Occasional Digest

Holi was originally a festival to celebrate the start of Spring, good harvests and fertility of the land. The first mentions of it date back to a poem from the 4th century.

Holi was described in a 7th century Sanskrit play called “Ratnavali,” written by the Indian emperor Harsha.

“Witness the beauty of the great cupid festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown … Everything is coloured yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over,” wrote Harsha.

Today it is better known as a symbolic commemoration of a legend from Hindu Mythology.

The story is that there was once a king who resented his son, Prince Prahlada, worshipping Lord Vishnu. He tries to murder the prince on several occasions but fails each time.

Finally, the king’s sister Holika who is said to be immune to burning sits with the boy inside a fire. However, the prince emerges unhurt, while his aunt burns in the fire and dies.

Holi Dahan remembers this event, and huge bonfires are burnt on the eve of Holi as a symbolic representation of Holika’s cremation.

The festival is also associated with the eternal love of Krishna and Radha, and hence, Holi is spread over 16 days in Vrindavan as well as Mathura – the two cities with which Lord Krishna shared a deep affiliation.

The first European to visit the island was Christopher Columbus in November 1493. Puerto Rico would go on to become an important part of the Spanish Empire. In fact, along with Cuba, Puerto Rico was the last Spanish territory in the Americas.

In 1898, during the Spanish–American War, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States. After the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded ownership of Puerto Rico and Cuba to the United States.

When America took control, the name of the island was changed to Porto Rico. It was changed back to Puerto Rico in 1932.

On March 2nd 1917, the U.S. Congress passed the Jones-Shafroth Act (commonly known as the Jones Act), which granted Puerto Ricans born on or after April 25th 1898, U.S. citizenship.

The act also created the Senate of Puerto Rico, established a bill of rights, and authorized the election of a Resident Commissioner.

Even though they are American citizens, Puerto Rico’s nearly 3.2 million residents are not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.

A TEENAGER has forced society to reflect on its shortcomings and hypocrisies by wearing a keffiyeh neck scarf.

Joshua, not his real name, 17, has issued a damning indictment on the state of the world by stepping out in a patterned neck scarf with tassels that clearly singles him out as a free-thinking radical.

He said: “People usually wear this kind of scarf in the desert, yet here I am rocking it in Plymouth. Take that, societal expectations.

“I could have wrapped a normal scarf around my neck and done a better job of protecting myself from the cold. But then how would everyone know I’ve skim-read The Communist Manifesto Wikipedia page?

“By wearing this scarf I’m showing everyone I’m a Che Guevara-esque revolutionary. Although instead of overthrowing a dictator with guerilla warfare, I’m off to get the bus and browse the £1 DVDs in CEX. Assuming mum gives me a tenner.

“If enough people see me I reckon this sick capitalist system should come crashing down by dinnertime. Which works for me because I’m broke and can’t be bothered to get a job.”

Passer-by Jack, not his real name, said: “I was a normal, functioning member of society until I saw Josh’s scarf. Now I’m off to petrol bomb a bank.”

March gets its name from the Roman Martius, which was Latin for Mars, the Greek god of war.

In Roman times, New Year was celebrated on March 1st. In addition to his military role, Mars was also an agricultural deity, so having Mars mark the onset of spring and the start of the new year was fitting.

The date of March 1st as New Year is also said to have used by the Dacians, the tribe who were ancient inhabitants of Romania and Moldova, so the customs of Martisor may predate its Roman name.

The most common tradition associated with this festival is the Martisor, which are red and white threads tied in a bow and attached to a small trinket. The Martisor will be on sale in every town and village and they are bought as gifts for the female family members. The red is said to represent summer (heat) and the white is winter (cold) with the combination marking the turning point in the season.

The Martisor is worn by women throughout March as it is believed they bring strength and health in the coming year. At the end of March, the Martisor threads are tied on a branch of a fruit tree as that is supposed to bring wealth and prosperity.

A LONGTIME couple’s romantic night out at a restaurant has made them realise their love language is now a chilly silence.

50-year-old Keith, not his real name, and wife of 20 years Jo booked a table at D’Agistino’s to reaffirm their romance and soon realised they would achieve this by not talking to each other at all.

