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Paramount Skydance Corporation Paramount Skydance Corporation (PSKY) is a U.S.–based media company known for producing action films, television series, and animated features. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company was formed in 2025 through an $8 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global. David... -
What is insurance underwriting? When you apply for a life insurance policy, you’re asked to share a lot of personal details about your health, your habits, and even your job. Insurers use that information to evaluate the risk of insuring you and to determine how much you’ll pay, a process called underwriting. The process of life... -
How to use an inflation calculator (and what it really measures) In July 2015, a book of Forever stamps cost $9.80. By 2025, it cost $14.60. A classic LEGO brick box that sold for $29.99 in 2015 goes for about $40 in 2025—same bricks, same packaging. The product didn’t get any bigger or better; the value of your dollars just shrank. That’s the erosive power of... -
small modular reactor Small modular reactor (SMR), any nuclear reactor designed to have a lower energy output and a relatively small physical footprint compared with those of a conventional nuclear reactor. SMRs are intended to be less expensive while also easier and faster to build than a typical nuclear plant. They... -
4B movement 4B movement, South Korean feminist activist movement and political stance defined by four deliberate refusals: bihon (“no marriage”), bichulsan (“no childbirth”), biyonae (“no dating”), bisekseu (“no sex [with men]”). These “four nos” constitute a radical rejection of the heteronormative,... -
Are All Dairy Cattle Female? No, not all dairy cattle are female, but only female cattle (cows) produce milk. Milk production is a sex-limited character—that is, while both male and female cattle carry genes that influence milk production, only females express the trait. Male cattle, or bulls, play a crucial role in breeding.... -
The Tuam babies of Ireland In 2014 a shocking news story emerged from western Ireland. Human remains, appearing to be those of infants and young children, had been found in a septic tank on the grounds of the former St. Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway. Soon, many grim facts about the Tuam mother and baby... -
Peter Navarro Peter Navarro is an American economist and a top trade adviser to U.S. Pres. Donald Trump. Navarro is one of Trump’s most hawkish economic aides and has advocated for a maximalist approach to imposing tariffs on U.S. trading partners. Peter Navarro’s father, Al Navarro, was a saxophone and clarinet... -
Virginia Giuffre Virginia Giuffre was an advocate for victims of sex trafficking and one of the principal accusers of Jeffrey Epstein. Giuffre said she worked as part of Epstein’s operation and was forced to sleep with him and other powerful men starting when she was 16. She later moved to Australia, sued Epstein... -
Stranger Things Stranger Things, a science-fiction horror television show that debuted on July 15, 2016, and instantly captured viewers’ imaginations. A Netflix original, it was created by identical twin brothers Matt and Ross Duffer (professionally known as the Duffer Brothers). With a plot involving supernatural... -
exposome Exposome, the complete set of environmental exposures throughout a person’s life, as well as how these exposures contribute and relate to disease and overall health. Both the concept and the term exposome were coined in 2005 by epidemiologist Christopher Wild; it may be a portmanteau of expose and...
