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Dancing Plague of 1518: People Danced Themselves to Death
In the summer of July 1518, residents of Strasbourg, France suddenly started dancing—and they danced feverishly until they died. Was it superstition, drug-induced hallucination, or something else? Nobody seems to have an answer to date.
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The Amazing Alien Art of Charama
Did aliens visit India in the past? 10,000-year-old rock paintings found in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh say ... maybe.
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The Mysterious Myth of the Full Moon Madness
For centuries, the full moon has been linked with bizarre human and animal behavior. But is there any truth behind these crazy stories and myths of "madness"?
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5 Creative Ways to Cultivate Your Writing Hobby During Vacation
Creativity is all about finding the marvelous in the mundane. This article discusses simple ways to stimulate your creative cells while on vacation and improve your writing skills.
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LES-1: The Zombie Satellite That Came Back to Life After 46 Years
A U.S. satellite abandoned in 1967 began sending eerie transmissions again in 2013—after 46 years of silence. Nobody knows why.
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4 Ways to Be a Successful Intrapreneur at Work
Intrapreneurship is an attitude, not a department. Intrapreneurs are the very employees that make an organization survive long-term. This article discusses how employees can become successful intrapreneurs within their companies.
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Shirley Chisholm: America’s First Black Woman to Run for the White House
Decades before Kamala Harris, trailblazer Shirley Chisholm was America’s first African-American woman to run for the President of the United States.
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3 Simple Ways to Develop Your Writing Ideas Into a Great Story
Assembling a good story involves making sense of random components (ideas) and creating your DIY instructions. This article discusses some writing techniques you can use to turn an idea into a good story.
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5 Ways to Be a Good Mentor in a Workplace
A good mentor always accepts and acknowledges that everybody begins somewhere. This article discusses some ways to be an effective mentor in the workplace.
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Razia Sultan: The Only Woman Sultan of Delhi
Razia Sultana was the first and the last woman Sultan of India who ruled from 1236 to 1240. The short 4-year-old reign of Razia is regarded as a significant milestone in the subcontinent’s history towards overcoming the patriarchal mindset of medieval India.
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5 Creative Ways to Start Writing as a Hobby
Deep down, all ideas stem from creativity, and creativity stems from problem-solving. This article discusses some creative ways to kickstart your writing hobby.
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Lebensborn Program: The Woman Who Gave Birth for Hitler
The Lebensborn project for breeding “racially pure” and “super healthy” children was one of the most secretive and disgusting programs the Nazis ever created.
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4 Key Skills to Be a Successful Manager in a Post-Covid Business World
Managers require new traits to establish predictability in an unpredictable world post the COVID pandemic. This article discusses some essential skills managers need to develop to be successful in a drastically changed business world.
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The Notorious Love Life of Genghis Khan
Genghis Khan's sexual conquests were as brutal as his military victories. Anthropologists and historians believe that Genghis Khan has up to 16 million male descendants, with studies confirming that one in every 200 men today is a relative of Genghis Khan.
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Fugu: The Ancient Japanese Fish Delicacy More Poisonous Than Cyanide
This fish delicacy is so poisonous that the slightest mistake could be fatal while preparing it. And thanks to this thrill, Fugu has become one of Japanese cuisine's most delicious and notorious dishes.
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3 Ways to Use Storytelling to Be a Successful Manager
Storytelling is one of the most effective ways to get your point across in any field, whether arts or management. This article discusses some ways managers can use storytelling to succeed in leadership and business.
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The Mysterious Phoenician Legend of the Sardonic Grin
The ancient Phoenicians created a gruesome smile known as a “sardonic grin” on the dead some 2,800 years ago. How and why did they make it?
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5 Ways to Make Writing One of Your Best Hobbies
Prolific writers do not just sit around all day and wait for inspiration to strike. They work hard and have an unwavering work ethic. This article discusses some of their productivity secrets to help you make your writing hobby successful.
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Urumi: The Deadliest Sword of Ancient India
The urumi (translated as curling blade) is a flexible whip-like sword used in Kalarippayattu, an ancient Indian martial art that dates to 300 BCE. Many experts consider the urumi as the deadliest sword ever created.
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3 Ways to Create a Healthy Workplace Culture
A strong and positive employee culture is vital to good work, and every manager is responsible for ensuring that at the workplace. This article discusses ways to create a healthy culture of innovation and freedom at your company.
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How to Stop Self-Sacrifice and Learn to Value Yourself
Never seek to please anyone. Just strive to evolve yourself. This article discusses some positive psychology techniques to value yourself more and improve your self-confidence.
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The Pitcairn Island Scandal: A Shocking Sexual Assault Trial
In 2004, the Pitcairn Island scandal made headlines when seven men, including the mayor, were convicted of charges ranging from rape to indecent assault. The well-publicized sexual assault trial exposed a shocking secret history of rampant abuse on the tiny Pacific island.
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The Tulli Papyrus: Proof of Alien Visitors or Masterful Forgery?
Did aliens visit ancient Egypt? One text named the Tulli Papyrus found in ancient Egypt has mystified humankind for the last 90 years with this tantalizing possibility.
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4 Winning Strategies for Negotiating a Job Offer
Are you applying for a job? Here are some strategies to get better money for your experience level.
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The Secret Love Lives of Medieval Women
Understanding a woman's life in the Middle Ages is not easy. While some writers paint a romantic picture of a woman's life, others portray a picture of oppression and servitude to her lords and masters. The truth lies somewhere in between.
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Dina Sanichar: Real-Life Mowgli Who Inspired ‘The Jungle Book’
Mowgli is arguably one of the most beloved characters of the 20th century. But not many know that the legendary author Rudyard Kipling created the lovable Mowgli after getting inspired by a real feral child who lived in 19th century India.
