title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa ran for reelection to Parliament in the 1990 election, this time in the newly created Kwekwe constituency. ZANU–PF ran a publicized and organized campaign in Kwekwe, holding meetings between Mnangagwa and community leaders, and putting up numerous posters. However, there were also reports of voter intimidation and harassment, including from Women's League members, some of whom said they were threatened into joining a demonstration against the Zimbabwe Unity Movement, the rival party contesting Mnangagwa's seat. On election day, Mnangagwa won with 23,898 votes, while his little-known rival, ZUM candidate Sylvester Chibanda, received only 7,094 votes. Mnangagwa was reelected again in the 1995 parliamentary election, in another race marked by voter intimidation. Election monitors in Kwekwe reported that voters were told that if they did not vote with ZANU–PF, the "Gukurahundi" atrocities would be repeated against them.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: While justice minister, Mnangagwa also served as acting Finance Minister from November 1995 to April 1996, after the previous minister, Bernard Chidzero, stepped down due to health reasons, and his successor Ariston Chambati died. He was also acting Minister of Foreign Affairs for a short period. In 1998, Mnangagwa was put in charge of Zimbabwe's intervention in the Second Congo War, in which the Zimbabwe National Army entered the Democratic Republic of the Congo to defend Congolese President Laurent-Désiré Kabila. A 2000 article in the Zimbabwean magazine "Moto" described him as Mugabe's heir apparent, and wrote "With the DRC issue at hand, it has been difficult to tell whether he is the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Defence as he has been shuttling between Harare and Kinshasa." During the war, Mnangagwa enriched himself through mineral wealth seized from the Congo. After Billy Rautenbach, a Zimbabwean businessman, was placed in charge of Gécamines, the Congolese state mining company, Mnangagwa began brokering deals between the company and Zimbabwean connections.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa ran in the 2000 parliamentary election as the ZANU–PF candidate for the Kwekwe constituency. He was defeated by the Movement for Democratic Change candidate, Blessing Chebundo, who received 64% of the vote to Mnangagwa's 35%. Mnangagwa lost in spite of voter intimidation and violence by ZANU–PF, which included dousing Chebundo in petrol and attempting to burn him alive, as well as setting Chebundo's house on fire. After his defeat, Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa to one of the 20 unelected seats in Parliament.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 17 July 2000, Mugabe announced a new cabinet, from which Mnangagwa was conspicuously absent. His exclusion from the cabinet fanned speculation that Mnangagwa, widely seen as Mugabe's preferred successor, had lost favour with the president. However, the next day, when Parliament was sworn in, Mnangagwa was elected Speaker of the House of Assembly, receiving 87 votes against MDC candidate Mike Mataure's 59 votes. The secret ballot election was the first competitive speaker's election since the country's independence. Rather than having lost the president's favour, Mugabe likely excluded Mnangagwa from the cabinet because he was arranging for him to serve as speaker instead.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In October 2000, Mnangagwa thwarted an attempt by the MDC members of Parliament to impeach Mugabe. During his tenure as speaker, Mnangagwa continued to be subject to international scrutiny regarding his mining interests in the Congo during the Second Congo War. A 2001 United Nations report described him as "the architect of the commercial activities of ZANU–PF". A "The Guardian" article from the same year wrote that Mnangagwa "negotiated the swapping of Zimbabwean soldiers' lives for mining contracts". In 2002, a report authored by a five-member panel commissioned by the UN Security Council implicated him in the exploitation of mineral wealth from the Congo and for his involvement in making Harare a significant illicit diamond trading centre. The panel and recommended that he, along with 53 others, be subject to international travel bans and financial restrictions. He was placed on the United States sanctions list in 2003.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In December 2004, internal divisions within ZANU–PF became public when Mnangagwa, along with Jonathan Moyo, the Minister of Information, were censured at a party meeting for allegedly plotting against Mugabe. The controversy began when Moyo hosted a meeting with other politicians in his home district of Tsholotsho to discuss replacing Mugabe's choice for First Vice-President, Joice Mujuru, with Mnangagwa. As Vice-President, they hoped Mnangagwa would be in a superior position to become president when Mugabe stepped down, which they thought might happen as early as 2008. They also planned to replace ZANU–PF chair John Nkomo and party vice-president Joseph Msika with their preferred candidates.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Despite President Mugabe's calls for unity, observers described the rivalry between supporters of Mnangagwa and Mujuru as the most serious division within ZANU–PF in 30 years. Mujuru garnered a large amount of support in ZANU–PF's politburo, central committee, presidium, and among the provincial party chairs. Mnangagwa's support came from the senior ranks of the security establishment, as well as parts of ZANU–PF's parliamentary caucus and younger party members. The rivalry was ethnic as well as political: Mnangagwa drew his support from members of his ethnic group, the Karanga, while Mujuru's supporters were largely Zezuru.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: At the party congress, held from 1 to 5 December 2004, Mujuru was named vice-president, while Moyo and other Mnangagwa proponents were disciplined. Moyo was removed from the cabinet and the Politburu, and seven others were penalized with suspensions, preventing them from running for Parliament in the upcoming elections. Mnangagwa attempted to distance himself from the controversy, but nevertheless lost his title as ZANU–PF's secretary for administration, an office he had held for four years and one that allowed him to appoint his allies to important party positions. In what was considered a demotion, was given the less influential position of secretary for legal affairs instead.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In the March 2005 parliamentary election, Mnangagwa was again defeated by Blessing Chebundo in the Kwekwe constituency, this time with 46 percent of the votes to Chebundo's 54 percent. Just as before, Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa to one of the unelected seats in Parliament. John Nkomo replaced Mnangagwa as Speaker of Parliament. In the new cabinet, Mugabe named Mnangagwa as Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities. This was widely seen as a demotion by Mugabe in retribution for Mnangagwa's involvement in the plot for him to become vice-president over Mujuru, the president's choice.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In 2005, Mnangagwa helped carry out Operation Murambatsvina, an initiative in which urban slums, home to many people who opposed Mugabe's rule, were destroyed, resulting in the homelessness of thousands of the urban poor. By 2007, Mnangagwa was reportedly back in Mugabe's favour, and the president was now said to be dismayed at the political activities of Mnangagwa's rival, Vice-President Mujuru, and her husband, former army chief Solomon Mujuru.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In May 2007, the Zimbabwean government announced that it had foiled an alleged coup d'état involving nearly 400 soldiers and high-ranking members of the military that would have occurred on either 2 or 15 June 2007. The alleged leaders of the coup, all of whom were arrested, were retired army Captain Albert Matapo, Zimbabwe National Army spokesman Ben Ncube, Major General Engelbert Rugeje, and Air Vice Marshal Elson Moyo.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: According to the government, the soldiers planned on forcibly removing Mugabe from the presidency and asking Mnangagwa to form a government with the heads of the armed forces. Reportedly, the government first learned of the plot when a former army officer in Paris, France, who opposed the coup contacted police and gave them a map and list of those involved. Mnangagwa said that he had no knowledge of the plot, and called it "stupid". Some analysts speculated that rival potential successors to Mugabe, such as former ZANLA leader Solomon Mujuru, may have been behind the scheme in an attempt to discredit Mnangagwa, who had for a number of years been seen as Mugabe's likely successor.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Treason charges were laid against Matapo and other alleged plotters, but no trial ever took place for lack of evidence. Nevertheless, Matapo and six others (not including Ncube, Rugeje, or Moyo) ended up spending seven years in Chikurubi Prison before being released in 2014. Matapo denied that he and the other accused plotters planning a coup, and said he had no interest in supporting Mnangagwa, whom he regarded as equally bad, if not worse than Mugabe. Instead, Matapo said that the group were simply trying to form a new political party, which they eventually did after their release from prison.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In the March 2008 parliamentary election, Mnangagwa stood as ZANU–PF's candidate in the newly created Chirumanzu–Zibagwe constituency in rural Midlands Province. He won by a wide margin, receiving 9,645 votes against two MDC candidates, Mudavanhu Masendeke and Thomas Michael Dzingisai, who respectively received 1,548 and 894 votes.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa was Mugabe's chief election agent during the 2008 presidential election, and headed Mugabe's campaign behind the scenes. Along with his team, Mnangagwa worked with party loyalists within the Joint Operations Command to ensure a Mugabe victory on election day. He organised a campaign of violence in the leadup to the second round of voting that caused opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who had won the first round, to withdraw from the election, which secured Mugabe's continued rule.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: After the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai won a majority of seats in Parliament, Mnangagwa played a critical role in brokering a power-sharing pact between ZANU–PF and the MDC–T. When the Government of National Unity was sworn in on 13 February 2009, Mnangagwa became Minister of Defence. Despite having organised a campaign of political violence against the MDC–T in 2008, and allegedly having been behind three separate attempts to assassinate Tsvangirai over the years, Mnangagwa spoke kindly about the country's coalition government in a 2011 interview. He said, "a lot of things have happened that are positive ... we can work together without too many problems."


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In spite of his compliments of the unity government, Mnangagwa was accused by human rights groups of using his influence in the Joint Operations Command to mobilize violent pro-ZANU–PF groups ahead of the 2013 elections. Mnangagwa denied that he was in charge of the JOC, calling the allegations "nonsense" and insisting that he wanted upcoming elections to be "free and fair". He also denied having any presidential ambitions, pointing out that ZANU–PF has procedures to choose a new president.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In the July 2013 general election, Mugabe was re-elected President by a wide margin, and ZANU–PF regained its majority in the National Assembly. On 10 September 2013, Mugabe announced a new cabinet, appointing Mnangagwa to the post of Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, the office he previously held from 1989 to 2000. Vice-President Joice Mujuru's faction of the party was seen as the victor in Mugabe's cabinet appointment, taking most key positions, including Minister of Defence, which was previously Mnangagwa's office but was given to Sydney Sekeramayi in the new cabinet. In contrast, Mnangagwa's faction received only two key portfolios: Patrick Chinamasa as Minister of Finance, and Mnangagwa himself as Minister of Justice. Eldred Masunungure, a political scientist at the University of Zimbabwe, attributed the Mujuru faction's gains to their influence in the ZANU–PF presidium. Masunungure described Mnangagwa's move from being Minister of Defence to becoming Minister of Justice as a "significant blow, though the justice ministry is quite important".