He said: “Other love languages include physical touch and gifts. Not so much ours. Our love thrives on hush and looking in different directions.

“We managed 90 seconds chat on the breadsticks – the flavour, the consistency, how they compare to other breadsticks we’ve had – and a further 35 seconds on the waiter’s earring. Then we lapsed into what makes us both comfortable.

“28 minutes and 40 seconds later, they brought the meal and we made noises of acknowledgement, then it would have been rude to talk with our mouths full, then I was concerned I might have spinach on my teeth so kept my mouth shut.

“Anyone watching would’ve thought it was a date between a monk and a nun from rival silent orders. It’s a sign of love, knowing so much about each other there’s nothing left to say.

“Besides, what am I going to do – flirt with my own wife, like a pervert? No, our love goes beyond words. We’d renew our vows if we could do it silently.”

Loraine agreed: “Mm.”

Known as ‘Día de Andalucía’, this holiday commemorates the Statute of Autonomy of Andalucia referendum held on February 28th 1980, in which the Andalusian people voted for the statute that made Andalusia an autonomous community of Spain.

Depending on what day of the week that February 28th falls on, the holiday may be extended to bridge the weekend or moved if it falls on a weekend. While these may not be official holidays, many businesses and shops may close on these days.

With over eight million inhabitants, Andalucia is the largest autonomous community in terms of population and the second-largest in area. The Andalucian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality within Spain.

The word Andalucia derives from Vandalucia, the ‘land of the Vandals’, referring to the German tribe that settled there in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD.

Christopher Columbus left for his famous 1492 journey, which led to the discovery of America, from the Andalusian harbour Huelva. 

To mark the Day of Andalucia, many towns are decorated with the flag of Andalucia, and green and white bunting is a common sight. Cultural competitions are often held in conjunction with the day.

A hymn is also sung to mark the day. It is a composition by José del Castillo Díaz with lyrics by Blas Infante, inspired by ‘the Holy God’, a popular religious song that the peasants and day labourers of some Andalusian regions sang during the harvest.

PERPETUALLY paranoid about ‘wasting the day’ staying in bed? Chill the f**k out by following this guide to enjoying it and not being knackered by 9pm:

Do not plan every second

Being a slave to your diary won’t help you lie in bed scratching your arse. Don’t make any arrangements before midday, turn off notifications, close the curtains properly and ignore your bladder. It can hold on a bit longer if it really tries, and in return you won’t attempt a wank.

Stay up late the night before

There is life after Newsnight. Stay up and see some of it, and then perhaps you’ll be tired enough to luxuriate in no alarm going off. Still finding yourself drowsy? Follow the wisdom of teenagers and stay up scrolling social media bullshit for far, far longer than you’re able to find it interesting. Then another hour after that.

Prepare your body

Usually exercise in the morning? Do it the night before instead. Shower in the morning? Wash in the evening. Usually have an evening Horlicks or soporific tea? Instead, knock back espresso martinis and vodka Red Bull until you keel over in a twitching, semi-conscious stupor. Lie-in guaranteed.

Ignore your mind

If you wake in the night for a 3am piss, perform the action without thought. If a man, sit on the toilet in darkness. Resist all thought, and especially long-nursed grudges about twat neighbours, arseholes online or how you’d have that argument with your partner better this time and win. These are not restful thoughts.

Ignore your partner

Often the reason you can’t lie in is due to your partner snoring, farting or poking you with an erection. Feign sleep anyway or lie: claim a parcel has arrived, or you heard the dog vomit, or simply ask them to leave the house forever and never come back. The means will justify the end when you’re curling up with the whole duvet.

Masturbate if necessary

If your own sexual thoughts are nudging you awake and you’re alone, crack one out. A morning glory or handy dildo will help but needn’t be a prerequisite for strumming off and wallowing in post-nut, warm bed, sleepy bliss.

Don’t fool yourself you’re important

The world won’t collapse if you roll over and grab an extra hour. Calm your frantic nervous system and racing heart with the understanding you’re a replaceable, insignificant cog in a the machine of capitalism and society will function fine without you. Like the Buddha, realise you are nothing. Then break wind and go back to sleep.

