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  Ravindra Jadeja Ravindra Jadeja is an Indian international cricketer, widely regarded as one of the best all-rounders to play cricket for India. A slow left-arm orthodox bowler and left-hand batter, he is also known for his quick reflexes on the field. He has more than 500 international wickets and is the eighth...
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  Zohran Mamdani Zohran Mamdani is a member of the New York State Assembly and the Democratic nominee in the 2025 race for New York City mayor. He describes himself as a democratic socialist and has centered his mayoral campaign on pledges to make the city more affordable. A little-known member of the Assembly when...
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  United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, agency of the U.S. federal government that enforces laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. ICE is overseen by a director who is appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The director...
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  What Is the Difference Between Archaeology and Paleontology? Imagine a person who studies the past. This person travels the world, leads excavations, and carefully unearths and records every clue. Maybe this person takes samples to a laboratory for analysis or works in a museum, preserving the finds and curating them for public display. Is this person an...
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  Google Pixel Google Pixel, smartphone line by Google known for its advanced camera capabilities and integration capacity with Google software and services. The Pixel uses the Android operating system, which Google acquired in 2005. Building on the previously developed Google Nexus smartphone’s design, the Pixel...
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  Ajit Krishnan Ajit Krishnan is one of the four astronauts selected for India’s first crewed spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled to launch its first crewed flight in 2027. He is a test pilot and a group captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF). Krishnan studied at various Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs; “Central...
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  Renée Richards Renée Richards is a former American professional tennis player and ophthalmologist. As one of the first out transgender professional athletes, she is the only person to have played in both the women’s and men’s tournaments at the U.S. Open. Richards grew up in the Forest Hills neighborhood of...
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  Karine Jean-Pierre For more than two years Karine Jean-Pierre stood behind a White House podium, fielding seemingly endless questions from Washington reporters about the actions, inactions, policy initiatives, and miscues of her boss, U.S. Pres. Joe Biden. At times controversial—and even more so since leaving the...
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  M.S. Subbulakshmi M.S. Subbulakshmi was an Indian classical vocalist known for her work in Carnatic and devotional music. With a career spanning more than seven decades, she became the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1998. Affectionately known as M.S. Amma (Tamil:...
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  Why Is the North Sea So Dangerous? The North Sea is considered dangerous because of its shallow depths, frequent storms, and strong tidal currents. With depths measuring less than 120 feet (35 meters), particularly in the southern regions, and many shallow, shifting banks, the North Sea can be treacherous for ships. The presence of...
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  Kemi Badenoch Kemi Badenoch is the leader of the Conservative Party (byname the Tories) of the United Kingdom and the first Black person to lead the party. She has established herself as a blunt-spoken parliamentarian and critic of identity politics and “woke” ideology. As Tory leader, she serves as leader of...
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  compound word Compound word, a word composed of two or more words that, when linked, function as a single word expressing a distinct meaning. Various terms are used for the individual words that make up a compound word, including modifier and head constituent as well as left constituent and right constituent....
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  Shen Yun Shen Yun, dance performance group that is based in New York and associated with the Chinese spiritual practice Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa). The group is known for its strongly anti-communist beliefs and describes itself as an organization that seeks to revive traditional Chinese...
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  atlas moth Atlas moth, (Attacus atlas), masive saturniid moth native to tropical and subtropical rainforest regions of Southeast Asia. It is one of the largest moths in the world. The atlas moth is used in silk production and is the source of durable tan to brown fagara silk, though it is of considerably less...
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  Eciton army ant Eciton army ant, (Eciton burchellii), species of aggressive army ant found in heavily forested, low-elevation regions of Central and South America. Eciton army ants are key predators and live in large, typically nomadic colonies that move hunting grounds frequently. Given that numerous vertebrate...
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  influencer Influencer, person who exerts influence to guide the actions of others. The term is commonly applied to people who help generate interest in consumer products or experiences by posting about them on social media. Influencers command large followings on social media and are often paid by companies...
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  Why Do Sphynx Cats Appear Hairless? Sphynx cats appear hairless because of a genetic mutation that occurred naturally in shorthaired cats and was later reinforced by generations of selective breeding. This mutation affects the development of hair follicles, leading to the absence of a typical fur coat. Contrary to popular belief,...
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  Malaysia Effectively Bans Shipments of U.S. Plastic Waste ProCon Debate: Should Single-Use Plastics Be Banned? ProCon Issue in the News: According to recent data, the United States produced about 35 million tons of plastic in 2018, but only about 3 million tons of it were recycled, and about 5.6 million tons were burned. That left some 26 million tons of...
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  Why Do Vultures Circle? Vultures circle for various reasons, most related to locating food and conserving energy. They ride warm thermal updrafts, effortlessly gaining height without wasting energy. From these lofty vantage points, they scan the landscape for signs of a meal, sometimes gliding for several hours and...
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  How Fast is Lightning? The visible flash of a lightning strike travels at the speed of light (670 million miles per hour), while the electrical discharge itself travels more slowly, roughly around 200 million miles per hour (about 322 million km per hour). However, the actual speed of the discharge varies, depending on...
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  Why Are Horseshoes Lucky? Horseshoes are considered lucky because of their traditional association with protection and good fortune. The superstition dates back to ancient times. The U-shape of horseshoes is often associated with the crescent moon, a symbol of fertility and prosperity in some cultures. Additionally, iron,...
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  Neatsville Neatsville, unincorporated community in Adair county, Kentucky, United States. Neatsville is located near the Green River and is approximately 14 miles northeast of Columbia, Kentucky. The community of Neatsville was named for the Neat family, who were early settlers in the region. The family’s...
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  Which NBA Players Have Been Named Most Valuable Player? After the conclusion of each NBA regular season, a group of 100 journalists and broadcasters votes to determine the winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player award. The criteria for the honor are not explicitly stated by the NBA, so each voter weighs a number of factors. Some may give priority to...
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  Freedom House Ambulance Service Freedom House Ambulance Service, community-based sociomedical program that became the first emergency medical services (EMS) provider in the United States. The Freedom House Ambulance Service was founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1967 and was staffed mostly by Black residents of the Hill...
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  peanut butter Peanut butter, creamy food made from ground roasted peanuts, frequently spread on bread and used in cooking and baking. Rich in protein, fat, and fiber, peanut butter has been a staple in American households since the late 1920s, when a hydrogenation process allowing longer shelf life was patented....
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  Do Raccoons Wash Their Food? Raccoons are known to dip their food in and out of water when they eat near a water source. This behavior has earned them the scientific name Procyon lotor (lotor translates to “washer”) and the reputation of being a hygienic animal. However, raccoons don’t actually wash their food before eating....
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  What Causes Tides in the Ocean? Tides in the ocean are primarily caused by the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon and the Sun on Earth. The Moon plays a more significant role in creating tides because it is closer to Earth, making its gravitational pull about 2.2 times stronger than that of the Sun when it comes to tide...
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  cancel culture Cancel culture, form of social ostracism in which individuals, groups, or institutions face public backlash—often on social media—because of perceived objectionable behavior, statements, or values. Withdrawal of support often aims to deny or frustrate the expression of the called-out party’s...
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  Trinity test Trinity test, detonation of the first atomic bomb at 5:29:45 am on July 16, 1945. The bomb, a plutonium implosion device called Gadget, was exploded at the Alamogordo air base 120 miles (190 km) south of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1939 American scientists, many of them refugees from the fascist...
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  Top USDA reports: Under-the-radar numbers that move markets If you’re at all connected to the financial markets, you’re likely familiar with the monthly Employment Situation (aka, nonfarm payrolls) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) reports, even if you’re not sure which government body releases them (it’s the U.S. Department of Labor, by the way). Every month,...
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  Central Texas floods of 2025 Central Texas floods of 2025, deadly flash flood event that devastated several counties in central Texas on July 4–7, 2025. Extreme rainfall produced by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry and Hurricane Flossie, aided by other factors occurring in the atmosphere and at the surface, swelled several...
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  Adrian Smith Adrian Smith is an American architect recognized for designing some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, including Burj Khalifa in Dubai and Jeddah Tower (under construction in Saudi Arabia). His work with the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) transformed the Chicago urban landscape, as Smith...
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  La Quema del Diablo La Quema del Diablo, annual festival celebrated throughout Guatemala on December 7, on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), a Roman Catholic holy day honoring the Virgin Mary. Marking the beginning of the Christmas season, the celebration centers on burning an effigy of...
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  Ligue 1 Ligue 1, a men’s French professional association football (soccer) league founded in 1932. Operated by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP, English: Professional Football League), itself under the authority of the Fédération Française de Football (FFF, English: French Football Federation),...
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  Mileva Marić-Einstein Mileva Marić-Einstein was widely regarded as a talented mathematician and physicist. She was the first wife of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein. The question of whether she made significant contributions to Einstein’s work has been a subject of much debate, ultimately complicating her...
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  Purcell principle Purcell principle, a legal doctrine holding that courts should avoid changing election rules shortly before an election, as such changes may confuse voters or burden election administrators. The Purcell principle takes its name from the 2006 U.S. Supreme Court case Purcell v. Gonzalez. The Purcell...
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  Angad Pratap Angad Pratap is one of four astronauts selected for India’s first crewed spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled to launch its first crewed flight in 2027. He is a test pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), holding the rank of group captain. Pratap attended Springdales School in Dhaula Kuan, New...
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  What Do Rabbits Eat? Rabbits are herbivores and primarily consume a diet rich in plant material, such as grasses and forbs (herbs other than grasses). Their diet is rich in cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is a key component of plant cell walls. Cellulose is difficult to digest, but rabbits have adapted to...
