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The Remarkable Reading Habits of Icelanders

People in Iceland have more books written, read, and sold per capita than anywhere else in the world. One out of ten Icelanders will publish a book in their lifetime.

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World’s Shortest International Bridge

This is the world’s shortest international bridge, measuring about 32 feet (9.75 meters). This bridge connects a Canadian island with an American island in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River.

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Hang Son Doong Is the World’s Largest Cave

Hang Son Doong, located in Vietnam, is considered the world’s largest cave, featuring a height of over 200 meters (656 feet) and its own climate, jungles, rivers, and even clouds within its vast chambers.

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Jean-Baptiste Kempf’s Refusal of Millions for Ad-Free Content

This is Jean-Baptiste Kempf, the creator of the VLC media player. He turned down offers of millions of dollars to ensure that VLC remains free of ads.

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First Video Game to Reach 300 Million Sales Globally

Minecraft made history on October 3, 2023, by becoming the first-ever video game to reach 300 million copies sold globally. This equates to an average of 47 copies sold every minute since its launch in 2011.

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Jackie Chan’s Plan to Donate $400M to Charity

Jackie Chan has expressed that he has no intention of leaving his expected $400 million wealth to his son, Jaycee. Instead, he plans to donate it all to charity. Chan explained, “If he is capable, he can make his own money. If he is not, then he will just be wasting my money.”

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Volvo’s Contribution of a Significant Gift to Global Safety

In 1959, Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin invented the three-point safety belt. Volvo initially patented the design but recognizing the potential life-saving impact of the invention, they made the patent open to other car manufacturers to use for free.

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Toilet Bidets vs. Toilet Paper – a Sustainable Choice

A toilet bidet uses far less wood, water, and electricity than a single toilet paper roll, which makes it a key green technology.

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Centuries-Old Tsunami Stones

Japan has centuries-old tsunami stones mounted more than 300 feet above the point where the highest water level of the 2011 Tohoku tsunami reached. These stones bear a literal warning – “Do not build your house below this point!”

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The Jam-Busting Service in Chinese Cities

In Chinese cities, the jam-busting service allows drivers in traffic to swiftly schedule a pickup. Two individuals will arrive; one on a motorcycle navigates through traffic to transport you, while the other delivers your car to your chosen location.

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Morgan Freeman’s Journey in Aviation

Morgan Freeman turned down a theatre scholarship and even worked as a tracking radar repairman for four years so that he could become an Air Force fighter pilot. The actor finally got his private pilot licence at the age of 65.

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World’s Worst Traffic Jam

On 14th August 2010, China witnessed the world’s worst recorded traffic jam, which spanned 62 miles (100 km) and lasted for 12 days.

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Australian Man and his Dog Rescued After Two Months

Tim Shaddock, an Australian man, and his dog were saved near Mexico after being stuck in the Pacific Ocean for two months. They managed to stay alive by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater.

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World’s Fastest-Growing Plant

Bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on Earth. A certain species of bamboo has been found to grow up to 35 inches (88.9 cm) per day at a rate of 0.00002 mph, which is nearly 1.5 inches (3.81) an hour.

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Atlanta International Airport Is the World’s Busiest Airport

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport has won the title of the world’s busiest airport 25 times since 1998.

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World’s Largest Ballpoint Pen

This is the world’s largest ballpoint pen, measuring 18 feet 0.53 inches (5.5 meters) in length and weighing 37.23 kg (82.08 pounds).

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Wearing a Tie May Restrict Blood Flow to the Brain

A study published in the journal “Neuroradiology” in 2018 found that wearing a necktie could lead to a reduction in blood flow to the brain by up to 7.5%. This drop in blood flow could make you feel dizzy, nauseous, and cause headaches.

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An Elderly Man Steals $28 Million Worth of Diamonds from a Bank

In 2006, an elderly man gained the trust of a Belgian bank by presenting chocolates to the workers. Eventually, the workers gave him VIP access to the bank vault. In 2007, he stole $28 million worth of diamonds and vanished.

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What is the Short Sleeper Syndrome?

Short sleeper syndrome (SSS), a genetic mutation, allows people to function normally on significantly less sleep than the average person, which is typically around four to six hours of sleep per night. These individuals still feel well-rested and alert despite the shorter sleep duration.

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Kalaloch’s Tree of Life Defies Nature’s Challenges

Despite almost all of its roots being exposed due to soil erosion, the Tree of Life in Kalaloch, Washington continues to stand upright and produces green leaves every year.