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Fridtjof Nansen (10 October 1861 – 13 May 1930) was a Norwegian explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanitarian. His research on the central nervous system of lower marine creatures helped establish modern theories of neurology. In 1888, he led the first crossing of the interior of Greenland and obtained international fame for reaching a latitude of 86°14′ during his 1893–1896 North Pole expedition. His main scientific interest switched to oceanography and contributed to the development of oceanographic techniques and equipment. In 1905, he helped persuade Prince Charles of Denmark to accept Norway's throne, and Nansen served as the Norwegian representative in London. He was awarded the 1922 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on behalf of displaced victims of conflict. After his death, the League of Nations established the Nansen International Office for Refugees to ensure that his work continued. His name is commemorated in geographical features, particularly in the polar regions. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Teun Toebes

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... that Aobazaka46 was announced by synchronized video announcements across 13 digital billboards around Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo?
... that Indonesian politician Yampit Nawipa is also an active footballer?
... that coins minted by Jewish rebels during the Bar Kokhba Revolt counted their years by the "redemption" and "freedom of Israel", while its leader was described as the nasi of Israel?
... that Deng Shuping, a younger brother of Deng Xiaoping, was classified as an "enlightened landlord"?
... that a video of letters on a small toy had conspiracy theorists on edge?
... that Michel Soutter's first feature film was booed at Locarno, but he later served on the 1974 Cannes Film Festival jury?
... that, in Religion & Republic, Miles Smith argues that early American history was characterized neither by Christian nationalism nor state secularism but by a non-sectarian "Christian institutionalism"?
... that Treg Songy initially thought that it was a prank when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints?

In the news

Navi Pillay

South African jurist Navi Pillay (pictured) is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
American software engineer Margaret Hamilton dies at the age of 90.
Henri B. Kagan and Kensō Soai are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
Francis Halzen is awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in neutrino astronomy.

On this day

October 10

Battle of Karbala

680 – Husayn ibn Ali, a grandson of Muhammad, was killed at the Battle of Karbala (depicted) by the forces of Yazid I, whom Husayn had refused to recognize as caliph.
1760 – In a treaty with Dutch colonial authorities, the Ndyuka people of Suriname gained territorial autonomy.
1911 – The Xinhai Revolution began with the Wuchang Uprising, marking the beginning of the collapse of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.
1943 – World War II: The Kempeitai, the military police arm of the Imperial Japanese Army, arrested and tortured fifty-seven civilians and civilian internees on suspicion of their involvement in a raid on Singapore Harbour.
2004 – Eight-year-old Huang Na was abducted and murdered; her body was found three weeks later after a search across Singapore and Malaysia.

Antoine Coysevox (d. 1720)
Harold Pinter (b. 1930)
Nicholas Tartaglione (b. 1967)
Priaulx Rainier (d. 1986)

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Today's featured picture

The Palau fruit dove (Ptilinopus pelewensis) is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. Endemic to Palau, it is the country's national bird and is common throughout the islands. It measures 23–25 cm (9–10 in) in length and has a grey head, neck and breast, a purple cap, an orange band across the lower breast and belly, and olive-green upperparts. Males and females are similar in appearance. Once reduced by hunting, its population recovered following protection, and the species is now considered common. It is classified as least concern by the IUCN. This Palau fruit dove was photographed on Palau's Rock Islands.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp

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