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  How Fast Does a Tornado Travel? Tornadoes can travel at speeds of up to 120 km (75 miles) per hour in extreme examples, with an average forward speed of about 48 km (30 miles) per hour. Tornadoes are notoriously unpredictable when it comes to their travel speed. They can seem to linger in one place or move as fast as a car going...
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  Why Do Horses Roll? Horses roll for a variety of reasons, each serving a distinct purpose in their daily lives and well-being. One of the primary reasons horses roll is to groom themselves. Rolling helps them remove dirt, loose hair, and parasites from their coat. This natural grooming behavior is essential for...
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  transcontinental railroad Transcontinental railroad, first railroad to connect the East and West coasts of the United States, linking established rail lines in the eastern part of the country and the Midwest to the western territories. The transcontinental railroad reduced the time it took to travel to the western states...
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  supermodel Supermodel, a very famous and successful fashion model. Often recognized by their first name only, supermodels are financially successful and culturally significant. They have high visibility, which is earned by being featured on the covers of multiple fashion magazines simultaneously, walking the...
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  List of Major Terror Attacks in Delhi and Mumbai Delhi and Mumbai have long set benchmarks for change and development in India. Their importance has only continued to grow over the years: Delhi, as the capital of India, holds the country’s political power, and Mumbai has emerged as its financial nerve center. Their strategic and commercial...
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  zero Zero, number denoting the absence of quantity. Represented by the symbol “0,” it plays a foundational role in arithmetic, algebra, computing, and scientific measurement. It lies at the center of the number line, separating positive numbers from negative numbers, and it operates as a placeholder in...
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  federal state Federal state, national form of government, also known as a federation, in which political power is usually shared between two levels, one of which consists of the national government of the country and the other the state or provincial governments. A national constitution establishes the division...
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  Ocean vs. Sea: What’s the Difference? The primary difference between an ocean and a sea lies in their size and depth, with oceans being larger and deeper than seas. Oceans are vast bodies of saltwater that cover nearly 71% of Earth’s surface, with an average depth of about 3,688 meters (12,100 feet). In contrast, seas are smaller and...
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  Kardashev scale Kardashev scale, hypothetical measure of an alien civilization’s level of technological advancement, proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in his paper “Transmission of Information by Extraterrestrial Civilizations” (1964). It categorizes hypothetical alien civilizations into three...
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  Lawrence Summers Lawrence Summers was one of the main architects of U.S. economic policy in the last decade of the 20th century and the first decade of the 21st. In addition to serving as a key economic adviser to two Democratic presidents, he served as chief economist of the World Bank and president of Harvard...
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  outer space Outer space, the region beyond Earth’s atmosphere—thus, the entire universe (including planets, stars, and galaxies) except Earth and its immediate surroundings. Investigating the limits of aerospace design in the 1950s, Hungarian-born American engineer Theodore von Kármán assessed the distance...
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  Triptych Triptych, work of art made of three sections or panels, often used to tell a narrative story or depict a complex scene. The triptych format traditionally has been seen in Christian artwork, specifically altarpieces. Panels are often hinged so that the two outer panels can be folded inside. The term...
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  zoot suit Zoot suit, a flamboyantly styled men’s suit consisting of a thigh-length jacket with wide padded shoulders and sprawling lapels, along with high-waisted balloon-leg pants with narrow cuffs, often accessorized with a wide-brimmed fedora-like hat. The suit gained popularity initially among young...
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  How Was the Universe Created? The most widely accepted explanation for the origin of the universe is the big-bang theory, which proposes that the universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago in an extremely hot, dense state. This initial state was not confined to a single point in space but was the state of space itself...
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  Pam Grier Pam Grier is an American actress who came to fame in the 1970s starring in blaxploitation movies such as Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974), and Sheba, Baby (1975). A generation later, she had a career resurgence in Quentin Tarantino’s film Jackie Brown (1997). Grier was born in North Carolina, grew...
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  Why Do Coyotes Scream? Coyotes are known for their vocalizations, which include a variety of sounds such as howls, yips, and barks, some of which sound like human screams. These sounds are crucial for communication and are made for a variety of reasons. Coyote howls, which perhaps are the most scream-like noise the...
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  Chihuahuan Desert Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America, spanning approximately 200,000 square miles (520,000 square kilometers) across both the United States and Mexico. It lies between two of Mexico’s largest mountain ranges—the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Sierra Madre Oriental. The desert...
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  Why Does the Earth Rotate? The Earth rotates because of the conservation of angular momentum acquired from the rotation of the solar nebula, a gaseous cloud that is believed to have formed the solar system. Angular momentum is the measure of a rotating object’s tendency to continue spinning. It stays constant until external...
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  Why Is California Called the Golden State? California is called the “Golden State” primarily because of its historical association with the California Gold Rush. The transformative event began in January 1848 when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill, along the American River in Coloma, California, approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of...
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  Why Is Pennsylvania Called the Keystone State? Pennsylvania is called the Keystone State because of its central location among the original 13 American colonies and its crucial role in the founding and development of the United States. The term keystone refers to the central, wedge-shaped stone in an arch that holds all the other stones in...
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  How Long Does It Take to Get to the Moon? The time taken to reach the Moon varies depending on propulsion technology, a spacecraft’s trajectory, and the distance of the Moon from Earth at a given point in time. With current propulsion technology a crewed mission is estimated to take around 3 days to land on the Moon. The Apollo 8 mission,...
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  How Long Do Elephants Live? Elephants have varied lifespans depending on whether they live in the wild or in captivity. Wild elephants can live up to 60–70 years. In the wild the availability of food and water, the presence of predators, and human activities such as poaching and habitat destruction play significant roles in...
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  Why Do Parrots Talk? Parrots talk primarily because of their advanced vocal learning abilities, which allow them to mimic sounds, including human speech. Parrots possess an ability known as vocal learning, which enables them to imitate a wide range of sounds. This skill is not limited to parrots—it is also found in...
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  James Martin On June 12, 2016, a mass shooter in a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killed 49 people, most of whom were members of the local LGBTQ community. The next day James Martin, a Roman Catholic priest based in New York City, posted a video about the tragedy on Facebook. Dismayed that so few U.S. Catholic...
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  How Fast Are Alligators? In the water, alligators can reach swimming speeds of up to 32.2 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour), using their powerful tails to propel them efficiently. This ability enables them to be stealthy hunters, lurking beneath the water’s surface or near the shoreline to catch unsuspecting prey. On...
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  How Fast Can Bears Run? Bears, despite their at times lumbering appearance, can move at impressive speeds in pursuit of prey. The fastest of these mammals are grizzly bears. Known for their massive size and strength, they can reach top speeds of 35 miles per hours (56 kilometers per hour) over short distances. This speed...
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  Why Do Horses Wear Blinders? Horses wear blinders to limit their field of vision, which helps them focus on what is directly ahead. Blinders, also known as blinkers, are small leather pieces attached to a horse’s bridle. They are strategically placed on either side of the horse’s head, next to its eyes, to restrict peripheral...
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  The Young Ones (British television series) The Young Ones (British television series), TV sitcom starring Rik Mayall, Adrian (“Ade”) Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, and Alexei Sayle. The show ran on British television on the BBC Two channel from 1982 to 1984. It is credited with being highly influential in British comedy, winning...
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  Vinícius Júnior Vinícius Júnior is a Brazilian football (soccer) player who plays international football for Brazil and club football for the Spanish club Real Madrid. He is considered one of the top players in the world and has helped Real Madrid win multiple titles. He plays as an attacking left-wing forward....
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  Why corporate governance matters in ESG investing Corporate governance is the often-overlooked G in ESG investing, an approach that incorporates environmental, social, and governance considerations into financial decision-making. Governance is what ensures that companies follow through on their social and ecological commitments. For companies,...
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  pneumatophore Pneumatophore, specialized lateral root that grows upward from the primary root system of certain wetland trees and shrubs and protrudes above surrounding mud or water to promote oxygen intake and gas exchange. These structures are perforated with small openings called lenticels, which allow air to...
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  Why Is Russia So Big? Russia is the world’s biggest country with a total area of 6,592,850 square miles (17,075,400 square km). Its vast size is a result of historical expansion, strategic conquests, and geographical features that have shaped its borders over centuries. Successive rulers have contributed to Russia’s...
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  How Fast Do Fighter Jets Fly? Modern fighter jets can reach supersonic speeds exceeding 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) per hour. The journey to these impressive speeds began with the fighter aircraft of World War I, which were primarily biplanes with wooden frames and cloth skins, reaching speeds of about 135 miles (215 km) per...
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  Santhal rebellion Santhal rebellion, an uprising by thousands of members of the Santhal tribe in 1855–56 in eastern India, under the rule of the British East India Company (1757–1858). The movement was a reaction to exploitation by local moneylenders and landlords and policies of the British administration in the...
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  How Was the Mariana Trench Formed? The Mariana Trench was formed through subduction, a process in which one tectonic plate is forced below another. The Mariana Trench is a prime example of a subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate is being subducted beneath the smaller Mariana Plate. As the Pacific Plate is denser and older, it...
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  animal testing Animal testing, the use of nonhuman animals in scientific and medical experiments. Animal testing has been a crucial component of biomedical research, enabling scientists to study diseases, develop treatments, and ensure the safety of products such as medications and cosmetics. It has led to...
