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Evelyn Waugh

A Handful of Dust is a novel by the British writer Evelyn Waugh (pictured). First published in 1934, it concerns the misfortunes of Tony Last, a contented but shallow English country squire who, betrayed by his wife and seeing his illusions shattered one by one, joins an expedition to the Brazilian jungle. Here he is trapped in a remote outpost, as the prisoner and plaything of an insane captor, and is forced to read the novels of Charles Dickens, aloud, in perpetuity. Waugh incorporated several autobiographical elements into the story, notably a journey into the South American interior undertaken in 1933–34, and his own recent desertion by his young wife. The book was immediately popular with the public and has never been out of print; its literary reputation has grown, and it has been listed among the 20th century's best novels. Unlike in much of his work, Waugh did not introduce overt religious themes into A Handful of Dust. He later explained that he intended the book to demonstrate the futility of humanist as distinct from religious values. (Full article...)

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A cross-section of shark meat

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... that opinion turned so sharply against the Sentinel ABM system during the 1968 elections, that incoming President Nixon was forced to cancel the program?
... that Martin Allwood put Gunvor Hofmo's "Alt jeg bad om, det er også skjedd, / og hjertet—men jeg er bare redd!" as "All I asked for has been granted me—Yet I am scared, although my heart is free."?
... that if the United States Congress is late in passing 2016 spending legislation, it will not trigger across-the-board cuts as in 2013?
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In the news

Malcolm Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull (pictured) replaces Tony Abbott as the Liberal Party leader, becoming Prime Minister of Australia.
An explosion in Petlawad, Madhya Pradesh, India, kills more than 100 people and injures many more.
The ruling People's Action Party, led by Lee Hsien Loong, retains its majority in the Singaporean general election.
A crane collapses at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, killing more than 100 people and severely damaging the building.
Scientists announce the discovery of Homo naledi, a species of early human.

Ongoing events:
- European migrant crisis
Recent deaths:
- Moses Malone

On this day...

September 16: Malaysia Day; Independence Day in Mexico (1810)

Seal of Owain Glyndŵr

1400 – Owain Glyndŵr (seal pictured) was proclaimed Prince of Wales and instigated a revolt against the rule of Henry IV of England.
1776 – American Revolutionary War: On hearing the British troops sounding their bugles as if it were a fox hunt, the American colonists held their ground and achieved a victory at the Battle of Harlem Heights in present-day New York City.
1810 – Miguel Hidalgo, the parish priest in Dolores, Guanajuato, delivered the Grito de Dolores to his congregation, instigating the Mexican War of Independence against Spain.
1940 – World War II: Italy captured the town of Sidi Barrani, but their invasion of Egypt progressed no further.
1990 – Construction of the Northern Xinjiang Railway was completed between Ürümqi and Alashankou, linking the railway lines of China and Kazakhstan, and adding a sizable portion to the Eurasian Land Bridge.

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Today's featured picture

The Shoreham Hotel is a hotel located at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and Calvert Street in northwest Washington, D.C. Built in 1930 by local construction company owner Harry Bralove, the building was designed by Waddy Butler Wood. The hotel has also served as an entertainment venue, having been the home of Mark Russell and The Capitol Steps. It is currently owned by Omni Hotels.

Photograph: Jürgen Matern

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