The First Afghan War

The background to the conflict

The problems with Afghanistan began in 1837. With Russian backing, a Persian army besieged the city of Herat, the British government saw this as a threat to their interests in India, and began to fear a Russian invasion of the North-Western frontier of Afghanistan. In addition, Shah Shoojah, a former monarch of Afghanistan, had been exiled to India, plus Runjeet Singh, the Sikh leader and a firm ally of the British, had been attacked by the dominant Afghan chief Dost Mahomed Khan. This led to a tripartite agreement between the British, Shah Shoojah and Runjeet Singh, which aimed to return Shah Shoojah to the Afghan throne, thus making Afghanistan pro-British.

The conflict

A combined army of British and Indian forces, entitled the Army of the Indus, was assembled to attempt to place Shah Shoojah on the throne. The 13th Foot was selected to form part of the infantry forces and arrived at Ferozepore in India on 26 November 1838 to take its place in the army. It was decided that the army should not approach Afghanistan through the Khyber Pass, as it was a dangerous and unpredictable passage, instead the Army of the Indus marched across Baluchistan to pass through the Bolan Pass with the objective of Kandahar. In April 1839 the Army of Indus reached Kandahar; on their approach the leaders of Western Afghanistan fled or surrendered, thus leaving the entrance to the city open.

June 1839 saw the army moving towards Kabul. On route lay the fortress of Ghuznee which was duly stormed and seized by a party from the 13th led by Colonel Dennie. With the taking of Ghuznee, the passage to Kabul lay open and on the 6 August 1839 Shah Shoojah entered the capital to an unsettling silence. It appeared to all that the Army of Indus had achieved its goals.

The next year saw the continued occupation of Kabul, Kandahar and Ghuznee. However, tensions within the country were starting to develop. Shah Shoojah was not popular amongst the Afghan people and only held his position due to heavy British backing. All that was needed was a catalyst to cement the feeling of unrest. This catalyst was found in October 1841 and took the form of Akbar Khan, the favourite son of Dost Mahomed Khan, in addition communication lines to India were cut and there was growing friction between the British civil and military authorities.

The growing tensions came to a head in early October 1841. A small party from the 35th Native Infantry moved to the entrance of the Khoord Kabul Pass. This group was attacked and suffered heavy losses. In response the 13th, under command of Colonel Robert Sale, was sent out to join this group. The Khoord Kabul Pass was forced and the troops fought onto Gandamak, a cantonment garrisoned by Shah Shoojah's troops which lay 25 miles south-west of Jellalabad.

Whilst at Gandamak Sale received news of an Afghan insurrection at Kabul and the overthrow of Shah Shoojah and the death of the British envoy to Afghanistan. With the sick and wounded it would have been impossible for Sale and the 13th to attempt a return to Kabul, it was thus decided to retire to Jellalabad. The arrival at Jellalabad found the fortress in ruins and the cantonments were burning. Ammunition and rations were short and the fort was soon surrounded by hostile Afghans. Meanwhile, the British forces in Kabul had capitulated, 17,000 Europeans were assured that they would receive safe passage from Afghanistan, however, once away from Kabul they were attacked, just one hundred survived to be taken prisoner and only one person, Dr. Brydon, reached Jellalabad alive.

The situation was ominous; Kabul had fallen and hostile forces surrounded the other garrisons, in addition communication links with India had become irregular and unreliable. The Afghans were also turning their attention to the destruction of Jellalabad. News of a relief force led by General Pollack was received, but just four days later an earthquake hit Jellalabad, destroying the newly defended walls. At the beginning of April 1842 the Jellalabad garrison received the disastrous (although incorrect) news that Pollack's force had been destroyed whilst crossing the Khyber Pass. This led Sale to make the decision to try to breakout from Jellalabad.

The day chosen was the 7 April, a day to be known throughout the regiment's history as Jellalabad Day. At daybreak the troops were awaiting the order for attack, the garrison were to attack in three columns with the 13th in the centre. The 13th came under attack from a small fort, which was duly attacked and the Afghans were pushed back before fleeing the scene. Just a week later General Pollack's forces reached Jellalabad and in the autumn of 1842 the remaining garrisons of the Army of the Indus again converged on Kabul. The prisoners held by the Afghans were released and by the 12 October 1842 the army was returning to India.

The repercussions for the regiment were vast; a twenty one-gun salute was fired at every principal Army station that was passed through on their return through India. In England, Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel, sang the regiment's praises in the House of Commons and Queen Victoria re-titled the regiment the 13^th or Prince Albert's Regiment of Light Infantry and changed the uniforms facings from yellow to Royal Blue. A special campaign medal, the first ever issued, was struck to be awarded to those who took part in the siege. Jellalabad was now to appear in a scroll at the top of the Regimental badge, along with a mural crown which was to refer to the fortress wall of Jellalabad and the initials PA for their new title. Three more battle honours were also added to the regimental colours: Ghuznee 1839, Afghanistan 1939 and Cabool 1842.