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  Amarnath Temple Amarnath Temple, sacred Hindu shrine located in the Himalayas in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir union territory, India, at an elevation of 12,756 feet (3,888 meters) above sea level. It is notable for its swayambhu (naturally formed) ice stalagmite, which is revered as the lingam...
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  CHIPS and Science Act The CHIPS and Science Act is a United States federal statute aimed at increasing domestic semiconductor manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, creating jobs, supporting innovation, training STEM professionals, and protecting national security. CHIPS is an acronym for Creating Helpful...
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  flash flood Flash flood, an abrupt, unexpected torrent of water that rushes down a canyon, gulch, valley, or other narrow, low-lying area (including streets in urban areas). Flash floods often stem from heavy rains associated with thunderstorms or the rapid melting of snow and ice on mountains; however, they...
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  Billboard magazine Billboard is a long-running American trade and consumer print publication that covers news, issues, and trends related to the music industry. It is widely known for its music charts that rank the popularity of albums, songs, and artists based on sales, airplay, and streaming. The magazine publishes...
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  New job, new life: Starting out? Start here So you just landed a job and you’re striking out on your own. It’s a big step! Are you ready? Don’t worry. Britannica Money is with you every step of the way, with easy-to-read articles, videos, and interactives, covering everything from filling out your new-hire paperwork to opening bank and...
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  All India Radio All India Radio (AIR), India’s national public radio broadcaster, officially called Akashvani (“voice from the sky” or “oracle”). It is one of the two wings of Prasar Bharati (India’s public service broadcasting corporation), the other being Doordarshan, its television counterpart. As of March 2020...
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  How Is the Dalai Lama Chosen? As the internationally renowned 14th Dalai Lama has aged, speculation about how the future 15th Dalai Lama will be chosen has increased. There were doubts about whether there would be a 15th Dalai Lama until July 2025, when the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, affirmed that after his death there...
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  What Is a Quid Pro Quo (and Is It Always Bad)? The answer is pretty straightforward. A quid pro quo is an exchange of goods or services for, well, other goods or services. (Literally, the Latin phrase means “this for that.”) If you’re wondering why this seemingly benign description of a transaction has such a negative connotation, read on....
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  Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport A once-unused airfield located in Big Cypress National Preserve, deep within the Florida Everglades, gained renewed attention in 2025—not for its aviation legacy, but for its contentious transformation into a large-scale immigration detention center. The project at Dade-Collier Training and...
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  Chubby Checker Chubby Checker is an American singer best known for his 1960 recording of “The Twist,” which topped the Billboard singles chart and sparked a national dance trend. A household name while he was still in his teens, Checker followed up with many other dance songs throughout the 1960s and performed...
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  Scientists Look to Genetics to Save Crops from Climate Change ProCon Debate: Should Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) Be Grown? ProCon Issue in the News: As increasing temperatures shrink crop yields, scientists are looking to genetics to create genetically modified crops that are more heat tolerant than conventional crops. Writing for The New York Times,...
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  What Is the Difference Between Mass and Volume? Mass and volume are two fundamental properties used to describe matter, but they refer to different physical concepts. Mass measures the amount of matter in an object. It is a measure of inertia—the resistance of an object to a change in motion—and is expressed in units such as kilograms (kg) in...
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  David Corenswet David Corenswet is an American actor who rocketed to stardom after being cast as the titular DC Comics superhero in James Gunn’s film Superman (2025). Prior to assuming that role, memorably portrayed in the past by Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill, Corenswet trained as a theater actor at the...
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  Amjad Khan An ominous clacking of spurs and the clang of a belt buckle shatter a chilling lull. A thunderous voice echoes through a bare stony landscape, followed by maniacal laughter. In one of the most iconic scenes in Bollywood history, from the classic Sholay (1975; “Embers”), Indian actor Amjad Khan...
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  How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could affect your finances Signed into law in July 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) touches nearly every corner of the household budget. It extends tax cuts, rewrites credits for energy upgrades and electric vehicles, introduces new deductions, and sharply reduces federal funding for social programs. Some...
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  Why Do Deer Freeze In Headlights? Deer freeze in headlights primarily because of their unique vision and instincts. Deer are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. This means that their eyes are adapted for low-light conditions and fully dilate to capture all available light in such situations. This adaptation,...
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  How AI might fit into your stock trading strategy Stock picking takes time, and even then, it’s hard to know if you’ve made the right choices. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a way to speed up the process. Whether you’re analyzing data, evaluating a trading strategy, or building a portfolio, AI tools can help. There’s no guarantee of success,...
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  Creating your own ESG fund: A practical guide for investors All investing is personal. You’re setting aside money for something that matters to you, whether it’s a trip, a house, college, or retirement. Environmental, social, and governance investing (ESG), goes a step further. You’re not just investing for a goal. You also care about where your money goes...
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  ehrlichiosis Ehrlichiosis, any of a group of illnesses stemming from a tick-borne bacterial infection that affects humans and other animals, especially dogs. Ehrlichiosis is caused by bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia, mainly E. canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and E. muris eauclairensis. It primarily infects...
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  A’ja Wilson A’ja Wilson is a star center for the Las Vegas Aces of the WNBA, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) and two-time Defensive Player of the Year who holds the league record for highest single-season scoring average. Wilson was born to Roscoe C. Wilson, Jr., and Eva Rakes Wilson. Roscoe Wilson...
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  Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous (NA), international community-based association that offers support for persons who are recovering from drug addiction. The main purpose of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is to help individuals cease drug use and make a new life for themselves. NA is based on the Twelve Steps and...
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  Why Are Most Calico Cats Female? Most calico cats are female because the genes that determine their distinctive patches of black and orange fur colors are located on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes (X and Y) in mammals. Since female cats have two X chromosomes, they can inherit one gene for black fur and one for...
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  Why Are Orange Cats More Likely to Be Male? The gene responsible for orange coloration in cats is located on the X chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes (X and Y) in mammals. Because a male cat has one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, inheriting a single copy of the orange gene on the X chromosome from his mother will make him orange....
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  Theory vs. Hypothesis: What’s the Difference? A scientific theory and a hypothesis differ primarily in that a theory is a well-established framework built upon extensive evidence, whereas a hypothesis is a testable prediction or explanation that is formulated as part of research or experimentation. Thus, theories and hypotheses differ in...
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  How Is Gold Formed? Gold is formed through cosmic and geological processes that involve the concentration and deposition of the metal in the Earth’s crust. Gold present in Earth’s crust is thought to have originated with cosmic events, primarily supernovae and neutron star collisions, that occurred billions of years...
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  How Much Tea Was Dumped During the Boston Tea Party? The Boston Tea Party saw the disposal of 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor. On the night of December 16, 1773, a group of about 60 men, encouraged by a large crowd of Bostonians, donned blankets and Native American headdresses, marched to the wharf, boarded ships belonging to the East India...
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  What’s the Difference Between Cartoons and Animation? The difference between cartoons and animations lies in their applications. Cartoons are typically static images, although they can be part of a series, such as a comic strip, to convey a story or message. Animation, on the other hand, is the art of making inanimate objects appear to move. It...
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  Uvalde School Shooting May 24, 2022, began as a day of celebration at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Students and parents had gathered at the school that morning for an awards ceremony and end-of-school-year celebration. Hours after certificates were awarded and photographs taken, a teenager armed with an...
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  Factors Affecting Hurricane Development in the Atlantic Ocean Tropical cyclones the world over begin as areas of loosely organized cumulonimbus clouds over warm water, but what is it that transforms rather mundane thunderstorms into one of the largest and most destructive atmospheric phenomena? It turns out that the creation of a tropical cyclone (which is...
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  Marjorie Merriweather Post Marjorie Merriweather Post became one of the wealthiest women in the United States after inheriting her father’s company, Postum Cereal Co. Ltd., and transforming it into the General Foods Corporation. Post’s social life, philanthropy, and opulent lifestyle were the subject of much media attention...
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  single bond Single bond, type of chemical bond in which two atoms share one pair of electrons, one electron from each atom. It is represented by a single line (―) between the two atoms in structural formulas. Single bonds are the simplest and weakest type of covalent bond, but because they have a lower...
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  double bond Double bond, type of covalent bond in which two pairs of electrons (four electrons total) are shared between two atoms. It is represented by two parallel lines (=) in structural formulas, such as H2C=CH2 in ethylene (also called ethene). Double bonds are crucial in organic chemistry and biological...
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  fluoride Fluoride, negatively charged ion (anion) of the chemical element fluorine that is characterized by its high reactivity and ability to form stable compounds with other elements, particularly metals. Because of its strong affinity for positively charged ions (cations), fluoride readily binds to...
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  Why Are Rainbows Curved? Rainbows are curved because of the way sunlight interacts with water droplets in the atmosphere. When sunlight enters a spherical raindrop, it bends—a process called refraction—as it passes from air into water. Inside the droplet, the light reflects off the inner surface and bends again as it...
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  Bangladesh Liberation War The Bangladesh Liberation War was an armed conflict between Bengali nationalists in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and the Pakistani government, based in West Pakistan. Fighting began on March 25, 1971, when West Pakistani government forces launched a crackdown in East Pakistan to quash protests...
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  Swadeshi Movement Swadeshi Movement, anti-colonial agitation in British India, formally launched in 1905, and the first organized mass collective action in the Indian Independence Movement. It emphasized self-sufficiency (swadeshi: “of one’s own country”) through a binary resistance that was both active (promotion...
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  Replacement theology Replacement theology, doctrine holding that Christians have replaced the Jewish people as the chosen people of God or as the heirs of the divine-human covenant described in the Hebrew Bible. The theology is also referred to as supersessionism, in which Christianity is thought to have superseded...
