News

The president of the Georgian Association for American Studies, and the Director of the Institute of American Studies at Tbilisi State University, Professor Vasil Kacharava turns 65 today.

BRAMS Institute congratulates dear friend and colleague, and wishes him many happy returns of the day!

210 years ago, on 10 August 1809, Criollo rebels took over the Ecuadorian capital Quito. This was the day when Antonio José de Sucre y Alcala defeated the Spanish Royalist forces at the Battle of Pichincha and the country made the first step towards gaining its independence. Lacking essential support, criollos (Spaniards born in the Americas) were defeated in about three weeks.

The victory at the Battle of Minden turned into a bigger celebration than a decisive engagement in the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) would suggest. When an Anglo-German army under the overall command of Ferdinand of Brunswick defeated a French army in 1759, and the German-Prussian field marshal was awarded £20,000 and the Order of the Garter, no one would imagine the historical influence over the meaning of the day.

On Friday Minnie Mouse (Russi Taylor) joined her beloved Mickey (Wayne Allwine) in the cartoon heaven. The voice-over actress died from colon cancer on 26 July at her home in Glendale, California, according to a press release from the Walt Disney Company. Details of a memorial service have yet to be announced.

Bill Farmer who voiced Goofy alongside Russi Taylor, stated that she was “as wonderful, funny, and sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as talented yet humble as you would expect”.

Boris Johnson officially became prime minister of the UK after an audience with the Queen later this afternoon. Yesterday he defeated his Tory party rival Jeremy Hunt as he received the majority of votes in a ballot of party members. The 55-year-old former foreign minister and former mayor of London now can form his cabinet and deliver Brexit by 31st October, having 99 days to make good on his promise.