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 10 December 2014, President Mugabe appointed Mnangagwa as First Vice-President of Zimbabwe, appearing to confirm his position as the presumed successor to Mugabe. His appointment followed the dismissal of Mnangagwa's long-time rival in the succession, Joice Mujuru, who was cast into the political wilderness amidst allegations that she had plotted against Mugabe. Mnangagwa admitted he was not sure how the President would react to the allegations against Mujuru, but said he was satisfied with the outcome. He added that he had not known he was going to be named vice-president until Mugabe announced it. Mnangagwa was sworn in as vice-president on 12 December 2014, while retaining his post as Minister of Justice. Soon afterward it was reported that Mugabe had begun delegating some presidential duties to Mnangagwa. On 11 January 2016, Mnangagwa became acting President of Zimbabwe while President Mugabe was on his annual vacation. Mnangagwa took over from Second Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, who had been acting president since Mugabe went on vacation on 24 December 2015. The decision to have Mnangagwa serve as acting president rebutted rumors that Mugabe favoured Mphoko over Mnangagwa.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: As Vice-President, Mnangagwa focused on reviving Zimbabwe's agricultural sector and expanding the country's global trade connections. He helped negotiate trade deals with BRICS members Russia, China, and South Africa. In 2015, he also headed trade delegations to Europe to try and re-open trade ties that had been broken with the imposition of sanctions in 2001. In July 2016, Mnangagwa visited China, where he met with business leaders as well as Communist Party leaders and government officials, including Vice President Li Yuanchao. An interview Mnangagwa did with China Central Television, in which he said that Zimbabwe had fallen behind in development and called for reform, reportedly angered Mugabe, who saw it as criticism of his presidency. In 2016, Mnangagwa announced that the Zimbabwean government would launch "Command Agriculture", an agricultural programme backed by the African Development Bank. The programme, which Mnangagwa said would receive US$500 million in funding, would involve 2,000 maize-growing small-scale and commercial farmers and would allow the government to determine how much maize is grown and the price at which it is sold.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Until she was dismissed as First Vice-President, Joice Mujuru was widely seen as Mnangagwa's main rival to succeed Mugabe as president. However, with Mujuru and her key supporters having been purged from the government and the party, she was no longer a threat to Mnangagwa. Prior to her dismissal, Mujuru had been the target of relentless disparagement by the president's wife, Grace Mugabe, who accused her of corruption and incompetence. Because both found common cause in opposing Mujuru, by the time he became vice-president, the First Lady was seen as an emergent political ally of Mnangagwa. However, by late 2015, Mnangagwa's political ambitions openly clashed with those of Grace Mugabe, who was by then seen as a potential successor to her husband.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: ZANU–PF was largely split between two factions, the Generation 40, or G40, led by Grace Mugabe, and the Lacoste faction, thought to be led by Mnangagwa. Mnangagwa drew his support from war veterans and the country's military establishment, in part because of his past leadership of the Joint Operations Command, as well as his reputation in Zimbabwe as a cultivator of stability. The First Lady, a relative political newcomer and head of the ZANU–PF Women's League, drew her support from younger, reform-minded party members who sought to replace the old guard. As her G40 faction set their sights on Mnangagwa, the Lacoste faction, largely made up of senior party members, pushed back. Mnangagwa used his leadership of Zimbabwe's Anti-Corruption Commission to try to discredit G40 leaders by targeting them with highly publicized criminal investigations.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: By 2016, Grace Mugabe was openly savaging Mnangagwa at political rallies and speaking events. Speaking to crowds at a February 2016 ZANU–PF rally in Chiweshe, she accused him of disloyalty and infidelity, among other offences. She accused him of feigning love for Mugabe, and mocked his presidential ambitions, rhetorically asking, "Didn't you hear there's no vacancy at State House?", referring to the presidential residence. The First Lady further accused Mnangagwa, or his supporters, of trying to bomb her dairy farm (in fact, several army officers and fringe political activists were charged with the crime), and insinuated that his supporters were behind a plot to murder her son. Later that year, in November 2016, Mugabe declared that she was "already President" at a Women's League assembly, adding, "I plan and do everything with the president, what more do I want?" Still, President Mugabe did not, at least publicly, take sides in the feud between his wife and Mnangagwa. In February 2017, after his 93rd birthday, Mugabe announced he would not retire nor pick a successor, though he said he would let ZANU–PF pick a successor if it saw fit. In July 2017, Grace Mugabe publicly called on her husband to name an heir.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 11 August 2017, Mnanangwa was allegedly poisoned at a political rally led by President Mugabe. After falling ill at the ZANU–PF Presidential Youth Interface Rally in Gwanda, Mnangagwa was airlifted first to Gweru, then to Harare, and finally to South Africa, where he underwent a minor surgery. Doctors reportedly ruled out routine food poisoning, but detected traces of palladium in his liver, which would require detoxification treatments over the following two months. Still, Minister of Information Chris Mushohwe maintained that "stale food" could have been to blame, stating, "I don't know about that palladium ... our official statement stands." Following the incident, rumors spread among supporters of Mnangagwa that Grace Mugabe had ordered the vice-president's poisoning via ice cream produced at a dairy farm she controlled. The emergence of such rumors resulted in criticism directed at Mnangagwa. Phelekezela Mphoko, the country's other vice-president, publicly rebuked Mnangagwa, accusing him of attempting to weaken the country, divide ZANU–PF, and undermine the president, and claiming that doctors had concluded that stale food was to blame. Grace Mugabe herself denied the rumors and rhetorically asked, "Who is Mnangagwa; who is he?" Mnangagwa responded by pledging loyalty to ZANU–PF and President Mugabe, and said the rumors regarding Grace Mugabe's involvement were untrue, adding that he had not consumed any dairy products from the First Lady's farm.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 9 October 2017, President Mugabe announced a new cabinet in which Mnangagwa, while maintaining the vice-presidency, lost his position as Minister of Justice to Happyton Bonyongwe, the country's spymaster. The previous week, Mnangagwa announced that he had been poisoned at the August rally in Gwanda, in contrast to previous statements where he said only that he had "fallen ill". That statement, coupled with President Mugabe's announcement several days later that he planned to review the performance of his ministers, led to speculation that a cabinet reshuffle could result in an unfavorable outcome for Mnangagwa.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 6 November 2017, Mnangagwa was dismissed as vice-president by Mugabe, in a move that positioned the First Lady Grace Mugabe to succeed the aging president. Information Minister Simon Khaya-Moyo attributed the dismissal to Mnangagwa's "traits of disloyalty, disrespect, deceitfulness, and unreliability". Mnangagwa had been accused of undermining the president's authority and of plotting to take control of key government institutions. In a possible prelude to Mnangagwa's dismissal, two days earlier at a youth rally in Bulawayo, he had been cheered on by supporters, but was harshly rebuked by the president and first lady, who accused him of disloyalty. Mnangagwa's removal was supported by Grace Mugabe and her G40 faction within ZANU–PF, and was a blow to the influence of the party's Lacoste faction, the military establishment, and the War Veterans Association, which formed his base of support.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 8 November 2017, two days after his dismissal as vice-president, Mnangagwa fled to Mozambique and then South Africa to escape what he called "incessant threats" against him and his family. Roughly a week later, on 14 November 2017, elements of the Zimbabwean military gathered in Harare, seizing control of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and key areas of the city. The following day, Major General Sibusiso Moyo, representing the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, gave a live statement broadcast on the ZBC. Moyo asserted that the military was not taking over and that President Mugabe was safe, and that the military was "targeting criminals" responsible for the country's problems.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 19 November 2017, Mugabe was sacked by ZANU–PF and Grace Mugabe and 20 of her high-ranking supporters were expelled from the party. Mnangagwa, who was in South Africa at the time, was chosen as the party's new leader, and was expected to soon become president. President Mugabe was given a deadline of noon on November 20 to resign before impeachment proceedings would begin. Mugabe initially refused to step down but ultimately resigned the next day before he could be impeached. ZANU–PF immediately nominated Mnangagwa as his successor, and it was announced that he would take over within 48 hours. Mnangagwa returned to Zimbabwe on 22 November from South Africa. The ZBC, the state broadcaster, confirmed that Mnangagwa would be sworn in on 24 November 2017. The day before his inauguration, Mnangagwa urged his followers not to seek "vengeful retribution" against his political enemies, after calls from his supporters to attack the Generation 40 faction.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa was sworn in as President of Zimbabwe on 24 November 2017 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, before a crowd of around 60,000. Entertainment was provided by Zimbabwean singer Jah Prayzah, and attendees included several African leaders, foreign dignitaries, and domestic political figures, including opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Joice Mujuru. Foreign leaders who attended included Vice-President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, Zambian President Edgar Lungu and former President Kenneth Kaunda, and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud and former Namibian presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba and current Vice-President Nickey Iyambo. Rory Stewart, the United Kingdom's Minister of State for Africa and the first British minister to visit Zimbabwe in two decades, attended the inauguration, and issued a statement describing the change in leadership as "an absolutely critical moment" after Mugabe's "ruinous rule". Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace were notably absent, the official explanation being that the former president needed to rest. South African President Jacob Zuma was also absent, but was represented by his Telecommunications Minister, Siyabonga Cwele.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa was sworn in by Chief Justice Luke Malaba. In his inaugural speech, he vowed to serve all citizens, reduce corruption, and revitalize the country's struggling economy. He distanced himself from President Mugabe by promising to "reengage with the world", but also paid tribute to his predecessor, praising him as "a father, mentor, comrade in arms, and my leader". He also said that Mugabe's post-2000 land reform programmes would be maintained, but that white farmers would be compensated for their seized land. Ahead of the 2018 general election, Mnangagwa held a public meeting for an audience of white Zimbabweans in Borrowdale, Harare in which he was seen to concede that many white farms which had been seized under land reform programs had gone to government officials, soldiers and tribal chiefs who did not know much about farming, before asking whites to work with his government. The speech both drew mixed responses among opposition politicians and was seen by commentators as a shift from Mugabe's policies and an attempt to court white voters.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa called for an end to European Union and United States sanctions against top Zimbabwean military and ZANU–PF figures (including himself), and stated that the 2018 general election would be held as planned.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 18 January 2018, Mnangagwa signalled his desire to re-engage with the West by inviting the United Nations, European Union and the Commonwealth to monitor elections in Zimbabwe in 2018. Additionally, Mnangagwa has signalled his wish to re-establish good relations with the United Kingdom and additionally rejoin the Commonwealth, a prospect which he said was improved by the British exit from the European Union.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 3 March 2021, newly inaugurated President Joe Biden of the United States issued a statement that criticizes Mnangawa for violent repressions of citizens and lack of democratic reforms, authorizing an extension of US sanctions on Zimbabwe through a US national emergency declared in . Prior to the US's decision, Mnangawa had claimed the US has "no moral right to levy sanctions" on Zimbabwe.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 27 November 2017, Mnangagwa dissolved the Cabinet of Zimbabwe and appointed only two acting ministers. Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, issued a statement saying: "To allow for uninterrupted services in critical ministries of government, the following have been appointed ministers in acting capacity until the announcement of a new cabinet: Honourable Patrick Chinamasa as acting minister of finance and economic development, and Honourable Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as acting minister of foreign affairs." His new cabinet was named on 30 November 2017.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 3 December 2017, his new cabinet appointments were criticised which led to him replacing two of his cabinet ministers.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: On 6 December 2017, Mnangagwa was criticised because members of the armed forces and police services drove vendors from the streets of Harare and took the goods which they were attempting to sell. Some of the vendors were heard saying Mnangagwa was worse than Robert Mugabe and that "Mugabe was in a way better, he never sent soldiers to take away our goods."