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  How Many Tentacles Does a Jellyfish Have? Jellyfish are a diverse group of marine animals, and their tentacle count varies significantly across different species. Some have 8 or fewer tentacles, and others have up to 1,200 tentacles. For instance, the immortal jellyfish, known for its unique ability to revert to its juvenile form,...
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  Why Is Niagara Falls Famous? Niagara Falls is famous for its beauty and uniqueness as a physical phenomenon. It is situated on the border between Ontario, Canada, and New York state, U.S. Niagara Falls is renowned for the sheer volume of water that cascades over its cliffs. The falls are divided into two main sections: the...
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  How Fast Do Helicopters Fly? Helicopters typically fly at speeds of about 150 mph (240 km/hr), with some experimental flights having reached up to 290 mph (465 km/hr). The record for the fastest officially recognized helicopter flight, certified by the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI), is held by the Westland Lynx...
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  Why Do Deer Shed Their Antlers? Deer shed their antlers as part of a natural cycle that is linked to their survival and mating season. In all but one species of deer, males carry antlers; in the reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), both sexes carry antlers. Antlers are not permanent appendages; they are shed and regrown annually. This...
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  What Is the Difference Between Democracy and Republic? Democracy and republic, while often used interchangeably, have distinct meanings, origins, and implications. Democracy is a system of government in which laws, policies, leadership, and major undertakings of a state or other polity are directly or indirectly decided by the “people,” a group...
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  Cailee Spaeny Cailee Spaeny is an American actress known for her richly understated portrayals of quiet yet formidable heroines, most notably Priscilla Presley in director Sofia Coppola’s biopic Priscilla (2023), the aspiring photojournalist Jessie in Alex Garland’s dystopian action Civil War (2024), and the...
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  Ordinary People Who Changed History On the afternoon of March 12, 2025, Kilmar Abrego Garcia had just finished a shift as an apprentice sheet-metal worker and had his five-year-old son strapped in a car seat in the back of his car. When the 29-year-old Salvadoran national, who had entered the United States illegally in 2012 when he...
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  Diana Gabaldon Diana Gabaldon is an American writer of historical fiction, science fiction, and romance, best known for her Outlander series (1991– ), following the story of a former war nurse in 1945 who travels back in time to 1743 Scotland and meets a young Scottish warrior. It was adapted into the successful...
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  The Agnew Clinic The Agnew Clinic, painting created by master of 19th-century American Realism Thomas Eakins in 1889. Commissioned by medical students to honor surgeon and anatomist Dr. David Agnew on his retirement from teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, the painting shows him in a medical amphitheater....
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  Weaving Weaving, oil and tempera painting created in 1936 by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. Though he is best known as a muralist, Rivera also created several paintings depicting people engaging in Mexican indigenous traditional arts, including this one. Painting portraits of indigenous peoples in native...
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  Doordarshan Doordarshan (DD), India’s public service television broadcaster, founded by the government in 1959. The word Doordarshan, a combination of two Hindi words, door (far) and darshan (vision), translates to “a glimpse of all afar.” It is operated and managed by Prasar Bharati, an autonomous...
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  The Flagellation of Christ The Flagellation of Christ, oil and tempera painting created by Florentine artist Piero della Francesca in about 1455–60. It was largely unknown outside Urbino, Italy, where it was kept in the sacristy of the cathedral, and it was only in the early 20th century that the unique qualities of this...
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  Furman v. Georgia Furman v. Georgia, legal case in which, on June 29, 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5–4 that the death penalty violates the “cruel and unusual punishment” clause of the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution when applied in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner. The decision effectively...
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  Mughal-e-Azam Mughal-e-Azam, a Hindi-language Indian historical drama film, released in 1960. Directed by Karimuddin Asif, Mughal-e-Azam (“The Great Mughal”) was the biggest money-spinner in Bollywood history for 15 years until the release of Sholay in 1975. Filmed over the better part of a decade, Mughal-e-Azam...
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  Why Are Bald Eagles Called Bald? Bald eagles are not actually bald. The term “bald” comes from an older meaning of the word, which was “white-headed.” This is a reference to the striking white feathers that cover the head of the adult bald eagle, contrasting sharply with its dark brown body and wings. The bald eagle’s white head...
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  Why Are There Different Time Zones? Different time zones exist because of Earth’s rotation. Earth rotates 360 degrees every 24 hours, and therefore different parts of the planet experience daylight and darkness at different times. To coordinate time with daylight, the globe is divided into 24 segments, each 15 degrees of longitude...
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  Aryna Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player who emerged as one of the best young athletes on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour in the early 2020s. Known for her aggressive, risk-taking style and powerful forehand and serve, she first reached number one in the WTA singles...
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  Why Do Dogs Like Bones? Dogs are naturally inclined to like bones due to their evolutionary history and biological needs. Dogs have evolved from wolves, and their ancestors relied heavily on bones as a food source. Wolves and early dogs would consume bones to extract marrow, which is rich in nutrients and fats. This...
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  How High Do Birds Fly? The majority of birds fly at altitudes of about 150 meters (around 500 feet) or lower. During migration, however, many species fly at higher altitudes, often around 610 to 1,525 meters (2,000 to 5,000 feet). Exceptions include Rüppell’s griffon vulture, which has been recorded flying at an altitude...
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  How Fast Are Snails? The speed of a snail varies depending on the species. Most prosobranchs—a group that includes some land, marine, and freshwater snails—move at a speed of less than 8 cm (about 3 inches) per minute, but abalone (Haliotis) has been reported to move at almost 10 times that rate. Some aquatic, tropical...
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  Why Do Lions Roar? Lions roar to proclaim their territory and to assert dominance. This vocalization is particularly important for male lions, who use it to signal their presence and deter rival males from encroaching on their domain. By doing so, they help maintain the pride’s territory and safety. Their distinctive...
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  How Did World War II Start? World War II began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, prompting Great Britain and France to declare war on Germany two days later. The seeds of World War II were sown in the aftermath of World War I, with the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles leaving Germany economically...
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  Why Are Sharks Coming Closer to Shore? Sharks are coming closer to shore primarily because of a combination of environmental factors, human activities, and their natural behaviors. Environmental changes constitute one of the main reasons why sharks are venturing closer to shore. Increasing ocean temperatures may be forcing prey species...
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  varroa mite Varroa mite, (Varroa destructor), species of parasitic mite that is a serious pest of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera). Capable of devastating entire western honeybee colonies, the parasite is considered a factor in colony collapse disorder (CCD) and is one of the most significant threats to...
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  Resolute Desk Resolute Desk, massive, elaborately carved, and historic desk made from the white oak and mahogany timbers of the British Royal Navy ship the HMS Resolute. Used by several U.S. presidents in the White House, the desk was given to Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes by Queen Victoria in 1880 as a symbol of...
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  Why Is Los Angeles Called the City of Angels? Los Angeles is called the “City of Angels” because its name literally means “The Angels” in Spanish. The city’s full original name was “El Pueblo de la Reina de los Angeles,” which means “The Town of the Queen of the Angels.” This name was given by the Spanish settlers who established the pueblo in...
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  out of the money Out of the money (OTM) is a term used in options trading to describe an option that has no intrinsic value. That means there’s no advantage to exercising it—it would cost you more (or earn you less) than simply trading in the open market. A call option gives its owner the right, but not the...
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  at the money At the money (ATM) is a term used in options trading to describe an option whose strike price is equal to—or very close to—the current price of the underlying asset. It’s the middle ground between in the money (an option with intrinsic value) and out of the money (no intrinsic value). An...
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  Jerry Garcia Jerry Garcia was the singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist of the Grateful Dead, a San Francisco-based group that emerged from the Haight-Ashbury psychedelic-drug-and-music scene in the mid-1960s. He personified the hippie counterculture for three decades as the mellow leader of the band. Known...
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  27 Club In 1994 Kurt Cobain, front man of the grunge band Nirvana, died by suicide at age 27. After his death Cobain’s grieving mother told the Associated Press, “Now he’s gone and joined that stupid club.” The “club” she was referring to is the 27 Club, so called because of the tragic roster of musicians...
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  In What Order Were the 13 American Colonies Established? On May 14, 1607, approximately 105 colonists of the Virginia Company settled on a peninsula on the James River. There they founded Jamestown, Britain’s first foothold in the New World and the first capital of what would become Virginia. What followed was a scramble for territory on what is now the...
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  Malgudi Days Malgudi Days, Indian television series, first aired in 1986, that adapted short stories and novels by Indian author R.K. Narayan, known for his evocation of ordinary life in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. The series was directed by Kannada actor and filmmaker Shankar Nag, with T.N....
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  Pete Davidson Pete Davidson is an American comedian, actor, and writer best known for his role on Saturday Night Live (SNL). He became known for his relatively young age among the cast, his self-effacing style, and his personal monologues. Davidson grew up on Staten Island, a borough of New York City. When he...
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  How Was Gravity Discovered? Isaac Newton didn’t just see an apple fall from a tree. He saw a clue to how gravity works. In 1687, he proposed that the same invisible force pulling the apple to the ground was also keeping the Moon in orbit around Earth. His idea became the basis for what he called universal gravitation, the...
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  curry tree Curry tree, (Murraya koenigii), flowering plant found in South Asia and Southeast Asia and known for its fragrant leaves, which are used particularly in Indian cuisine. The leaves of the curry tree are not to be confused with curry powder, a dry spice and herb mixture that may or may not include...