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The Mysterious Worm That Built King Solomon’s Temple
The first Temple of Solomon in ancient Jerusalem was one of the most beautiful buildings ever created. How did the ancient sculptors manage to make such a masterpiece? Did a magical “worm” help the builders?
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3 Simple Ways to Become More Productive at Work
An 8-hour workday is enough to finish at least 70–80% of your work if you plan it well. This article discusses simple productivity strategies to get more out of your 8-hour workday.
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3 Ways to Get a Girl to Admit That She Loves You
One of the most challenging problems in dating is getting your girl to admit she loves you. How can you pop up that question without seeming like you are bugging them or appearing super, irritatingly, unattractively needy? This article discusses some ways to do that.
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Man From Taured: Time Traveller or Legendary Hoax?
In July 1954, a smartly dressed businessman arrived in Tokyo with a passport from a country that did not exist—and then he disappeared.
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The Fascinating Mystery of the Alien Black Knight Satellite
In 1899, Nikola Tesla claimed he received alien signals on his wireless transmitter from a satellite supposedly put into Earth's orbit 13,000 years ago. Were aliens communicating through the Black Knight satellite?
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3 Reasons Why Job Hoppers Make the Best Employees
Employers once regarded job hoppers with skepticism as they wanted candidates who would stay longer than just a few years. Job hoppers were often overlooked when they applied for open positions. But now, being a job hopper is often viewed as a good thing. This article discusses the reasons.
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Why Do I Still Dream of Her?
A collection of poems inspired by Brenda Arledge's week-63 prompt."Dreams"
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Operation Cat Drop: The 14000 Cats Who Saved the World
In the 1950s, the British RAF in Sarawak, Borneo (Malaysia), specially parachuted cats in huge numbers. The objective was to control the exploding population of rats and, in the end, save human lives from perishing. This unusual operation was called "Operation Cat-drop."
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Batak Mian: The Cook Who Saved Mahatma Gandhi
Long back in 1917, a cook named Batak Mian saved the life of Mahatma Gandhi and paid a terrible price for it in the form of brutal punishments by the British. A resident of Motihari district in Bihar, Batak Mian saved the legendary leader from being poisoned by a British Landlord.
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4 Best Ways to Motivate Stressed Employees
The key to motivating people under stressful situations is making them feel effective. A good manager can help employees navigate tight deadlines by making them believe their work is important and would be pivotal to the project's success. This article discusses ways to keep employees motivated.
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The Fascinating Mystery of Apollo 10’s "Outer Spacey" Music
In 1969, as the crew of the Apollo 10 mission was orbiting the dark side of the Moon, they heard strange sounds. Were these noises evidence of aliens?
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4 Worst Ways to Hire Good Employees
Interviews are a two-way street. Companies need good employees to help achieve their goals, and potential employees need good companies to fulfill their career aspirations. This article discusses some mistakes hiring managers commit while conducting interviews.
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The Fascinating History of Fordlandia, Henry Ford’s Abandoned City
Henry Ford was called the man with the Midas touch, but he was also a human. His biggest mistake was Fordlândia, a rubber plantation-based American town in the heart of the Brazilian rainforest.
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The Sounds of Hell: Cold War Secret or Urban Legend?
According to various Christian and Jewish traditions, Hell refers to the underworld, where the dead are gathered and made to pay the penalty for their crimes committed during their lifetimes. In other words, it is a dark place of evil, despair, and alienation. But does it exist?
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Was Agatha Christie's 11-Day Disappearance Due to "Fugue State"?
In 1926, legendary author Agatha Christie went missing for 11 days, triggering one of the largest police manhunts in Britain's history. BBC historian Lucy Worsley believed Christie might have entered a “fugue state.”
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Paul Amadeus Dienach: The Man Who Traveled to the Year 3906
Paul Dienach was a Swiss-Austrian teacher living in Geneva in 1921. After suffering a coma induced by lethargic encephalitis, he claimed to have traveled to 3906 AD.
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4 Ways to Manage Workplace Politics No Matter Where You Work
You cannot avoid workplace politics. It is unpleasant, can get messy, and drains your productivity. That said, politics is an integral part of life for all human beings, and we need to manage it, circumvent it, and come out as a winner. This article discusses some ways to do so.
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The Fascinating Secrets of the Ottoman Imperial Harem
The harem of a Sultan performed multiple functions, and the women who lived there had significant power and influence. A period in the Empire known as the “Reign of Women” saw harem women playing powerful roles within the Ottoman Empire, leading them to extraordinary powers never seen before.
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Lady Frances Garnett Orme: Murdered Spiritualist and Agatha Christie's Muse
In 1911, British spiritualist Lady Frances Garnett-Orme was found dead at the Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, India. Her unsolved murder inspired Agatha Christie to write her debut blockbuster novel, "The Mysterious Affair at Styles."
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How to Get Out of a Toxic Relationship
People often assume that any relationship that involves physical and mental harassment is a toxic one. While the assumption is not wrong, most toxic relationships are subtler and involve almost no physical abuse. This article discusses steps to end a toxic relationship once and for all.
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The Mysterious Medieval Mystery of the “Exploding” Moon
On a balmy evening in 1178, five monks of Christ Church in Canterbury saw the Moon explode into flames with a flaming torch spewing out dust and fire from the Moon's center. Was it an illusion or a rare astronomical event? This mystery has baffled astronomers and scientists for more than 800 years.
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5 Ways to Stop Your Best Employees From Quitting
Resignations represent one of the most emotional, stressful, and challenging situations managers face. But the good news is that every manager has the power to identify the potential reasons beforehand and address the concerns before an employee quits. This article discusses some ways to do so.
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The Mysterious Disappearance of the Ancient Indus River Valley Civilization
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was one of the world’s oldest cultures. It suddenly disappeared or was abandoned without any valid reason around 1800 BCE. Archaeologists are still grappling to find the answers.