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Radcliffe Line Radcliffe Line, international boundary drawn in 1947 to demarcate the borders between India and Pakistan following the partition of British-ruled India after the end of the British raj. The line was named for Cyril Radcliffe, a British lawyer who chaired the two boundary commissions—one for Punjab... -
knowledge distillation Knowledge distillation (KD), process in machine learning and deep learning for replicating the performance of a large model or set of models on a smaller model. The process is especially useful in the context of transferring learning techniques to smaller, more efficient models from large language... -
Are Cheetahs Cats or Dogs? Cheetahs are cats, not dogs. They belong to the family Felidae, which includes all cat species, from the domestic cat to large wild cats such as lions, tigers, and leopards. Cheetahs are specifically classified under the genus Acinonyx, making them distinct from other big cats but still firmly... -
What Is the Difference Between Iron and Steel? Iron and steel differ in their composition and properties. Iron (Fe) is a chemical element and the most abundant element in Earth’s core. It is found in various minerals and is extracted through smelting. Steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron and carbon, with the carbon content typically... -
calyx Calyx, the usually green outer whorl of a flower consisting of separate or fused sepals. The calyx serves primarily to protect the developing flower bud and, in some cases, to support the flower once it has bloomed. In some species, the calyx persists even when the fruit matures, as seen in... -
Soundgarden Soundgarden, American alternative rock group that was one of the forerunners of the grunge genre that came out of Seattle in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Grunge became especially popular with members of Generation X, who came of age during this time. The band was led by singer Chris Cornell,... -
Parliament of India Parliament of India, the supreme legislature of India. The Parliament consists of the president of India and two houses—an upper house called the Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, and a lower house called the Lok Sabha, or House of the People—making it bicameral in nature. The prime minister of... -
What Are the Differences Between Pythons and Boa Constrictors? The key differences between pythons and boa constrictors lie in their physical traits, geographical distribution, and reproductive methods. Both are large, muscular snakes, but pythons tend to be larger, with some species such as the reticulated python reaching lengths of up to 10 meters (33 feet).... -
Sonny Barger Sonny Barger was an American outlaw biker credited with turning the Hells Angels motorcycle club into a global brand. Barger, who came to the fore as a founding member of the Oakland, California, chapter of the Hells Angels, was a major figure in the American counterculture of the late 1960s and... -
Antiquities Act of 1906 Antiquities Act of 1906, U.S. law passed to protect important cultural, scientific, and natural resources on federal lands for the benefit of the American public. The act gives the U.S. president authority to designate national monuments on federal land or water resources that contain “historic...
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List of States of Mexico Mexico is divided into 32 federal entities, which include 31 states and the capital, Mexico City. Each of Mexico’s states has unique geographical and cultural characteristics. The northern region includes several states that are characterized by their proximity to the United States border and their... -
Ranveer Singh Ranveer Singh is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood, noted especially for his on-screen versatility and his spirited, energetic off-screen persona. Some of his standout performances have been in the films Lootera (2013; Robber), Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela (2013; “The Dance of... -
Abanindranath Tagore Abanindranath Tagore was a celebrated Indian artist who painted the iconic artwork Bharat Mata and spearheaded the Bengal School of Art movement. Tagore, a member of the prominent Bengali family to which poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore also belonged, is regarded as a foundational figure... -
The History of Mexico The History of Mexico, mural painted within a grand stairwell within the National Palace in Mexico City by Diego Rivera over a period of six years, from 1929 to 1935. Commissioned by the government of Mexico, it describes Mexico from the time before the arrival of Europeans, through conquest and... -
Women Picking Olives Women Picking Olives, one of at least 15 paintings of olive groves that Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh created in 1889 during his voluntary confinement in the asylum of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole in Saint Rémy in Provence and one of three versions depicting three women picking olives. Van Gogh was... -
The Rev. Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch The Rev. Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch, painting created in about 1795 by Scottish portraitist Sir Henry Raeburn that has become one of the best known and most iconic artworks in the National Galleries of Scotland. The painting, often called The Skating Minister, is a departure from... -
Ezra Klein Ezra Klein is a New York Times columnist, best-selling author, and host of the podcast The Ezra Klein Show. He is one of the most influential liberal commentators in American politics. Earlier in his career Klein cofounded and was editor in chief of the news site Vox. Klein grew up in a Jewish... -
Why Are Hit Movies Called Blockbusters? The answer is—oddly enough—likely connected to military technology and World War II. The term blockbuster was first used during that war to describe bombs that were capable of destroying a city block. The British Royal Air Force deployed them to devastating effect on German cities. However, the... -