Following the arrival of Christopher Columbus on Hispaniola on December 5th 1492, the island became the site of the first permanent European settlement in the New World.

The Spanish went on to rule the region known as Spanish Haiti for over 300 years until the Dominican Republic gained independence in 1821. This independence was short-lived as shortly afterwards a military invasion by Haiti unified the island of Hispaniola.

In 1844 Juan Pablo Duarte,  along with other leaders, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Matías Ramón Mella created a secret society named ‘La Trinitaria’ (The Trinity) to revolt against the Haitian regime. On February 27th 1844, the Trinitaria declared independence from Haiti, with Francisco del Rosario Sánchez raising the blue, red, and white flag of the new republic at Puerto del Conde, he main entrance to the fortified city of Santo Domingo.

HAS your perpetually broke friend bailed on buying you a drink again? While letting slip that all these activities were apparently within last month’s budget:

Going skiing

Inspired by the Winter Olympics, your broke friend somehow found cash for a weekend in the French Alps. Oh, someone from work has a timeshare lodge? That doesn’t cover ski hire, lift passes, the flight or the après ski, does it? Which were all paid for, unlike their half of an £8 Uber.

Online gambling

The damage incurred through gambling is grimly obvious. Nobody goes into a bookies and thinks ‘hey, this place seems full of people whose lives are getting better’. Online gambling? Much more abstract, which is how your mate went on a poker-winning streak with the £200 you lent him them lost the lot. And he expects you to understand.

Started five new hobbies

Self-improvement is good. Nothing wrong with learning Portugese, how to make pasta, or to play the keytar. It’s just if you’re learning all of them at once, and street dance, and padel, then it’s surely costing you money. And each one will be dropped by next month but but the memory of your birthday meal they couldn’t afford to attend will last forever.

Got a dog

Not from a shelter or from a friend or those blameless methods, no, their new pedigree French bulldog is from an elite breeder and comes with a whole host of pricey congenital quirks. It’s also ill after eating your headphones and so really that’s your fault and you should be paying the vet’s bill?

Bought a car

She already has a car, but thought a runaround for everyday errands would preserve the first car’s value. Makes sense, right? Then went for an Audi A3 after carefully reviewing her budget and bank statements, and realising signing up for another credit card and moving debt around was the prudent move. ‘It’s recommended by Martin Lewis!’ she says.

Bought into cryptocurrency

It was the right time, apparently, to make a fortune. So years after everyone else your friend bought big into crypto and launched a podcast about how everyone else should too. Then Bitcoin crashed, and now he’s sold most of what he owns and is asking to crash at yours rent free for a couple of months.

Kuwait was first established as a small fishing village during the seventeenth century. At the end of the eighteenth century, Kuwait’s strategic position enabled it to flourish and become a key trading post and boat building centre in the region.

In 1756, the Al-Sabah family became the rulers of Kuwait, starting the dynasty that continues to this day.

In 1899, rather than face direct rule from the Ottoman Empire, Sheikh Mubarak ‘the Great’ agreed that Kuwait would become a British Protectorate, with Britain providing naval protection in return for Kuwait allowing Britain to control its foreign affairs.

on June 19th 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became an Emir.

Normally most countries celebrate their national day on the same date they gained independence. In Kuwait, this would have meant National Day would be on June 19th, marking the date of independence in 1961.

In fact, the first National Day holiday actually took place on this date in 1962. However, it was felt that the holiday should be moved due to the extreme heat in June, and so from 1963, the National Day was moved to February 25th, marking the date that the Sheikh who was in power at the time of independence, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah came to power in 1950.

On February 24th 1918, the Manifesto to the Peoples of Estonia was published, declaring an independent and democratic Republic of Estonia, from the new Soviet Russia. This was followed by a war with the Soviets to maintain Estonian liberty.

On February 2nd 1920, the war ended with the Tartu Peace Treaty which guaranteed Estonia’s independence for all time.

The Soviets went on to break this pact, however, and Estonia was under Soviet control for over 50 years.