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Whilst leaving the podium after addressing a rally at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, the country's second-largest city, and ahead of the scheduled 31 July elections, a grenade was thrown at Mnangagwa and exploded. Mnangagwa escaped unharmed, although several members of the ZANU-PF party were injured, including his first and second vice-presidents—Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi—as well as Marry Chiwenga, the first vice-president's wife.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In January 2019, Mnangagwa announced fuel prices would be raised by 130% in an attempt to stop oil smuggling activities where offenders would buy petrol and transport it to surrounding countries. A financial and energy crisis stemmed from Zimbabwean bond coins and bills, with a value purportedly tied to the U.S. dollar, but being in reality worth noticeably less. For this reason, the proxy currency was being treated as being at a greater value than its actual worth, resulting in artificially low prices; the exportation of fuel purchased with this currency for resale with profits by smugglers presented significant problems as hard currency, which backs the proxy, is used by the nation to purchase all of Zimbabwe's oil from foreign countries, thus aggravating inflation and driving down the real value of the bond notes. As a measure to decrease the inflation rate, which had reached a peak of 18% in October 2018, the Mnangagwa government raised prices to effectively the highest in the world while keeping the bond currency, exceeding Hong Kong's fuel prices, the highest until that time; nationwide protests broke out after the price increase was announced. The police and military responded with a crackdown that resulted in hundreds of arrests and 12 deaths. Mnangagwa stated that claims of misconduct by the security forces would be investigated.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa has, since the early 1990s, played a key role in implementing the "Indigenisation and Black Economic Empowerment" initiative, as advised by prominent indigenous businessmen including Ben Mucheche, John Mapondera and Paul Tangi Mhova Mkondo and the think tank and lobby group IBDC, how to propel the policy from Local policy, Ministerial Policy, Government Policy & Development of a ministry specific to Indigenisation & Black Economic Empowerment, such as Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Bill. Mnangagwa believes that the national resources should be protected by the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: Mnangagwa has been married twice and has nine children and more than a dozen grandchildren. His first wife, Jayne Matarise, was a cousin of ZANLA commander Josiah Tongogara. They married in September 1973 and had six children together: Farai, Tasiwa, Vimbayi, Tapiwa, Tariro, and Emmerson Tanaka. His first two daughters, Farai and Tasiwa, were born in Zambia during the Bush War period. When Mnangagwa joined the ZANU leadership in Mozambique, Jayne initially remained in Zambia with the children, but later joined him there. After independence, she oversaw the family farm and a business of her own while her husband focused on his political career. Jayne Mnangagwa died on 31 January 2002 of cervical cancer.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: While still married to Jayne, Mnangagwa began a relationship with Auxillia Kutyauripo. Their first son, Emmerson Jr., was born in 1984, followed by twins Sean and Collins. They reportedly married only after Jayne's death in 2002. Auxillia Mnangagwa, a former CIO officer and ZANU–PF Central Committee member, was elected to Parliament in 2015 for Chirumanzu–Zibagwe, the seat her husband vacated when he became vice-president. She did not run for reelection in the 2018 election, citing her desire to focus on her role as First Lady. In 2021, the President conferred on the First Lady the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe Gold Award as part of the national Heroes and Defence Forces Day celebrations.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: His eldest child, Farai Mlotshwa, owns a real estate agency and is married to Gerald Mlotshwa, the lawyer of Phelekezela Mphoko, a political rival of Mnangagwa's and a backer of the pro-Grace Mugabe Generation 40 faction. His youngest daughter, Tariro, is a member of a female anti-poaching unit in the Zambezi Valley and was featured in "Gonarezhou", an anti-poaching film released February 2020. His youngest and only son with Jayne Matarise, Emmerson Tanaka, is a musician and DJ known professionally as St Emmo. His eldest son and first child with Auxillia, Emmerson Jr., works in business and is active in the Midlands Province ZANU–PF Youth League. His twin sons, Sean and Collins, are an engineer and businessman, respectively.


title: Emmerson Mnangagwa

text: In addition to his original farm in Masvingo Province, Mnangagwa possesses another farm near Kwekwe, allocated in 2002 during the land reform programme.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Battlefield 4 is a 2013 first-person shooter video game developed by DICE and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released in October and November for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and is the sequel to 2011's "Battlefield 3", taking place six years later during the fictional "War of 2020".


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4" was met with positive reception for its multiplayer mode, gameplay and graphics, but was criticized for its single-player campaign and for numerous bugs and glitches in the multiplayer. It was a commercial success, selling over seven million copies.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The game's heads-up display (HUD) is composed of two compact rectangles. The lower left-hand corner features a mini-map and compass for navigation, and a simplified objective notice above it; the lower right includes a compact ammo counter and health meter. The top right displays kill notifications of all players in-game. On the Windows version of the game, the top left features a chat window when in multiplayer. The mini-map, as well as the main game screen, shows symbols denoting three kinds of entities: blue for allies, green for squadmates, and orange for enemies, this applies to all interactivity on the battlefield. Battlefield 4 options also allow colour-blind players to change the on-screen colour indicators to: tritanomaly, deuteranomaly and protanomaly.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Weapon customisation is expansive and encouraged. Primary, secondary and melee weapons can all be customised with weapon attachments and camouflage 'skins'. Most weapons can also change between different firing modes (automatic, semi-automatic, and burst fire), allowing the player to adapt to the environment they find themselves in. They can "spot" targets (marking their positions to the player's team) in the single-player campaign (a first in the Battlefield franchise) as well as in multiplayer. The game's bullet-dropping-system has been significantly enhanced, forcing the player to change the way they play medium to long distance combat. In addition, players have more combat capabilities, such as countering melee attacks from the front while standing or crouching, shooting with their sidearm while swimming, and diving underwater to avoid enemy detection. Standard combat abilities are still current including, reloading whilst sprinting, unlimited sprint, prone and vaulting.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The single-player campaign has several differences from the main multiplayer component. For the most part, the player must traverse mini-sandbox-style levels, in some cases using vehicles, like tanks and boats, to traverse the environment. As the player character, Recker, the player can use two campaign-only functions: the Engage command and the tactical binocular. The Engage command directs Recker's squadmates, and occasionally other friendly units, to attack any hostiles in Recker's line of sight. The tactical binocular is similar to a laser-designator, in the sense that it allows the player to identify friendly and enemy units, weapon stashes, explosives, and objectives in the field. By identifying enemies, the player can make them visible without using the visor, making them easier to mark for their teammates. At one point, Recker will briefly lose the tactical visor, forcing them to only use the Engage command to direct his squadmates on a limited number of enemies.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The campaign features assignments that require specific actions and unlock weapons for use in multiplayer upon completion. Collectible weapons return along with the introduction of collectible dog tags which can be used in multiplayer. Weapon crates are found throughout all levels, allowing players to obtain ammo and switch weapons. While crates hold default weapons, collectible weapons may be used whenever they are acquired and level-specific weapons may be used once a specific mission assignment has been completed by obtaining enough points in a level.


