For most people, this Friday, which happens to fall on the 13th, will be just the end of a long week. However, those who have friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, consider it to be the unluckiest day of the year. This unfounded fear of Friday the 13th affects over twenty million people in the US and scores more worldwide....
Read news articleAt midnight on December 31, cities worldwide, bid farewell to 2016 and welcomed the new year with dazzling fireworks shows. In case you missed them, here are some of 2017’s most spectacular displays....
Read news articleThis year, Christmas came early for the lucky residents of the London Zoo. On Thursday, December 15, when Sumatran tiger cubs Achilles and Karis emerged from their dens, they saw what every kid (and adult) dreams about during this time of the year — piles of colorfully wrapped gifts!...
Read news articleLove to laugh out loud? Then you may be the perfect candidate for #laugh, a global collaborative project to create the first piece of art in outer space using the International Space Station’s (ISS) newly acquired 3D printer. While transforming an emotion into art may seem a little far-fetched, Eyal Gever, is known for his aptitude for combining art and technology to make 3D sculptures from life-like digital simulations based on moments in time....
Read news articleHawaii’s Big Island is known for many things — its rich culture, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, green rainforests, and of course year-round warm, humid, weather. This year, the sunny paradise can add snow to this impressive list. Since early December, almost three feet of snow has blanketed the over 13,000-feet high volcano peaks of the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, and more is expected....
Read news articleOn December 5, San Francisco Airport (SFO) officials introduced LiLou, the newest member of the Wag Brigade, family, a group of friendly therapy dogs that roam the airport terminals to provide comfort to harried travelers. However, Lilou is not a canine, but a small breed of pig called Juliana. The two-year-old is the first pig to be certified with the SPCA, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Program, in the United States....
Read news articleOn Monday, December 5, online retailing giant Amazon announced the opening of its first brick and mortar grocery store. Called Amazon Go, the Seattle-based store that is currently being tested by company employees, closely mimics regular convenience stores except for one thing — thanks to Amazon’s proprietary “Just Walk Out” technology, all purchases are handled electronically. This means that there are no cashiers, checkouts, or lines. Shoppers simply grab what they want and leave....
Read news articleDuring the past 15 years, Yves “Jetman” Rossy has strapped on his jetpack — carbon fiber wings powered by four small engines — to conduct many heart-stopping stunts. The former Swiss Air Force pilot has soared across the Grand Canyon, circled Japan's Mt. Fuji and even flown alongside the world's largest commercial airplane, the Airbus A380. On November 25, the daredevil upped the ante when he and protégés Vince Reffet and Frédéric ‘Fred’ Fugen, flew in formation with eight Alpha Jets from the Patrouille de France, the precision aerobatics demonstration team of the French Air Force....
Read news articleWith Christmas around the corner, Valentine’s Day is probably the last thing on your mind. However, don’t tell that to Motohiro Okai. The chocolatier who works at the Rihga Royal Hotel Chocolate Boutique L’éclat in Osaka, Japan, has been feverishly working to perfect an exclusive line of “shoes” that will delight even the most discerning man....
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