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» Today in History
- » Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty Signed by the US and USSR (1991)
Signed five months before the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was a result of negotiations aimed at reducing the nuclear arsenals of the US and the USSR. In 1991, at the conclusion of two sets of talks, US President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to a reduction of the Soviet Union stockpile from 11,000 to 8,000 nuclear weapons and of the US arsenal from 12,000 to 10,000. How many warheads is each country estimated to have today? Discuss
Read More » - » The First Defenestration of Prague (1419)
In 1419, a mob of Czech Hussites stormed the town hall of Prague and killed several members of the town council by throwing them out of a window?an act known as "defenestration." Spurred by discontent at the inequality between the peasants and the Church and nobility, the First Defenestration of Prague led to the prolonged Hussite Wars, which broke out shortly afterward and continued until 1436. What was the Second Defenestration of Prague?
Read More » - » The Young Irelander Rebellion (1848)
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In the 1840s, a group of young Irish idealists began to promote Irish cultural nationalism. Known as Young Irelanders, they eventually sought revolution and, in 1848, organized a disastrous rebellion in Tipperary led by William Smith O'Brien and Thomas Meagher. Sometimes called the Famine Rebellion of 1848?since it took place during the Great Irish Famine?the Young Irelander Rebellion led to the ultimate failure of the movement. What events likely inspired the Young Irelanders to revolt?
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» Today's Birthday
- » Primo Levi (1919)
Two years after earning a degree in chemistry, Levi, an Italian Jew, was captured by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz. He later recounted the atrocities he witnessed in autobiographical novels including If This Is a Man, which has been described as one of the most important works of the 20th century. His best known work, The Periodic Table, is a collection of 21 meditations, each named for a chemical element. What entertainer has Levi's concentration camp number tattooed on his arm? Discuss
Read More » - » Fatima Jinnah (1893)
Commonly known in Pakistan as Khatoon-e-Pakistan and Madar-e-Millat?Urdu for "Lady of Pakistan" and "Mother of the Nation," respectively?Jinnah was the sister of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and an active figure in the movement for independence from the British Raj. She remained politically active after her brother's death and even ran for president in 1965, though she lost by a narrow margin. What was Jinnah's occupation before she became involved in politics?
Read More » - » Benito Mussolini (1883)
An ardent socialist in his youth, Mussolini turned nationalist after serving with the Italian army in WWI. He formed a fascist political group in 1919 and was soon appointed prime minister, becoming the youngest in Italian history. Supported by Adolf Hitler, Mussolini declared war on the Allies in 1940. As German defenses in Italy collapsed, Mussolini tried to escape to Austria but was captured and executed by Italian partisans. During his rule, he was known as Il Duce, which means what?
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» Today's Article
- » Boycott
Principally used by labor organizations to win improved wages and working conditions or by consumers to pressure companies to change their practices, boycotts can be employed in many ways. Though use of the method dates back further, the practice was named in 1880 for Captain Charles Cunningham Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland whose ruthlessness in evicting tenants led his employees to refuse all cooperation with him and his family. What type of boycott is illegal in the US? Discuss
Read More » - » Peyote
Native to the southwestern US, peyote is a spineless cactus whose active substance is mescaline, a naturally occurring hallucinogenic drug. Ritually ingested by indigenous people in Mexico and the US to produce visions, the plant is chewed, brewed for drinking, or rolled into pellets to be swallowed. Apart from its use by Native Americans in religious ceremonies, peyote is illegal in all 50 US states. Based on archaeological specimens, how long has peyote been used by Native Americans?
Read More » - » The Emerald Tablet
Regarded by European alchemists as the foundation of their craft, the Emerald Tablet is a short, cryptic text that purportedly reveals the secret of the primordial substance and its transmutations. Even esteemed scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton have published translations of the text, which claims Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary sage or god variously identified with the Egyptian god Thoth and the Greek god Hermes, as its author. What is the oldest documentable source for this text?
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» Today's News
- » Hands-Only CPR Can Save Lives
Providing cardiopulmo nary resuscitation (CPR) immediately after cardiac arrest can double a victim's chance of survival, but experts are now investigating whether rescue breaths are a necessary part of the technique. Two new studies seem to suggest that, in certain situations, providing chest compressions without mouth-to-mouth could be enough to save lives. The studies involved bystanders who were coached by emergency personnel to either use traditional CPR or only perform chest compressions. Survival rates for both groups were approximately the same. Research shows that more bystanders are willing to attempt CPR if they do not have to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Discuss
Read More » - » Hacker Gets ATMs to Cough Up Money
During the Black Hat technology conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, security researcher Barnaby Jack demonstrated how weaknesses in the software and security measures of standalone automated teller machines (ATMs) can be exploited, causing them to dispense all of the cash they contain or harvest customer information. Though his attacks targeted standalone ATMs like the ones found at gas stations, bars, and retail establishments, they could potentially be used against ATMs operated by mainstream banks. Conference organizers hope that by publicizing software weaknesses, they will encourage manufacturers to fix security flaws.
Read More » - » Alcohol May Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to a new study, drinking alcohol may help reduce the severity of rheumatoid arthritis as well as reduce one's risk of developing the crippling autoimmune disorder. Researchers found that people who abstain from alcohol are roughly four times more likely to have rheumatoid arthritis than people who consume at least one alcoholic beverage three or more days per week and that rheumatoid arthritis patients who drink alcohol tend to have less severe symptoms than their teetotaling counterparts.
Read More »
Readings from the New York Times
» Health News
- » Patient Money: For Most, Implants Beat Dentures, but at a Price
- » Expert Answers About Scleroderma
- » Stem Cell Trial Wins Approval of F.D.A.
» Business News
- » Your Money: Nervous About Social Security? Better Prepare Now
- » With Recovery Slowing, the Jobs Outlook Fades
- » Billionaire Brothers Long Suspected of Tax Evasion
» Arts News
- » Theater: In London, Young Playwrights, Including O?Neill
- » Neil Simon?s ?Second Avenue? Hits Home on West End
- » Summer Concert Ticket Sales Decline
» Science News
- » Predators and Prey, and Catching Turtles
- » U.S. Nuclear Forensics Skill Is Declining, Report Says
- » Regulators Warned Enbridge About Monitoring of Pipeline Corrosion
Third-Party Materials
Both Simple English Wikipedia and BeeOasis.com have readings at the TOEFL level and on TOEFL topics.