In August 1939 Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. The pact’s secret protocol divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, with Estonia belonging to the Soviet sphere. During this time, the Soviet’s “Russification” policy meant the Estonian flag was forbidden, with Russian was made the country’s official language.

In 1991 Estonia re-established its sovereignty after the peaceful “Singing Revolution” against Soviet rule, which saw music used as a tool of resistance and a declaration of intent.

From the capital city of Tallinn to historic Tartu, from Narva and Pärnu to Kuressaare on Saaremaa island, proud citizens of this northern Baltic state will take time to celebrate their national pride today.

Estonians start their Independence Day at sunrise with the traditional flag-hoisting on Toompea, a hill in the capital, Tallinn, and in other Estonian towns in the morning and progress through the day with the lighting of candles on the graves of state and public figures, and the organisation of ceremonies, services, and speeches.  The Defence Forces organise a traditional parade, and the evening ends with a concert ceremony and a reception by the President of the Republic.

In addition to participating in public celebrations, people get together with their families and friends to spend time in nature and enjoy the holiday. Estonian Public Broadcasting offers a special programme dedicated to the holiday.

In honor of Estonian traditions, a classic meal of kiluvõileib, an open-faced sandwich topped with a sprat filet, is served across the nation as citizens reflect on more than a hundred years of statehood.

Tallinn’s Old Town is the most intact medieval city in Europe. It has remained almost completely unchanged since the 13th century.

During the era of the Soviet Union, it was called Red Army Day or the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.

In 1918, just after the German had invaded and captured Minsk, the Soviets declared a state of emergency and called for a draft in St. Petersburg. As a result, ten thousand people signed up on February 23rd 1918.

The day was first celebrated in Moscow as “Day of the Birth of the Red Army” in 1922.

It was made an official holiday in 1923 under the name “Day of the Red Army.”

After the Second World War, the name changed again in 1946 to Day of the Soviet Army and Navy.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the holiday’s name was changed several times. In 1995, it became known as the “Day of Victory of the Red Army over the Kaiser troops of Germany (1918) – the Day of the Fatherland Defenders.” Since 2006, it has officially been “Defender of the Fatherland Day”.

In Moscow, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin walls is traditionally held on this day.

Celebrations to mark the Defender of Fatherland Day end with firework displays in cities that were at the forefront of major conflicts such as Kerch, Moscow, Murmansk, Novorossiysk, Sevastopol, Smolensk, St. Petersburg, Tula, and Volgograd, as well as in the cities where the headquarters of the military are situated.

TEENAGE daughter brought home a slouching yob with a leather jacket riding a 125cc scooter like it’s a Harley? Want to end their misbegotten relationship ASAP? Here’s how:

Pretend to like him

Nothing will dim the appeal of this iconoclastic rebel more than boring old dad’s approval. Invite him to sit down for a single malt. Get him telling his most outrageous anecdotes and reply with stories from your own wild youth, emphasising how dull you’ve become. Your daughter’s lust for him will slowly be replaced by a feeling of sick revulsion.

Dig the dirt

He’ll have a shady past and today’s youth live half of it online, so enlist the help of your most Insta-obsessed friend and get digging. If you find a drug-dealing criminal record, conceal it. You’re looking for footage of him singing Circle of Life with his school choir, his abandoned Warhammer-painting YouTube channel, or an Ed Sheeran stan Twitter.

Get into his music

He’ll have to be into something transgressive and shit, so find out what and start listening to it. It’s on Spotify, it doesn’t cost anything. Your daughter will secretly hate it already so will be dismayed to come home and find you’re also blasting Tyler, The Creator on the kitchen Bluetooth. ‘Sick beats,’ you’ll nod, effortlessly tarnishing his cool.

Offer lifts

Dating a bad boy means hanging out with his equally monosyllabic mates in their filthy flats for hours on end. Occasional texts mentioning you’re at a nearby Sainsbury’s if she needs picking up will prove irresistibly tempting when the alternative is another four hours of black metal, Xbox and cans of Carling. ‘It’s my dad, he’s ordering me home,’ she’ll lie.

