Diamonds are the hardest natural substance, formed from pure carbon deep within the earth’s crust. They form at a depth of 90 miles and are brought to the surface by rare volcanic eruptions. Kimberlite is an indicator of their presence, but they can also be carried by glacial action. The majority of diamonds are mined […]
Over 68 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced in 2018, with more than half being children. Syria has the highest number of refugees, followed by Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. Afghanistan previously held the record for the largest refugee population for 32 years. In 2018, the United Nations Refugee Agency estimated that a record […]
Writing was invented in Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago, with a possible earlier instance in China. Mesopotamian cuneiform was the first widely recognized form of writing, using logograms. Writing spread to Egypt, India, and the Levant, evolving to include sounds and eventually leading to the world’s first alphabet in Egypt. Writing is thought to have been […]
The exact origins of human language are unknown, but it likely developed gradually over time. Anatomical changes, such as a more L-shaped vocal tract, may have broadened the range of possible sounds. Neanderthals had a hypoglossal canal similar in size to modern humans and likely had some rudimentary form of language. Modern humans evolved in […]
We use too many household cleaning products due to an obsession with disinfectants. Common ingredients include chlorine bleach, surfactants, and phosphates, which can have harmful effects on health and the environment. Proper measures must be taken for safe use and storage, especially to keep them out of reach of children. As a society, we’ve become […]
Political donations come from individuals, political parties, and PACs. Donors are limited by campaign finance laws. Donations are documented on campaign financial reports and posted online for transparency. Parties distribute funds to boost electoral prospects, and PACs legally contribute to campaigns with donation limits. The top donors in 2010 were issue-oriented PACs, business PACs, and […]
The abbreviation “OMG” was first recorded in a 1917 letter from Lord Fisher to Winston Churchill, jokingly referring to a new order of knights. It later became part of textspeak and has been used by law enforcement to refer to outlaw motorcycle gangs. Other common abbreviations include SOS and LOL. The first recorded use of […]
