health, the clubs and societies for recreation and intellectual advancement, represent something moving at a far greater depth than “joining.” They represent the widespread aspiration for mutual advancement, self-expression, and neighborly helpfulness.
The club suffered sharp declines in membership and fundraising during the Great Depression. Some also questioned the necessity of service clubs after the New Deal‘s creation of relief programs. The organization persevered, in part due to cooperation with Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions clubs. One of the few brightspots in the 1930s was the creation and rapid growth of the first Junior Civitan clubs.
B-25 named for the Shadyside Civitan Club
The organization experienced another noticeable drop in membership at the outbreak of World War II, since many of its civic-minded members were among the first to volunteer for military service. Civitans who remained at home organized scrap metal collections,war bond sales, and blood drives. One club in Birmingham, Alabama, held so many successful bond drives that the Army Air Forces named a B-25[6] and a P-47[7] in the club’s honor.
The period after World War II saw another surge in growth. There were 10,000 members by 1947,[8] with membership tripling in size between 1946 and 1956 as Civitan became the sixth largest service club in the United States.[9] By 1960, there were 34,000 active Civitans in 998 clubs.[10] One reason that Civitan expanded so quickly was the flexibility that it allowed to clubs in other countries. Compromises over issues such as the Civitan creed and membership dues allowed the ethnically diverse organization to maintain a strong sense of unity.[11]
By the 1950s, Civitan’s focus had shifted to helping the developmentally disabled. The Civitan International Foundation, established in 1960, provided financial support for many organizations and programs which benefited developmentally disabled individuals. By 2005, the Civitan International Foundation had provided $13,000,000 in grants to the UABCivitan International Research Center, the first institution in the United States to focus solely on researching developmental disabilities.[12]
Each club is issued a banner when it is organized. Patches are added to the banner to recognize significant awards, achievements, and milestones.
On a local level, individual Civitan clubs undertake various service projects which benefit their local communities. Examples of club projects include maintaining a section of highway (the Tyler Civitan Club was the first to volunteer for the Adopt a Highway program),[13] promoting the creation of hospitals,[14] honoring community leaders,[15] supporting local reading programs,[16] sponsoring children in financial need,[17]purchasing playground equipment for developmentally disabled children,[18] and holding events for developmentally disabled individuals.[19]Clubs operate independently of the international organization or other clubs, leaving them free to participate in whatever service they deem appropriate.
While individual clubs are free to pursue their own projects, on an international level Civitan is focused on service to the developmentally disabled. This emphasis was adopted in 1956,[20] with Civitans becoming some of the first to provide special training for teachers of developmentally disabled children.[21]
Civitan continues to focus on assisting those with developmental disabilities. In 1990, the Civitan International Research Center was established on the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a $20,000,000 grant from the Civitan International Foundation.[22] The Civitan International Research Center was the first institution of its kind in the United States to be focused solely on the research of developmental disabilities. Medical professionals from all over the world also come to the center for training on developmental disabilities.
One of Civitan’s most significant international events is Clergy Appreciation Week, inspired by the story of the Four Chaplains. Begun in 1964, the interfaith event honors the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains by encouraging citizens to thank the clergy who serve their communities.[23][24]The week usually involves Civitan clubs presenting local clergy with an award or certificate of appreciation. Local mayors often sign a proclamation recognizing Clergy Appreciation Week and encouraging its observance.
Junior Civitan International is one of Civitan’s oldest and most successful programs. Students between the ages of 13 and 18 can join a Junior Civitan club at their school or in their community. Each Junior Civitan club is sponsored by a senior Civitan club and promotes student leadership, character development, and community service.