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3 Ways to Keep Conversations Alive in a Relationship
Very often, partners do not bother to strike up an honest conversation despite being together for a long time. And the resentment that keeps on building up due to this issue explodes one day into a bitter breakup. This article discusses some ways to keep conversations alive in a relationship.
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3 Ways to Bounce Back After Getting Laid Off
Layoffs in the corporate world have become commonplace, but they have not become any easier to deal with. During such an event, you must ensure your disappointment does not become a full-blown depression case. This article discusses practical ways to bounce back after a devastating layoff.
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Violet Jessop: The ‘Unsinkable’ Woman Who Survived Three Shipwrecks
Violet Jessop is the only known woman in the world to have survived all three major shipping disasters of the "Titanic," the "Britannic, and the Olympic Ocean Liners. Violet's unique experiences earned her the nickname of "Miss Unsinkable.” She was also sometimes called the "Queen of sinking ships."
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State School 4: The Secret Soviet School for Sex Spies
Sexpionage is defined as using sexual activity, romance, and intimacy to conduct espionage activities. At the peak of the cold war era, the Soviet Union created a specialist training school, "State School 4" for women agents called sparrows trained to seduce their targets with sexpionage.
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3 Must-Follow Rules to Get Your Ex Back
One aspect of a breakup (which is still frowned upon by many) is that you can still get back together with your ex. Yes, it happens, and nothing is shocking about it. After all, we are human beings and have a bucket of emotions. This article discusses some must-follow rules to get your ex back.
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Truffles: The Most Expensive Fungi in the World
The truffle is a fungus that has captivated people for over four thousand years and is always reserved for special occasions. These pearls of the earth have always been associated with mystery, myths, and superstitions that continue to attract generation after generation towards it.
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How to Make Any Design Empathetic
Empathetic design is a user-centered approach focusing on the user's feelings toward a product. The most valuable skill for designers to develop is the ability to put themselves into another person's shoes and to see the world from their point of view. This article talks about ways to use empathy.
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4 Ways to Comfort a Dying Partner
Few things in life are as complicated as saying goodbye to a dying loved one. Most people do not know what to say to a dying person, and there is a moral conundrum about the kind of conversation to have with them. This article talks about some ways to comfort a dying partner.
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Nikola Tesla vs. Thomas Edison: The Notorious War of Currents
Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison are legends of science whose inventions changed history. The master innovators were also embroiled in the notorious "war of currents."
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Pirate Levasseur's Cryptogram and Billion-Dollar Treasure
In 1730, pirate Olivier Levasseur, nicknamed La Buse, taunted spectators at his hanging with a cryptogram containing the location of a tremendous treasure that has yet to be found.
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11 Strong Signs Your Partner Is Going to Break Up With You
Breakups are never instantaneous, acrimonious affairs. Instead, they are a culmination of minute arguments and subtle signs of displeasure leading to irreparable damage to any relationship. This article discusses the minute red flags we must watch out for to prevent breakups.
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Amelia Dyer: Victorian Nurse and Baby Farmer
Amelia Elizabeth Dyer was a brutal Victorian-era nurse who killed more than 300 babies in 19th-century England. Her horrific crimes led to one of the most sensational trials of the period, abolishing the shocking Victorian practice of "baby farming."
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Greek Fire: The Secret Weapon That Saved the Byzantine Empire
Greek Fire was a devastating weapon used by the Byzantine Empire to defend against their enemies. It was one of the most terrifying weapons ever made. But its secret ingredients and the technology used to create the weapon have eluded the best minds since the 10th century.
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3 Ways to Deal With Physical Insecurities in a Relationship
Bodily insecurities are common, and no one is immune from them. The shame stemming from these insecurities results in unwanted relationship disruptions and prevents couples from focusing on good things in life. This article talks about some ways to overcome physical insecurities in relationships.
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11 Best Things to Do in Delhi in 48 Hours
Delhi boasts a 2000-year-old history replete with stories, food, gardens, museums, and markets. It couldn't be covered in a lifetime, but if you are short on time, this itinerary will let you explore this incredible city in just 48 hours.
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The Mysterious Women of the Oseberg Viking Burial Ship
In 1903, a perfectly preserved Viking burial ship was found near Tønsberg in Norway. The vessel contained the bones of two women who were given a royal Viking ship burial complete with tapestries, clothes, and gold objects. Who were these women who were prominent in the patriarchal Viking age?
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5 Effective Ways to Fix a Broken Relationship
Breakups are challenging for most people. For some, it is one of the most traumatic experiences a person can go through, and for others, it can be a once-in-a-blue-moon chance to start again on a clean slate. But one aspect of a breakup is that you can still fix it. Here are some ways to do it.
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The Fascinating Story of a Man Called Problem
A limerick poem inspired by Brenda Arledge's week-62 prompt, "Problem."
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Lady Juliana: The Notorious All-Women Prisoner Ship
Lady Juliana was a prisoner ship filled with women sent to Australia in 1789 by the British. The objective was to improve the moral culture, but things took an unexpected turn.
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Emilie Sagee and the Case of Her Ghostly Doppelgänger
Emilie Sagee was said to have a doppelgänger, a ghostly twin who would accompany her everywhere and make herself visible to others at random, scaring the people around her.
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5 Programming Tips to Write Clean and Better Code
Writing clean code is like investing time, money, and effort into the foundation of a building to make it sturdy. When the storm comes, that building will endure while those that did not place a high priority into the foundation crumble away. This article gives some tips for writing clean code.
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The Mystery of the Great Los Angeles Air Raid of 1942
On February 25, 1942, the unsuspecting people of Los Angeles woke up to sirens and anti-aircraft guns. Today, the apparent "air attack" still remains a mystery.
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3 Ways to Cope With Being Ghosted in a Serious Relationship
When a relationship suddenly vanishes in thin air, it can be crushingly hurtful, and you must be strong enough to deal with it. This article discusses ways to cope and return to life after being ghosted abruptly.
