Rock Hudson, born Roy Harold Scherer Jr., was an American actor and one of the most popular film stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. With a career spanning over three decades, he achieved stardom with roles in "Magnificent Obsession" (1954), "All That Heaven Allows" (1955), and "Giant" (1956), earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Hudson also found success in romantic comedies alongside Doris Day, such as "Pillow Talk" (1959) and "Lover Come Back" (1961). Unhappy with film scripts, he formed his own production companies and later turned to television, starring in "McMillan & Wife" (1971–1977). Hudson's discreet sexual orientation was known in the film industry, and in 1984, he was diagnosed with AIDS, becoming one of the first celebrities to disclose his diagnosis. He passed away due to an AIDS-related illness on October 2, 1985, at the age of 59. Born on November 17, 1925, in Winnetka, Illinois, Hudson's career began after serving in the United States Navy during World War II and making his acting debut in the film "Fighter Squadron" (1948). He was signed to a long-term contract by Universal-International, where he received coaching in various aspects of performance and appeared in numerous films. Hudson's legacy as a talented actor and a

The rock hyrax, also known as the dassie, Cape hyrax, rock rabbit, and coney, is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal native to Africa and the Middle East. Found at elevations up to 4,200 m, they inhabit habitats with rock crevices, enabling them to evade predators. These animals typically live in groups of 10–80 and have been observed using sentries to warn of approaching predators. With incomplete thermoregulation, they are most active in the morning and evening. Rock hyraxes are not endangered over most of their range and are considered a minor pest in some areas. They are closely related to the elephant and exhibit a unique dorsal gland used for social communication and territorial marking. The rock hyrax occurs widely across sub-Saharan Africa in disjunct northern and southern populations and is absent from the Congo Basin and Madagascar. They build dwelling holes in various types of rock and are preyed on by leopards and Egyptian cobras in Africa.

The rock ptarmigan, also known as Lagopus muta, is a medium-sized game bird belonging to the grouse family. In Europe, it is simply referred to as the ptarmigan. It holds the distinction of being the official bird for the Canadian territory of Nunavut, where it is known as the aqiggiq (ᐊᕿᒡᒋᖅ), and the official game bird for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The rock ptarmigan is also the official bird of Gifu, Nagano, and Toyama Prefectures in Japan, where it is known as the raichō (雷鳥). This species is recognized as a protected species nationwide in Japan. In addition, the rock ptarmigan has been divided into 23 recognized subspecies, each with its own unique characteristics and distribution.The etymology of the rock ptarmigan's genus name, Lagopus, is derived from the Ancient Greek words lagos (λαγώς lagṓs), meaning "hare", and pous (πούς poús), meaning "foot", in reference to the bird's feathered legs. The word ptarmigan itself comes from the Scottish Gaelic tarmachan, meaning croaker, and was later influenced by the Greek word pteron (πτερόν pterón), meaning "wing", "feather", or

Rock climbing is a challenging and exhilarating sport that involves ascending routes on natural rock formations or artificial climbing walls. Climbers use guidebooks and online databases to access information on routes, including the technique (beta) and the first ascent details. Rock climbing routes can range from a few meters to over 1,000 meters in height, with various types of terrain such as slabs, faces, cracks, and overhangs. Popular rock types for climbing include granite, limestone, and sandstone, but there are 43 identified climbable rock types. The sport has evolved to focus on free climbing, where no mechanical aids are used for upward momentum. It includes disciplines like bouldering, single-pitch climbing, and multi-pitch climbing. The grading systems for rock climbing are standardized worldwide, and the most challenging grades as of January 2025 are 9c for lead climbing and V17 for bouldering. Rock climbing has a rich history originating in late 19th-century Europe and has experienced significant developments in equipment and technique. The sport's profile has increased with the inclusion of lead climbing, bouldering, and speed climbing as medal events in the Summer Olympics, as well as the popularity of films like Free Solo and The Dawn Wall. A key concept in rock climbing is the 'lead climbing pair,' consisting of a lead climber and a belayer. Climbing protection devices play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of climbers, with modern climbers using mechanical protection devices placed

Elton John, the English musician, released his tenth studio album, "Rock of the Westies," on 24 October 1975. The album's title is a play on the phrase "West of the Rockies," as it was recorded at Caribou Ranch in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Notably, the album entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number one, following the success of his previous album, "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy." The album contained the hit single "Island Girl," which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. "Rock of the Westies" marked a change in the lineup of the Elton John Band, with the addition of new members including drummer Roger Pope and bassist Kenny Passarelli. The album achieved gold and platinum certifications in the US and Canada, and its song "Street Kids" was featured in the popular video game Grand Theft Auto IV. With its unique sound and chart-topping success, "Rock of the Westies" remains a significant album in Elton John's discography.