In the spring of 1770, an extraordinary mechanical man known as "The Turk" made his debut at the imperial court in Vienna. He was fashioned from wood, powered by clockwork and dressed in a stylish Turkish costume. His inventor, a 35-year-old Hungarian civil servant by the name of Wolfgang von Kempelen, boasted that The Turk could beat anyone at chess, an incredible proposition in an era long before the advent of computers. Kempelen had no plans for his chess-playing machine other than to amuse the court. He could have no idea that his automaton would achieve fame throughout Europe and America, that figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Edgar Allan Poe would become fascinated by it, and that the mystery of how The Turk worked would remain unsolved for almost 90 years.

http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/lab/7378/automat.htm

My husband plays tavla worldwide via the internet. He also attended several tavla tournaments and won.  Yes, one can say he is a champion.

Tiffiny

scary!

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/06/europe/07cheney.php

Dragut was a protege of Barbarossa (Khayr ed-Din). He was known as a cruel and brutal opponent, and feared among many Christians.
Through the 1550´s, Dragut managed to alienate most of his fellow Ottoman administrators and rulers in North Africa. His line was closer to the sultan of Constantinople than the local North Africans.
His home town would be named after him, Turgutreis.

http://lexicorient.com/e.o/dragut.htm

The Ottoman navy, under the rule of the fierce Muslim corsair Barbarossa, started off sea battles which ranged from one end of the mediterranean to the other. The world held its breath... a significant naval battle victory for the Muslims would snuff out the flame of hope for a Christian Europe.

A particular rivalry was strong between the Knights of St.John. Suliman having Rhodes under his command, it seemed the Turks would sweep across the Mediterranean freely.

Dragut went to arms first under the corsair Ai Reis, intent on fighting against Andrea Doria, then later he went under Barbarossa´s command. Dragut brought back spoils and prisinors from the Adriatic to Tunis, where he resold them.

In 1456, Barbarossa died and the huge Turkish navy was now under Dragut´s command. When in 1550 the Knights won a battle against one of his fleets in Madhia. This incured Dragut´s wrath, and he attacked the Mediterranean isle of Malta, which was the current seat of the knights of the order of St.John. The island was a frequent target of Muslim attacks, and The Knights were working to turn it into a fortified and fully protected island. However the fortifications were still in their growing phase, and the shores were still relatively unprotected. Dragut was out of luck though - the battle was lost and the Turkish vessels were forced to flee. Of course, Dragut vowed to return and so he did.

http://lexicorient.com/e.o/barbary_pirates.htm

Pls. read this:

http://www.apmcsta.org/ApplicationAndPublic/TLNTS.aspx

I just had the most delicious German hering salad, ingredients: finely chopped sour hering pieces, very small pieces of cooked potatoes, sweet dill pickles and pickled red beets, fresh onion, all finely chopped. Add a bit boullion, lemon and very little oil.

http://www.bettyrocker.net/2007/05/heringsalat-herring-salad.html

*****************************************************************

HERRING SALAD (German Heringsalat, Low Saxon Heernsalaad) comes in two basic varieties: white and red. It consists of diced Bismarck herring and diced pickled cucumber, sometimes diced cooked and pickled celeriac as well. Red herring salad has the addition of diced cooked and pickled beets. All this is tossed in mayonnaise. Using sour cream instead of mayonnaise results in what is considered Swedish or Scandinavian herring salad. Herring salad tends to be a part of buffets and is eaten as a side dish, as an hors d’euvre or on dark bread for lunch, for supper or as a snack. It can be bought ready made in virtually all North German food stores and is available wherever fish snacks are sold as well as at any restaurant that serves traditional local fare. Try it on Vollkornbrot, a dark whole grain bread baked at low temperature.

Rollmops (Courtesy RaBoe and Wikimedia Commons)

I have noticed that too. Every hour on the hour! I think doudi  is certainly  not residing  in Egypt.