Pay him off

He’s living outside morality, the law and boring bourgeois notions of working for a living, so he’ll take any bribe. Tell him you’ll give him a grand to end it and his greedy little counterculture eyes will turn to dollar signs at the thought of the tattoo he can now afford. Then don’t pay him. Who’s the bad boy now?

Move house

Drastic, but on balance worth it. 50 miles or so should do it, then learn in horror that’s where he’s been driving from and you’re actually nearer his home, because he’s the kind of bad boy whose parents are richer than you. That black tinted-window BMW will be parked on your new drive before you’ve finished unpacking.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has declared February 22 a special holiday to honour the peaceful “smile revolution” protest movement that ousted the gas-rich country’s longtime leader last year.

The country’s communications minister had called for February 22nd to be declared “a national holiday of the blessed Hirak” — the Arabic name for the uprising.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika came to power in Algeria in 1999. Bouteflika survived the Arab Spring movement in 2011, by promising constitutional and political reform. He also lifted Algeria’s 19-year-old state of emergency.

In February 2019, Bouteflika announced he would stand for re-election in the forthcoming Presidential elections. This enraged many Algerians and on February 22nd 2019, over 800,000 demonstrators took to the streets, beginning the Hirak.

On April 2nd 2019, Bouteflika resigned from the presidency.

CINEMAGOERS will soon discover that Wuthering Heights could be half as long with a nice happy ending if any character had basic common sense. Also true of these: 

Snow White

Considering the Queen’s main goal in life is to kill Snow White, she does a shit job of it. The magic poisoned apple only puts her into a coma, so why not kill her permanently with a normal apple laced with cyanide? Or just brutally stab her to death? The Queen doesn’t care she’s in a Disney film.

Wuthering Heights

Heathcliff leaves Yorkshire – good call – when he overhears Catherine telling the housekeeper it would ‘degrade’ her to marry him, missing the rather important ‘I am Heathcliff’ bit afterwards. Considering Cathy shows every sign of loving him, he really needs to check this with her. Even if only to tell her she’s a two-faced cow.

The Lord of the Rings

It’s been said, but: giant eagles. That Gandalf is mates with. Fly the ring into Mordor? Or help Frodo and Sam with an escort of characters resistant to the Ring: Gandalf, Galadriel, other hobbits, etcetera. None are strictly needed at the diversionary attack on the Black Gate. Your arsehole boss in your office job would have organised this better.

Inception

Leo and his colleagues have dream-sharing technology, so ditch the dangerous industrial espionage and develop a consumer version. It might take a few years, but if Fortnitemakes billions then how much more fun would it be to play in someone’s dream? A few teenagers might forget to eat and perish, but that’s good for the gene pool.

Pride and Prejudice

Another dense misunderstanding. Elizabeth believes Wickham’s bullshit about Darcy being a bastard to him in the past. They’re serious allegations you’d want to verify, but no. And has it not occurred to Lizzie that he may just be trying to f**k her?

Death of a Salesman

Willy Loman could avoid killing himself by getting a sense of perspective. He could take a lower-paid job closer to home or stop obsessing about his son Biff being a failure. He is, after all, only 34. Samuel L Jackson, Debbie Harry, and McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc didn’t find success until after then. Chill the f**k out, Willy.

The Aeneid

How hard is it to check a big wooden horse for Greeks? Was it not suspiciously heavy when pushed? Did it not carry the distinctive scent of a few hundred soldiers crammed into a shed? Was there no tell-tale trail of leaking urine? The ancients were half-wits, frankly, and the democracy they invented should be treated accordingly.

In 1947, India was partitioned by the British, creating the ‘Dominion of Pakistan’, which was two separate regions to the northwest and northeast of India.

Even though the majority of people lived in the eastern part, where Bengali was the main language, the Dominion was in the control of the western part. In 1947, the western-based government had proposed Urdu as the only state language, and that it would be used exclusively in schools and in the media. This move caused unrest and protests in East Pakistan.

In early 1952, the protests had intensified and the government imposed a law (Section 144), which banned any gathering of more than three people.

On February 21st 1952, In defiance of the law, students began gathering on the University of Dhaka. The police enforced section 144 and arrested several protestors. This further enraged the crowd and when the students attempted to enter the building of the East Bengal Legislative Assembly, the police opened fire and shot dead four protestors.