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4"s multiplayer contains three playable factions—the United States, China, and Russia—fighting against each other, in up to 64-player matches on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One (24-Player on Xbox 360 and PS3). A newly reintroduced "Commander Mode", last seen in "Battlefield 2142", gives one player on each team a real-time strategy-like view of the entire map and the ability to give orders to teammates. Also, the Commander can observe the battle through the eyes of the players on the battlefield, deploying vehicle and weapon drops to "keep the war machinery going", and order in missile strikes on hostile targets. A spectator mode is included, enabling players to spectate others in first or third person, as well as use a free camera to pan around the map from any angle.


title: Battlefield 4

text: On June 10, 2013, at E3, DICE featured the map "Siege of Shanghai", pitting the People's Liberation Army against the U.S. Marine Corps. The gameplay showcased Commander Mode; new weapons and vehicles; and the "Levolution" gameplay mechanic. The video displays the last of these at various points, including: a player destroying a support pillar to trap an enemy tank above it; and a large skyscraper (with an in-game objective on the top floor) collapsing in the center of the map, kicking up a massive dust cloud throughout the map and bringing the objective closer to ground level. Levolution also includes effects such as shooting a fire extinguisher to fill the room with obscuring clouds, car alarms going off when stepped on, metal detectors going off once passed through, or cutting the power in a room to reduce others' visibility.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The maps included in the main game are "Siege of Shanghai", "Paracel Storm", "Zavod 311", "Lancang Dam", "Flood Zone", "Rogue Transmission", "Hainan Resort", "Dawnbreaker", "Operation Locker" and "Golmud Railway". The game modes on offer include "Battlefield"s Conquest, Domination and Rush; while adding two new game modes called Obliteration and Defuse, along with traditional game modes such as Team Deathmatch and Squad Deathmatch.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The four kits from "Battlefield 3" are present in "Battlefield 4" with minor tweaks. The Assault kit must now wait for the defibrillator to recharge after reviving teammates in quick succession. The Engineer kit uses PDWs, and carbines are available to all kits. The support kit has access to the new remote mortar and the XM25 allowing for indirect suppressive fire. The Recon kit is now more mobile and is able to equip carbines, designated marksman rifles (DMRs), and C4. Sniping mechanics also give with the ability to zero in your sights (set an aiming distance), and equip more optics and accessories than previous Battlefield games. The Recon kit is still able to utilize the MAV, T-UGS, and the Radio Beacon.


title: Battlefield 4

text: New vehicles have also been introduced. With the addition of the Chinese faction, new vehicles include the Type 99 MBT, the ZFB-05 armored car, and the Z-10W attack helicopter. Jets have also been rebalanced and put into two classes, "attack" and "stealth". The attack jets focus is mainly air-to-ground capabilities, while stealth jets focus mainly on air-to-air combat. Another vehicle added in "Battlefield 4" is the addition of the RCB and DV-15 Interceptor attack boats, which function as heavily armed aquatic assault craft.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Customization options have also been increased in "Battlefield 4", with all new camos available for every gun. A new "adaptive" camo has been introduced that can adapt the camo to the map being played without the player having to change camos every map. Camos can now be applied to jets, helicopters, tanks, transport vehicles, guns, and soldiers themselves. Previously this option was introduced to parachutes but has been removed, emblems are now printed onto parachutes.


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4"s single-player Campaign takes place during the fictional "War of 2020", six years after the events of its predecessor. Tensions between Russia and the United States have been running at a record high, due to a conflict between the two countries that has been running for the last six years. On top of this, China is also on the brink of war, as Admiral Chang, the main antagonist, plans to overthrow China's current government. If he succeeds, Chang will have full support from the Russians, helping spark war between China and the United States.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The player controls Sgt. Daniel "Reck" Recker, second-in-command of a U.S. Marine Corps squad callsigned "Tombstone". His squadmates include squad leader SSgt. William Dunn, Heavy Weapon Specialist SSgt. Kimble "Irish" Graves, and field medic Sgt. Clayton "Pac" Pakowski. Early in the Campaign, Tombstone is joined by CIA operative Laszlo W. Kovic, originally known as "Agent W." from "Battlefield 3"s Campaign; and Chinese Secret Service agent Huang "Hannah" Shuyi. The Campaign also sees the return of Dimitri "Dima" Mayakovsky from "Battlefield 3"s Campaign—still alive after the nuclear detonation in Paris six years ago, and under the Chinese military's custody for unknown reasons.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Six years after the events in "Battlefield 3", a squad of US marines, codenamed "Tombstone" (consisting of Dunn, the squad's leader, Sergeant Recker, Irish, and Pac) attempts to escape from Azerbaijan with vital intelligence about a potential military uprising in China. After being trapped underwater in a car while being pursued by Russian special forces, Dunn, critically wounded and trapped, sacrifices himself by ordering the squad to break the windscreen and escape, leaving Recker in charge of Tombstone. Reuniting with their commanding officer Captain Garrison, codenamed "Fortress", Tombstone learns that Admiral Chang, head of the Chinese army, has taken control of China with Russian support, and eliminated Chinese presidential candidate Jin Jié, a progressive politician seeking reforms within the Chinese government. The group finds itself sent to Shanghai with orders to rescue two VIPs: a woman named Hannah, and her husband, with assistance from an intelligence agent named Kovic.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Although the rescue is a success and Kovic takes the VIPs back to the USS "Valkyrie", a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, Tombstone becomes trapped in the city and is forced to rescue civilians against Pac's protests. Shortly after returning to the "Valkyrie", Garrison assigns Kovic as head of the squad, and sends them to the USS "Titan", a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier that had just been attacked, to recover its voyage data recorder before the wreckage sinks. Upon returning to the "Valkyrie", Tombstone finds the ship under assault by Chinese Marines. The squad rescues Garrison and the VIPs, but Kovic is fatally wounded and passes control of the squad to Recker. Learning that China's air force is grounded due to a storm, Garrison assigns Tombstone to assist US forces planning to assault the Chinese-controlled Singapore airfield to weaken Chinese air superiority. Hannah volunteers to join Tombstone on their mission, much to Irish's chagrin.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Despite the airfield being destroyed by a missile strike, Pac is separated from Tombstone during evacuation and assumed killed in the blast. Hannah then ostensibly betrays Recker and Irish, allowing both to be captured by Chinese soldiers. Both men are imprisoned in the Kunlun Mountains for interrogation under Chang's orders. In his cell, Recker finds himself befriended by a Russian prisoner named "Dima" (a survivor of the Paris nuclear blast, now suffering from radiation poisoning). The two escape from their cell, start a mass prison riot and use the chaos to make their escape, with Recker rescuing Irish along the way. As the Chinese military arrives to quell the riot, Hannah prevents the group from being recaptured by a group of soldiers. Although Irish mistrusts her, Hannah reveals her action was necessary for her mission, revealing her husband is in fact Jin Jié, who survived Chang's assassination attempt.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The group uses a tram to leave the mountains, only for it to be shot down by an enemy helicopter, killing Dima in the crash. Forced to make their way down on foot with privation, the group eventually finds a jeep and drives towards the US-occupied city of Tashgar. During the journey, Hannah reveals how she lost her family to Chang's men after bringing Jin Jié to meet them, causing Irish to make amends with her for his behavior. Upon reaching Tashgar, the squad finds US troops being besieged by both Chinese and Russian forces, and offers assistance to the US commander by destroying a nearby dam, flooding the area and eliminating the opposing forces. Learning the "Valkyrie" is within the region of the Suez Canal, Tombstone is airlifted to the ship, and arrives to warn the vessel that they are blindly heading towards Chang's navy. Stopping Chinese forces from boarding the ship, the squad soon finds Jin Jié amongst other survivors, including Pac (who had survived the events in Singapore).


title: Battlefield 4

text: Knowing he must show his face, as Chinese forces had been fighting under the assumption he was dead, Jin Jié convinces Recker to let him show his face and calm tensions between the three forces. The assault quickly ends with Chinese soldiers beginning to spread the news of Jin Jié's return. Chang, wanting to prevent this and conceal the truth, proceeds to barrage the "Valkyrie" with his personal warship. Recker, Irish, and Hannah decide to board Chang's warship and destroy it with C4 explosives. However, when they fail to detonate, Irish and Hannah each volunteer to manually replace the charges, sacrificing his or her own life. If the player does nothing, Chang destroys the "Valkyrie", killing Pac, Garrison and Jin Jié; if the player chooses Irish or Hannah to rearm the explosives, he or she will be reported missing in action after the warship's destruction, while the survivor and Recker are recovered by the "Valkyrie". Canonically, Irish and Pac survive, as revealed in the events of "Battlefield 2042". During the credits, the player hears new dialogue between Irish and Hannah, discussing their pasts, and how they have to keep moving forward with no regrets.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Electronic Arts president Frank Gibeau confirmed the company's intention to release a sequel to "Battlefield 3" during a keynote at the University of Southern California where he said "There is going to be a "Battlefield 4"". Afterwards, an EA spokesperson told IGN: "Frank was speaking broadly about the "Battlefield" brand—a brand that EA is deeply passionate about and a fan community that EA is committed to." On the eve of "Battlefield 3"s launch, EA Digital Illusions CE told Eurogamer it was the Swedish studio's hope that it would one day get the opportunity to make "Battlefield 4". "This feels like day one now," executive producer Patrick Bach said. "It's exciting. The whole Frostbite 2 thing has opened up a big landscape ahead of us so we can do whatever we want."


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4" is built on the new Frostbite 3 engine. The new "Frostbite" engine enables more realistic environments with higher resolution textures and particle effects. A new "networked water" system is also being introduced, allowing all players in the game to see the same wave at the same time. Tessellation has also been overhauled. An Alpha Trial commenced on June 17, 2013, with invitations randomly emailed to Battlefield 3 players the day prior. The trial ran for two weeks and featured the Siege of Shanghai map with all of its textures removed, essentially making it a "whitebox" test.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Due to mixed reception of the two-player Co-op Mode in "Battlefield 3", DICE decided to omit the mode from "Battlefield 4" to focus on improving both the campaign and multiplayer components instead.


title: Battlefield 4

text: AMD and DICE have partnered for AMD's Mantle API to be used on Battlefield 4. The goal was to boost performance on AMD GCN Radeon graphic cards providing a higher level of hardware-optimized performance than was previously possible with OpenGL or DirectX. Initial tests of AMD's Mantle showed it was an effective enhancement for slower processors.


title: Battlefield 4

text: DICE released an Open Beta for the game that was available on Windows (64 bit only), Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It featured the game-modes Domination, Conquest and Obliteration which were playable on the map Siege of Shanghai. The Open Beta started on October 4, 2013, and ended on October 15, 2013.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Upon release, "Battlefield 4" was riddled with major technical bugs, glitches and crashes across all platforms. EA and DICE soon began releasing several patches for the game on all systems and DICE later revealed that work on all of its future games (including "Mirror's Edge", "" and "Battlefield 4" DLC) would be halted until "Battlefield 4" was working properly. In December 2013, more than a month after the game's initial release, an EA representative said, "We know we still have a ways to go with fixing the game – it is absolutely our #1 priority. The team at DICE is working non-stop to update the game."


