Now You Know!

Queen Elizabeth II Q: How long did Queen Elizabeth II rule Britain, and what made her reign significant? A: Queen Elizabeth II ruled Britain for more than 70 years, becoming the longest-serving monarch in British history. Her reign was marked by her diplomatic skills and involvement in various scandals, from secret affairs and meetings with spies to internal family drama, making her life one of the most debated in history. Q: Did Queen Elizabeth II ever attend school? A: No, Queen Elizabeth II never attended a public school. Like many royals of her time, she was educated at home alongside her younger sister, Margaret. Her education included riding, swimming, dancing, and studying fine art and music. She was taught by her father, senior teachers from Eton College, several French and Belgian governesses who taught her French, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, who instructed her in religion. Q: Did Queen Elizabeth II serve in the military? A: Yes, during World War II, Queen Elizabeth II served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), becoming the first female member of the royal family to join the armed forces as a full-time active member. She trained as a driver and mechanic, learning to repair and drive heavy vehicles. This service demonstrated her commitment to the war effort and shaped her approach to leadership and duty. Q: How did Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip meet, and what was their relationship? A: Queen Elizabeth II met Prince Philip when she was 13 years old. They were third cousins, both related to Queen Victoria - Elizabeth on her father’s side and Philip on his mother’s. Despite Philip being born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark, he renounced his original titles when he married Elizabeth. They were married for 73 years before his death in 2021. Q: Was Queen Elizabeth II originally in line to become queen? A: No, Queen Elizabeth II was not initially expected to become queen. She was born in 1926 to Prince Albert, the Duke of York, the second son of King George V. However, her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne in 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. This unexpected event made her father King George VI, placing Elizabeth next in line for the throne. Elizabeth II Q: Did Queen Elizabeth II award soldiers involved in controversial events? A: Yes, Queen Elizabeth II awarded British soldiers involved in the Bloody Sunday massacre on January 30, 1972. During this event, British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in Northern Ireland, resulting in 13 immediate deaths. The Queen awarded Lt. Col. Wilford the OBE shortly after the incident, a decision that was seen as a calculated insult to the victims' families and the nationalist people of Derry. Q: What unique way did Queen Elizabeth II start her mornings? A: Queen Elizabeth II liked to be woken up by the sound of bagpipes. When she stayed at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, her official ‘Piper to the Sovereign’ would play outside her window every day at 9 a.m. for about 15 minutes. The Piper also played at her funeral, performing the lament ‘Sleep, dearie, sleep’ towards the end of the service at Westminster Abbey. Q: Did Queen Elizabeth II ever experience a security breach at Buckingham Palace? A: Yes, in 1982, an intruder named Michael Fagan broke into Buckingham Palace and entered Queen Elizabeth II's bedroom. Despite the alarming situation, the Queen remained calm and engaged Fagan in conversation until help arrived. This incident highlighted serious lapses in royal security and led to significant improvements in palace protection. Q: Why did Queen Elizabeth II celebrate two birthdays each year? A: Queen Elizabeth II celebrated two birthdays each year - her actual birthday on April 21 and an "official birthday" in June. The official birthday was scheduled during a time of better weather to allow for public celebrations, such as the Trooping the Colour parade. The Queen's actual birthday was celebrated privately with those closest to her. Trooping the Colour Q: Did Queen Elizabeth II pay taxes? A: Yes, Queen Elizabeth II voluntarily began paying taxes on her personal income in 1992. This decision came after public backlash against using taxpayers' money to repair Windsor Castle, which had been damaged by fire. The Queen agreed to cover 70% of the restoration costs and opened Buckingham Palace to the public to generate additional funds. Q: What were the circumstances surrounding Queen Elizabeth II's death? A: Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at the age of 97. Her death was controversial due to the mixed reactions it elicited. Some celebrated her long reign and contributions to stability and diplomacy, while others criticized her for perpetuating colonialism. Her death certificate cited "old age" as the cause of death, with no other causes listed.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams Q: What led to NASA's decision to keep two astronauts in space until February 2025? A:  NASA decided it was too risky to bring the astronauts back in Boeing's new Starliner capsule due to a series of thruster failures and helium leaks. The astronauts will instead return to Earth in a SpaceX capsule in February 2025. Q: Who are the astronauts affected by this decision? A:  The astronauts are Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, both retired Navy captains with previous long-duration spaceflight experience. They have been at the International Space Station since June 2024. Q: Why was Boeing's Starliner capsule deemed unsafe for the astronauts' return? A:  The Starliner experienced a cascade of issues, including thruster failures and helium leaks. Engineers were concerned about the reliability of the thrusters, which are crucial for safe reentry and landing. Q: What will happen to the Starliner capsule now? A:  The Starliner capsule will undock from the International Space Station in early September 2024 and attempt an unmanned return to Earth, landing in the New Mexico desert. Q: What were the original plans for the Starliner mission? A:  The mission was initially intended as a weeklong test flight, but due to the complications, it extended to over eight months. The astronauts were supposed to oversee the final leg of the journey, but will now return in a different spacecraft. Q: How did NASA officials justify the decision to delay the astronauts' return? A:  NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other officials emphasized that the decision was based on a commitment to safety. They referenced lessons learned from previous space shuttle accidents to stress the importance of cautious decision-making. Q: How has Boeing responded to NASA's decision? A:  Boeing released a statement reaffirming its focus on crew and spacecraft safety and is preparing the Starliner for a safe and successful return. Q: What impact does this decision have on Boeing's space program? A:  This decision is a setback for Boeing, which has been facing ongoing safety concerns and delays with the Starliner program. The company had hoped this mission would help revive confidence in their spacecraft. Q: What alternative options were considered for the astronauts' return? A:  NASA considered several options but decided that it was unsafe to add the astronauts to the currently docked SpaceX capsule, which is reserved for a different crew. They will instead wait for the next SpaceX mission in February 2025. Q: How have the astronauts and their families reacted to the decision? A:  The astronauts have expressed their support for the decision, understanding the importance of safety. Their families, while disappointed about the extended mission, also support the decision and are hopeful for a safe return. Q: What is the significance of this decision for NASA's commercial crew program? A:  The decision highlights the challenges and risks involved in spaceflight. While it underscores the difficulties Boeing faces, NASA remains hopeful that Starliner can overcome these issues for future missions. Q: Will Boeing's Starliner fly again? A:  NASA officials, including Administrator Bill Nelson, are confident that Starliner will fly again after the issues are addressed, possibly within the next year or so. Q: How does the Starliner program compare to SpaceX's program? A:  SpaceX has had more success with its crewed missions, completing nine astronaut flights since 2020. Boeing's Starliner, however, has been plagued with design flaws and delays, setting the company back more than $1 billion. NASA originally wanted two competing companies for crew transportation, but so far, SpaceX has been the more reliable option.

