Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and best endowed scholarships in the world. The Gates Cambridge Scholarship accepts less than 0.3% of applicants and remains extremely competitive. Each year, approximately 100 new graduate students from around the world receive funding to study at Cambridge University. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was launched in mid-2005 as a "Learning Initiative", and became a full-fledged program under the Global Development Division in early 2010. The foundation has since 2005 undertaken a wide range of efforts in the WASH sector involving research, experimentation, reflection, advocacy, and field implementation. In 2009, the
USS Thomas S. Gates apprehended Jose Miguel Battle, Jr. the suspected leader of The Corporation, an organized crime outfit. "Thomas S. Gates" also provided an escort for the aircraft carrier through the Strait of Magellan. Due to poor weather in the Pacific, "Thomas S. Gates" exited the strait via the Smyth Channel and conducted a 36-hour transit through restricted maneuvering waters. "Thomas S. Gates" was the first "Ticonderoga"-class cruiser to make that transit. The cruiser returned to home port on 2 August 2004. Due to Hurricane Katrina, her last deployment was cut short. The crew was given leave to take care of their families