Hydrogen Storage System

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have successfully designed and demonstrated key features of a hydrogen storage system that utilizes a complex metal hydride material known as sodium alanate. The system, developed through a multiyear project funded by General Motors Corp., stores 3 kilograms of hydrogen and is large enough to evaluate control strategies suitable for use in vehicle applications.

The design tools developed by Sandia researchers now provide GM with a workable template for future designs, which is expected to significantly save the company costs and time when developing hydrogen storage systems for onboard vehicular applications.

“For GM, the enduring value of this project can be found in the design concepts, computational tools, and control strategies that Sandia developed,” said Jim Spearot, GM lead executive for hydrogen storage. “With this new body of knowledge and information, we will be able to quickly design viable systems as new storage materials emerge.”

Methods have been validated

Sandia researchers are quick to point out that the system was not meant to fit on board a vehicle, and that sodium alanate will not be the material of choice for onboard storage of hydrogen. But, although it is indeed larger and heavier than a viable automotive storage system requires, the system’s engineered elements address many of the thermal management issues that are necessary for successful vehicular storage of hydrogen.

“We’ve shown that we can engineer vehicle-scale energy storage systems to meet a variety of operating requirements and driving cycles, and our design methods have been validated for relevant materials,” said Sandia engineer Terry Johnson.

Johnson said Sandia is well-equipped to do similar work on behalf of other companies, including those that manufacture rolling stock, specialty, or heavy-duty vehicles. Companies that focus on other niche applications, including underwater, military, or unmanned aerial vehicles, would likely benefit from Sandia’s expertise, too, he said.

Modular heat exchange system allows flexibility

In addition to its size and storage capacity, the unique features of the Sandia system include an advanced heating system whereby a fraction of the stored hydrogen is used to provide heat to release the remaining hydrogen. This method — the catalytic combustion of hydrogen — is not new, Johnson said, but is unique to this particular application and the first to be successfully demonstrated. “We chose not to use resistive (electrically driven) heating, because it would have necessarily resulted in a larger and heavier system,” he said.

After considering a number of thermal management options, Sandia selected a “shell and tube” heat exchanger, a heating technique common in many industrial processes. The “SmartBed” — a term coined by Sandia that refers to the method for controlling a modular storage system — consists of four identical modules, each of which contains a shell and tube heat exchanger. The material used to store the hydrogen — sodium alanate — resides within the tubes, which essentially serve as a high-pressure storage vessel. Inside the shell, a heating fluid circulates to transfer heat to and from the sodium alanate.

The modular design of the system means that only a minimum amount of the storage material needs to be heated at any one time. The design also aids in the packaging of the system to fit on board a vehicle.

Sandia’s work with GM on a hydrogen storage system reflects the lab’s long history of exploring basic science for energy and transportation. From developing renewable means of producing hydrogen, to discovering the science behind hydrogen safety, to creating the building blocks of hydrogen and fuel cell systems, Sandia scientists and engineers are actively working to help hydrogen and fuel cells take their place in a sustainable energy future. Sandia is actively seeking commercial partners to further develop its hydrogen storage technologies.

Fires and Food Safety

Fire! Few words can strike such terror. Residential fires are, unfortunately, a common occurrence. Some 2 million American homes are in flames yearly. In the aftermath of fire, people are left to salvage their lives and belongings.

Whether it's the whole house involved or just a fire in the kitchen, people try to save what they can — including food. But generally, saving food that's been in a fire is not a good idea.

Food exposed to fire can be compromised by three factors: the heat of the fire, smoke fumes, and chemicals used to fight fire.

Heat from the Fire
Food in cans or jars may appear to be okay, but if they've been close to the HEAT of a fire, they may no longer be safe.

Why? Heat from a fire can activate food spoilage bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars themselves can split or rupture, rendering the food unsafe.

Fumes from a Fire
One of the most dangerous elements of a fire is sometimes not the fire itself, but TOXIC FUMES released from burning materials.

Those fumes can kill; they can also contaminate food. Any type of food stored in permeable packaging — cardboard, plastic wrap, etc. — should be thrown away. Toxic fumes can permeate the packaging and contaminate the food.

Discard any raw foods stored installing battery-powered smoke outside the refrigerator — such as potatoes or fruit — that could be contaminated by fumes.

Surprisingly, food stored in refrigerators or freezers can also become contaminated by fumes. The refrigerator seal isn't airtight and fumes can get inside.

If food from your refrigerator has an off-flavor or odor when it's prepared, throw it away.

Chemicals in Fires
Chemicals used to fight fires contain toxic materials and can contaminate food and cookware. The chemicals cannot be washed off the food.

Foods that are exposed to chemicals should be thrown away. This includes food stored at room temperature, such as fruits and vegetables, as well as foods stored in permeable containers like cardboard and screw-topped jars and bottles.

Canned goods and cookware exposed to chemicals can be decontaminated.

Wash in a strong detergent solution. Then dip in a bleach solution (1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water) for 15 minutes.