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John Young: He Smuggled a “$30 Million Sandwich” Into Space
The astronaut John Young is best remembered for his sneaky act of smuggling a corned beef sandwich into space. The incident sparked a review by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, in which one member of Congress even called it a “$30 million sandwich.”
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How to Destroy Your Business in 8 Simple Steps
This short story is inspired by a crazy billionaire who dreams of transforming the world for the worse. Needless to say, the company being destroyed here is an iconic tech company.
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Fallen Astronaut: The Secret Sculpture on the Moon
The astronauts of Apollo 15 placed a small aluminum sculpture named "Fallen Astronaut" to commemorate all those astronauts and cosmonauts who died in terrible circumstances during the space race in the Cold War era. Although the intention was noble, the act created a mini-controversy of sorts.
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The Profumo Affair: The Scandal That Shocked Cold War Britain
It is rightly said that the Profumo affair was the greatest political and intelligence scandal of Cold War Britain. The scandal had such huge ramifications that it resulted in the dismissal of the Conservative Party government of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and sullied the British image.
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Madhuri Gupta: The Spy Who Fell in Love
The story of Madhuri Gupta, the Indian diplomat who became a spy for Pakistan. She was arrested in 2010, charged under the Official Secrets Act, and convicted in May 2018 for supplying classified information to a Pakistani official. She was sentenced to three years in prison.
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Amarjeet Sada: The World’s Youngest Serial Killer
Amarjeet Sada was just seven years old when he committed his first murder in India. A year later, he was finally arrested and had the dubious distinction of being the world's youngest serial killer. Who is this child and what caused him to commit such unthinkable acts at such a young age?
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The Nuclear Mystery of Nanda Devi Mountain
Lost in the Nanda Devi Mountain in the Himalayas is a nuclear-powered spying device planted by the CIA in the 1960s for Operation HAT. The device is believed to be active and may cause a radioactive disaster anytime in India.
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18 Mistakes to Avoid as a First-Time Manager
A team can only succeed if the manager is competent enough to ensure that they work harmoniously towards a common goal. And if that does not happen, even a team of superstars can be transformed into super-duds. This article discusses some common mistakes of first-time managers and how to avoid them.
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John Babbacombe Lee: The Man They Couldn't Hang
John Babbacombe Lee was sentenced to hang at Exeter Prison and has the dubious distinction of being the only man in history to have survived three hanging attempts. Lee's "almost death" has been a matter of speculation for nearly 150 years.
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Kazimierz Piechowski, the Man Who Escaped From Auschwitz in a Stolen Nazi Car
Kazimierz Piechowski was a Polish Jew who impersonated an SS guard and stole the commandant's car to escape from the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. It was one of the most daring escapes of World War II. His daring escape also led the Nazis to create the infamous Auschwitz prison tattoos.
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The Secret Lives of Women Inside a Mughal Emperor’s Harem
The Mughal harem was a complex amalgamation of women from different regions, religions, and diverse cultures and languages but all staying under a single roof.
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Gavit Sisters: Serial Killer Siblings of India
In just six years, Renuka Shinde and Seema Gavit were catapulted to infamy by kidnapping dozens of children and discarding them after they had fulfilled their purposes. Most of them were beaten to death, thrown down a flight of stairs, or drowned in lakes around Maharashtra, India.
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Juliane Koepcke, the Girl Who Survived a 10,000 Feet Fall
Some real-life stories are so unbelievable that they become more like legends. One such story is of Juliane. Juliane Koepcke, a 17-year-old teenager, survived ten days alone in the Amazon rainforest after falling more than 10,000 feet during a plane crash.
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Glamis Castle: The Most Haunted Place in Scotland
Reputed to be one of the spookiest castles in Scotland, the famous Glamis castle supposedly hides many dark family secrets for over 200 years. And perhaps the most horrifying story was about a "secret" room within the castle that was used to imprison a hideous monster.
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Yakhchāl: An Ancient Persian Way to Make Ice in the Desert
2400 years ago, ancient Persian engineers created the Yakhchāl, an innovative cold storage technology that allowed people to store ice in the middle of the burning desert.
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The Mysterious Cabin of Hy-Brasil
This story is about an incredible, mysterious weekend getaway at the unlikeliest of places. This short fictional story is inspired by Brenda Arledge's week 61 Prompt, "Mystery."
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Ann Hodges, History’s Only Known Meteorite Victim
Ann Hodges was probably the only person in history to be hit by a meteorite in her Alabama home in 1954.
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The Burari Deaths: The Mystery of the Chundawat Family
In 2018, the entire Chundawat family was found blindfolded and dead in their house in Burari, Delhi, India. The baffling case of the Burari deaths shocked an entire nation, and answering why 11 people died in Delhi has not been easy.
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4 Easy Ways to Start Coding for Beginner Programmers
Learning to code is about developing a knack for identifying the right code to learn from, the right code to copy-paste, the right code to modify, and asking the right questions in Google or to mentors. This article talks about some ways to teach yourself to code.
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Dollar Princesses: American Girls Who Were Sold Into Royalty
In the 1870s, America's nouveau-riche sent their daughters to Europe to marry into royalty and titles, accompanied by some of the most lavish dowries in history.
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The Scandal That Almost Destroyed Marie Curie
The brilliant scientist and chemist Marie Curie almost lost her Nobel prize for chemistry due to a sex scandal that blew out of proportion.
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Madhumala Chattopadhyay, the Woman Who Survived the World's Most Dangerous Tribe
Anthropologist Madhumala Chattopadhyay is the only woman in the world to contact the Sentinelese, one of the most isolated and dangerous tribes. Inhabiting the North Sentinel Island, one of the Andaman Islands in India. The Sentinelese have remained unchanged for more than ten thousand years.
