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In his spy novel Red Sparrow, ex-CIA agent Jason Matthews sheds light on a real-life school in the former Soviet Union that trained female agents in sexpionage, teaching them how to seduce targets during intelligence operations. At southeast Moscow’s State School #4, students learned a wide range of skills directly and indirectly related to setting

In London in 1851, the Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was held. The luxurious pavilions and grand attractions drew crowds from across the globe and began an impressive tradition of World’s Fairs. These universal exhibitions were held frequently throughout the Victorian Era (and less frequently throughout the 20th and 21st centuries).

The world of medicine is constantly advancing, bringing new hope with each breakthrough. Over the next decade, a handful of medications are expected to stand out for their impact. These drugs are not just about scientific progress—they’re about changing lives and offering new solutions where there were none before. Whether tackling chronic illnesses or introducing

Some of the world’s most recognizable architectural wonders nearly didn’t make it past the planning stage. Whether hindered by financial crises, political opposition, or impractical designs, these structures faced formidable obstacles. But against the odds, they were completed—and today, they define their respective cities and cultures. Here’s a look at ten iconic buildings that were

You would think that any child actor who got their start on a high-profile Disney Channel would just remain in the business for their entire lives. In fact, many of them have! Demi Lovato, Raven Symoné, and Selena Gomez come to mind. (Not to mention the likes of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake from a

Over the past 70 years, the global birth rate has dropped from roughly five children per woman in 1950 to 2.2, and 2.1 is considered the replacement level for a continuing population. In countries such as Serbia, the birth rate was 1.1 in 2023 and continued to drop in 2024. Meanwhile, in African nations such

Special effects are constantly evolving. They’re just one of the many challenges that filmmakers must overcome in crafting their visions. When it comes to monsters, they’ve employed a number of tricks. Suits, puppets, and miniatures were just a few of the practical techniques used to bring these fantastic creatures to life. While these methods aren’t

In the Ancient Roman calendar, the Ides was the 15th day of the month that marked the full moon’s arrival. However, after March 44 BC, it forever represented a milepost in Roman politics. On that day, while attending a meeting in the Senate, Julius Caesar was stabbed to death by over 40 knife-wielding senators. The

On average, only about 1 in 5,000 people in the world live to see their 100th birthday. The odds of both becoming famous and reaching 100 are astronomical. This list highlights ten remarkable individuals who achieved fame in their respective fields and also made it to 100 years old. The centenarians on this list include

Politicians have never been known as the most trustworthy bunch. Despite the fact that their personal lives are often closely followed, quite often, they find themselves in a bit of a compromising position. The so-called “Leader of the Free World” is no exception. Many U.S. presidents have been accused of cheating on their wives before,

Social etiquette is more than just a set of polite behaviors—it embodies the values, hierarchies, and unspoken rules that define a culture. In many ancient civilizations, these customs were sacred, with breaches leading to humiliation or even severe punishment. While many of these etiquette practices have faded with time, their echoes can still be felt

What do you think of when you read the term “influencer”? You probably envision a young woman modeling clothes or some other product in Instagram posts, right? Or maybe she’s over on TikTok selling some random product to her millions of followers and trying to take a cut of the profits from her advertising work.

Hollywood is a competitively unoriginal business. Studios constantly recycle the same stories, repackage them as new products, and ponder how to sell them better than their rivals. That pattern inevitably leads to battles at the box office. However, it’s also given way to a strange coincidence. Sometimes, two studios may release twin movies within the

In its 4.5 billion years of existence, planet Earth has given rise to astonishing species and materials that astound us with their complexity, usefulness, and adaptability. Life on Earth has taken root in the most unforgiving places: creatures thrive in boiling hydrothermal vents, plants grow at extreme altitudes, and fish swim in the most remote,

One of the largest correctional institutions in the world sits on the East River between Queens and the Bronx in New York. Rikers Island is made up of 10 jails and can house close to 20,000 people, but there are usually around 6,000 at one time that typically spend less than one year on the

Many consider dreams to be a door into the subconscious mind. The hidden truths they reveal can appear in various forms. Nightmares that evoke disgust, shame, or sorrow or terrify you to your very core are one. Or they could show up as a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience you don’t want to wake up from—and just

It’s hard to imagine that some of our most mundane activities could have been punishable crimes in the past. Yet history is filled with peculiar laws that banned actions we now take for granted. These laws, often born from religious beliefs, cultural norms, or misguided attempts at control, reflect how much societal values have changed

Count Dracula is, without a doubt, the most famous vampire in the world. The bloodsucker first burst onto the scene in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula and has since appeared in hundreds of films and TV shows. Thanks to his ubiquity, most people know the basic facts about Dracula: he lives in a castle in

Filming a movie can get more emotional than you might expect—and we don’t just mean on camera when actors are required to show their emotions based on the scenes they’re in. Behind the scenes and away from the camera, tensions often rise to the point of creative differences polluting working relationships. Actors, producers, screenwriters, and