S. Jaishankar S. Jaishankar is an Indian politician and member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who was appointed India’s external affairs minister in 2019. Prior to entering politics, Jaishankar had a distinguished diplomatic career, serving as India’s foreign secretary, the highest bureaucratic position in... -
Timeline of Anne Frank Annelies Marie Frank, better known as Anne Frank, was a German Jewish girl who hid in a building with her family for two years during the German occupation of the Netherlands. Her diary, written during those years, became a classic of war... -
List of the Costliest Hurricanes in the United States Hurricanes are the costliest of all weather and climate disasters in the United States, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They form in the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific oceans,... -
White House Rose Garden White House Rose Garden, garden outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C. It was planted by first lady Ellen Wilson in 1913, during the administration of U.S. Pres. Woodrow Wilson. The garden has since been used as a gathering space for momentous events, announcements, and... -
The Epstein Files: A Timeline The “Epstein files” is how the world has come to know the thousands of pages of documents related to two criminal investigations into sex trafficking by financier and friend to the rich, famous, and powerful Jeffrey Epstein. What’s in those files, who is named and in what context, and whether they... -
List of Unfinished Works On an autumn day in 1797, Samuel Taylor Coleridge began writing the poem “Kubla Khan,” which he claimed to have conceived during an opium-induced reverie. It was never to be finished—a visit from a “person on business from Porlock” (commonly shortened to “person from Porlock”; Porlock is a coastal... -
How Gen Z Speaks Low-key, goated, crash out. You’ve probably heard these terms tossed around online, in class, or at work, but what do they actually mean? If you’ve ever nodded along only to realize you’re not quite sure what was just said, you’re not alone. Members of Generation Z—those born roughly between the... -
Why Are Documents Classified? By one historian’s account, the U.S. government classifies three documents every second. Assuming you’re not a speed reader, that means roughly 18 documents were labeled “classified” in the time it took you to read that first sentence. So why does the U.S. government want to keep so many documents... -
Caddyshack Caddyshack, American comedy film about golf that is regarded as one of the funniest sports movies of all time. The amusing performances by its cast, including Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bill Murray, and its oft-quoted one-liners make it a pop-culture icon in the genre. Caddyshack was... -
Ghislaine Maxwell Ghislaine Maxwell is a former British and American socialite who was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking of underage girls for the American financier Jeffrey Epstein. According to prosecutors, Maxwell and her hired assistants enticed hundreds of girls to visit Epstein’s homes and nearby locations... -
What Are the Differences Between Anacondas and Boa Constrictors? Anacondas and boa constrictors differ in size, habitat, and hunting strategies. Anacondas, especially green anacondas, are among the largest snakes in the world, stretching up to 9 meters (about 30 feet) and weighing as much as 250 kg (about 550 pounds). Boa constrictors, by comparison, are... -
Are Pandas Endangered? Giant pandas, more commonly called pandas, are currently listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. After being classified as endangered for nearly three decades, their status was changed to “vulnerable” in 2016 by the IUCN. However, the threats they face have not been... -
hanging chad Hanging chad, a chad—the small piece of a paper produced in punching paper tape or cards—that has not completely detached. When paper ballots are used in elections, hanging chads may lead to voting discrepancies. Hanging chads played a major role in the United States presidential election of 2000,...
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Gautam Gambhir Gautam Gambhir is a former Indian international cricketer who featured prominently for the national and various franchise teams in a career that spanned most of the first two decades of the 21st century. He scored more than 10,000 international runs and played a key role in India’s 2007 Twenty20... -
Norfolk Southern Corporation Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) is a U.S. transportation holding company established in 1982 through the merger of Southern Railway Company and Norfolk and Western Railway Company. The company’s primary subsidiary, Norfolk Southern Railway, operates one of the largest freight networks in the... -
Independence Day Independence Day, in Pakistan, national holiday celebrated annually on August 14. Independence Day commemorates the end of British rule in 1947, brought about by the Indian Independence Act passed on July 18 that year, and the creation of the independent state of Pakistan as a homeland for Muslims... -
Thailand-Cambodia Conflict On July 24, 2025, heavy fighting broke out along the Thailand-Cambodia border, the most intense in over a decade. The Thailand-Cambodia conflict emerged from a long-running dispute over ownership of ancient temples and their surrounding land, particularly the temples of Preah Vihear and Ta Muen... -
How Big Is Venus? Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is quite similar to Earth in terms of size, mass, and density. In fact, Venus has been called Earth’s twin. Venus’s mean radius is 6,051.8 kilometers (3,760.4 miles), which is about 95 percent of Earth’s radius at the Equator. This makes Venus nearly as large... -
Aruna Asaf Ali Aruna Asaf Ali was a leader of the Indian Independence Movement and an educator who played a role in politics after India gained freedom from British rule. Known as the “Grand Old Lady” of the Indian Independence Movement, she participated in the Salt March, also known as Salt Satyagraha, in 1930...