As a result of the protests, Bengali was recognised as the second official language of Pakistan on February 29th 1956, and the constitution of Pakistan was reworded to “The state language of Pakistan shall be Urdu and Bengali.”

East Pakistan gained independence from Pakistan in 1971, becoming Bangladesh.

WHEN it comes to dating advice, we’ve hopefully moved on from platitudes like ‘plenty more fish in the sea’. But is the touchy-feely advice of the internet age any better? Of course not.

You’ll find love when you stop looking

So dating is governed by some sort of sentient force, and when it notices you’re less desperate to find a partner, it will send one your way? Great timing. If you give the slightest credence to this sort of quasi-mystical bollocks you may as well start believing in in fairies. At least then you might shag a Wiccan.

You need to love yourself first

Objectively, whether you adore yourself or have low self-esteem makes very little difference to whether people want to go out with you. Also, what sort of twat won’t date someone if they’re a bit insecure or down on themselves? ‘Sorry, pleasant Dua Lipa lookalike, a relationship is out of the question because you mentioned you’re not very confident at work. I’ll get you an Uber.’

Don’t spend too long in the ‘talking stage’

This refers to the Gen Z practice of conducting a relationship via social media or texting, then it being a disaster when they meet in person. However if you’re too thick to understand the whole point of dating is to be in the same physical space so you can have sex and use those Pizza Express vouchers, maybe it’s best if you never get a chance to add to the gene pool.

You’ve got to ‘work on yourself’

Commonly cited examples of ‘working on yourself’ are: journaling, improving your sleep/exercise habits, and learning new skills. With the exception of exercise, it’s hard to see how any of these help with dating. In fact notmentioning your boring, badly-written, self-obsessed journal will probably increase your chances of pulling 100 per cent.

When you know, you know

This is usually said by tiresome women trying to sound wise about matters of the heart. What they actually mean is: ‘I found someone who met my long-term relationship requirements and also had a decent car.’ But they can’t say that because then it doesn’t sound as if they’ve got an enigmatic sixth sense.

You have to work at a relationship

This received wisdom holds that relationships are an endless knackering slog requiring constant vigilance and effort, which is incredibly depressing. And probably bad advice if a couple fundamentally aren’t suited. But in any case, you don’t have to work at a relationship. It’s a free country. What’s your partner going to do, call the Crappy Birthday Present Police?

Malaya’s independence began after the signing of the Malayan Independence Treaty signed by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj on 8 February 1956 at Lancaster House, London to represent the Malayan government with Alan Lennox-Boyd, Secretary of the British Colonies on behalf of the British government.

The delegation, known as the Merdeka Entourage, was joined by four representatives of the ruling government and four representatives of the Malay Rulers who managed to obtain British approval to formally grant independence to Malaya on 31 August 1957 after three weeks of negotiations.

After achieving the country’s independence through negotiations, the Merdeka entourage returned to Malaya from London on 16 February 1956 and arrived in Singapore at midnight on 19 February 1956.

Tunku Abdul Rahman had decided not to return to Kuala Lumpur the next day, instead deciding to stop by Malacca first to announce the date of independence of Malaya.

On the next day on February 20th 1956, history was created in Melaka when the Merdeka group left for Melaka and arrived at Batu Berendam Airport by boarding a Malayan Airways plane and was greeted with great fanfare by various levels of society.

The Merdeka entourage was paraded by a group of youths on motorbikes along with dozens of cars accompanying Tunku Abdul Rahman’s entourage and Tunku stopped by to rest at Tan Cheng Lock’s house in Klebang before continuing on to Padang Banda Hilir (now Dataran Pahlawan).

The much-anticipated historic moment of the people who flooded Padang Banda Hilir finally arrived when Tunku Abdul Rahman announced according to the agreement reached in London which decided that the Federation of Malaya would officially achieve independence on 31 August 1957.

Upon finishing the speech, Tunku chanted “Merdeka” three times and simultaneously with the announcement, shouts and chants of independence thundered in the sky of Padang Banda Hilir, Melaka with joy and gratitude.