title: Battlefield 4

text: EA President Peter Moore announced in January 2014 that the company did not see any negative impact to sales as a result of the myriad technical issues. He said any negative impacts to sales were actually due to the transition from current-generation (PS3, Xbox 360) to next-generation consoles (PS4, Xbox One), and that other video game franchises like "FIFA" and "Need for Speed" were experiencing similar effects. As a reward for players who bought the game early and continued to play it despite all of the bugs and glitches, DICE rewarded players in February 2014 with all-month-long, free multi-player content such as: bronze and silver Battlepacks, XP boosts and events, camouflage skins, shortcut bundles for weapons and additional content for Premium members.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Because of the widespread bugs and glitches that were present, EA became the target of multiple law firms. The firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel, LLC launched an investigation into EA's public statements made between July 24 and December 4, 2013, to determine if the company intentionally misled its investors with information pertaining to, "the development and sales of the Company's Battlefield 4 video game and the game's impact on EA's revenue and projects moving forward." Shortly thereafter, the law firm Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP similarly filed a class action lawsuit against EA for releasing false or misleading statements about the quality of "Battlefield 4". A second class action lawsuit was announced only days later from the firm Bower Piven, which alleged that EA violated the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by not properly informing its investors about the major bugs and glitches during development that may have prevented the investors from making an informed decision about "Battlefield 4". Bower Piven sought out investors who lost more than US$200,000 to become the lead plaintiff. In October 2014, Judge Susan Illston dismissed one of the class action suits' original case on the grounds that EA did not intentionally mislead investors, instead its pre-release claims about "Battlefield 4" were a "vague statement of corporate optimism," "an inactionable opinion" and "puffery."


title: Battlefield 4

text: Six months after the initial release of the game, in April 2014, DICE released a program called Community Test Environment (CTE), which let a limited number of PC gamers play a different version of "Battlefield 4" that was designed to test new patches and updates before giving them a wide-release. One of the major patches tested was an update to the game's netcode, specifically the "tickrate," which is how frequently the game and server would update, measured in cycles per second. Because of the size of "Battlefield 4" in terms of information, DICE initially chose to have a low tickrate. However, the low tickrate resulted in a number of issues including damage registration and "trade kills." The CTE program tested the game at a higher tickrate, among other common problems, and began rolling out patches in mid-2014.


title: Battlefield 4

text: In October 2014, nearly a full year after the official release with major updates still being put out, DICE LA producer David Sirland said the company acknowledged that the release of "Battlefield 4" "absolutely" damaged the trust of the franchise's fanbase. Sirland said that the shaky release of "Battlefield 4" caused the company to reevaluate their release model, and plan on being more transparent and offer earlier beta tests with future installments, namely (at the time) with "Battlefield Hardline" (2015). Sirland also said: "We still probably have a lot of players who won't trust us to deliver a stable launch or a stable game. I don't want to say anything because I want to "do". I want them to look at what we're doing and what we are going to do and that would be my answer. I think we have to "do" things to get them to trust us, not say things to get them to trust us. Show by doing."


title: Battlefield 4

text: In March 2013, Electronic Arts opened the "Battlefield 4" website with three official teasers, entitled "Prepare 4 Battle". Each hints at three kinds of battlespace: air, land and sea. EA then continued to release teaser trailers leading up to the unveiling of "Battlefield 4" at the Game Developers Conference on March 26, 2013. The following day, "Battlefield 4"s first gameplay trailer, which doubled as a showcase for the Frostbite 3 engine was released. Shortly thereafter, EA listed the game for pre-order on Origin for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360; however, EA excluded any mention of the next generation consoles.


title: Battlefield 4

text: In July 2012, "Battlefield 4" was announced when EA advertised on their Origin client that those who pre-ordered " (either Digital Deluxe or the limited edition)" would receive early access to the "Battlefield 4" beta, this has since been expanded to include any "Battlefield 3" Premium owners, and any Origin users who pre-purchase "Battlefield 4" Digital Deluxe Edition. Although players who qualify for access in more than one way will only be granted one beta pass for their account and is non transferable to other players. The "Exclusive" beta started on October 1, 2013, with the open beta that went live on October 4. The beta will be on three platforms, PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 and features the Siege of Shanghai map on the Conquest game mode.


title: Battlefield 4

text: DICE revealed more "Battlefield 4" content in the E3 2013 event at June 10, 2013, such as multiplayer modes, and allowed participants to play the game at the same event. More information was released at Gamescom 2013 in Cologne, Germany, such as the "Paracel Storm" multiplayer map and Battlefield 4 Premium. Battlefield 4 Premium includes five digital expansion packs featuring new maps and in-game content. Two-weeks early access to all expansion packs. Personalization options including camos, paints, emblems, dog tags and more. Priority position in server queues. Weekly updates with new content. Double XP events, 12 Battle Packs. Battle Packs are digital packages that contain a combination of new weapon accessories, dog tags, knives, XP boosts, and character customization items, three are included with all pre-orders of the Origin Digital Deluxe edition. The service will also transfer your Premium membership from Xbox 360 to Xbox One or PS3 to PS4. Premium membership pre-orders started the day the service was announced (August 21, 2013). DICE has also announced that if you purchase the game for a current generation system (PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360) you will be able to trade it in for a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One version of the game for as little as $10. Additionally all PlayStation 3 and 4 copies will include a code in the box to redeem a digital copy on the PlayStation Store.


title: Battlefield 4

text: An important strategy of DICE's market strategy to promote Battlefield 4 was the series of TV and web advertisements entitled "Only in Battlefield 4". Each one of these TV spots was narrated by a player of Battlefield 4 describing one of the unique experiences they encountered, along with a re-creation of the event using gameplay footage. These advertisements highlighted the free-form nature of the upcoming game, such as the destructibility of the environment and the dynamic nature of the game's combat engine. These events included things such as demonstrating the new "Levolution" feature, upgrades to gameplay, and unscripted moments that cannot occur in other games' multiplayer mode.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Due to poor reception from gamers, on May 30, 2013, EA discontinued the online pass for all existing and future EA games including "Battlefield 4".


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4" featured a total of five downloadable content (DLC) packs that included new maps and additions to gameplay. All five DLC packs was developed by DICE LA and were available two weeks prior to their scheduled release by players who had purchased Premium. Once support for Battlefield 4 Premium ended, DICE LA announced all future DLC would be free.


title: Battlefield 4

text: On May 21, 2013, DICE unveiled "Battlefield 4: China Rising" on a Battlelog post and stated that it would include four new maps (Silk Road, Altai Range, Dragon Pass, and Guilin Peaks) on the Chinese mainland, ten new assignments, new vehicles, as well as the Air Superiority gametype. It is available to those who pre-ordered the game at no extra cost. It was released to premium players on December 3, 2013, followed by a general release on December 17, 2013.


title: Battlefield 4

text: On June 10, 2013, DICE LA unveiled "Battlefield 4: Second Assault" during the Microsoft Press Conference at E3 2013. It was announced that it would be the first expansion pack to be released for "Battlefield 4" and would debut on the Xbox One. It was released on November 22, 2013, the same day the Xbox One was launched. The expansion features the return of four fan-favorite maps from "Battlefield 3" and introduces Capture the Flag as a new gametype. On February 18, 2014, Second Assault became available as Premium exclusive for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PC. It became available for non-Premium users on March 4, 2014.


title: Battlefield 4

text: During January 29 – February 28, 2015, the expansion was free of charge to all EA Access subscribers.


title: Battlefield 4

text: On August 20, 2013, DICE LA unveiled "Battlefield 4: Naval Strike" at Gamescom 2013. It involves dynamic combat on four new maps, Wave Breaker, Nansha Strike, Operation Mortar, and Lost Islands, which take place in the South China Sea and features a new mode called "Carrier Assault" inspired by "Battlefield 2142". The original release date was planned for March 25, 2014 for premium members and April 8, 2014, for non-premium members but was delayed several hours before release for Xbox One and PC without a new release date being set. On March 26, 2014, "Naval Strike" was released for premium members on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and Xbox 360. The Xbox One version was released for premium members on March 27, 2014, and the PC version was released on March 31, 2014.


title: Battlefield 4

text: At Gamescom 2013, DICE LA unveiled "Battlefield 4: Dragon's Teeth". Its maps take place in war-torn cities locked down by the People's Liberation Army. Dragon's Teeth was released on July 15, 2014, for Battlefield 4 Premium Members. For Non-Premium members it was released 2 weeks later on July 29, 2014. A new game mode included in this Dragon's Teeth DLC is called "Chain Link". There are four new maps included in Dragon's Teeth called "Lumphini Garden, Pearl Market, Propaganda, and Sunken Dragon". There are 11 new Assignments and a new assault drone called the "R.A.W.R" that can be found on those four maps.


title: Battlefield 4

text: On August 20, 2013, DICE LA unveiled "Battlefield 4: Final Stand" at Gamescom 2013. "Final Stand" focuses on the conclusion of the in-game war of 2020. It includes four new maps and "secret prototype weapons and vehicles". The four maps that are included are "Operation Whiteout", "Giants of Karelia", "Hammerhead" and "Hangar 21". New weapons include the Rorsch X1 Handheld Railgun and some gadgets including the DS-3 and XD-1 Accipiter MKV, as well as a hovercraft tank based on the Levkov 1937 Hovercraft MBT. It was released for "Battlefield 4" Premium members on November 18, 2014, 00:01 and for non-Premium "Battlefield 4" players on December 2, 2014, 00:01.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The "Weapons Crate" DLC was announced by DICE LA on March 30, 2015, as a free DLC. The DLC added five weapons into the game: the Mare's Leg, AN-94, Groza-1, Groza-4 and the L86A2 along with the gamemode from Battlefield 3 'Gun Master' and many other stat changes. It was released in an alpha form in the Community Test Environment. It was released along with the Spring 2015 Patch on May 26, 2015.


title: Battlefield 4

text: In August 2015, DICE and DICE LA announced the expansion pack "Night Operations", a free DLC pack. The first map to be released was Zavod: Graveyard shift, a night time version of the "Battlefield 4" map Zavod 311, it was released with the Summer 2015 Patch. Two other night maps were also in development, a night time version of the map Siege of Shanghai and Golmud Railway, these maps were playable in the Battlefield 4 Community Test Environment but would remain unreleased as further development on Battlefield 4 ended. All three maps were developed by DICE LA and tested in the Community Test Environment with player feedback taken on board.