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Thomas Sowell Thomas Sowell is an American economist and social commentator and also one of the leading intellectual figures of Black conservatism. A prolific writer, he has authored more than 40 books, and for many years he penned a nationally syndicated newspaper column. He studied under economist Milton...
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The U.K. Will Lower the Voting Age to 16 ProCon Debate: Should the U.S. Voting Age Be Lowered to 16? ProCon Issue in the News: The voting age across the United Kingdom (comprising England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland) will be uniformly lowered to 16 by the next general election (which must be called by August 2029). The voting... -
Winged Victory of Samothrace Winged Victory of Samothrace, celebrated marble sculpture representing Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, descending onto the prow of a ship. Dating to about 200–175 bce, the artwork is an example of Hellenistic sculpture and presents a dynamic sense of movement, a dramatic rendering of drapery,... -
How Does a Microwave Oven Work? A microwave oven uses microwave radiation to heat and cook food. At the heart of a microwave oven is a device known as a magnetron that produces the microwave radiation. The magnetron is a “crossed-field” device, meaning that it uses both magnetic and electric fields, which are oriented... -
kleptoparasitism Kleptoparasitism, feeding strategy in which one animal steals food or materials from another. Kleptoparasitism is found across many species, including mammals, birds, sea creatures, and insects. The practice can be intraspecific (stealing from the same species) or interspecific (between multiple... -
Pale ale Pale ale, collective designation for a genre of beers known for their copper or amber color, hoppy flavor, and bitterness. The term originated in 18th-century England to refer to top-fermented beers that were not dark. Until late in the 18th century, the default color of English beers (such as... -
Football The origins of football—of entertaining oneself and others by kicking and throwing about a ball-type object—likely predates recorded history. Football player, coach, and historian Parke H. Davis made this clear in Football, the American Intercollegiate Game (1911), where he traces the history of... -
C.R. Patterson and Sons C.R. Patterson and Sons, Black-owned and operated carriage, automobile, and bus manufacturing and repair company based in Greenfield, Ohio, from 1873 to 1939. The company is notable for having been the only automobile company in the United States, as of the early 21st century, to be entirely... -
Morinda citrifolia Morinda citrifolia, small evergreen tree of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) that is native to Australasia and Southeast Asia and naturalized throughout the Pacific region and the tropics. It is considered an important source of traditional medicine among Pacific cultures. The species is known by a... -
Collective Security Treaty Organization The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is a military alliance of six post-Soviet states: Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus. Established in 2002 for the purpose of collective defense, the CSTO offers protection to members from threats to their security,... -
Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism Published in 1983 by Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism is a book that explores the development and spread of nationalism, particularly focusing on the 18th and 19th centuries. It provides a theoretical framework for understanding...
