Unique Christmas Traditions From Around The World

For many in the United States, Christmas is a time for baking and decorating cookies, finding the perfect gifts for loved ones, and rewatching beloved classics like Elf and Home Alone. However, Christmas traditions vary greatly from country to country. Here are some unique and fascinating holiday customs from around the world....

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Student-Built Rocket Breaks 20-Year-Old Amateur Space Altitude Record

A rocket built by students at the University of Southern California (USC) Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL) has shattered a 20-year record. Aftershock II, launched from Nevada's Black Rock Desert on October 20, 2024, reached an altitude of 470,000 feet (143.3 km). This was 90,000 feet (27.4 km) higher than the previous amateur rocket altitude record of 380,000 feet (115.8 km). It was set by the Civilian Space eXploration Team’s GoFast rocket in 2004....

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Hanukkah Will Start On Christmas Day For The First Time Since 2005

Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a joyous eight-day winter festival. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This usually falls between late November and late December. In 2024, Hanukkah celebrations will start at sundown on December 25, coinciding with Christmas Day, and conclude on January 2, 2025. This overlap of the two holidays last occurred in 2005 and will not happen again until 2035....

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Emperor Penguin Spotted On Western Australian Shores For The First Time

On November 1, 2024, Aron Fowler and his friends were at Ocean Beach, just south of Denmark in Western Australia, when they saw an emperor penguin walking toward them. This aquatic flightless bird had swum over 2,000 miles (3,218 km) from its usual habitat in the icy waters off the Antarctic coast. It was the first recorded sighting of an emperor penguin in Australia....

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November Honors Native American Heritage And Contributions

November is Native American Heritage Month in the United States. It honors the rich cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Native American and Alaska Native communities. Here are three inspiring Indigenous leaders who have made meaningful impacts in their respective fields and communities....

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Celebrating Diwali, The Indian Festival Of Lights

Every fall, over a billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide celebrate Diwali. Also known as Deepavali or the festival of lights, this ancient celebration dates back over 2,500 years. The exact date varies annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar. However, Diwali usually falls in October or November....

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The US Presidential Election Process Explained

The countdown to the US Presidential election has begun. On November 5, 2024, millions of Americans will head to the polls to select a new leader for the next four years. They will vote for either Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump. Winning the popular vote is important for both candidates. However, to secure the presidency, they must get the majority of the electoral votes....

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Sneaky Orb-Weaver Spiders Use Male Fireflies To Lure More Prey

In the wild, animals frequently use deceptive tactics to survive. For instance, some wasps turn spiders into "zombie" slaves to build intricate nests. Similarly, mouse-eared bats mimic hornet buzzes to avoid being preyed upon by owls. Now, a new study reveals that a crafty orb-weaver spider species has found a way to manipulate the mating signals of male fireflies to catch more prey....

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Hurricane Helene Leaves A Trail Of Devastation Across Southeastern United States

On September 26, 2024, at 11:10 pm EST, Hurricane Helene made landfall near Perry, Florida, as a dangerous Category 4 storm. With sustained winds of over 140 miles per hour (225 km/h), it was the most powerful hurricane to hit the region since record-keeping began in 1851. After causing widespread damage, Helene continued on to several states, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee....

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Alex Morgan Retires From Professional Soccer

After an illustrious 15-year career, American soccer icon Alex Morgan has decided to retire from professional soccer. Morgan broke the news to her fans on social media on September 5, 2024. The 35-year-old is expecting her second child and wants to focus on her young family. Morgan's remarkable tenure includes 22 World Cup appearances and 16 Olympic matches....

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Charred Herculaneum Scrolls Deciphered Using Artificial Intelligence

In 79 AD, Italy's Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under a thick layer of volcanic debris. Nearly 1,700 years later, in 1752, researchers found over 1,800 rolled papyrus scrolls inside the library of a Herculaneum mansion. The scrolls' exterior was severely charred by the intense heat. But due to the lack of oxygen, the interiors remained well-preserved....

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The 9/11 Attacks: A Turning Point In Modern History

September 11, 2001, began as a serene autumn morning in New York City. However, within a few hours, this tranquility was shattered by the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history. This unprovoked act of violence was planned and executed by members of the Islamic extremist organization al-Qaeda. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 2,977 innocent people and altered life as we knew it forever....

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Paris 2024 Olympics Will Feature Four Additional Sports

The Summer Olympics has traditionally featured 28 sports. But since 2020, host cities have been allowed to add up to six new sports to their Olympic program. The 2024 Summer Olympics, set to kick off in Paris, France, on July 26, will include four extra sports. They are breaking, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing....

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Father-Daughter Team Helps Discover Giant Prehistoric Ocean Reptile

Fossils found by a father-daughter team has led to the discovery of a new, massive species of ichthyosaur. The marine reptiles dominated the seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods (251 to 145 million years ago). Often referred to as "fish-lizards," they shared physical similarities with dolphins and whales but were, in fact, members of the reptile family....

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Brave Baby Penguins Leap Off Massive Cliff For First Swim!

Renowned wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory is known for capturing rare and unforgettable moments in the animal kingdom. On April 11, 2024, Gregory once again made headlines with his unprecedented footage of a flock of baby penguins bravely diving off a 50-foot (15m) cliff for their first-ever swim in the icy Antarctic waters....

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