YP Civitan clubs are designed to provide community service and networking opportunities for young professionals aged 21 to 35. YP Civitan of Greensboro, North Carolina was chartered on June 25, 2013 as the first YP Civitan club.[25]
The Civitan Candy Box Project, one of Civitan’s oldest and most successful fundraising programs, has raised $50,000,000 since its inception in 1976. Civitan volunteers place boxes of mints at businesses in their community, and patrons donate money to take a piece of candy. Volunteers collect the money, keeping some for club service projects and sending the rest to Civitan International for its charitable projects.[26]
Civitan’s other important fundraiser involves the sale of Claxton Bakery’s fruitcakes. This partnership began in 1951 when Tampa Civitan club (#0202) member Earl Carver enjoyed the cake so much that he suggested they be sold nationally as a fundraiser.[27] Each year during the holiday season, local Civitan clubs sell millions of pounds of fruitcake.[28] The proceeds from these sales benefit Civitan International’s work with developmentally disabled persons.
Jordan is considered a safe place for refugees. Many Palestinians, Syrians and Iraqis have sought refuge in the small country, but the influx is increasingly creating problems. Tania Krämer reports from Jordan.
Lines of shipping containers stretch out into the distance, huddled together in the middle of the Jordanian desert. The early morning sun reflects off the white roofs of the Azraq refugee camp, currently home to more than 13,000 Syrians who have fled from the war in their homeland.
The camp is also the new home for Suria and her five children. She fled to Jordan six weeks ago from the city of Deir Az Zor in eastern Syria, after living with the fighting in her homeland for more than three years. But the threat to their lives had become too great and they were forced to leave.
“We fled because of the ‘Islamic State’; the Assad regime had so far spared us,” says Suria. “They sowed fear in the hearts of our children. If it hadn’t been for the children, we would have barricaded ourselves in our house and locked the door. But we were forced to flee from the ‘IS’ militias.”
The family is now safe in Azraq, but they are still waiting for news of relatives stuck in the border area, unable to continue their journey into Jordan. Officially the border remains open, but for many weeks no one has been able to cross into Jordan, said Suria. Despite the fighting in her homeland, she hopes to return some day. “In Syria, everything is better. The land is so precious to me,” she says, crying as she thinks of home.
The Azraq refugee camp was set up as a semi-permanent site
Daily life
After three years of war and a harrowing escape, the family has witnessed many terrible things. And now they must get used to life in the desert. Their container home is sparsely furnished, with a couple of blankets and a small gas stove. Today, Suria is using it to cook potatoes and onions, as the children drink tea and eat flatbread.
The Azraq refugee camp was set up in April to take in any new refugees arriving in Jordan. Instead of provisional tents, authorities decided to set up shipping container straight away on the rocky desert floor. Unlike the overcrowded Zaatari refugee camp in northern Jordan, Azraq was built to be spacious, but due to its location in the middle of the desert it’s also completely isolated from any other nearby cities.
DW RECOMMENDS
Syria’s neighbors appeal for help in refugee crisis
Syria’s neighbors no longer have the capacity to take in refugees from the Middle East war, according to high-ranking regional officials. Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have appealed for greater international assistance. (28.10.2014)
Children’s plight in focus as Syrian refugee conference begins
Syrian refugees struggle to find a home
International aid workers now have a tight deadline to winterize the camp. Germany’s Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) helped build the camp at the outset, and is now working to improve the simple toilet facilities. The camp does not yet have electricity; in the evenings, light is provided by donated rechargeable solar lamps.
Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, head of Azraq field office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is especially worried about the upcoming winter months. “With the many refugee and humanitarian crises in the region, the world’s attention has moved on to other crises,” she says, urging the international community to continue supporting Syrian refugees in Jordan and in the wider region.
The UNHCR has so far registered 613,000 Syrians living in Jordan, though the real figure could be higher, according to the estimates of observers. More than 100,000 Syrians live in refugee camps like Zaatari or Azraq, but most have found shelter in border towns or in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
Prices increase as incomes stagnate
Jordan is known for its hospitality, but the small country has begun to feel the strain of the refugee influx. In the town of Ramtha on the border with Syria, locals complain that resources, such as water, are becoming scarce, while prices and rents have increased. At the market, Jordanians talk of the higher prices and ask how the county will be able to provide for so many refugees.