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Sholay at 50: The Definitive Bollywood Film Was Almost a Flop In 1975 a watershed moment transformed Indian cinema forever. Sholay, widely regarded as Bollywood’s most iconic film, premiered on a Friday, as Indian films do. This, however, was not just any Friday—it was August 15, the anniversary of India’s independence from British rule in 1947. On the eve of... -
Ranbir Kapoor Ranbir Kapoor is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood films. Kapoor rose to fame with romantic comedies but eventually branched out to diverse genres. Some of his most notable films include Wake Up Sid (2009), Rockstar (2011), Barfi! (2012), Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013; “This Youth Is... -
Direct Action Day Direct Action Day, August 16, 1946, the day on which the All-India Muslim League, led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, called for a general strike and mass protests in British-ruled India to demand the creation of a separate Muslim homeland, Pakistan (a name coined in 1933 by Choudhary Rahmat Ali Khan and... -
MOVE Bombing The bombing of the MOVE compound on May 13, 1985, by Philadelphia police left 11 people dead and more than 250 homeless in an action that has had long-lasting repercussions for the city and its residents. It was the climactic and devastating resolution to years of escalating tension between the... -
Bombay Stock Exchange BSE Limited (also known as the Bombay Stock Exchange) is one of India’s two main marketplaces for the sale of stocks and other securities, the other being the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Founded in 1875, the BSE is the oldest exchange in Asia. With nearly 5,700 companies traded, it is also one... -
Emil Bove: A Look at Trump’s Nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals Emil Bove (born 1981, Geneva, New York) is the principal associate deputy attorney general in U.S. Pres. Donald Trump’s second administration (2025– ) and a Senate-confirmed nominee for a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which oversees Pennsylvania, New Jersey,... -
Bloody Harlan Deep in the hills of eastern Kentucky, several thousand men worked in the coal mines, breathing in humid air dense with coal dust day in and day out throughout the 1930s. In Harlan, coal mining had been the backbone of the town’s economy for years. But when the companies that operated these mines... -
Rebecca Yarros Rebecca Yarros is an American romance author best known for her Empyrean series, which follows recruits at a military school in a world ruled by dragons and blends elements of romance and fantasy (“romantasy”). The third novel in the series, Onyx Storm (2025), was a massive bestseller, breaking... -
Zong massacre Zong massacre, massacre of more than 130 enslaved Africans by the crew of the British slave ship Zong on and in the days following November 29, 1781. A combination of faulty casks and poor navigation had reportedly left the vessel with less fresh water than those aboard would need to complete the... -
golden shovel Golden shovel, a poetic form in which a line from a preexisting poem is used to create a new one. Essentially, each word from the borrowed line becomes the last word of each line in the new poem. The form was invented by American poet Terrance Hayes for his poem “The Golden Shovel” (2010), which... -
Sannyasi Rebellion Sannyasi Rebellion, series of armed confrontations and local uprisings that took place in the Bengal Presidency (henceforth referred to as Bengal) between 1763 and 1800, particularly in and around cities that are now part of Bangladesh—including Dacca (now Dhaka), Rampur Boalia (now Rajshahi),... -
Little Boy Little Boy, the first nuclear bomb ever used in warfare. It was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima by the United States on August 6, 1945, during World War II. Little Boy was assembled at Tinian, an island in the Northern Mariana Islands, and delivered by the Boeing B-29 bomber Enola Gay.... -
Zeenat Aman Indian actress Zeenat Aman has long been regarded as a trailblazer—she has been credited with helping revolutionize the Bollywood heroine and, more recently, redefining celebrity social media presence. Known for her work in films such as Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978;... -
Hijacking of IC-814 The hijacking of IC-814 was the takeover of an Indian Airlines flight on December 24, 1999, by five armed militants linked to the Pakistan-based Islamist group Harakat-ul-Mujahideen (also called Harakat-ul-Ansar). The Airbus A300 aircraft, which was carrying about 190 people from Kathmandu, Nepal,... -
The Mirabal Sisters The Mirabal sisters (also known as “Las Mariposas”) were Dominican revolutionaries and activists. Three of them, Patria Mirabal (1924–60), Minerva Mirabal (1926–60), and María Teresa Mirabal (1935–60), engaged in resistance activities against Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship, leading to their brutal... -