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Community Operations" was released on October 27, 2015, a free DLC pack. The map, Outbreak, is a medium-sized with much vegetation such as trees, shrubs, and grass for ambushing the enemies within. There are limited amounts of heavy vehicles such as tanks, LAVs and no anti-air vehicles. The map does not include air dominance such as stealth jets, scout helicopters and attack aircraft. This map was created by DICE Los Angeles and the "Battlefield 4" gaming community. The update contains major changes to weapons and vehicles.


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Legacy Operations" was released on December 15, 2015, a free DLC pack. The map is an updated version of the "Battlefield 2" map, Dragon Valley. It was released alongside the Winter Patch content update.


title: Battlefield 4

text: Premium is a downloadable pass that offers all of the downloadable content for a discounted price. Premium offers a range of personalization options and items, such as exclusive dog tags or camos. Premium contributes to the game by offering select days in which special events take place only for premium members.


title: Battlefield 4

text: "Battlefield 4" received positive reviews from critics. Chris Watters of "GameSpot" gave praise to Obliteration Mode and the multiplayer elements but was otherwise unimpressed with the campaign. IGN's Mitch Dyer stated that ""Battlefield 4" is a greatest hits album of DICE's multiplayer legacy" for same versions. Evan Lahti of "PC Gamer" stated that although the game strongly resembles "Battlefield 3" it still manages to remain "a visually and sonically satisfying, reliably intense FPS". Commander Mode and the diverse map selection within multiplayer were also praised as being good additions to the game. "Joystiq"'s David Hinkle said that the game "drops players into a sandbox and unhooks all tethers, loosing scores of soldiers to squad up and take down the opposition however they choose". Hinkle praised the campaign elements, but found the multiplayer to not hold any surprises. "GameZone" Lance Liebl stated "Your success in Battlefield is up to you and how well you work as a team. And it's one of the most rewarding games I've played. Battlelog needs some refinement, and there's still way too many crashes, but the multiplayer more than makes up for all of it." Machinima's Lawrence Sonntag praised the Levolution feature and the multiplayer mode.


title: Battlefield 4

text: However, several reviewers noted that the multiplayer part of the game had been released with a lot of game-breaking bugs on PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, such as server crashes and lag. "Polygon" reviewed the game the day of its release, and gave it 7.5, then later downgraded their score to 4 after acknowledging that the game "was still barely playable for many players".


title: Battlefield 4

text: DICE later acknowledged the issues with the multiplayer part of the game and said they were working to fix them, and that they would not work on expansions or future projects until the game problems were resolved. Despite this promise, the game's second expansion was released while numerous recurring problems had yet to be resolved.


title: Battlefield 4

text: In late December 2013, shortly after the release of the "China Rising" DLC pack, China banned the sale of "Battlefield 4", requesting stores and online vendors to remove the game and encouraging those who have already purchased the game to remove it from their consoles and/or PCs. The game was viewed as a national security risk in the form of a cultural invasion as the DLC includes four maps on the Chinese mainland.


title: Battlefield 4

text: An editorial from the "China National Defense Newspaper" (a subsidiary of the PLA Daily) published in December 2013 criticized the game for discrediting China's national sovereignty, and stated that while in the past the Soviet Union would often be used as an imaginary enemy in video games, the game has recently shifted to China.


title: Battlefield 4

text: During the first week of sales in the United Kingdom, "Battlefield 4" became the second best-selling game on all available formats, only behind "". The game's sales were down 69% compared to 2011's "Battlefield 3". EA blamed the fall in demand on uncertainty caused by the upcoming transition to eighth generation consoles.


title: Battlefield 4

text: The PlayStation 3 version of "Battlefield 4" topped the Media Create sales charts in Japan during its first week of release, ahead of "Pokémon X and Y" which has topped the charts for the past four weeks, by selling 121,699 copies. The PlayStation 3 version of "Battlefield 4" Sales in Japan however fell 84.148% to only 19,291 copies in its second week of release, and losing number one to God Eater 2.


title: Battlefield 4

text: According to NPD Group figures, "Battlefield 4" was the second best-selling game of November in the United States, only behind "". In February 2014, EA announced that the Premium service for the game had sold more than 1.6 million copies. In May 2014, the game had sold more than 7 million copies.


title: Battlefield 4

text: According to EA, "Battlefield 4" received awards from over 30 gaming publications prior to its release. "Battlefield 4" appeared on several year-end lists of the best First-person shooter games of 2013, receiving wins from 18th Satellite Awards, and GamesRadar.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Martha Maria Yeardley Smith ( ; born July 3, 1964) is an American actress, artist and writer. She currently stars as the voice of Lisa Simpson on the long-running animated television series "The Simpsons".


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith became an actress in 1982 after graduating from drama school. She moved to New York City in 1984, where she appeared in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing". She made her film debut in 1985's "Heaven Help Us", followed by roles in "The Legend of Billie Jean" and "Maximum Overdrive". She moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and took a recurring role in the television series "Brothers".


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 1987, Smith auditioned for the "Simpsons" shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show". Smith intended to audition for the role of Bart Simpson, but the casting director felt her voice was too high, and she was cast as Bart's sister Lisa. In 1989, the shorts were spun off into their own half-hour show, "The Simpsons". For her work on "The Simpsons", Smith received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Alongside "The Simpsons", Smith appeared in the sitcom "Herman's Head" as Louise, and had recurring appearances as Marlene on "Dharma & Greg" and as Penny in two episodes of "Dead Like Me". She has appeared in several films, including "City Slickers", "Just Write", "Toys", and "As Good as It Gets". In 2004, Smith performed an off-Broadway one-woman show entitled "More" at the Union Square Theatre in New York City. Aside from "The Simpsons", Smith has recorded few voice-over parts, only commercials and the film "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story". Smith starred in and served as executive producer for the independent romantic comedy "Waiting For Ophelia", which had its world premiere at the Phoenix Film Festival in April 2009.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith was born on July 3, 1964, in Paris, France. Her father, Joseph Smith, worked for United Press International in Paris and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1966, where he became "The Washington Post"<nowiki>'</nowiki>s first official obituary editor. Her mother, Martha Mayor, was a paper conservator for the Freer and Sackler Galleries at the Smithsonian Institution. Smith's parents later divorced. Her maternal grandfather was art historian A. Hyatt Mayor, and among her great-grandparents were marine biologist and zoologist Alpheus Hyatt and artist and sculptor Harriet Randolph Hyatt Mayor. She is also the paternal niece of political scientist, historian, and Latin American studies specialist Peter H. Smith. Smith has labeled her family "upper crust and reserved". As a child, Smith was often teased because of her unusual voice. Smith has stated: "I've sounded pretty much the same way since I was six. Maybe [my voice is] a little deeper now." She made her acting debut in a sixth-grade play.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith became a professional actress in 1982 after graduating from drama school. After appearances in a number of school plays, she joined the local Arena Stage theater group on an apprenticeship, featuring in their production of "Peter Pan". She went on to star in several other plays in Washington. She moved to New York City in 1984 and appeared in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard's play "The Real Thing" alongside Jeremy Irons and Glenn Close.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith's first film role came in "Heaven Help Us" (1985). She then played Putter in "The Legend of Billie Jean" (also 1985). The film was a box office bomb and critically panned, although Smith "thought it would be the movie that launched my career. And then it was out at the box office about 10 days before it died." When filming was over, she rejoined "The Real Thing" before being out of work for six months. Smith worried her career was over. However, the following year, she played Connie in Stephen King's "Maximum Overdrive" (1986), noting it was "truly a dreadful film, but I had a great part in it."


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith moved to Los Angeles in 1986 on the "semi-promise" of a part in a TV film. After the audition, the role was given to another actress. Smith realized "that people don't mean what they say. It's not malicious. They just don't realize how much impact they have on an impressionable actor – and all actors are impressionable." From then on, she decided to "just sort of build a wall around myself", to cope with the disappointment of not getting a part. In Los Angeles, Smith appeared in theatrical productions of "Living on Salvation Street", for which she was paid $14 for each performance, "Boys and Girls/Men and Women", and "How the Other Half Loves", and played the recurring role of Louella Waters on the Showtime series "Brothers". She appeared in the films "The Legend of Billie Jean" and "Ginger Ale Afternoon" (1989) as "trailer-park girls". She later spoke of her regrets of appearing in the latter in her one-woman show "More".


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith's longest-running role is voicing Lisa Simpson on "The Simpsons". She has voiced Lisa since 1987, beginning with "The Simpsons shorts" on "The Tracey Ullman Show". Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Lisa's brother Bart, but casting director Bonita Pietila thought her voice was too high. Smith later recalled "I always sounded too much like a girl, I read two lines as Bart and they said, 'Thanks for coming!'" Smith was given the role of Lisa, instead. She denies rumors that she almost turned down the role, though admits she had never planned a career in voice-over work. Pietila stated that, having seen her in "Living on Salvation Street", Smith was always her preferred choice. Smith lifts her voice up slightly to perform the role. Lisa is the only regular character voiced by Smith, although in some earlier episodes, she provided some of Maggie's squeaks and occasional speaking parts. Smith has only voiced characters other than Lisa on very rare occasions, with those characters usually being some derivative of Lisa, such as Lisa Bella in "Last Tap Dance in Springfield" and Lisa, Jr. in "" (both from season 11 in 2000). Smith spends two days a week recording the show.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Until 1998, Smith was paid $30,000 per episode. During a pay dispute in 1998, Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors with new actors, going as far as preparing to cast new voices. However, the dispute was soon resolved and she received $125,000 per episode until 2004, when the voice actors demanded that they be paid $360,000 per episode. The issue was resolved a month later, and Smith earned $250,000 per episode. After salary renegotiations in 2008, the voice actors received about $400,000 per episode. Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Smith and the other cast members accepted a 25% pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Despite her world-famous role, Smith is rarely recognized in public, which she does not mind, saying, "it's wonderful to be in the midst of all this hype about the show, and people enjoying the show so much, and to be totally a fly on the wall; people never recognise me solely from my voice." In a 2009 interview with "The Guardian", she commented: "It's the best job ever. I have nothing but gratitude for the amount of freedom "The Simpsons" has bought me in my life."