Eman Adawe knows the situation all too well. The Jordanian teacher is on her way to a Syrian family in Amman, loaded up with donated clothes that she has collected. She hopes to set an example for other Jordanians.
“The situation is becoming more and more complicated,” she said. “Jordanians are getting upset, and Syrians of course as well.” She says Jordanians are increasingly asking why they have to be the ones to deal with all the refugees; Syrians point out that Jordan is receiving international help, and ask why they aren’t benefitting from it. “That’s the current mood in my country,” she says.
Many Syrian refugees have found shelter in the Jordanian capital, Amman
Jordan and Syria have always been closely linked, both economically and culturally, but the long-running conflict has strained those ties, says Adawe. “A house like this one here was previously rented for around 150 dinars (about 167 euros). But now the owners are asking for twice as much, 300 dinars. A Jordanian cannot afford that,” she says.
“The labor market is also affected. Our sons aren’t able to find work, because the Syrians will work for less money,” she says, pointing out that Syrians also aren’t paid any benefits like health care, savings which are attractive to cost-conscious employers. In addition, she says, Syrians “can be let go at the end of the month without any problems.”
No hope for peace
The Syrian family that Adawe visits is well aware of the difficulties. Back in Syria, they owned a home, and sent the children to school and university. Today, they’re glad of any help they can get.
They’ve been living in Jordan for two years, first in the Zaatari refugee camp and now in a small apartment on the outskirts of Amman. They live on food stamps from the United Nations and other donations. As a refugee, the father of the family doesn’t qualify for a work permit – like most, he’s only able to find work illegally. His wife, Weedad, is not hopeful.
“I don’t see it getting any better, because it doesn’t look as if there will be a quick resolution in Syria,” she says. “Now they’re starting to restrict aid here as well. How can I send the children to school?”
“We’re not able to plan for the future. We’re living from day to day, and even the near future is uncertain,” she says. The family is expecting a long stay in exile in their new home. The longer the crisis and the war lasts, the greater the challenge for both Syrians and Jordanians.
Israel is losing a good friend on the council with the exit of Australia.
The United Nations, in an annual exercise, voted in five countries last week to begin serving two-year stints on the Security Council, beginning on January 1. Although there was some good news for Israel in the results, most of it was bad.
The good news is that the Turkey of Israel-bashing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed in its bid for one of the five rotating, non-permanent seats, losing in balloting to Spain. The bad news is that of the five new members, two of them – Venezuela and Malaysia – do not even have diplomatic relations with Israel.
What that means is that when the members of the new council take their seats in January for a year in which Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is likely to make the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a major agenda item on the council’s schedule, fully 20 percent of the 15-member body are so hostile to Israel as to refuse to have diplomatic relations. (Venezuela and Malaysia will be joining Chad – which still has another year to serve on the council – in this dubious distinction.) In 2011, when the Palestinians tried unsuccessfully to secure the nine votes on the council needed to gain membership as a UN state, only one of the 15 countries – Lebanon – did not have ties with Israel.
Even if the Palestinians do get nine votes, the US can – and probably will – use its veto to quell the type of resolution that the Palestinians are now considering: calling for a strict timetable for a full Israeli withdrawal to the 1967 lines if an agreement is not reached within a year. But not only does Washington not want to have to use this veto – which would seemingly pit it against the opinion of the world – but Israel does not want to put the US in the position of having to do so.
The Palestinians are likely to wait until the new Security Council to push through their measure, because the incoming class is considerably more favorably inclined to them than the outgoing one.
In addition to the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council – the US, China, Russia, France and Britain – the outgoing, 2014 council includes Lithuania, Chile, Jordan, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Korea, Argentina, Australia and Luxembourg.