Perry Wallace Perry Wallace was a trailblazer in college basketball who became the first Black varsity basketball player in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). On December 2, 1967, he played his inaugural varsity game for Vanderbilt University against Southern Methodist University. He was the earliest basketball... -
What Was the Feud Between Mary McCarthy and Lillian Hellman? In 1980 The Dick Cavett Show aired an interview with American critic and novelist Mary McCarthy. Cavett asked her to name overrated writers, and on her list was American playwright Lillian Hellman. “Tremendously overrated, a bad writer, and dishonest writer” was McCarthy’s assessment of Hellman.... -
10 Defining Moments of Ozzy Osbourne’s Career Godfather of heavy metal, self-proclaimed “Prince of Darkness,” reality TV star, and not-so-secret family man. British singer and musician Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 on July 22, 2025, leaving behind a legacy as one of the titans of rock and roll. Starting out in the late 1960s with the... -
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the most celebrated Bengali writers of the 20th century, known for novels such as Parineeta (“Married Woman”; 1914), Devdas (1917), Charitraheen (“Characterless”; 1917), Srikanta (1917–33; published in four parts), Pather Dabi (The Right of Way; 1926), and... -
What Causes Thunder After Lightning? Thunder is caused by the rapid expansion of air heated by a lightning discharge. When lightning strikes, it heats the air in its path to temperatures as high as 30,000 °C (54,000 °F). This intense heat causes the air to expand rapidly, creating a shock wave that travels outward. As this shock wave... -
Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, legal case in which, on May 14, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled (6–3) that a federal statute prohibiting states from authorizing sports gambling was unconstitutional under the anti-commandeering doctrine of the Tenth Amendment of the U.S.... -
Jagdeep Dhankhar Jagdeep Dhankhar is an Indian lawyer and politician who was elected vice president of the country in August 2022. He resigned in July 2025, two years before the end of his five-year term. Prior to his vice presidency, Dhankhar served as the governor of West Bengal state. Dhankhar attended various... -
Asia Cup (cricket) Asia Cup (cricket), biennial international cricket tournament in which national teams from Asia compete for a continental championship. The first edition was played in 1984 following the inception of the Asian Cricket Conference, the precursor to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), in 1983. Since 2016... -
UnitedHealth Group UnitedHealth Group is the largest health insurance provider in the United States, serving more than 29 million Americans, and more than 50 million people worldwide. Since its inception in the 1970s, the company has grown steadily through acquisitions, a strategy that has at times drawn antitrust... -
Kirk Franklin Kirk Franklin is an American gospel singer, musician, and choir leader who became a huge commercial and critical success in contemporary Christian music in the 1990s and had tremendous crossover appeal in secular music. As a solo artist and as the leader of the choir groups the Family and the One... -
York, enslaved man York, enslaved man was an enslaved man who joined Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Lieut. William Clark on their exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and Pacific Northwest territories. He was the only African American who participated in the journey. He was owned by Clark and his family for much of his... -
Oval Office Arguably the most famous office in the world, the Oval Office has become synonymous with the White House and the U.S. presidency. The reality is that the Oval Office as currently configured dates to the 1930s and has been the working home for just 15 of the country’s 45 leaders. The creation of the... -
Brigitte Macron Brigitte Macron first lady of France since May 14, 2017, as the wife of French Pres. Emmanuel Macron. She formerly worked as an educator and is a vocal advocate for several causes and charities. Brigitte Macron is the youngest of six children born to Simone (née Pujol) and Jean Trogneux. Her... -
What’s the Difference Between Enclaves and Exclaves? An enclave, in political geography, is a territory that’s surrounded by foreign territory. The word enclave comes by way of French from the Late Latin word inclavatus, meaning “shut in or locked up (with a key).” An enclave can also be an exclave if it’s part of a larger territory that it’s... -
What Is the Difference Between Energy and Power? Energy and power, while closely related, are distinct concepts in science, each with its unique characteristics and applications. Energy is fundamentally the capacity to perform work, whereas power is the time rate of doing work or delivering energy. In the International System of Units (SI),...
