Euro 2012 started last Friday and we're now into the second round of games in the group stage. Simultaneously mkyou2tube is pitting mathematicians from the competing countries against each other with daily updates as the real matches take place. Find out more about sixteen mathematicians from across the continent and endure awful puns related to their lives and areas of expertise. Just click on the picture on the right:

No disrespect to Her Majesty, but if we hadn't been celebrating the Diamond Jubilee at the moment, then half-term would have been last week when the weather was nice. mkyou2tube attended a 'Party in the Park' today which consisted of an ice cream van, a stall for cups of tea and West Coast rap. All in a torrential downpour.

By the way, were you aware that a Diamond Jubilee usually refers to a 75th anniversary? After Queen Victoria took herself out of the limelight (following the death of Prince Albert) someone decided to change the definition of a Diamond Jubilee as it applies to monarchs to a 60th anniversary instead. Queen Elizabeth II becomes only the second ever monarch to make it to sixty years (after Victoria) and hence her Diamond Jubilee.

One more thing: if you thought the anniversary was today, you would be mistaken. QE2 was coronated on 6th February 1952, meaning that today we are actually celebrating 60 years and 120 days on the throne. Which is itself quite mathematical.