Today marks the 100 year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles of WW1

Commemorations are being held in the UK and France to mark the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme.

The UK fell silent on the morning 1st July 2016 to mark the moment on 1st July 1916 when the battle began and the start of the bloodiest day in British military history. More than a million men were killed and wounded on all sides in the WW1 battle.

The Battle of the Somme, one of World War One's bloodiest, was fought in northern France and lasted five months, with the British suffering almost 60,000 casualties on the first day alone. The British and French armies fought the Germans in a brutal battle of attrition on a 15-mile front.

• 7 days of artillery bombardment of the German lines before the battle started, aiming to cut the barbed wire and destroy trench defences and artillery.
• 1,500,000 - Artillery shells fired by the Allies in that week, to little overall effect.
• 57,470 - British casualties on the first day.
• 19,240 - British first-day casualties who died.
• 60 % of British officers involved on the first day who were killed.
• 141 - Days the battle lasted, from July 1 to November 18.
• 419, 654 - official number of British dead, missing or wounded
• 1,300,000 - Approximate number of casualties on both sides
• 6 - Miles that British soldiers had advanced by the end of the battle.
• 49 - Victoria Crosses awarded for valour during the battle.
• 150,000 - Graves in the area cared for in more than 250 military and 150 civilian cemeteries in the Somme area by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
• 72,000 - Number of British and Commonwealth soldiers who died at the Somme with no known graves and whose names are recorded on the British memorial at Thiepval.
• This was the first battle where the new British invention the Tank was tested.

...Lest We Forget...

So after an exciting and shocking night of poll results being announced the final result is now in. To the surprise of most, even I, The United Kingdom, 41 years after joining, have voted to leave the European Union. This seismic decision will have a large effect on the UK and the EU.

Other EU country political parties as calling for their version on Brexit. Most are unlikely to get it as they are not the ruling parties. Big German manufactures are keeping a steady head and have said let's get on with sorting out a new trade deals. Pound Sterling (£) has taken a large drop, although it's still stronger than the Euro, this was to be expected, but the bank of England's statement of reassurance has help that improve this and as deals are signed in the months to come, faith in the UK will come back to the markets.

72% of the voting populace turned out, this is the highest turnout in over 20 years.

51.9% Voted Leave (17,410,742 votes)

48.1% Voted Remain (16,141,241 votes)

I feel that this step in the unknown will be a chance for the UK to rule itself again and increase its trade globally, whilst still being a partner to the EU, supporting them in trade and security.

Another twist is that PM David Cameron has decided to step down in October after 6 years of being prime minister. I think he has done a good job during his time leading the country out of recession and bringing our economy back from the brink by making difficult, unpopular but needed choices.

It looks like we will remain part of the EU, this is what the polls are suggesting so far, final result will be in the morning.

Me personally I voted to leave. The campaigns on both sides were crap, they both used unchecks "facts", scare tatics to try and sway it.

The reasons why I voted out, is simply I dont like the political union. Brussels has far to much power.

I do like Europe, the people, the free trade zones and the free movment for EU citizens.

Just 10 of us swarming the wilderness!

What would be the cause of 4 USB ports failing?

Out of the 8 USB ports on my PC;  4 (2 front and 2 back) have stopped working completely or not properly as in when something like a mouse or keyboard is plugged in the connection flickers.

What would cause this? Is there a simple fix?