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith received a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992, but felt it was not worth anything, saying "there's part of me that feels it wasn't even a real Emmy." The Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance is a Creative Arts and not handed out during the primetime telecast and, prior to 2009, was a juried award without nominations. However, Smith says "if I had to be associated with one character in fiction, I will always be thrilled that it was Lisa Simpson." The show's creator Matt Groening has called Smith very similar to Lisa: "Yeardley has strong moral views about her character. There are lines that are written for Lisa that Yeardley reads and says, 'No, I wouldn't say that. Writer Jay Kogen praised her performance on the show, particularly in the episode "Lisa's Substitute", as able "to move past comedy to something really strong and serious and dramatic".


title: Yeardley Smith

text: From 1991 to 1994, alongside "The Simpsons", Smith was one of the lead cast members in the sitcom "Herman's Head" as Louise. Her other television roles include recurring appearances as Marlene on "Dharma & Greg", and Penny in two episodes of "Dead Like Me". Smith has also appeared in "Phil of the Future" and "Teen Angel". Her one-scene role as pregnant checkout girl Nancy in 1991's "City Slickers" earned her "more attention than all [her] previous roles combined", and taught her "that it's far better to have small parts in big movies that everyone sees." In 1997, she appeared as Lulu the palm reader in the independent film "Just Write". Her other roles include parts in Barry Levinson's "Toys" and James L. Brooks' "As Good as It Gets". Brooks, who is also executive producer of "The Simpsons", had cast Smith in his 1994 film "I'll Do Anything" (in one of the film's musical numbers), but her part was cut. Aside from "The Simpsons", Smith has recorded few voice-over parts, only commercials and the film "We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story". She "had a voice-over agent for about two years, and I used to go out [on auditions] all the time, but it never really came to anything. Everybody said, 'Oh Yeardley, you'll clean up,' and that was definitely not the case."


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 2004, Smith performed her own off-Broadway one-woman show entitled "More" at the Union Square Theatre in New York City. Directed by Judith Ivey, the play is about her mixed feelings over the success of "The Simpsons", her parents, her relationships, and her struggles with bulimia. "The New York Times" critic Margo Jefferson called it an "appealing if overlong show", adding that "The career narrative needed shortening. This would involve some editing and revising but wouldn't taint the best parts of "More." It is refreshing to hear a celebrity talk cleanly about being fame-driven and about not getting the degree or the kind of fame you craved. It's fun to watch a skilled actress use her craft to the full." She would later perform the play for three weeks in Los Angeles the following year.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith starred in and served as executive producer for the independent romantic comedy "Waiting for Ophelia", which was released in 2009. She funded the film, which was written by Adam Carl and based on a stage play he wrote in 2003. She said: "I loved it. I never get to play parts like that. I always play the friend of a friend, never the lead. And the script surprised me." Carl stated it was very unlikely she would recoup her money, but Smith decided she "believe[d] in this project, and my expectations have already been fulfilled by making the movie", and added: "You can support art even if it's not going to make a zillion dollars." It premiered on April 4, 2009, at the Phoenix Film Festival.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 2011, Smith starred as Ms. Miller in the movie "The Chaperone" alongside Triple H and Ariel Winter.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In June 2016, the Human Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting; in the video, Smith and others told the stories of the people killed there. On March 30, 2019, Smith was honored with the Human Rights Campaign's National Leadership Award in Los Angeles for her work as an advocate of the LGBT community.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 2017, Smith started a podcast, "Small Town Dicks", which explores real life crime in small towns in the United States. Smith had co-hosted the podcast with actress and long-time friend Zibby Allen until March 2019 when the two filed lawsuits against one another, with Allen accusing Smith of pushing her out of ownership and profit rights from the show.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 2018, Smith challenged Republican Ted Cruz after he disparagingly labeled the Democratic Party "the party of Lisa Simpson". Smith recommended that people of differing political views should be able to work together on gun control, promoting gay rights and environmentalism.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith married English-Canadian actor Christopher Grove in 1990. They were divorced in 1992, citing irreconcilable differences.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In a 1997 interview with "The Daily Targum", Smith stated "I am shy, but I have an extroverted persona which I can draw on when I need to," and that she is a "private" actress.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: She married Daniel Erickson in 2002; the marriage lasted for six years and Smith filed for divorce on May 21, 2008, citing irreconcilable differences.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: In 2009, she commented, "People have said to me that I'm unassuming. It's true, I'm the worst celebrity ever. But I'm trying to become better."


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith had bulimia when she was a teenager. She noted "It would make me high, I would feel endorphins and this great sense of victory."


title: Yeardley Smith

text: Smith enjoys writing and painting. During the first season of "Herman's Head", Smith taught herself to paint by copying other artists. The book "Just Humor Me" includes a story, "The Race", written by Smith. She has written a children's book, "I, Lorelei", which was published by HarperCollins in February 2009.


title: Yeardley Smith

text: On June 11, 2022, Smith married one of the co-hosts of her podcast, "Small Town Dicks", Detective (Ret) Dan Grice. She met him while he was providing personal security for her during a "Simpsons" event.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi Seshadri (; born 16 November 1963) is a former Indian actress, model and dancer who worked primarily in Hindi films, with a few films in Telugu and Tamil. She made her debut with the film "Painter Babu" (1983) produced by Manoj Kumar. However, it was her second film "Hero" (1983) which catapulted her to instant stardom. In a career spanning a decade, she established herself as one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses of her time.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Prior to her acting career, Seshadri won the "Eve's Weekly" Miss India contest in 1981 at the age of 17. She became one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses in the 1980s and 1990s, and was acknowledged for several of her performances, her beauty, and her accomplished dancing. She was noted for her performances in films including "Hero" (1983), "Aandhi-Toofan" (1985), "Meri Jung" (1985), "Swati" (1986), "Dilwaala" (1986), "Dacait" (1987), "Inaam Dus Hazaar" (1987), "Parivaar" (1987), "Shahenshah" (1988), "Mahaadev" (1989), "Awaargi" (1990), "Jurm" (1990), "Ghayal" (1990), "Ghar Ho To Aisa" (1990), "Damini" (1993), "Duet" (1994) and "" (1996). She received particular critical acclaim for "Swati" (1986), "Dahleez" (1986), "Satyamev Jayate" (1987), "Awaargi" (1990) and "Damini" (1993). She also performed at the Khajuraho Dance Festival in the 1990s.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: After the release of her film "Ghatak", she left the film industry to raise her children in the United States with her husband, where she runs the Cherish Dance School. A documentary was made about her life, titled "Meenakshi Accept Her Wings".


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi Seshadri was born on 16 November 1963 as Shashikala Seshadri in a Tamil Brahmin family in Sindri, Bihar (now in Jharkhand). She trained in four Indian classical dance forms, Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Odissi, under Vempati Chinna Satyam and Jaya Rama Rao. She won the "Eve's Weekly" Miss India contest in 1981 at the age of 17 and represented India at the Miss International 1981 in Tokyo, Japan.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: After a forgettable debut in Painter Babu, Meenakshi acted alongside another newcomer, Jackie Shroff, in "Hero". The film was a blockbuster and Meenakshi became an overnight star. Immediately after the success of "Hero", she got an offer to star with superstar Rajesh Khanna. She appeared with Khanna in "Awara Baap" in a double role, but the film underperformed. She then appeared in several commercially unsuccessful films, including "Love Marriage", "Paisa Ye Paisa", and "Lover Boy". Her next film, "Bewafai", was again with Khanna, with Rajinikanth in an antagonist role. Then Ghai again cast her alongside Anil Kapoor in his next film, "Meri Jung", which was one of the highest-grossing films of the year 1985. This gave her a major foothold in the industry. Some of her films were moderately successful, namely "Swati", "Mera Jawab", and "Aandhi Toofan". She then appeared in the film "Hoshiyar" alongside Jeetendra. In the same year she acted with Rajinikanth in "Mahaguru" (1985) as his heroine. Later Meenaakshi did a special appearance song with Rajnikant in a Telugu movie "Jeevana Poratam" (1986).