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  Why Are Turtles So Slow? The slow pace at which turtles move through life is primarily due to their unique anatomy and evolutionary adaptations. The turtle’s shell, composed of a carapace (top shell) and plastron (bottom shell), provides essential protection but also adds significant weight, limiting the animal’s ability...
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  What Do Turtles Eat? Turtles have a diverse diet that varies significantly depending on their species and habitat. Many turtles are herbivores, meaning they primarily consume plant material. For instance, tortoises, which are land-dwelling turtles, often feast on a variety of plants and plant parts. However, some...
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  Why Are German Shepherds Police Dogs? German Shepherds are widely favored for police work because of their intellect, willingness to work, and unique physical attributes. German Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence and ability to learn commands quickly, making them ideal for the rigorous training associated with canine police...
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  Mother India Mother India, Bollywood film, directed by Mehboob Khan, with dialogue written by Vajahat (Wajahat) Mirza and S. Ali Raza, and released in 1957. It stars Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, and Raaj Kumar. Considered a cinematic tour de force, Mother India was the first Indian film to be nominated...
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  Theater vs. Cinema: What’s the Difference? The primary differences between theater and cinema lie in the nature of the performances and the medium through which the audience experiences them. A theatrical performance is a live performance; it is a dynamic art form where actors perform in real-time. The immediacy of theater means that every...
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  Why Are People Afraid of Snakes? People are often afraid of snakes because of a combination of factors—ranging from the fear of venomous bites to possible deep-rooted evolutionary traits that helped humans survive by avoiding potentially dangerous animals. This fear can often become intense. Known as ophidiophobia, an extreme fear...
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  How Often Does a Solar Eclipse Happen? Solar eclipses occur two to five times a year, though it is rare for five to occur in a year. The last time five occurred in a single year was in 1935, and the next time five are expected in a year is no earlier than 2206. Total eclipses (with the Sun fully covered) are even rarer—the average...
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  Qaumi Tarana Qaumi Tarana, national anthem of Pakistan, written in Urdu but with a strong Persian influence. Following the end of colonial rule in British India in 1947, the territory was partitioned, leading to the creation of the two independent dominions of India and Pakistan. It then fell upon the two...
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  Understanding options: In the money, at the money, and out of the money In options trading, you’ll often encounter a little lingo about the money. An option might be “in the money,” “out of the money,” or even “at the money.” Whether an option is in, at, or out of the money at any given moment—especially at expiration—is what traders call its moneyness. Think of “the...
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  What Are the Rings of Saturn Made Of? Saturn’s rings are made of billions of particles, chiefly composed of water ice and small amounts of rock and dust. These icy particles vary in size, from minuscule dust grains to larger chunks that can measure kilometers in length. Although Saturn’s major rings—separated by gaps and divisions—span...
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  pita Pita, a type of flat, hollow leavened bread that originated in the Middle East. Around the world, pita and other similar flatbreads may also be referred to as Arabic bread, balady, khobz, shami, mafrood, Lebanese or Syrian bread, and pocket bread. Pita is made from a simple dough of flour, water,...
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  Why Do Bats Sleep Upside Down? Bats sleep upside down because their anatomy and physiology are adapted for this position. Their legs are slender and not built for walking or standing, but their feet are adapted to grasp and hold onto surfaces. When hanging, a bat uses its body weight to naturally keep its feet clenched by...
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  Why Is Pounds Abbreviated to Lbs? The abbreviation “lbs” for the unit of weight pounds comes from the Roman term libra. The word libra means “scales” or “balance” in Latin, and the Latin phrase libra pondo means “pound by weight.” This ancient Roman unit of weight was brought to Britain, where it became the standard for weighing...
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  state capitalism State capitalism, economic system in which the state takes an active role in economic production, controlling the means of production and generating profits (or surplus value, in Marxist economics), which it then uses for further production. The state functions in a manner akin to a business...
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  Scottie Scheffler Scottie Scheffler is an American golfer who in 2024 had the best single-season performance by a pro since the heyday of Tiger Woods. That year Scheffler played in 19 events and won 7, the biggest one-year total since Woods captured 7 titles in 2007. Among Scheffler’s notable 2024 achievements were...
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  All Blacks All Blacks, New Zealand national rugby team and one of the most successful teams in the sport’s history, with an all-time winning record of nearly .770. They have been dominant since their first Test match (a match played between teams from different nations) in 1903. They have won the quadrennial...
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  How Many Teeth Does a Shark Have? The number of teeth a shark has can vary significantly depending on the species, but some species may go through as many as 50,000 teeth in their lifetime. Unlike humans, who have a limited number of teeth, sharks have a continuous tooth replacement system. Some sharks have several rows of teeth,...
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  Why Is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Guarded? The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, is a monumental grave that honors unidentified military service members who sacrificed their lives in wartime. The tomb was installed in 1921 and originally held the remains of one unidentified soldier from World...
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  Is Diamond the Hardest Substance on Earth? Yes, diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on Earth. It is a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, indicating the material’s supreme resistance to being scratched. Diamond’s hardness is a result of its atomic structure, where each carbon atom (diamond is made entirely of carbon)...
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  Why Is Connecticut Called the Constitution State? The nickname Constitution State refers to Connecticut’s adoption of the Fundamental Orders in 1638, a pioneering framework for self-governance. Created by settlers in towns along the Connecticut River, the orders outlined a system in which magistrates were elected and laws were made by an elected...
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  U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, a conflict on the Minnesota frontier that broke out in August 1862. It was a six-week campaign waged by Dakota warriors after the United States government violated multiple treaties and failed to deliver money that Dakota people were depending on to buy food from traders....
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  yield strength Yield strength, minimum stress at which a solid will undergo permanent deformation or plastic flow without a significant increase in the load or external force the solid is subjected to. The point of yield strength marks the transition of the solid from elastic to plastic behavior. Below the yield...
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  Hema Malini Hema Malini is an Indian actress, bharatanatyam dancer, director, and politician recognized for her work in Bollywood and contributions to public life as a member of parliament. Popularly called “Dream Girl,”Hema Malini rose to prominence in the 1970s and has appeared in more than 150 films,...
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  Why Are Mice Used in Medical Research? Mice are used in medical research primarily because their genetic makeup is very similar to that of humans, making them excellent models for studying human diseases. Because of this biological similarity, humans and mice experience many of the same illnesses, allowing researchers to study the...
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  Why Does Ice Float on Water? Ice floats on water because it is less dense than its liquid form. In the liquid state, most water molecules are associated in a polymeric structure—that is, chains of molecules linked by weak hydrogen bonds. As water freezes, these molecules become more rigidly organized, forming an open,...
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  BTS Members Have Completed Mandatory National Service ProCon Debate: Should the United States Enact Mandatory National Service? ProCon Issue in the News: Suga, a member of the K-pop group BTS, was discharged from mandatory national military service on June 21, 2025. He was the last of the seven BTS members to complete his national service in South...
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  Riot Grrrl Movement In the early 1990s Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the punk rock group Bikini Kill, made it a practice to begin gigs with the command, “Girls to the front!” Hanna’s experience was that women in the punk scene were often pushed aside by male fans and musicians. In her 2024 memoir, Rebel Girl: My Life...
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  List of Highest-Grossing Indian Films Immense in scope, the rich cinematic landscape of India is as diverse as its population of more than a billion souls, for whom movies have long been a cultural touchstone. While the serious cinema of such filmmakers as Satyajit Ray and Mrinal Sen has attracted critical admiration, it is the...
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  Stede Bonnet Stede Bonnet was a British aristocrat who left his family, land, and fortune behind to pursue a life of piracy. Alongside Edward Teach—the pirate known as Blackbeard—Bonnet orchestrated a blockade of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1718. Thomas Bonnet, Stede Bonnet’s grandfather, was one of the...
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  Self-portrait Self-portrait, painting by Swedish Arts and Crafts artist Carl Larsson, created in 1906. This painting, also known as Self-recognition and Self-examination, is one of several self-depictions by Larsson. Larsson, who lived from 1853 to 1919, became a national institution in his homeland. Larsson’s...
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  Self-Portrait Self-Portrait, masterful painting created by Neoclassical Swiss-born artist Angelica Kauffmann in 1787. In this portrait she depicted herself in classical dress. Kauffmann, who was regarded as a child prodigy, enjoyed greater status than was usual for 18th-century female artists. Known for her...
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  Self-Portrait Self-Portrait, early painting by British genre artist Sir David Wilkie, created in about 1804. Painted when he was just 20 years old, this portrait represents a defining moment in the artist’s life: Wilkie was about to leave his native Scotland for England. Having studied in Edinburgh, Wilkie left...
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  In God we trust In God we trust, official motto of the United States, adopted in 1956, and placed on all U.S. currency beginning in 1957. The phrase replaced “E pluribus unum” (Latin: “Out of many, one”), which had been the country’s unofficial motto since the 1780s. The phrase has its origin story in the American...
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  Nine Incredible Jumping Spiders Get ready to leap into the dazzling world of jumping spiders! The jumping spider family, Salticidae, is the largest and most diverse of all spider families, boasting more than 6,000 described species found in nearly every terrestrial habitat on Earth. These pint-sized arachnids are not only...
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  National Stock Exchange of India The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), established in 1992, is India’s leading stock exchange and one of the world’s largest by market capitalization. As of mid-2025, the NSE’s market cap stood at about $5.3 trillion. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), which oversees the NSE,...