Losar means New Year (lo – year, sar – new) in Tibetan. It is the most important festival in the Tibetan calendar.

The origins of Losar can be traced back to pre-Buddhist period and the Bon religion and was most likely celebrated to mark the winter solstice. To mark the beginning of the end of Winter, festivities included offering large quantities of incense to the local spirits and deities. When the region converted to Buddhism, the date was shifted by Buddhist monks to match up with their lunar calendar.

The Tibetan New Year period lasts for fifteen days, with the first three days and New Year’s Eve being the main celebrations

On Tibetan New Year’s Eve, a custom is making a special noodle dish called guthuk. In the dish are dumplings with different ingredients inside them. Finding a certain ingredient is a light-hearted omen for the coming year. Finding a white coloured ingredient such as rice or salt is considered a good omen; finding a pebble means good luck; finding a chilli means the person is talkative and finding a black ingredient means you have are ‘black-heated’. Interestingly, in some European Christmas customs, finding coal in your presents means the same thing.

On Tibetan New Year’s Eve, the monks do a protector deities’ puja (ceremony) to drive out evil spirits. and begin preparations for the Losar celebrations.

On the first day of the new year, people rise early and place water and offerings on their household altars to ensure a good harvest.

A GIRLFRIEND is confident her boyfriend will never cheat on her thanks to no woman finding him in any way attractive.

Hannah 28, not her real name or age, feels her relationship with Guido 30, not his real age, is rock solid due to what she calls his ‘complete and utter lack of appeal to every other woman on the planet’.

She said: “I’m not saying Guido never would try to cheat, I’m saying he never could.

“I feel safe in the knowledge that he could try it on with hundreds of women and still remain true to me. How many men are as involuntarily loyal as that?

“Attractive, charismatic partners might stray because they get tempting offers. But a weird-looking guy like Guido whose hobbies are moaning about things and watching YouTube compilation videos of people failing to park? That’s lifelong fidelity right there, baby.

“What self-respecting woman is going to fancy a man who takes her to Pizza Express on her birthday and makes her pay for herself? Well, me, but I’m paranoid about being nearly 30.

“When we first started dating I’d lie awake in a state of panic about him falling for someone else. Then he’d fart so loudly it’d set off the car alarm and I’d go back to sleep.

“People say to trust your partner and I do. But I trust women more.”

Located on the west coast of Africa, The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa.

Its first contact with Europeans was in the mid-15th century when Portuguese arrived as part of their expansion of overseas trade. It was also an important location for the African slave trade.

Trade rights to the region were sold to the British at the end of the 16th century, starting a period of British control who initially struggled for domination of the region with France. For a short period in the 17th century part of The Gambia was under the control of what is modern-day Latvia.

In 1889 the present boundaries of The Gambia were set by agreement between Britain and France; five years later it became a British protectorate.

During the 1950s political parties emerged. In 1960, elections were held under a new constitution, with the People’s Progressive Party, led by David Jawara, emerging as a powerful voice and the dominant political party after further elections in 1962.

Following agreements between the British and Gambian Governments in July 1964, The Gambia achieved independence as a constitutional monarchy on 18 February 1965, with Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general, as head of state and Jawara as the first prime minister.

The Gambia is one of only two countries whose self-standing short name for official use should begin with the word “The” (the other one being The Bahamas). In 1964, the prime minister of The Gambia said that one of the reasons they like to have “The” in their name is to avoid confusion with Zambia.

The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself ancient and obscured by the amount of time. It is popularly recognised as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days. The public holidays last about a week and stores and places of business usually reopen on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

It may seem strange that the celebration is known as “Spring Festival” in China, even though it falls in January or February, which are classed as winter months. This is because the ancient solar calendar, which depicts 24 periods through the year, classifies the start of Spring as the period from February 4th to 18th.

Preparations begin a month before (similar to a Western Christmas) when people start buying presents, decoration materials, food and clothing. A huge clean-up gets underway days before the New Year when Chinese houses are cleaned from top to bottom, to sweep away any traces of bad luck, and doors and windowpanes are given a new coat of paint, usually red.