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Seshadri appeared in many critically acclaimed films in 1986. In "Swati", a woman-centric art house film, she performed the title role in an ensemble cast. The film gained immense critical acclaim and critics said, "Meenakshi Seshadri has acted in "Swati" the way Amitabh Bachchan acts in his films". That same year she appeared in B. R. Chopra films alongside Jackie Shroff' and Raj Babbar in the romantic drama "Dahleez", which dealt with the taboo topic of infidelity but underperformed at the box office. Her other releases that year, such as "Allah Rakha", was average performers at the box office. In 1987, she appeared in the hit film "Inaam Dus Hazaar" alongside Sanjay Dutt. She also appeared in "Dacait", an action drama alongside Sunny Deol; it was critical acclaim. Dilwala (1986) and "Parivaar"with Mithun Chakraborty, film did very well at box office. Main Balwan (1986) was average in India, but Superhit in overseas. In 1988, she appeared in Yash Chopra's "Vijay". In 1988, she appeared in "Shahenshah" alongside Amitabh Bachchan. The film was heavily hyped. After the great success of "Shahenshah", Meenakshi teamed up with Bachchan for the films "Toofan", "Akayla", and "Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati", but all three were flops. In 1989, she was directed by Dev Anand in the film "Sachché Ká Bol-Bálá" In 1989, she made her Tamil film debut with "En Rathathin Rathame", a remake of the Hindi film "Mr. India", opposite K.Bhagyaraj, which bombed at the box office. In 1989, she appeared in the family drama "Bade Ghar Ki Beti"in the title role, and the family drama "Gharana" these were moderate successes.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: She worked with fellow dancer Mithun Chakraborthy in "Aandhi Toofan", "Main Balwan", "Dilwaala", "Parivaar", "Bees Saal Baad", "Pyar Ka Karz", and "Shandaar" Her best and most successful pairing, as well as best on-screen her chemistry, is regarded to be with Anil Kapoor. Her pairings with Shroff, Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, and Vinod Khanna are often also praised by the media. Her successful films with Anil Kapoor include "Aag Se Khelenge", "Meri Jung", "Awaargi" and "Ghar Ho Toh Aisa", but others, such as "Love Marriage", "Amba", "Joshilaay", "Vijay", and "Humlaa" were box office duds. In "Vijay" she has a hot kissing scene with Anil Kapoor in a Fiat car and in "Inteqam" she tied a Rakhi to Anil Kapoor; the scene was also filmed in a Fiat. She would have acted with Anil Kapoor in more than nine films, but some planned films were never completed. Prakash Mehra announced "Dhan Dhahej", starring Anil Kapoor and Meenakshi, and in 1988 Sanjay Khan announced the movie "Sarzameen" with Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi, and Vinod Khanna. That same year, Ramesh Sippy announced "Aalishaan" with Amitabh Bachchan and Meenakshi. Subhash Ghai signed Bachchan for the first time in film "Devaa" opposite Meenakshi Seshadri, but it was shelved after a song picturised on Bachchan and Shammi Kapoor the song sung by Mohammed Aziz.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: In 1990, Meenakshi appeared in two films by Mahesh Bhatt, the first being "Awaargi", an art house film. Many critics call this her best performance. The second film was "Jurm", released in the same year. The film was a critical and commercial success. Her role of a wife who has to face her problems after her husband gets involved with another woman gained immense critical praise. She received her first Filmfare Award nomination for best actress for her role in the film. She also appeared in the film "Ghar Ho To Aisa" opposite Anil Kapoor; the film was a hit and Meenakshi was noted for her comedic timing.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: She then appeared in "Ghayal" alongside Sunny Deol. This film started her long association with Rajkumar Santoshi."Ghayal" was the highest-grossing film of the 1990s. In 1991, she appeared opposite Amitabh Bachchan in "Akayla", directed by Ramesh Sippy; despite being well-promoted, the film flopped at the box office. Her on-screen pairing with Vinod Khanna was widely appreciated, and the pair starred in such successful films as "Satyamev Jayate", "Mahaadev", "Jurm", "Humshakal", and "Police Aur Mujrim". She acted in the successful family drama "Ghar Parivar" in 1991, with Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor as her co-stars.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi made her Telugu film debut with "Brahmarshi Viswamitra" in 1991. In 1992, she appeared in the Telugu film "Aapadbandhavudu" opposite Chiranjeevi. In 1992 her film "Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj" opposite Chiranjeevi was a hit. In 1993, she appeared in the film "Damini – Lightning". Directed by filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, it also starred Rishi Kapoor, Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, and Paresh Rawal. The film depicted the sensitive subject of injustice towards a rape victim. She won many accolades for her performance in the film. "Damini" received a number of awards, including a National Film Award and a Filmfare Award nomination. "Damini" is regarded as Meenakshi's career-defining role. She performed a Tandav dance in the film, choreographed by Ravindra Atibudhi.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi played the female lead in the 1996 film "" opposite Sunny Deol, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. It was one of the highest-grossing films of 1996. This was her last film. After this film, she married and moved to the United States.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: In 1992, she did the Telugu film "Apathbandavudu" with Chiranjeevi under the direction of K. Vishwanath. In 1993, she also appeared in "Aadmi Khilona Hai" opposite Govinda; and "Kshatriya" opposite Vinod Khanna – both the films were successful at the box office. In 1994, she was in a dance show of songs from "Damini": "Bin Sajan Jhula Jholu" with Aamir Khan, and in 1991 Raj Kumar Santoshi started the film "Dil Hai Tumhara" with Sunny Deol. Meenakshi paired for the first time with Salman Khan; they only shot once before the film was shelved. She appeared in the Tamil film "Duet" opposite Prabhu Ganeshan, directed by K. Balachander.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: After her marriage, she made a rare appearance on Shekhar Suman's talk show. After a few years of marriage, she shifted her base to Plano, Texas, in the United States. In an interview she stated: "Coming from a very Indo-centric background, life abroad shook me, I just could not relate to the US environment." However, with the passage of time she has settled there. Now she is running her own dance school in Carrollton called Cherish Institute of Dance; the school is described as "an assembly of talented dancers, a voluntary body to enhance multi-culture, revealing the best talent of people of all ages".


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: She dated singer Kumar Sanu in the early 1990's. Meenakshi retired from cinema after marrying investment banker Harish Mysore in 1995. They had a civil wedding and a registered marriage in New York. The couple has two children, a daughter and a son. Meenakshi lives in Plano, Texas. There, she teaches Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi. She performs with her students at charity events and fundraisers, including the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) convention in California.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi is not only known for her acting skills, but for her dancing skills as well. Often referred to as ""Damini"", she is famous for her dance in the song "Tu Mera Hero Hai" from the film "Hero". She is also known for her dance sequences to Bollywood songs such as "Pyar Karne Wale" (from "Hero"), her one of great dance sequences in songs such as "Rock’N’Roll" and "Tu Nache Main Gaoon" - with Mithun (from "Main Balwaan" and 'Parivaar"), "Teri Payal Mere Geet" with Govinda (from "Teri Payal Mere Geet"), "Jaane Do Jaane Do" (from "Shahenshah") opposite Amitabh Bachchan, "Badal Pe Chalke" (from "Vijay") opposite Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor, "Bin Saajan Jhula" (from "Damini") opposite Aamir Khan, "Sajan Mera Uss Par Hai" (from "Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati"), "Mujre Wali Hoon" (from "Awaargi"), "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" (from "Jurm"), and "Badan Main Chandni" (from "").


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: She considers herself more of a dancer than an actress. Her desire to continue the art and extend this culture in a foreign land led her to found the Cherish Dance School.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: Meenakshi sang some poetic notes in J.P. Dutta's movie "Kshatriya", in a composition by Laxmikant Pyarelal. She sang a song in another movie, "Tadap", with Chunkey Pandey and Nana Patekar, but the movie was not released. She sang "Tumhare Roop ka", composed by R.D. Burman, with Amit Kumar and Suresh Wadkar.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: She has made few appearances on talk shows and rarely gives interviews. In 1987, she appeared in an interview in London, in which she discussed her personal and professional life.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: In 1992, Meenakshi featured in the television documentary "World of Film: India" about the Indian film industry; she appeared with stalwarts such as Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mira Nair.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: In 1997, she made a rare public appearance on Shekhar Suman's talk show "Movers & Shakers (TV series)"; this was also her last television appearance before she left the industry to raise her children. She discussed her entire career, her personal life, and her passion for dance and her stage performances.


title: Meenakshi Seshadri

text: In 2006, a documentary was made on her life called "Meenakshi Accept Her Wings", directed by Margret Stephens; the two-hour musical documentary depicted the lifestyle transition from a dancer and actress to a homemaker. The movie gave a deeper insight to her life after quitting films and her successful marriage.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: The Mikoyan MiG-27 (; NATO reporting name: Flogger-D/J) is a variable-sweep ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union and later licence-produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur ("Valiant"). It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimised for air-to-ground attack. Unlike the MiG-23, the MiG-27 did not have widespread use outside Russia, as most countries opted for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN and Sukhoi Su-22 instead. It remains in service only with the Kazakh Air Forces in the ground attack role. All Russian, Indian, Sri Lankan and Ukrainian MiG-27s have been retired.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: The MiG-27 shares the basic airframe of the MiG-23, but with a revised nose – nicknamed ""Utkonos"" ("Platypus") or ""Krokodil Gena"" in Russian service, first introduced on the MiG-23B. Dissatisfaction with the MiG-23BN led to the further development of the basic airframe to accommodate a stronger undercarriage, simpler intakes and a shorter exhaust nozzle, without radar in favor of a downward-sloping profile for improved pilot visibility, a laser rangefinder and marked-target seeker. Among its test pilots, it was also called ""Balkon"" ("Balcony") because of the increased frontal view from the cockpit. Additional cockpit armor was installed, along with a totally new nav/attack system.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: Since the MiG-27 was intended to fly most of its missions at low altitude, the MiG-23's variable intake ramps and exhaust nozzles were discarded in favor of a simpler fixed configuration, reducing weight and maintenance requirements. The aircraft also has larger, heavy-duty landing gear to facilitate operation from poorer-quality airfields. In accordance with the MiG-27's strike and low-level attack requirements, provisions were made to mount missiles and precision-guided munitions, as well as retaining a nuclear capability in line with other Soviet combat aircraft by introducing specialized navigation systems.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: The improved MiG-27M/D versions were introduced during the 1980s, followed by the -K version, which could carry a much larger range of weapons including tactical nuclear bombs.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: Aircraft deployed to Afghanistan were upgraded with the installation of BVP-50-60 flare dispensers and the NAZ-7B emergency survival kit, as well as engine modifications for the hot and high conditions.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: The MiG-27 saw service with the Soviet Air Force in Afghanistan. Although several Western observers considered the MiG-27 widely exported, confusing it with the MiG-23BN, the aircraft type was only exported to India and Sri Lanka which also utilized the MiG-27 in regional conflicts.


title: Mikoyan MiG-27

text: The MiG-27 entered frontline service with Soviet Air Force Tactical Aviation in 1975, with the 722nd Regiment. It replaced earlier MiG-23B/BN and outdated Sukhoi Su-7 attack aircraft and equipped 22 of the 40 Soviet fighter-bomber regiments, being deployed all over the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries. Soviet MiG-27s were permanently deployed to five foreign countries: East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Mongolia until the 1990s.