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What Is the Difference Between Mass and Density? Mass and density are fundamental but distinct physical quantities used to describe matter. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. It quantifies inertia—the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion when acted upon by a force. It is an intrinsic property,... -
Why Are Reptiles Cold-Blooded? Most reptiles are cold-blooded (ectothermic) because they rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature. As ectotherms, reptiles do not generate their own heat internally like mammals and birds do. Instead, they absorb heat from their surroundings, such as by basking in the sun or... -
Why Is the Cockpit Called the Cockpit? There are a number of theories for the origin of the word cockpit, used to describe the area from which a pilot operates the controls and instruments to fly an aircraft. Here are some of the most popular hypotheses: In aviation, the cockpit has evolved significantly over the years, from the open... -
Dubai chocolate Dubai chocolate, chocolate candy bar filled with toasted, shredded phyllo dough (kataifi) mixed with pistachio cream and tahini. It was first produced and distributed in 2022 by the Dubai-based FIX Dessert Chocolatier (and marketed as the “Can’t Get Knafeh of It” candy bar). The satisfyingly... -
How Was the Catholic Church Founded? The Roman Catholic Church traces its origins back to Jesus Christ and his disciples in the 1st century ce. According to Roman Catholic tradition, Jesus appointed his apostle Peter as the leader of the church. This tradition rests partly on Jesus’ words, “And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek:... -
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, American science-fiction film, released in 1982 and directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie, centering on a friendship between a human boy and a homesick alien, broke all-time box-office records and played an important role in the rising prominence of big-budget... -
Measles Cases Hit 33-Year High in the United States ProCon Debate: Should States Be Allowed to Mandate Vaccines for School Attendance? ProCon Issue in the News: As of July 8, 2025, the United States has reported 1,288 cases of measles, more than any year since 1992, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Measles... -
grattage Grattage, an artistic technique that involves laying a painted canvas over a textured object, such as wire mesh or a piece of wood, and then scraping or rubbing off the paint. The process often results in unexpected patterns or textures on the canvas. Max Ernst, a prominent Surrealist artist, is... -
How to get out of student loan default and avoid wage garnishment After a yearslong pause, the federal government resumed collections on student loans in default in May 2025, putting many borrowers at renewed risk of wage garnishment and other consequences. The change followed more than five years of nonenforcement, during which borrowers in default were shielded... -
Why Do Dogs Like to Play Fetch? Dogs enjoy playing fetch because of a combination of instinctual behaviors, physical exercise needs, and the joy of human interaction. Fetch taps into a dog’s natural instincts, particularly those of breeds developed for retrieving. Dogs such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers were bred... -
What Are the Differences Between Pythons and Anacondas? The differences between pythons and anacondas lie in their geographical distribution, physical characteristics, and reproductive habits. Pythons and anacondas live worlds apart. Most pythons roam the Old World tropics and subtropics, with species distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, India,... -
Why Do Turtles Live For So Long? Turtles are known for their long lifespans, with some species such as the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) living more than 30 years. Their ability to live so long comes from a mix of physical and biological traits. Turtles have evolved a... -
The White Lotus The White Lotus is a fictional American TV anthology series that tells a number of intertwining stories at a chain of five-star resorts. The show features deep casts of well-known actors and has attracted critical acclaim for its darkly satirical look at wealth, class, race, relationships, and... -
Why Do They Say Cats Have Nine Lives? The saying that cats have nine lives comes from a blend of cultural beliefs, historical anecdotes, and human observation of the remarkable physical abilities of cats themselves. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as divine creatures and often associated with the goddess Bastet, who was believed to... -
The Head of Medusa The Head of Medusa, oil painting on canvas mounted on a wooden shield that was created about 1597 by Italian artist Caravaggio. It depicts the moment from Greek mythology in which the Gorgon Medusa is beheaded by Perseus. The Head of Medusa was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Maria del Monte, an... -
Palantir Technologies, Inc. Palantir Technologies is an American-based software company specializing in big data analytics. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the company was founded in 2003 by Peter Thiel, Alex Karp, Joe Lonsdale, Stephen Cohen, and Nathan Gettings. Palantir’s roots trace back to work on PayPal’s fraud... -
Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson is the world’s second largest drug and biotechnology company by market capitalization, behind Eli Lilly (LLY) but ahead of other “big pharma” competitors such as AbbVie (ABBV), Novartis (NVS), and Merck (MRK). Once known for household products like Band-Aid and Tylenol, its... -