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  Why Do We Need Sleep? We need to sleep, because it plays an important role in maintaining our overall health and well-being. Sleep helps the body repair tissues and grow. During sleep, hormone levels change and muscles relax, allowing tissues to heal and the body to build muscle and synthesize proteins that support...
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  Why Are so Many Companies Incorporated in Delaware? Delaware is home to more than half of all Fortune 500 companies, but it is not because of tax breaks or proximity to financial hubs. The state has built a reputation over the decades as the most business-friendly legal environment in the United States. At the center of this reputation is the...
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  Curtis Yarvin Curtis Yarvin is an American political theorist who has called for democracy to be replaced by a monarchy headed by a CEO or dictator. Beginning as a fringe figure with a mostly online following, he has become an oft-cited thinker by the new right; Yarvin was quoted several times by J.D. Vance...
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  Bowen Yang Bowen Yang is a Chinese American comedian, actor, podcaster, and writer who first gained wide recognition as a featured player—a lower-tier cast member—on the sketch comedy television show Saturday Night Live (SNL; 1975– ) in 2019. Known for his witty, incisive, and absurd character portrayals,...
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  How Was Niagara Falls Formed? Niagara Falls was formed over 12,000 years ago as a result of the melting ice from the retreating glaciers at the end of the Wisconsin Glacial Stage, but the rocks that make up the formation date back to more than 400 hundred million years ago. The melting of the Laurentide Ice Sheet released a...
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  What Do Kangaroos Eat? Kangaroos are herbivores, which means they eat only plant-based foods. Their diet mainly includes grass and other types of vegetation. Larger species, such as red and gray kangaroos, are grazers. They feed mostly on grass, much like cattle and sheep, which eat large amounts of grass in open areas....
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  Why Are People Afraid of Spiders? People are often afraid of spiders, unsettled by the animals’ many legs and eyes, their sometimes rapid and unpredictable movements, and, of course, the fear of venomous bites. Cultural portrayals of spiders as dangerous or creepy certainly do not help put folks at ease. It has been suggested that...
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  Why Is Texas Called the Lone Star State? Texas is called the Lone Star State because of its historical association with the single star on its flag. This star symbolizes the unity and solidarity of the people of Texas under “God, state, and country.” The term “Lone Star” is deeply rooted in Texas’s history, particularly in its fight for...
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  List of the Deadliest Airplane Disasters Although air travel is the safest mode of transportation, when a large passenger plane does crash or meet with some other catastrophe, the death toll is often in the hundreds. When counting only fatalities of those on the airplane, the deadliest disaster occurred on March 27, 1977, when two Boeing...
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  Where Do the Great Smoky Mountains Get Their Name? The Cherokee Nation, the original inhabitants of the western segment of the high Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States, called the region Shaconage. The translation, “place of the blue smoke,” referred to the bluish haze that frequently blankets the area. This haze is not smoke...
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  What Do Ducks Eat? Ducks are omnivorous birds with a varied diet that includes aquatic plants, insects, seeds, and sometimes even small animals. Their food choices depend on their habitat, the season, and their species. Most ducks feed in or near water. Dabbling ducks, such as mallards, are often seen tipping forward...
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  List of the Largest Single-Day Protests in the United States The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizens the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly—freedoms that have empowered generations of Americans to take to the streets to speak out against injustice, demand change, and advocate for civil rights. The following graphic and table...
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  Kirtland’s warbler Kirtland’s warbler, (Setophaga kirtlandii), energetic migratory songbird of the wood warbler family whose summer range is limited to Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ontario, and whose winter range includes the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas, and Cuba. The Kirtland’s warbler is one of North...
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  Pat Brown Pat Brown was the two-term Democratic governor of California from 1959 to 1967, who helped oversee massive growth of the state by investing infrastructure and public education. Brown had the distinction of running against two future Republican presidents, winning reelection against Richard Nixon in...
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  What Is the Difference Between Comets and Asteroids? Comets and asteroids differ primarily in their composition, origin, and orbits within the solar system. Comets are composed largely of volatile ices, such as water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, mixed with dust particles. When they approach the Sun, these ices sublimate, creating a bright outflowing...
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  A guide to 55-plus communities and other senior living options As you get into your 50s, 60s, and 70s, your priorities may shift. Maybe your children have grown and flown, or you’ve simply moved past the years of driving to practices and checking homework. You might be working less, easing into retirement, or just rethinking how you spend your time. Your home...
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  How to use AI for retirement and financial planning Planning for the future means making a lot of assumptions: how much you’ll earn, how long you’ll work, and what your expenses might look like in retirement. Even with clear goals, it can be hard to know where to begin. Tools that use artificial intelligence (AI) can bring some structure to the...
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  E Pluribus Unum “E pluribus unum” is a Latin phrase translated into English as “Out of many, one.” The phrase was the original unofficial motto of the United States and is present on the country’s seal. It is also printed on most U.S. coinage. The phrase, in an American context, refers to the federalist system...
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  The energy market: Oil, solar, and everything in between The energy market powers homes, businesses, and entire economies, offering investors a way to invest in the resources the world depends on. Whether you’re trading crude oil, buying utility stocks, or betting on solar and wind, energy is one of the most dynamic and far-reaching sectors investors can...
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  Why Are Rip Currents Dangerous? Rip currents are dangerous primarily because they are often more powerful than they initially seem and move quickly, which can catch even experienced swimmers off guard and pull them away from shore. Such currents, which occur in a direction approximately perpendicular to the shoreline, are narrow,...
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  New Orleans lynching of 1891 New Orleans lynching of 1891, the largest mass lynching of Italian Americans to take place in the United States. The occurrence happened on March 14, 1891, at Orleans Parish Prison in New Orleans. Following the acquittal and mistrial of several Italian immigrants accused of murdering New Orleans...
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  Swan Lake Swan Lake, ballet composed in 1876 by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Swan Lake was revolutionary in its musical approach and was the first in Tchaikovsky’s trilogy of ballets (the other two were Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker). Tchaikovsky’s score for Swan Lake was based on a short...
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  Alex Jones Alex Jones is an American political commentator and media entrepreneur. His website Infowars, which he launched in 1999, has been described as one of the largest platforms in alternative media and a major force in introducing the American public to conspiracy theories, misinformation and...
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  Pietà Pietà, a monumental marble sculpture by Renaissance artist Michelangelo depicting Mary cradling the body of Jesus after he has been removed from the cross. The work was commissioned by a French Cardinal, Jean de Bilhères Lagraulas, for his funerary monument in Old St. Peter’s Basilica (razed in the...
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  dandy Dandy, term, dating to England in the late 18th century, that describes a man who pays fastidious attention to his appearance and social position. German philosopher Roman Meinhold described dandies in his book Fashion Myths: A Cultural Critique (2013; trans. John Irons) as “masters of the...
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  Why Are Robin Eggs Blue? Robin eggs are blue due to a fascinating evolutionary adaptation that may help protect them from sun exposure. The blue pigmentation of robin eggs is primarily due to a pigment called biliverdin. This pigment moves through the robin’s bloodstream and is deposited on the eggshell as the mother robin...
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  Why Is the U.S. Flag Red, White, and Blue? The red, white, and blue used in the U.S. flag are deeply linked to the country’s historical ties with Britain. The colors mirror those used in the British Union Jack, reflecting the colonial heritage of the United States. The nation’s earliest flags, used during the American Revolution,...
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  How Was Venice Built on Water? The city of Venice, spread across an archipelago in the crescent-shaped Laguna Veneta (Venice Lagoon), rests on a vast number of densely packed upright wooden piles submerged in the lagoon’s waters and driven deep into the soft mud and clay below. This remarkable feat of engineering has provided...
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  romance novel Romance novel, a fiction book that focuses on the themes of love and romantic relationships. More specifically, the Romance Writers of America (RWA) defines a romance novel as a fictional narrative that contains two particular elements: Best-selling contemporary romance novelists include Danielle...
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  How Long Does It Take to Fly Around the World? In theory commercial passenger aircraft, which have a cruising speed of 575–600 mph (925–965 km/h), could fly nonstop around the world in about 42 hours. In practice, nonstop flights around the world are rare and challenging because of the need for specialized aircraft that can carry enough fuel...
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  Why Do Skunks Spray? Skunks spray as a highly effective defense mechanism to deter predators and threats. They are equipped with two anal scent glands that are highly specialized and produce a potent, noxious liquid. Each scent gland has a nipple associated with it, which allows the skunk to aim the spray with...
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  Why Is Oklahoma Called the Sooner State? Oklahoma earned its “Sooner State” nickname from settlers who jumped the gun—literally—during the Land Rush of 1889. At noon on April 22, a cavalry bugle signaled the official start of the run for 3,100 square miles of land in what had been Indian Territory. But some settlers slipped in early to...
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  Why Is Philadelphia Called the City of Brotherly Love? Philadelphia is called the “City of Brotherly Love” because its name is derived from the Greek words “philia,” meaning love, and “adelphos,” meaning brother. The name reflects the ideals of its founder, the Quaker leader William Penn. He founded Philadelphia in 1681 with a vision of creating a...
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  Why Do We Have Seasons? Seasons occur due to the tilt of Earth’s axis, which is approximately 23.5°. This tilt causes Earth’s two hemispheres to receive varying amounts of solar energy throughout the year. The Earth’s distance from the Sun, even though it changes slightly over a year, is not a factor in the change of...
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  How Long Can Whales Hold Their Breath? Whales can hold their breath for varying durations depending on the species, with some capable of staying submerged for more than an hour. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are among the most impressive breath-holders in the whale world. These deep-diving giants can remain underwater for about...
