A swallow builds its nest inside farm buildings and on ledges in old chimneys. The nest is made of mud, straw and saliva, with feathers and wool to line the inside. It takes a pair of swallows up to several weeks to make the saucer-shaped nest in the rafters of a barn. Swallows starts arriving in Europe at the end …

Conflict diamonds came to the attention of the world media during the extremely brutal conflict in Sierra Leone in the 1990s. The UN, governments, the diamond industry and non-governmental organisations , recognised the need for a global system to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond supply chain, which helped fund conflict. The Kimberley Process (the first meeting was …

A greenshank is a little bird with a long beak and olive-green legs – a member of a group of birds known as sandpipers. The greenshank breeds in Scotland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. It builds its nest on the ground, being content usually to settle in a small hollow, lined with heather or dry grass. The eggs are pale buff …

Yuvraj Singh (born 12 December 1981) is a cricketer from India, and the son of former Indian fast bowler and Punjabi movie star Yograj Singh. He has been a member of the Indian cricket team since 2000 (ODIs) and played his first Test match in 2003. He was the vice captain of the ODI team from late-2007 to late-2008. At …

Zaheer Khan (born 7 October 1978) is an Indian cricketer who has been a member of the Indian cricket team since 2000. A left arm Fast bowler considered as the spearhead of the Indian bowling attack, Zaheer is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, and as a batsman also holds the record for the highest Test …

Walter Samuel — Walter Adrián Luján Samuel (born Walter Adrián Luján; 23 March 1978) is an Argentine footballer who plays for Basel in the Swiss Super League. Samuel has been regarded as one of football’s toughest defenders, with teammate and Inter captain Javier Zanetti referring to him as the “hardest player” he has played with. Gifted with natural power and …

Vasileios Torosidis — Versatile full-back Vasileios Torosidis had his first professional outing as a 17-year-old with hometown club Skoda. His composed displays over the next four years had Greece’s biggest clubs trailing his signature. In 2007 he made the move to Olympiakos, where he has occupied virtually every position apart from goalkeeper, although he is best known for his qualities …

Tillakaratne Dilshan — Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan is a Sri Lankan cricketer and member of the Sri Lankan national cricket team since November 1999. Known as Tuwan Mohammad Dilshan prior to his conversion from Islam to Buddhism, an aggressive right-hand batsman, he is also a capable spin bowler and his off breaks are mostly used in the one-day arena. T.M. Dilshan …

Tiago — Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago is an experienced campaigner whose career has taken him across Europe. In a fine top-flight career, the 29 year-old has tasted domestic success in some of the continent’s most competitive leagues and this summer will be hoping to add international success with Portugal to that glittering tally. Tiago made his top-flight debut for Braga …

Sunil Bharti Mittal, (born 23 October 1957) is an Indian telecom mogul, philanthropist and the founder, chairman and managing director of Bharti Enterprises. The US$7.2 billion turnover company runs India’s largest GSM-based mobile phone service. He is the son of Sat Paul (former MP) and Lalita. In 2007, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honor. Early …