Rodri Rodri is a Spanish professional football (soccer) player with the English Premier League club Manchester City. In October 2024 he was awarded the Ballon d’Or, one of football’s most prestigious individual honors. He is regarded as one of the world’s best defensive (or holding) midfielders. Rodri... -
Madonna Surrounded by Seraphim and Cherubim Madonna Surrounded by Seraphim and Cherubim, painting that was made as the right-hand panel of The Melun Diptych, created by French artist Jean Fouquet in about 1450. The diptych was commissioned by étienne Chevalier for the church at his home in Melun, France. The left-hand panel of the diptych... -
Sarah J. Maas Sarah J. Maas is an American fantasy author who has written several popular series, including A Court of Thorns and Roses and Throne of Glass. Her work is considered exemplary of the contemporary “romantasy” genre, which blends elements of both romance and fantasy. Although Maas’s books are often... -
Cartoon Network Cartoon Network, television network, launched in 1992 by the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), that was the first channel to offer 24/7 broadcast of animated programming. It is considered an innovator for both its original cartoon series and its programming blocks that introduced American audiences... -
Judgment of Cambyses Judgment of Cambyses, one side of a two-part altarpiece that was commissioned by the city of Brugge and painted in 1498 by Netherlandish artist Gerard David. It is one of several major altarpieces that have sealed his reputation. The painting relates a tale from Herodotus’s History about King... -
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, longest bridge in the world since its opening in 2011. Located in China, it is part of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway and is 102.4 miles (164.8 km) long. It was built in four years by 10,000 workers, at a cost of $8.5 billion. The bridge is part of a larger... -
bone mineralization Bone mineralization, biological process by which minerals—primarily calcium and phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals—are deposited into the collagen matrix of bone, forming a hardened structure. Bone mineralization is essential for giving bones their strength and rigidity. An intricate... -
Seven Mile Bridge Seven Mile Bridge, box girder bridge in Florida that connects the middle keys to the lower keys. It spans from Knights Key, at the western end of the city of Marathon, to Little Duck Key. It was built from 1978 to 1982 and was one of the world’s longest bridges at the time of its completion. The... -
Scarborough Shoal Scarborough Shoal, disputed atoll in the South China Sea, claimed by both China and the Philippines as part of their territory. It lies roughly 220 km (about 120 nautical miles) west of Luzon, the Philippines’ main island, and more than 800 km (about 430 nautical miles) southeast of Hong Kong. The... -
Commitments of Traders (COT) report: Tracking the big commodity players Regulators, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and financial exchanges have taken multiple measures over the years to provide greater market transparency for investors. The U.S. futures industry’s primary regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has its... -
How Hot Can Lightning Get? A thunderstorm on a hot summer afternoon might cool down the air outside, but the air around the lightning itself can get incredibly hot. Lightning is electricity, so it does not have a temperature by itself. However, as the lightning passes through the air, or strikes an unsuspecting tree, it... -
chronic venous insufficiency Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), condition in which the veins in the legs no longer efficiently return blood to the heart, causing blood to pool in the lower extremities. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) occurs when one-way valves in veins that lie deep beneath the surface of the skin become... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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:... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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.... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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 Fran?aise de Football (FFF, English: French Football Federation),... -
Mileva Mari?-Einstein Mileva Mari?-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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Retirement Savings and Strategy for the Homestretch If the early years of your retirement journey are about setting yourself on the right track, the middle years—typically your 40s and 50s—are about staying on track and quickly correcting if you happen to veer off course. That’s easier said than done, of course, because life tends to get in the way.... -
Retirement planning: Are you comfy with money math? It’s been said that the two best days of your career are the first day—when you’re full of hopes, plans, and aspirations—and your last day, when you’re shifting into a comfortable retirement. But will you be ready and able to retire comfortably? That’s where Britannica Money can help. When you’re... -
Retirement Ready: Budgeting, Relocating, and Leaving a Legacy After several decades of working, saving, planning, and lots of dreaming, it’s finally time to retire. Are you ready? “Ready” doesn’t just mean financially, although that’s perhaps the biggest part of it. There are emotional and logistical concerns as well, requiring a lot of planning and... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
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,... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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... -
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...