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  Studio Museum Studio Museum, a cultural institution in Harlem, New York City, that promotes and showcases work by artists of African descent. Since its opening in 1968 the museum has offered residencies, exhibitions, and events that have helped launch the careers of leading American artists, curators, and...
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  How Was Germany Divided After World War II? Germany was divided into four occupation zones in 1945 after Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender in World War II. Each zone was controlled by one of the Allied powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The American, British, and French zones formed the western...
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  Why Is New Jersey Known as the Garden State? New Jersey became known as the Garden State in the 18th century because of its fertile land and agricultural productivity. Although modern New Jersey is one of the most urbanized and densely populated states in the United States, agriculture remains a vital part of the economy and culture. Indeed,...
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  Why Is Seattle Called the Emerald City? Seattle is called the Emerald City because of its abundant parks and greenbelts, which give it a vibrant, lush appearance year-round. In addition to ample vegetation within the city itself, Seattle is surrounded by areas of great natural beauty, including the densely forested Olympic Peninsula and...
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  What Do Squirrels Eat? Squirrels’ diets vary based on their species and habitat. The most commonly recognized squirrel, the bushy-tailed tree squirrel, has a diet that primarily consists of nuts and fruits. Squirrels are equipped with strong, chisel-like incisors and powerful jaws, which are essential for gnawing open...
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  What Is the Wingspan of an Eagle? The wingspan of an eagle varies significantly depending on the species. It may be less than 1 meter (3.28 feet) in some species and greater than 2.40 meters (7.87 feet) in others. The smallest known eagle species in the world, the Great Nicobar serpent eagle (Spilornis klossi), has a wingspan of...
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  Nationalism vs. Patriotism: What’s the Difference? Nationalism and patriotism, while often used interchangeably, have distinct origins, meanings, and implications. Patriotism is a feeling of attachment and commitment to a country, nation, or political community, and its conception has roots tracing back to Greek and Roman antiquity. It is...
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  How Was Pablo Escobar Caught? Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, leader of the Medellín cartel, surrendered in June 1991 and was subsequently imprisoned following an extensive manhunt and parallel negotiations with the Colombian government about his surrender. The massive manhunt by the government—reportedly aided by U.S....
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  Parsley Massacre Parsley Massacre, state-sponsored mass killing that occurred in the Dominican Republic in early October 1937. Acting on the orders of the Dominican Republic’s dictator, Rafael Trujillo, Dominican soldiers targeted Haitian residents—primarily those living in settlement areas near the border between...
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  Vlad II Dracul Vlad II Dracul was voivode (prince or military governor) of Walachia, a region in what is now Romania, from 1436 to 1442 and from 1443 to 1447. He lived during a tumultuous period of transition in eastern Europe, when the Byzantine Empire was in decline and the Ottoman Turks were advancing into the...
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  Why Are Hippos Dangerous? Hippos are dangerous primarily because of their territorial nature especially when it comes to their aquatic habitats. They are often seen basking on riverbanks or submerged in water, and they fiercely protect these areas from intruders. When humans or other animals encroach on their territory,...
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  Why Are Polar Bears White? Polar bear fur is actually colorless but appears white because of the way it interacts with light. Each hair shaft is hollow and transparent, allowing it to scatter and reflect sunlight, much like ice. This optical effect gives the bear its white—or sometimes yellowish—appearance, which serves as...
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  Why Are Fish High in Mercury? Fish can have high levels of mercury in their tissues owing to bioaccumulation, in which mercury that is released into water is absorbed by smaller organisms that ultimately are consumed by fish. Mercury enters the environment through natural processes, such as volcanic eruptions and the weathering...
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  Why Is Finland the Happiest Country in the World? Finland is often cited as the happiest country in the world because it has topped the World Happiness Report for several years in a row since 2018. The World Happiness Report is an annual publication that ranks global well-being using data collected from more than 140 countries. The data measures...
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  French cuisine French cuisine, the traditional meals and cooking techniques developed over centuries in France. Although recipes and techniques vary according to region and season, French cuisine is known for its rich flavors, use of high-quality native ingredients, and emphasis on elegant presentations. Meals...
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  How Long Does It Take for Rigor Mortis to Set In? Rigor mortis typically sets in about two to six hours after death, beginning with the smaller muscles of the body, such as those in the hands and face. The process of muscle stiffening, which is the primary characteristic of rigor mortis, occurs because following the cessation of breathing, oxygen...
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  “No Kings” protests “No Kings” protests, rallies organized to protest the second presidency of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump that occurred on his birthday, June 14, 2025, during which time a military parade occurred in Washington, D.C. The protests, which were organized across about 2,100 sites in the U.S., were called “No...
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  What’s the Difference Between Cement and Concrete? The words cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. Cement is a fine powder that forms a hard substance when mixed with water. It’s made by heating a blend of limestone and clay, then grinding it down. On its own, cement can be used in grout or combined...
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  Wendy Red Star Wendy Red Star is a photographer, sculptor, textile maker, and painter. An enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) tribe, Red Star has used her eclectic practice to bring greater attention to Apsáalooke history and culture. She is especially interested in the predominant role played by women in...
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  Reza Pahlavi Reza Pahlavi is the crown prince of Iran and the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the shah who was ousted in the country’s 1979 revolution. He has spent most of his adult life in exile in the Washington, D.C., area, where he has advocated for regime change and a more secular government for...
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  Coral Castle Coral Castle, tourist attraction located in Homestead, Florida, featuring massive stone carvings created by Edward Leedskalnin between 1923 and 1951 as a tribute to his fiancée, who reportedly ended their engagement the day before their wedding. Coral Castle was added to the National Register of...
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  Why Do Apes Live in Groups? All apes, except for orangutans, live in groups. This arrangement gives them advantages when it comes to raising young, protection, and overall survival. Compared to other animals, apes take a long time to grow into adults. An extended time with adults and peers enables them to learn crucial...
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  Betty Davis Betty Davis was an American singer-songwriter, model, and pioneer of feminist funk, known for her fierce independence, bold fashion, and unapologetically sexual lyrics that pushed the boundaries of music and gender norms in the 1970s. Davis produced most of her own albums, wrote her own music, and...
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  New York Post New York Post, American tabloid newspaper based in New York City. It is known for its conservative editorial positions, its salacious gossip column known as Page Six, and its often outlandish headlines. Founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801, it has been run by Rupert Murdoch and his family since...
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  John Waters John Waters is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter who is known for his boundary-pushing movies that repulsed many critics and viewers when he first came on the scene in the late 1960s but that are now seen as transgressive cult classics. His films include Pink Flamingos (1972),...
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  Federal Prisoner Transferred to Oklahoma for State Execution ProCon Debate: Should the Death Penalty Be Legal? ProCon Issue in the News: John Fitzgerald Hanson (also called George John Hanson) was executed by lethal injection on June 12, 2025, at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. In 2001 Hanson was convicted and sentenced to death by the state of...
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  Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses? Dogs have wet noses mainly to enhance their sense of smell. The moisture on the nose traps scent particles in the air, making it easier to detect and process smells. A dog’s ability to detect scents plays a crucial role in how they explore and understand its surroundings. A dog’s nose is far more...
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  How Do Fish Reproduce? Fish reproduction is a fascinating process that varies significantly across different species. Most bony fishes (belonging to the superclass Osteichthyes) are oviparous (egg-laying) and show external fertilization. They produce a large number of small eggs that are often scattered in the water,...
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  How Much Does a Hippopotamus Weigh? A hippopotamus typically weighs up to 3,200 kg (3.5 tons). As the second-largest land mammal after the elephant, hippos are among the heaviest terrestrial animals. Males generally measure about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long and stand 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall, with a weight range of 1,600–3,200 kg...
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  How Tall Was T. rex? If the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex)—the largest member of a group of theropod dinosaurs called tyrannosaurs—had stood upright, it would have been more than 6.5 meters (21 feet) tall. This would be about a meter higher than an adult male giraffe, which stands at about 5.5 meters (18 feet) tall....
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  YRF Spy Universe YRF Spy Universe, Bollywood film franchise in which spy thrillers with distinct storylines occupy a shared cinematic universe. The franchise is produced by and named for the Yash Raj Films (YRF) studio and consists of separate but interconnected films or series of films centering on different...
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  Why Do Small Dogs Live Longer? Although a larger size normally indicates greater longevity among most mammals, dogs tend to follow a different pattern. Small dogs usually live longer than their larger counterparts due to a combination of genetic, physiological, and evolutionary factors. Genetic makeup plays a significant role in...
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  How Was the Eiffel Tower Built? The Eiffel Tower was constructed using advanced engineering techniques and a small labor force over a period of about two years from 1887 to 1889. Gustave Eiffel, a noted bridge engineer, designed the tower using his extensive knowledge of metal arch and truss forms. The structure was primarily...
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  How Do Hand Warmers Work? Hand warmers work by utilizing an exothermic chemical reaction to generate heat, providing warmth to cold hands. Disposable hand warmers accomplish this through the use of iron powder, salt, and water. When exposed to oxygen in the air, iron undergoes oxidation. The reaction, which is facilitated...
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  list of spiders Spiders (order Araneae) are a group of arachnids that includes more than 50,000 species known to science. All spiders are predators, feeding almost entirely on other arthropods, especially insects. Some spiders are active hunters that chase and overpower their prey, while others weave silk snares,...
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  Jake Paul Jake Paul is an American boxer, influencer, and actor. A member of Generation Z, the first to come of age in a world of ubiquitous Internet and smartphone use, Paul rose to fame and notoriety in the mid-2010s by creating comedic, deliberately provocative videos for the social media platforms Vine...