Vladimir Putin Q: What recent event has intensified the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? A:  On August 6, 2024, Ukraine launched a highly successful offensive in the Kursk oblast, combining cyber-attacks, artillery, and infantry maneuvers to dismantle Russian defenses. This has resulted in the capture of approximately 400 square miles and around 2,500 Russian conscripts. Q: How did Ukraine manage to catch Russia off guard with this offensive? A:  The Ukrainian military kept the operation highly secretive, even from its allies, to prevent Russia from preparing its defenses. This contrasts with the 2023 counter-offensive, where long notice allowed Russia to fortify its positions extensively. Q: What is Ukraine's main objective with this offensive? A:  Ukraine's primary goal is to weaken Vladimir Putin's position within Russia by making the war increasingly unpopular and costly. By achieving significant military victories, Ukraine hopes to shift the internal dynamics in Russia, turning key figures against Putin. Q: What are the secondary objectives of Ukraine's offensive? A:  The secondary objectives include boosting morale in Ukraine, reassuring Western allies of Ukraine's capability to win, forcing Russia to divert troops from other fronts, using Russian prisoners of war as bargaining chips, and improving Ukraine's position in potential peace negotiations. Q: How has Russia responded to the Ukrainian offensive? A:  Vladimir Putin has downplayed the situation, cracking down on the media and issuing assurances of victory. He has put Aleksey Dyumin, a former chief bodyguard, in charge of "Operation Revenge," but has not significantly shifted troops from the Donbas region to counter the Ukrainian advance. Q: Why hasn't Putin invoked the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) to respond to Ukraine's actions? A:  Putin has not triggered Article Four of the CSTO, which would require other member states to come to Russia's defense. This could be because he doubts their willingness to help, or he may not want to acknowledge the severity of the situation. Q: What parallels can be drawn between the current conflict and historical events? A:  We can compare Ukraine's flanking move in Kursk to Israel's counter-offensive during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and draw analogies to the end of World War I, where Germany's defeat was more about economic collapse and internal dissent than loss of territory. Q: What challenges is Russia facing internally due to the ongoing war? A:  Outside of major cities, Russia is grappling with inflation, shortages of goods and labor, and economic strain exacerbated by conscription and emigration. These issues are increasingly difficult to conceal, even as the central bank attempts to present an optimistic economic outlook. Q: How has Putin's position been affected by recent developments? A:  Putin's vulnerability was highlighted by the failed mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin earlier in the conflict. The continued military setbacks and economic issues could eventually lead to decisive actions against Putin by those within Russia's power structure. Q: What is the broader strategic importance of Ukraine's current military success? A:  Ukraine's success in the Kursk offensive could hasten the end of the war by weakening Putin's hold on power, thereby potentially leading to a more favorable settlement for Ukraine and its allies.