The last five countries will be replaced in Jan uary, with Rwanda being replaced by Angola, South Korea by Malaysia, Argentina by Venezuela, Australia by New Zealand, and Luxembourg by Spain.
Israel is losing a good friend on the council with the exit of Australia.
Australia under Prime Minister Tony Abbott is outspokenly supportive of Israel; New Zealand is not. Still, if the US, Australia and the EU are opposed to a Palestinian resolution – and apply pressure on Wellington – it is difficult to imagine New Zealand bucking the pressure and voting with the non-aligned and Muslim blocs. But, as one source in Jerusalem said, if Israel could rely on Australia with its eyes closed, it can rely on New Zealand only with its eyes open.
Rwanda, one of Israel’s strongest friends in Africa, is being replaced by Angola, a country with which Israel has strong business ties – Israeli firms are active in developing Angola’s vast infrastructure – but not nearly as close as a relationship as it enjoys with Rwanda. In 2011, the refusal of Gabon to back the Palestinian move in the Security Council helped sink it, a role Angola could play in 2014 – but a role it is not guaranteed to want to play.
Spain is replacing Luxembourg as Europe’s non-permanent member of the council, and there is unlikely to be any change of voting patterns with this development. Both countries are considered to be tough toward Israel inside the EU, with Luxembourg even worse than Spain when looking at – and ranking – Israel’s friends and critics inside the EU.
Spain’s government has been more understanding toward Israel in the last couple of years, even though Spanish public opinion is overwhelmingly negative. In any event, Spain – like Luxembourg – is unlikely to vote independently on high-profile Israeli-Palestinian issues, but rather follow the EU’s position. Luxembourg, one source said, is a self-righteous, moralizing, lecturing little country. Spain, he said, is a self-righteous, moralizing, lecturing big country.
Another incoming member, Venezuela, is a stridently anti-Israeli and anti-US country that is aligned with Iran and Cuba. It will replace Argentina. Truth be told, Argentina could not be counted on to support Israel in Security Council votes, so it is unlikely this is a swing vote. But there is a difference: While Argentina might have gone along with a pro-Palestinian campaign in the council, Venezuela will likely lead it.
The biggest change in terms of losing one friendly country that would give Israel a fair hearing in exchange for a hostile country that will not, is the replacement of South Korea with Malaysia.
Whereas Israel could expect South Korea to abstain in significant votes on its issues in the Security Council – partly because it does not want to follow China’s lead, and partly because it keeps an eye on how Washington votes – Malaysia will surely vote against Israel, and, like Venezuela, likely lead the campaign in the council against it.
While the Security Council will in 2015 be more tilted toward the Palestinians, this does not mean that the game is over and the Palestinians have their nine votes to force a US veto in the bag. It does mean, however, that they are closer to that goal. And one of ramifications of this is that Israel will be more reliant next year for Washington to “save” it in the Security Council than it was in 2014.
– Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the result shortly after it was announced in call it “preposterous,” while he also thanked the states that supported “the truth” by not participating in “the theatre of the absurd.” He added that: “Jerusalem is our capital. Always was, always will be…But I do appreciate the fact that a growing number of countries refused to participate in this theatre of the absurd. So I appreciate that, and especially I want to again express our thanks to [US] President (Donald) Trump and Ambassador [Nikki] Haley, for their stalwart defence of Israel and their stalwart defence of the truth.” Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman, reminded Israelis of the longstanding Israeli disdain for such votes. “Let us just remember that this is the same UN about which our first ambassador to the organisation, Abba Eban, once said: ‘If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions’. There is nothing new in what just happened at the UN.” He also praised the US as “the moral beacon shining out of the darkness.” Minister of Strategic Affairs and Public Security Gilad Erdan said: “The historic connection between Israel and Jerusalem is stronger than any vote by the ‘United Nations’ — nations who are united only by their fear and their refusal to recognise the simple truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and the Jewish people.”
.jpg)