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  Trend following: A time-tested strategy for riding market momentum Wall Street wisdom reminds us, through its various maxims, to stay on the right side of the market: The trend is your friend, don’t fight the tape, and buy the dip. All these sayings are predicated on the notion that when a market is trending—that is, moving in a general direction—your positions...
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  How to use AI for budgeting, saving, and managing your money Budgeting and looking for ways to trim expenses can feel like a chore, but using tools with artificial intelligence (AI) can make managing your money a little easier and help you make smarter decisions. Whether you’re trying to build a nest egg or just spend more wisely, these tools might help you...
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  mother-of-pearl Mother-of-pearl, hard organic substance forming the iridescent inner layer of several mollusks, as well as the outer layer of pearls produced by mollusks whose shells are lined with the substance. Known for its shiny multicolored luster, mother-of-pearl has been used for decorative purposes since...
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  cod fishery collapse of 1992 Cod fishery collapse of 1992, overfishing-induced crash of the Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) population in the western North Atlantic Ocean and its economic effects in eastern Canada, primarily Newfoundland and Labrador. The event was acknowledged officially on July 2, 1992, by Canadian government...
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  Why Is the Gobi Desert Called a Cold Desert? The Gobi Desert, spanning parts of northern China and southern Mongolia, is famously known as a “cold desert” due to its extreme climate. Unlike more familiar hot deserts, such as the Sahara, the Gobi experiences long, bitter winters with temperatures often plunging below −40 °C (–40 °F). Yet it...
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  How Do Water Towers Work? Commonly seen dotting the countryside and often visible from miles away, water towers—also called storage distribution tanks—serve key purposes in municipal water supply systems. Water towers provide essential equalizing pressure to a water supply system and store emergency water supply for times...
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  How Was the Panama Canal Built? The construction of the Panama Canal was a monumental feat that was accomplished through strategic engineering, international collaboration, and the overcoming of natural challenges. Initially, the French attempted to build a sea-level canal but faced setbacks, including disease and engineering...
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  Where Does the Golden Gate Bridge Get Its Name? The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is named after the strait that it spans, called Golden Gate. The name was given to the strait by Captain John C. Frémont in 1846. He drew an analogy to the Golden Horn of the Bosporus in Turkey, envisioning the strait as a gateway for rich cargoes from Asia....
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  What Animal Has the Longest Life Span? The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is the longest-lived vertebrate animal known to science. Radiocarbon dating of proteins in the shark’s eye-lens nuclei suggests that some individuals may be more than 500 years old. This extraordinary longevity is attributed to the species’...
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  Stable Diffusion Stable Diffusion, open-source generative artificial intelligence (AI) diffusion model that generates images, video, and animations from users’ text prompts. Developed by researchers at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Stable Diffusion was managed by the British company Stability AI...
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  Portrait of Mademoiselle Chanel Portrait created in 1923 by French avant-garde artist Marie Laurencin of fashion designer Coco Chanel. The painting, though stylized and languorous, nonetheless captures Chanel’s features. In the early 1920s Serge Diaghilev hired Laurencin to design sets for the Ballets Russes production of...
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  Portrait of Madame Récamier Portrait of Madame Récamier, unfinished portrait that was painted in 1800 and is widely regarded as among the best of the portraits created by French artist Jacques-Louis David. With its grace, simplicity, and economy, it is also regarded as one of the most successful examples of Neoclassical art....
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  How Do Horses Sleep? Horses sleep both standing up and lying down. Most of their sleeping time is spent standing, which is crucial for their survival because it enables them to quickly escape predators. Sleeping while standing is possible because horses have a stay apparatus, a system of tendons, ligaments, and muscles...
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  Portrait of Pope Innocent X Portrait of Pope Innocent X, oil portrait created by Spanish artist Diego Velázquez, the leading painter in the court of King Philip IV of Spain, most likely in 1650. It is lauded as being among the finest portraits ever painted. Velázquez focused on depicting the world around him, instead of...
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  Why Are Navy Beans Called Navy Beans? Navy beans—also known as Boston beans, haricots, pea beans, and (in Australia) Yankee beans—received their name because they became a staple food for the United States Navy in the second half of the 19th century. These small, white beans were a leading food for sailors due to their long shelf life...
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  How Long Did Dinosaurs Live? Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for an impressive span of about 165 to 180 million years. They first appeared about 245 million years ago during the beginning of the Middle Triassic Epoch. This was a time when the continents were joined together in a supercontinent known as Pangea. As the continents...
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  Timeline of the 1940s The 1940s was a decade of upheaval and transformation, shaped by global war, scientific breakthroughs, and shifting political power. The period opened with rising tensions in Europe and culminated in the early years of the Cold War. World War II dominated the first half of the decade, driving...
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  How Long Do Chicken Eggs Take to Hatch? Chicken eggs typically take about 21 days to hatch. This is the time it takes for a fertilized egg to develop into a chick ready to emerge. The process begins with the hen laying the egg, and if conditions are optimal, the embryo inside will start to develop. Temperature and humidity need to be...
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  Why Do Crickets Chirp At Night? Male crickets chirp primarily to attract mates and establish territory. Their musical chirping sounds are produced by rubbing a scraper on one forewing along a row of teeth on the opposite forewing, an act known as stridulation. Different songs serve different purposes, with many species having...
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  Alain Prost Alain Prost former French race car driver and motorsport executive. Prost competed in Formula One (F1) racing from 1980 to 1993, winning four championships. He won 51 races, a record at the time of his retirement. Nicknamed “the Professor” and “the Calculator” for his methodical approach to races,...
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  Why Do Cats Open Their Mouths After Smelling Something? Cats often open their mouths after smelling something because of a behavior known as the flehmen response. It’s a behavior seen in many mammals, where they open their mouths and curl back their lips after detecting an interesting smell. Cats rely heavily on chemical communication, and the flehmen...
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  Jack and the Beanstalk Jack and the Beanstalk, classic fairy tale about a boy, Jack, who climbs a towering beanstalk grown from magic beans and defeats the giant he meets at the top. The earliest printed version of the story was published in England in the early 18th century, and there have been many retellings with...
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  What Is the Largest Animal on Earth? The largest animal on Earth is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). It is also the largest animal to have ever existed. These marine giants can weigh approximately 150 metric tons and stretch over 30 meters (98 feet) in length. There are reports of blue whales reaching lengths of 33 meters and...
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  Why Do Birds Chirp at Night? Birds chirp at night for various reasons, primarily to communicate, mark territory, attract mates, warn other birds of potential predators, or signal the presence of food. For instance, owls hoot to establish and defend their territory, especially during breeding season, when they are more...
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  Why Do Cats Have Whiskers? Cats have whiskers primarily for tactile sensing, which is crucial for their survival and daily activities. Whiskers, or vibrissae, are specialized hairs that serve as touch receptors for cats. These stiff hairs, located on the face and at the back of the forelegs, play a vital role in a cat’s...
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  How Fast Do Hummingbirds Fly? Hummingbirds, those tiny marvels of the avian world, can reach speeds greater than 48 km per hour (30 miles per hour) during regular flight. However, during courtship displays, male hummingbirds have been known to dive at 88.5–96.5 km per hour (55–60 miles per hour) to attract a female’s attention....
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  mandatory sentence A legal penalty, usually consisting of imprisonment, that courts are required by law to impose upon individuals who are found guilty of certain crimes, regardless of the circumstances specific to the individual or the offense. Such a sentence may also represent a minimum or maximum prison term for...
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  Martha Chase Martha Chase was an American molecular geneticist who played a pivotal role in the Hershey-Chase experiment of 1952, which provided strong evidence that DNA is the genetic material of living organisms. Chase grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and attended the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio,...
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  Colonization of Africa Since the earliest days of human existence, Africa has been home to numerous societies and states. Yet, throughout history various foreign powers, such as the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans, have laid claim to African territory. The most extreme example was the colonization of Africa by...
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  four sacred medicines Four sacred medicines, group of plants—specifically cedar (Thuja occidentalis or T. plicata), sage (genus Artemisia or Salvia apiana), sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata), and tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)—that are revered in certain Native American cultures, celebrated in particular for their spiritual,...
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  Air India flight 171 Air India flight 171, flight of a passenger airliner that crashed on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, claiming the lives of 241 of the 242 people on board. The reported number of fatalities on the ground varied, with figures ranging between 19 and 33. Headed for London’s Gatwick...
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  giant wētā Giant wētā, (genus Deinacrida), genus of 11 species of large cricketlike insects that are endemic to New Zealand and are among the heaviest insects in the world. Giant wētā exemplify a phenomenon known as island gigantism, in which the lack of competition for resources and the paucity of predators...
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  Why Do Horses Need Horseshoes? Horses need horseshoes to protect their hooves from wear and tear on hard or rough surfaces. When horses walk on such terrains, their hooves can break or split open. The U-shaped metal plate of a horseshoe helps to prevent this wear, ensuring that the hooves remain intact and healthy over time....
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  What Are Elephant Trunks Used For? Elephants use their trunks as multifunctional appendages for a variety of tasks essential to their survival and daily life. Much like human hands, an elephant’s trunk serves as a tool for grasping and manipulating objects. This includes picking up food, such as grasses, leaves, and fruits, and...
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  HTTP 404 HTTP 404, HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) error indicating that an online resource could not be located. A 404 error, which falls under the client error response category of HTTP errors, is one of the most commonly seen of the 63 total HTTP status codes. A 404 error appears when the user...