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The Murder of Grigori Rasputin: The Man Who Wouldn’t Die
It took many doses of cyanide, two gunshots, horrible mutilation, and finally drowning to murder the Mad Monk, Grigori Rasputin. But even with all this grisliness, 100 years later, Rasputin's death remains mysterious.
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Katherine Johnson: Female Mathematician of Apollo 11
Who did Katherine Johnson help send to the moon? Read the incredible story of the NASA mathematician who put the first men on the moon's surface.
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Emanuela Orlandi: What Happened to the Vatican Girl?
Fifteen-year-old Emanuela Orlandi attended a music lesson in Rome on June 22, 1983, after leaving her family's Vatican City apartment. Then she disappeared into thin air. Forty years later, no one knows what happened to her that day.
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A New Beginning to Our Relationship
A mysterious package deposited by a drone triggered a wild goose run across the city, ultimately culminating in a surprise ending. This short story is inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week 60 prompt, “beginning”.
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Thathri Kutty, the Fearless Woman Who Destroyed a Misogynistic Caste-Based Ritual
Thathri Kutty was the first woman to raise her voice against the patriarchy that dominated the state of Kerala, India, in the 19th century. She not only managed to get 65 influential men punished for their crimes, but her bold actions also led to drastic reforms, finally ending a misogynist system.
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Witch of Buchenwald: Ilse Koch, the Most Evil Nazi Guard of WWII
Ilse Koch, known as the "Witch of Buchenwald," was one of the most vile women of the Holocaust. She ruled sadistically over the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald, where more than 50,000 Jews, Poles, and gypsies were murdered.
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Duško Popov, the Playboy Serbian Spy Who Inspired James Bond
Duško Popov was the real-life Serbian World War II spy who inspired Ian Fleming's flamboyant James Bond. With the codename ‘Tricycle,' he received crucial information and passed it on to the British, which directly led to the D-Day landings, a turning point in the war.
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Ada, the Inuk Woman Who Survived a Desolate Arctic Island
In 1921, 23-year-old Ada Blackjack embarked on an expedition to the frosty Wrangel Island with four white men. Only Ada made it home after surviving two lonely years in the Arctic.
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5 Commandments for Writing Good Code
The journey toward writing good code starts with brevity. Write less, and whatever you have written, use that to improve on the other vital dimensions of speed and reliability. This article talks about the five crucial commandments for writing good code.
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The Shocking Massacre of the Nepalese Royal Family
On June 1, 2001, 10 members of the Nepalese royal family were massacred in cold blood within the residence of their monarchy. Who was responsible for the assassination of King Birendra and his family?
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Amjad Khan, the Most Hated Villain of Indian Cinema
If there is one Bollywood villain who has been both loved and hated with feverish intensity by generations of Indians, it's the legendary Amjad Khan. He enjoyed iconic popularity, and his best role was as the dreaded, foul-mouthed dacoit Gabbar Singh in the blockbuster "Sholay" (1975).
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5 Ways to Write Bug-Free Code
Although writing 100% bug-free code is impossible, we can still write bug-free code by writing software with acceptable quality, developed within the given cost and time. This article talks about some simple ways that can be used effectively by developers to reduce bugs in applications.
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"Blonde Poison": The Jew Who Lured 3,000 Jews to Their Deaths
Learn about the story of Stella Goldschlag, also known as "the blond poison," who betrayed countless Jews to the Gestapo, leading to their deaths.
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Ossip Bernstein, the Chess Master Who Played to Save His Life
Ossip Bernstein, the chess master, was saved from death thanks to his chess skills.
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Voltaire, Amazing Philosopher and Lottery Scammer
Not many know that Voltaire, despite being a dreamy philosopher, loved money. It is this pursuit of getting rich fast that led him to figure out a way to rig the French national lottery to the tune of 7.5 million francs, a haul worth tens of millions of dollars in today’s currency.
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Madhubala, the Venus Beauty With a Tragic Life
Known as the “beauty with tragedy” and “the Venus queen of Indian cinema,” Madhubala’s real life was just like her stupendous blockbusters in reel-life- success, fame, immense hardship, love, and relentless heartbreaks that continued till the end of her life.
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The Fascinating History of Kuldhara Village
Do you believe in curses? If you do, then the eerie village of Kuldhara might be just down your lane. Abandoned over 200 years ago, it is believed to be cursed by former residents, and it has been barren and uninhabited since.
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SS "Baychimo": Unsinkable Ghost Ship of the Arctic
Cargo steamer SS "Baychimo" drifted away from her crew in 1931 and wandered the ocean as a ghost ship for over 40 years. Has she been found?
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Tuskegee Syphilis Study, the Most Notorious Medical Experiment in American History
At Tuskegee, the U.S. government experimented on black men with syphilis for 40 years. No consent was ever obtained from the men, and they were never told that they were not being treated but being watched until they died and their bodies could be examined to study the disease further.
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3 Disadvantages of Using Artificial Intelligence to Reduce Employee Attrition
IBM has created an AI system predicting which workers are about to quit. Called the “predictive attrition program,” the software can predict employee flight risk, thus helping organizations take corrective actions. The big question is, can AI really help in reducing employee attrition?
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The Haunting Mystery of the Lost Cosmonauts of the Soviet Union
Did the Soviets leave dead cosmonauts in space? Was Yuri Gagarin really the first man in space? Or has someone else made it before him? The story of the lost cosmonauts is still one of the most discussed conspiracies arising out of the grim dog-eats-dog realities of the Cold War era.
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Anatoli Bugorsky, the Scientist Who Survived High-Energy Radiation
Anatoli Bugorski is the only known person to have survived an intense proton beam passing through his head. Bugorski not only survived the accident, but his intellect also remained intact as he later went ahead and completed his doctorate with flying colors.
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11 Everyday English Idioms With Surprisingly Dark Origins
Many of us use numerous common English idioms without even thinking much about the history behind them. Most of these idioms are based on dark events rooted in slavery to bloodshed. This article helps you understand some of these idioms' fascinating (and sometimes dark) origins.
