March 17th, 2017: The biggest news stories from the past week
• Syrian Civil War extends into 7th year
• Trump proposes 2018 US Budget
• Change candidate Geert Wilders comes close in Dutch election
• Brexit bill passes in UK parliament
• Sierra Leonean pastor unearths 706-carat diamond
On this day
Today marks the Christian feast of St. Patrick, who was a 5th-Century Romano-British missionary to Ireland. Patrick almost single-handedly converted the pagan Irish to Christianity. Although the feast was primarily celebrated by the Irish diaspora in the United States in the past, the feast has grown in popularity around the world with each passing year. As part of festivities to mark this global cultural phenomenon, many famous landmarks are illuminated with green lights, and revelers around the world consume alcoholic beverages that have been colored green to mark the occasion.
1. Syrian Civil War extends into seventh year
Six years have come and gone since the Syrian Civil War broke out. It has claimed almost half a million lives to date, as well as seen millions of Syrians leave their homeland in droves.
2. President Trump proposes 2018 US Federal Budget
The US President has proposed an increase in defense spending, but slashed the Environmental Protection Agency’s and State Department’s budgets by almost a third.
3. Insurgent candidate Geert Wilders comes close in Dutch election
Wilders’ party, the PVV, won 20 seats in the Dutch parliament. Liberal Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, was elected for an historic third term in office, with his VVD party winning 33 seats.
4. Brexit bill passes in UK parliament
Prime Minister Theresa May now has the go-ahead to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which will start the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
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5. Sierra Leonean pastor unearths 706-carat diamond
The largest diamond to be found in the country in over four decades is said to be worth some $60 million. It was discovered by the pastor in the small village of Yakudu.
This Brilliant 1950s Quiz Is Truly a Blast From the Past!
For some of us, it feels like we were living in the 1950s only yesterday, but how many of the most famous people and events do we actually remember?
Newspaper Headlines Can Sometimes Be Ridiculously Funny
Sometimes newspaper headlines are just so bizarre that you are left scratching your head at what exactly happened.
Vegas to LA in Less Than 3 Hours?! Yes, It's Happening!
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You Won't Believe the Amazing Things 2017 Is Set to Bring!
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Why Train Tickets Are so Expensive in America
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Untamed Spirits: Tales of Legendary Mountain Men!
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10 of the Most Interesting Popes in History
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Check Out These Rare and Fascinating Antonyms!
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How We Came to Play: The Origins of Playground Games
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Hilarious: When Words Sound Alike But Mean Different...
Homophones are words that sound exactly the same, but aren't spelled the same and mean something different. Here are 20 that are the wordiest of words.
Looking Back at the CRAZIEST World Records of 2022
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This Is One of The Most Beautiful Duets I've Ever Seen
Watch this mesmerizing duet from 1981 featuring Donovan and Crystal Gayle. This live performance is their rendition of the classic 60s song ‘Catch the Wind’
Incredible Maps: The World of Second Languages!
We all know the main languages, but these maps of second languages really surprised me!
The Retirement Home Where Young & Old Live Together
This is a great idea! Young musicians are given free board at a retirement home in exchange for recitals. And this makes for great friendships too!
7 Fairy Tales That Are Popular to This Very Day!
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These Photos Prove How Strange of a Country South Korea Is
The following images illustrate how strange of a place Korea is.
These Rare Photos Tell the Story of the Great Depression
A photographic summary depiction of The Great Depression.
The Apollo Program: A History of Manned Space Missions
Only 12 men have ever stepped foot on the moon. Find out more about their successful moon landings here!
Every Common Phrase Started Somehow...
The origins of these common phrases are fascinating.
Your Mind Does Play Tricks On You, Say Neuroscientists
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5 Assassinations of World Leaders that Shook the World
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Be Prepared! These Facts About the World Are Pretty Scary
These facts are incredibly fascinating... but they've got an element of spookiness to them too!
1 Day in Pompeii: Experience That Fateful Day!
One day in 79 AD the city of Pompeii was tragically destroyed by an extraordinary volcanic eruption. This video shows you just how the scene would have unfolded.
Full Documentary: Genghis Khan's Legendary Mongol Empire
Learn all about his incredible conquests of the legendary Genghis Khan this cinematic full-length documentary.
This Brilliant Talk Taught Me to Let Go of My Delusions
Isaac Lidksy has had quite an amazing life of success, which he puts down to a stunning realization that blindness gave him. Watch. You won't be disappointed.
Where Did These Common Sayings Come From? Fascinating!
You're probably aware of these common sayings, but where did they originate from? Fascinating!
The USA 110 Years Ago... What Was It LIKE?
We take so much for granted in the modern world. Read through these astonishing facts and realize just how different life was in the US back in 1910.
Here Are 18 Rare Photos You Won't Find In History Books
These are the RAREST vintage photos ever...
When Deaf People Hear for the Very First Time...
In this wonderful video, we will see the miracle of hearing given to several people who have been deaf.
Buried by Time: 10 Little-Known Moments in History
These historical events might not be well-known, but they sure are super interesting.
Fascinating Facts About The Middle Ages You Never Knew
If you thought you had read everything about the Middle Ages in school, you are mistaken. Read these interesting facts from that era.
These Famous Characters Are Based On Real People!
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I Can’t Get Over These Astonishing Magic Tricks!
Enjoy this magical compilation of astonishing performances by illusionist Darcy Oake.
25 Incredibly Rare Vintage Pictures You’ll Love to See
It’s time to travel back in time and enjoy some fascinating historical pictures.
Dance Styles in the 1920 Were So Much FUN!
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Learning to Trust Again - Rehabilitating an Abused Dog
Ralph the abandoned dog learns to trust again...
These 18 Bold Predictions Were Actually Proven to Be False
Some of the great and good of science, industry and entertainment made bold predictions in the past that proved to be completely false. Take a look.
Did You Know these 10 Facts about Alexander the Great?
His father conquered and unified Greece, but he wanted to conquer the world. Alexander the Great was a truly fascinating man.
12 Vintage Christmas Songs That Still Warm Hearts
These classic Christmas songs capture the spirit of the season.
The Many Calendars of the Modern World - Fascinating!
This video reviews some of the most common calendars in the modern world.
This May Be the Most Amazing Watch Ever Created...
Luxury watch makers Van Cleef & Arpels have created this dazzling creation, showing the planets and our sun while a small comet moves along a track to tell us the time.
7 Mythical Characters Who Actually Existed
Did you know that there are some characters from mythology that might have existed in real life? Let's find out about some of them.
From the Photo Albums of Very Famous People...
See how celebrities looked in their youth, in photos from their everyday life before fame.
7 Ancient Buildings That Have Survived the Test of Time
Here is a look at some wonderful ancient structures that have survived the test of time.