Worldcrunch
On this day in 2010, the Copiapó mining accident in Chile comes to a happy end as all 33 miners arrive at the surface after surviving a record 69 days underground. What was the 2010 Copiapó mining accident? The 2010 Copiapó mining accident, also known as the “Chilean mining accident,” was a mining disaster that […]
The Bali nightclub bombings happened on this day in 2002. What were the Bali nightclub bombings? The Bali nightclub bombings were a series of terrorist attacks that targeted popular nightclubs in the resort area of Kuta and resulted in a significant loss of life and extensive damage. There were two main bombs involved in the […]
While certain figures from ancient mythology are sometimes held up as LGBTQ ancestors – such as the Greek gods Apollo and Zeus, there is plenty of lesser known history about same-sex attraction and gender variance beyond a strict male-female binary.
The Israeli army has secured its own territory, and is now focused on what all believe is an impending ground assault into Gaza. The ground war now appears more a question of when rather than if.
Iran says European courts have ordered repayments of $1.7 billion more of its money frozen in Western banks, which risks being transferred to help fund Hamas’ war with Israel. Other observers suspect the news is meant to stop financial panic in Tehran.
Hamas has launched an unprecedented attack against Israel, killing at least 700, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages. Even if the Islamist group has always made clear it sought Israel’s destruction, the questions loom as to why now, and how it managed to pierce the enemy’s defenses.
Iran denies direct involvement with the Hamas assault on Israel, even if it has given it its full backing and praise, and has offered support over the years. The specter of Israel striking Iran is driving fears that the war is bound to spread across the region.
Follow a coffee enthusiast and professor of marketing who studies justice in capitalist systems through the aisles of all the java claiming to be doing the right thing. Not all so-called *ethical coffee merits the label.
Updated October 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The October Revolution, also known as the Bolshevik Revolution, was a pivotal event in Russian and world history that started on this day in 1917. What was the October Revolution? The October Revolution was a revolution of the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, which took place in […]
October 9 – October 15, 2023
The assassination of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat on this day in 1981 was a shocking and pivotal event in the history of Egypt and the Middle East. Who was Anwar Sadat? Anwar Sadat was the third President of Egypt, serving from 1970 until his assassination. He succeeded Gamal Abdel Nasser and pursued a different foreign […]
Twenty years of American military intervention and occupation have left vast ecological damage that may never be repaired.
The referendum in Chile took place on this day in 1988, when citizens voted against extending General Augusto Pinochet’s regime. Who was General Augosto Pinochet, and what was his regime like? General Augusto Pinochet was a military officer who came to power in Chile through a coup in 1973, overthrowing the democratically elected government of […]
The nomadic pastime, in which people compete to break thick animal bones in half with only their hand, carries dire risks for the untrained. That hasn’t slowed its popularity.
No country in the world has as big a cigarette industry as China. This is the story of how a giant state-backed monopoly created the industry, which provides more tax revenue than any other, and ultimately sabotaged the country’s anti-smoking efforts in the process.
An orchid rehabilitation project is turning a small Mexican community into a tourist magnet — and attracting far-flung locals back to their hometown.
October 2 – October 8, 2023
On this day in 2020, the worldwide death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic reached one million. What was the initial global response to the COVID-19 pandemic? In the early stages of the pandemic, countries implemented various measures such as travel restrictions, quarantine protocols, and public health campaigns to raise awareness about the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. WHO facilitated information sharing, provided guidelines, and coordinated efforts to ensure equitable access to medical supplies and vaccines. Initiatives like COVAX were launched to ensure fair distribution of vaccines to lower-income countries. Were […]
On this day in 1934, French actress and iconic sex symbol Brigitte Bardot was born. Who is Brigitte Bardot? Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, model, and animal rights activist. She gained international fame in the 1950s and 1960s for her beauty, talent, and iconic image. Bardot starred in numerous films, some of the most […]
With multilateral diplomacy in tatters, the fighting gumption of weaker states against aggression by bigger powers is helping end the age of empires.
Zambia’s traditional counselors are rethinking the country’s puberty rites, which some argue are detrimental to girls’ well-being.
Horror films have a complicated and rich history with christian themes and influences, but how healthy is it for audiences watching?
Followers of the Afro-Brazilian Umbanda religion in four traditional communities in the country’s northeast are resisting pressure to convert to evangelical Christianity.
Robert Murdoch’s resignation from Fox News Corp. so soon before the next U.S. presidential elections begs the question of how directly media coverage has impacted Joe Biden as a figure, and what this new shift in power will mean for the current President.
September 25 – October 1, 2023
Famous Italian opera singer and songwriter Andrea Bocelli was born on this day in 1958, in Lajatico, in the Italian region of Tuscany. He is renowned for his powerful and emotive voice, and he has achieved worldwide recognition for his contributions to classical and pop music. What is Andrea Bocelli’s signature style of music? Bocelli […]
Western governments will not be oblivious to the growing right-wing activism among the diaspora and the efforts of the BJP and Narendra Modi’s government to harness that energy for political support and stave off criticism of India.
On this day in 2013, armed militants from the Islamist extremist group Al-Shabaab stormed the upscale Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, targeting shoppers and employees in a violent siege. The siege took place from September 21 to September 24. Who carried out the attack on the Westgate Mall? The attack was carried out by Al-Shabaab, […]
The inner workings of Artificial Intelligence are impenetrable, unexplainable and unpredictable. That build in some fundamental limits to its capacity and utility.
Mehmet Aytunç Altay was finally released last month after being arrested in Istanbul for his political activity in 1993. The world around has changed, even if his convictions stand firm.
September 18 – September 24, 2023
Lehman Brothers, a global financial services firm, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on this day in 2008. This event was significant in the 2008 financial crisis and had far-reaching implications for the global economy and financial markets. What is Chapter 11 bankruptcy? Chapter 11 bankruptcy is a legal process in the United States that allows […]
The practice of sending humanitarian aid to foreign countries has always been political, but Morocco’s decision to refuse offers of search-and-rescue teams raises questions about national sovereignty and politics in times of crisis.
Disowned by their families, evicted by their landlords, and persecuted by the state, LGBTQ Ugandans have fewer and fewer places to turn.
The IBM RAMAC 305, introduced on this day in 1956, was the world’s first computer to use a magnetic hard disk drive for data storage. It stood for “Random Access Method of Accounting and Control” and was designed primarily for business data processing. What was the significance of the RAMAC 305 The RAMAC 305 marked […]
Former Mossad chief Tamir Pardo joins a handful of former military and political leaders who have decided to break the taboo on using this infamous word, as a result of the political radicalization of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing coalition.
One official invitation and two booklets, issued ahead of the G20 meeting in New Delhi, refer to India as “Bharat” — a word with a long history of political, etymological and religious significance. But there is little clarity as to which name should be used in English.
September 11 – September 17, 2023
The Moria refugee camp, located on the Greek island of Lesbos, burned down on this day in 2020. The cause of the fire remains disputed, but it was reported to have started within the camp and quickly spread, resulting in significant destruction What was the Moria refugee camp? The Moria refugee camp was an overcrowded […]
Numerous cities have acquired dog-like robots for policing. Researchers say the lack of transparency and other practical and ethical questions are worrying.