Pavel Durov Q: What did Telegram CEO Pavel Durov recently reveal? A: Pavel Durov revealed that he has over 100 biological children, a revelation that has left many of his followers stunned. Q: How did Pavel Durov explain his decision regarding his DNA? A: Durov mentioned that he plans to open-source his DNA to help his biological children find each other more easily. Q: How did the public react to this revelation? A: The revelation was met with widespread surprise and intrigue, given the unusual nature of the announcement. Q: Did anyone notable comment on Pavel Durov's revelation? A: Yes, Elon Musk drew a parallel between Durov and the historical figure Genghis Khan, who is known for having many descendants. Q: Why did Elon Musk compare Durov to Genghis Khan? A: Musk likely made the comparison due to the sheer number of Durov's biological children, similar to the large number of descendants attributed to Genghis Khan. Q: Who is Genghis Khan? A: Genghis Khan, born around 1162 and died on August 18, 1227, was the founder and first Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, which became the largest contiguous empire in history after his death. He is known for his military conquests and is believed to have a vast number of descendants, with genetic studies suggesting that around 16 million people today might be directly descended from him. Q: What is the significance of Durov's plan to open-source his DNA? A: By open-sourcing his DNA, Durov intends to make it easier for his biological children to find each other, potentially fostering a sense of connection among them. Q: What impact might this revelation have on the public’s perception of Pavel Durov? A: This revelation may add a new dimension to Durov's public persona, possibly leading to discussions about privacy, technology, and the implications of his decision.

Explosions in Israel as rockets fired from Lebanon border Q: What recent military actions have Israel and Hezbollah taken? A:  Israel's warplanes struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after detecting moves to launch an aerial attack on Israel. Israel reported that around 100 fighter jets destroyed "thousands" of rocket launchers on Sunday morning. In response, Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets towards northern Israel, marking "phase one" of a multi-stage attack. Q: What was the result of Israel's airstrikes? A:  Lebanon's health ministry reported that three people were killed due to the Israeli airstrikes. Hezbollah later fired rockets in retaliation, but no casualties were reported in Israel. Q: How has the conflict escalated between Israel and Hezbollah? A:  The exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah marks a significant escalation of tensions. This is part of a broader conflict that has seen almost daily exchanges across the Israel-Lebanon border since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza on October 7. Q: Why is Hezbollah involved in this conflict? A:  Hezbollah has stated that it is acting in support of the Palestinian group Hamas, which is also backed by Iran. Both Hezbollah and Hamas are designated as terrorist organizations by Israel, the UK, and other countries. Q: What has been the human impact of this conflict so far? A:  According to Lebanon's health ministry, over 560 people have been killed, the majority of whom are Hezbollah fighters. In Israel, 26 civilians and 23 soldiers have been reported dead. The UN reports that almost 200,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the border. Q: What did Israel's military say about the airstrikes? A:  The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they launched pre-emptive strikes after identifying "extensive preparations" for a large-scale aerial attack by Hezbollah. They claimed to have struck over 40 launch areas, some of which were aimed at central Israel. Q: What has Israel's government said about the situation? A:  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli forces are determined to defend the country and return displaced residents to northern Israel. He warned that "whoever harms us - we will harm them." Foreign Minister Israel Katz added that Israel does not seek an all-out war in the Middle East. Q: What is Hezbollah's position on Israel's military actions? A:  Hezbollah dismissed the Israeli military's claim that its strikes on Sunday thwarted a larger attack, calling the statements "empty." Q: What is the current focus of international efforts regarding this conflict? A:  The escalation in Israel-Lebanon tensions is occurring alongside ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, which is seen as a key step towards de-escalating the situation on the Israel-Lebanon border.

What was the main focus of Vice President Kamala Harris's recent speech? Her speech centered on rallying Democrats.