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A Mother’s Fight for her Son
The story is of a surrogate mother who fought for her child against a powerful, well-connected celebrity and finally wins against all odds. This story is inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week-59-word prompt "purpose."
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The Dark History of Thanksgiving Day
While modern Thanksgiving has been sanitized into a celebration of people coming together, the reality was far darker. The fact is, it was not peace that brought the Native Americans and the settlers together at the table.
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Sanjeev Kumar, the Superstar of the Common Man
Sanjeev Kumar was one of the greatest actors to have graced the silver screen. With over 100 iconic movies in a short life of 47 years, the actor-par-excellence memorable performances remain unparalleled in the annals of world cinema.
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How Do Cultural Differences Impact Design?
Culture is important and cross-cultural design indisputably presents complex challenges. Designers often make the mistake of assuming cross-cultural designs to be cosmetic and that they will not affect the product's success.
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The Mysterious Legend of Prester John
Presbyter Johannes, or Prestor John, was a rumored ruler of a mysterious Asian or African country who would join European Christians in the Crusades. Did he really exist?
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The Mysterious Death of the Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri
The death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, still raises questions today. As per official records, he passed away due to cardiac arrest in Tashkent in 1966. But the circumstances surrounding the death were suspicious and have never been fully explained.
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5 Soft Skills to Be Successful in Software Development
Software development is a team sport where a group of people must work together, support each other, and move towards a single goal. That is why all developers need soft skills to realize their full potential. This article talks about the essential soft skills required to be successful.
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5 Benefits of Being an Underdog
The key to being successful at anything is to be an underdog. Yes, despite the negativity associated with the word ‘underdog’, there is something special about being an underdog. This article talks about cultivating the hungry underdog mindset to succeed in anything we do.
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The Unsolved World War II Mystery of Yamashita’s Gold
A real-life high-octane mystery of World War II involving tons and tons of gold, a secretive Japanese General, an elusive royal family, a locksmith, and a bloodthirsty Philippine dictator, still unsolved for the past 75 years.
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5 Good Programming Habits to Be a Better Designer
We get annoyed with developers mostly because we need to understand their world. The same goes for developers who need to understand design. This article talks about some good programming habits that designers can learn from developers to get the best out of both worlds.
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The Disturbing Prophecies of the English Witch Mother Shipton
Mother Shipton, 16th century English soothsayer, prophetess, and witch, made several uncannily accurate predictions like the Great Plague of London, the American Civil War, the Great Fire of London—and even the COVID-19 epidemic.
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How to Work with Generation Z in a Tech (Sweat) Shop
A short story inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week 58 prompt, "Generation."
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3 Ways to Give Great Design Feedback
Good designers have opinions. So, if somebody comes up with a design idea (good or bad), they have a strong opinion about it. If it is good, they will go and implement it. They will also tell them why it is awful if it is terrible. This article talks about various ways to give great design feedback
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Smita Patil, the Amazing Actress of Indian Parallel Cinema
The undisputed queen of the parallel art cinema movement from the 1970s, Smita Patil, portrayed some of the boldest, bravest, and feistiest female protagonists, thus leaving an indelible stamp of excellence within the annals of world cinema.
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A Review of the Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand, India
With magnificent Hills, Lush green forests, and the serene Ganges flowing majestically in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Taj Rishikesh Resort is an island of tranquillity nested in the lap of luxury.This unique resort is perfect for the adventure traveler and others seeking tranquil relaxation
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Venice of the Pacific: The Ancient Lost City of Nan Madol
The only ancient city ever built on a coral reef, Nan Madol is a complex marvel of engineering. Who could have built it—and how?
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Mirabai, the Most Famous Musician of India
Sixteenth-century princess, songstress, composer, poetess, and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, Mirabai lived an exemplary holy life and became one of the greatest female saints and musicians of India.
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How To Save Money for a Big Purchase
It can be overwhelming to think about the amount of money you’ll need for a big expense, like paying for a wedding or making a down payment on your first home. But take heart!! It is pretty much doable. This article gives you some ideas to go about it.
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India's Bermuda Triangle for Birds
Jatinga is a small village in the Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. It is known for the bizarre natural phenomenon of bird "suicides." Ornithologists call it the avian Bermuda Triangle.
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D'Souza Chawl, the Most Haunted Place in Mumbai
Not many know with its beautiful seashores, quaint alleys, and diverse culture. Mumbai is also famous for its haunted destinations. Yes, the ‘City of Dreams’ is home to some of the most haunted places on earth, and the D’Souza Chawl is at the top of the list.
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The Tragic Life of Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was a successful actress, fashionista, and feminist in the '70s and '80s until a tragic diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.
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A Season for Forgiving
A short story inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week-56 word prompt "Seasons."
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5 Ancient or Haunted Churches in India You Must Visit Once
From magical temples to bone-chilling experiences of the unknown, there is no shortage of splendorous structures across India with fascinating stories. However, the most unexplored are the churches across India.
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5 Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in Software Development
AI will help programmers to redefine workload by taking over tedious, repetitive tasks so that programmers can focus on building something great. This article talks about how programmers can use AI and become more efficient.
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The Tragic Life of Guru Dutt
Guru Dutt's real life was just as tragic as the characters he created. An outstanding director, iconic actor, and visionary producer, he was far ahead of his time.
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The Tragic Life of Silk Smitha
Silk Smitha, called the "Queen of Sensuality," was a movie star who ruled South Indian cinema during the 1980s.
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Phryne: The Hottest Woman of Ancient Greece
Phryne was the most successful and sought-after courtesan in ancient Greece. Her beauty was the subject of inspiration for many famous Greek writers, including Athenaeus, who elevated her to the status of a goddess in his work Deipnosophists.