Fire Stoppers
The American Red Cross recommends that you:

• Make your home fire-safe by installing battery-powered smoke detectors on each floor and in the garage. Test the detectors twice a year and keep a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Plan two emergency escape routes from each room in the house. Have rope or chain ladders for upstairs rooms. Agree on where to meet after the family escapes.
• Have your own practice fire drills. Instruct everyone to crawl low under smoke.

Police Cars Benefitted by Latest Technology

West Ham Park In East London

West Ham Park has been owned and maintained by the City of London since 1874, and at 77 acres, is the largest park in the London Borough of Newham. Our aim has always been to provide a wide range of facilities, together with a pleasant and relaxing environment for all our visitors.

Our seven acre ornamental garden will lead you to a variety of horticultural delights, whilst out in the park, a wide range of recreational activities are available throughout the year including sports, guided walks and entertainment on the bandstand in the summer. We are also proud to be one of the few parks in the country with our own nursery, supplying over 200 species of plant for displays in the park, and a number of other open spaces in London.


Open every day of the year, patrolled by full time Park Keepers and supported by closed circuit television, it's no wonder that our one million visitors a year tell us they feel welcome and safe and that we are ‘the most popular park in East London’.

Pervention From AIDS

1. See the articles related on safe sex to learn how to reduce the chance of acquiring or spreading HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Try not to use injected drugs. If IV drugs are used, do not share needles or syringes. Many communities now have needle exchange programs, where you can get rid of used syringes and get new, sterile ones for free. These programs can also provide referrals to addiction treatment.
3. Avoid contact with another person's blood. Protective clothing, masks, and goggles may be appropriate when caring for people who are injured.
4. Anyone who tests positive for HIV can pass the disease to others and should not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm. An infected person should tell any prospective sexual partner about their HIV-positive status. They should not exchange body fluids during sexual activity, and should use whatever preventive measures will give the partner the most protection.
5. HIV-positive women who wish to become pregnant should seek counseling about the risk to unborn children, and medical advances that may help prevent the fetus from becoming infected. Use of certain medications can dramatically reduce the chances that the baby will become infected during pregnancy.
6. Mothers who are HIV-positive should not breast feed their babies.
7. Safe-sex practices, such as latex condoms, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. HOWEVER, there remains a risk of acquiring the infection even with the use of condoms. Abstinence is the only sure way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

The riskiest sexual behavior is unprotected receptive anal intercourse -- the least risky sexual behavior is receiving oral sex. Performing oral sex on a man is associated with some risk of HIV transmission, but this is less risky than unprotected vaginal intercourse. Female-to-male transmission of the virus is much less likely than male-to-female transmission. Performing oral sex on a woman who does not have her period carries low risk of transmission.

HIV-positive patients who are taking anti-retroviral medications are less likely to transmit the virus. For example, pregnant women who are on effective treatment at the time of delivery, and who have undetectable viral loads, give HIV to the infant less than 1% of the time, compared with about 20% of the time if medications are not used.

The US blood supply is among the safest in the world. Nearly all people infected with HIV through blood transfusions received those transfusions before 1985, the year HIV testing began for all donated blood. Currently, the risk of infection with HIV through a blood transfusion or blood products is almost zero in the United States, even in geographic areas with a lot of HIV infections.

If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY. There is some evidence that an immediate course of antiviral drugs can reduce the chances that you will be infected. This is called post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and has been used to treat health care workers injured by needle sticks, to prevent transmission.

There is less information available about how effective PEP is for people exposed to HIV through sexual activity or IV drug use. However, if you believe you have been exposed, you should discuss the possibility with a knowledgeable specialist (check local AIDS organizations for the latest information) as soon as possible. Anyone who has been raped should be offered PEP and should consider its potential risks and benefits.

Coffee's History

The first reported appearance of coffee is in the year 850 in the region of Kaffa (hence its name) of Ethiopia. Out of curiosity some person tasted the red fruits from an unknown tree. Gradually the people of this region began to eat this semi-toasted (by the sun) grains. Those who ate said they felt happy and awake. It is unknown how this plant arrived in Yemen in the fourteenth century. The old shepherds of Yemen discovered that when their goats chewed on the leaves and fruits from some tree the goats became agitated and couldn't sleep at night. The shepherds told this to some monks that lived nearby, who began to make a beverage with these grains. This drink helped them stay up longer. One day one of these monks started burning some branches of the plant and without him noticing, some of the grains fell on the fire. A delicious aroma arose from the fire. This smell attracted the other monks who withdrew the grains from the fire and grounded them to make a better tasting beverage from this powder.

In time this new beverage arrived at the Golden Horn, one of the richest zones in the Ottoman Empire. In Istanbul two merchants, Djems de Damasco and Hakim de Alepo opened the first two known coffee houses side by side. In the middle of the XVII century merchants from the east introduced the beverage to the city of Dogos in Venice. According to historians the first "bottega da caffe" was open on the "Plaza San Marco" in 1645. From Venice coffee went to London where the first establishment was manage by an Italian. It was inaugurated in 1652 near the Saint Michael Cornhill Church.