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The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Technopreneurs
The best companies are usually not started by people who want to 'be an entrepreneur.' They are started by people who are knowledgeable and passionate about a specific problem and are driven to solve it. The article talks about the habits of these successful technopreneurs.
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The 3 Golden Rules of Clean Web Design
The key to great design is not to “strip” something down just to make it simple, but to make sure it’s easy to figure out with as few distractions as possible. Thus, good design is clear but not necessarily simple. This article talks about some rules of clear design.
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The Mysterious Story of the Hungry Beggar
A short story inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week 56 prompt “Hunger”
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3 Strategies to Cope With a Job You Dislike (but Can’t Leave – Yet)
Quitting is not always that simple. Sometimes we have to live with our job and learn to love it in the best way possible. This article tells you how to do so.
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The Stranger Who Saved My Family That Day
They say that kindness never goes out of fashion. This is a first-hand personal account of my cousin who braved all odds to become a successful software programmer at a late age in life. The names have been changed to protect the identity.
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How to Make Love Last Forever in Any Relationship
According to the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, friendship is the highest form of love and is an essential ingredient to succeed in love. This article talks about some secrets advocated by the philosopher to make any relationship last forever.
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4 Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in Schools
AI today is helping teachers in creating a series of smart content programs and intelligent tutoring systems that help students learn new things in a better way. AI can also track student performances helping a student realize his/her maximum potential.
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5 Ways to Manage a Romantic Relationship at Work
Marrying work and love (and maybe marrying your co-worker) might sound like an ideal situation. Still, navigating intertwining schedules and office hierarchies present their own pitfalls that need to be managed carefully.
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4 Benefits of Using Artificial Intelligence in Online Dating
In today’s world, the prospect of AI algorithms finding your perfect date by compiling enormous amounts of data – from age, gender, location, and sexual preferences, to online purchasing history and even Spotify playlists – has become very real.
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Franca Viola: Fearless Woman Who Refused to Marry Her Rapist
In 1966, Franca Viola refused to marry her rapist, Filippo Melodia, and battled him in court. Her resistance changed Italy and became a rallying cry and other women still follow suit today.
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The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Designers
At its core, design is all about people. That is the very reason that designers need to play a balancing act between the four pillars of logic, cognitive science, creativity, and empathy. This article talks about some great habits of successful designers.
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The Sweet Nothings of Inanimate Objects
What will happen if inanimate objects like tables, chairs, lamps, beds, etc., start gossiping sweet-nothings about humans? Would life be the same again? This prose poem is by inspired Brenda Arledge’s week 55 prompt “Nothing."
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How I Used Block Modification to Reduce Stuttering
Stammering is not simply a speech difficulty. It is a serious communication problem. It can undermine a person’s self-esteem, affect their interactions with others, impede their education and seriously hamper their employment potential.
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3 Modern Indian Thriller Movies to Watch at Least Once
A good thriller movie should make you uneasy and that uneasiness should continue to bother you right until the very end. It should be simple in the plot as viewers have not come to solve puzzles. And lastly, it should be unique and unrepeatable.
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The Unsolved Ancient Mystery of the Star of Bethlehem
The Star of Bethlehem is first mentioned in the Book of Matthew. The gospel talks about a bright star that appeared in the eastern sky when Jesus was born, famously seen by a group of wise men called the "Magi. “But did the Star really exist? Or was it just pious fiction invented by St. Matthew?
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5 Zen Principles for Minimalist Design
The roots of minimalistic design can be found in the traditional Japanese Zen values of balance and simplicity. This article talks about the age-old Zen principles of creating good design.
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Al-Khansaa Brigade: The Most Brutal Women Police in History
The Al-Khansaa Brigade was an all-women police or religious enforcement unit of the Islamic Caliphate (ISIL) that tortured women who did not follow their ideology.
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7 Amazing Design Lessons From Leonardo da Vinci
Over 500 years ago, a man disrupted the world with his radical designs. He was an artist, philosopher, scientist, writer, poet, and doctor par excellence. It is hard not to get awed by the superlative genius of Leonardo da Vinci, whose design principles are still relevant in the 21st century.
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The Fascinating History of Mansa Musa and Ancient Timbuktu
Mansa Musa was the king of the Mali empire. In his reign, Mali became an African powerhouse and included the countries of Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Ivory Coast. Africa's legendary, fabled gold city under Mansa was his capital, Timbuktu.
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Guns, Bombs & Roses: A Love Story
It is said that love can happen in the unlikeliest of places. But can it blossom during a terrorist attack? Read on to know more about two resilient lovers who united under rather terrifying conditions of bloodshed, mayhem, and fear.
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The ABC of My Life
This poem is written in response to a challenge issued by dear friend Pamela Oglesby to use the alphabets A-Z to write something about ourselves. It was not easy, and I hope I did justice to the challenge.
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Shivkar Talpade, the Forgotten Indian Who Actually Invented the First Aircraft
Shivkar Talpade, an Indian, flew the first airplane in 1895, eight years before the Wright Brothers
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Wardenclyffe Tower: Tesla's Mysterious Project
The Wardenclyffe Tower was a bold attempt by Nikola Tesla to generate wireless electricity.
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The Fascinating History of Ancient Paphos, Cyprus
Paphos, a city in Cyprus, was the birthplace of the Greek goddess of sex and love, Aphrodite. The city was known as the sex capital of the ancient world.
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1 Simple Way to Live a More Productive and Happy Life
This is a personal story of how I changed myself for the better to live a more productive and happy life. The story talks about the importance of puttering and how it can be leveraged to make ourselves more productive. This article is inspired by Brenda Arledge’s week 54 prompt “Happy”.
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The Fascinating Mystery of Fenn’s Treasure
An antiquities collector Forrest Fenn hid a bronze chest full of gold, jewels, and other valuables more than a decade ago in the Rocky Mountains, creating a treasure hunt for people to find it.
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The Mythical Lost Continent of Kumari Kandam
Did the sunken continent of Kumari Kandam really exist south of the Indian subcontinent, or is it just another myth?
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The Fascinating History of India’s Forgotten African Tribe
The Siddis, a tribe of East African descent have been living in the heart of India in near-total obscurity for centuries.
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The Amazing Survival Story of Charles Joughin
When the Titanic sank on the 15th of April, 1912, the last person to jump from the ship was Charles Joughin, the chief baker who was stone drunk at that time. Miraculously he survived the icy waters and lived long to tell his incredible tale.
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The First Day of the Season
A collection of haikus and tankas inspired by dear hubber Brenda Arledge's week 53-word prompt "First"
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Sake Dean Mohamed, the Royal Shampooer of Britain
Sake Dean Mohamed was the first Indian entrepreneur who propagated the ancient practice of shampooing from the Indian mainland to all over the West.
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The Tragic Life of Judy Garland
Despite enjoying stupendous success and fame since the age of 14, Hollywood icon Judy Garland's life was far from a fairy tale. She led a tragic life of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and those scars remained until her death.
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Niihau: The Only Forbidden Island in Hawaii
The state of Hawaii has a historic restricted area: the small, 70-square-mile island of Niihau, also known as the ‘Forbidden Island.’
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Elagabalus: The Craziest Roman Emperor in History
The notorious excesses of the Roman Emperor Heliogabalus were too much, even by Roman standards. The Senate declared him insane and an enemy of the state. He was caught hiding in his palace, murdered, and his naked corpse was thrown in the Tiber river.
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Nauru: The Fascinating History of the World’s Least Visited Country
Thanks to its phosphate reserves, the tiny island nation of Nauru rose meteorically to become the richest country in the world in the 1980s. Then phosphate reserves started depleting, and with it started its equally spectacular downfall.
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Krav Maga,the World's Deadliest Martial Art
Krav Maga, a fighting form invented in Israel is the world’s most effective and dangerous form of combat.
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The Dark Secrets of India’s Richest Temple
It is said that the dangerous Vault B—situated inside the famed Padmanabhaswamy Temple in the state of Kerala in India—is protected by a powerful ancient curse. Whoever tries to open it forcefully could unleash a terrible catastrophe upon mankind.
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The Ancient Chinese Sword That Is Still Razor Sharp After 2,500 Years
The Sword of Goujian is a state treasure in China today with some scholars even calling it as the legendary King Arthur's Excalibur of the east.
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5 Writing Lessons From the Legendary Joseph Sugarman
Joe Sugarman was a master in harnessing the power of curiosity by creating engaging content that the readers would want to read repeatedly. He gives valuable writing lessons that can help us to master the art of keeping the readers glued to our content.
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My 7 Hats as a Software Developer at Work
A personal series of haikus inspired by Brenda Arledge's Word Prompts Help Creativity ~ Week 52 - "Adapt."
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The Fascinating Mystery of Delhi’s Ancient Iron Pillar
The Iron Pillar of Delhi has never rusted in the past 1600 years Yes, some people believe that phosphorus was added while making the pillar, so it does not rust. But then phosphorus was only discovered in 1669 by Hamburg merchant Henning Brand, while the pillar was built about 1200 years before that
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Eyam: the Brave Medieval Village That Stopped the Plague
The true story of the English plague village of Eyam whose people quarantined themselves and saved thousands of lives.
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Operation Long Jump: Hitler’s Plan to Kill Stalin, Churchill, and Roosevelt
Operation Long Jump or Unternehmen Weitsprung was an audacious German plan to assassinate Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt, the "Big Three" Allied leaders, at the 1943 Tehran Conference during World War II.
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Mata Hari, the Greatest Spy Who Wasn’t a Spy
Was she a spy or a scapegoat?
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The Fascinating Mystery of the Versailles Time-Travel Incident
Two respectable academics, Charlotte Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain, claimed to have seen Marie Antoinette in 1901, more than 100 years after her death.
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The Man Who Survived Two Nuclear Bombs
Tsutomu Yamaguchi was the only officially recognized person to have survived both blasts. And he had the unique distinction of not only enduring the horror of both blasts but also surviving later to tell his tale twice!
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How To Rise Above A Hard Time
A series of haikus inspired by Brenda Arledge's Word Prompts Help Creativity ~ Week 51 - 'Chance'
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The Terrible Last Hours of the Pompeii Residents
Dying in Pompeii under the Mount Vesuvius volcanic eruption was a horrifying experience.
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Simo Häyhä:The World’s Deadliest Sniper
Simo Häyhä also called “white death” is credited with more than 500 kills, all with his antiquated rifle. He has been called the deadliest sniper in history.
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Raman Raghav: Notorious Serial Killer of India
Raman Raghav, India's most horrifying serial killer, terrorized the country from 1965–1968. Here's the real story of the "Jack the Ripper of India."
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The Mystery of the Aztec Death Whistle
The whistling sounds would scare the daylights out of you but nobody knows their purpose yet.
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Noor Inayat Khan, Fearless British Spy: 3 Life Lessons
Indian princess-turned-spy Noor Inayat Khan's bravery teaches us important life lessons. Learn about them and more in this biographical article.
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Gladiatrices: The Female Gladiators of Ancient Rome
Female gladiators or ‘gladiatrices’ were every bit as bloody, infamous, and crazy as their male counterparts in ancient Rome.
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The Fearless Dutch Girls of World War II
The Incredible story of the teenage sisters Freddie and Truus Oversteegen and their friend Hannie Schaft who killed Nazi officers during the anti-Nazi Dutch armed resistance movement.
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The Fascinating Hoax of the Piltdown Man
Piltdown man, whose fossil fooled scholars for more than 40 years was one of the most notorious hoaxes in the history of science.
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The Dark Secrets of Oreo Cookies
Have you ever wondered what the patterns on Oreo cookies mean?