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Blasphemy: Is it still a crime?

Religion has always played a major role in most societies around the world. Depending on where you are on our planet, blasphemy can be not only a serious sin, but also a crime. This means that, in some places, people can be prosecuted for offending someone or something deemed sacred by a religion. Many countries updated their secular laws, while others have indeed repealed blasphemy laws. There are, however, still many nations around the world that do have blasphemy laws in place and some do enforce them. In this gallery, we look back on the concept of blasphemy and which countries still consider it to be a crime. Click on to learn more.

Remember when Ukraine destroyed an important piece of Russian equipment?

Did you know these countries were named after people?

The naming of a country is an important task. Besides a flag and a national anthem, names like America and France can help define an entire national identity. Country names can be inspired by all sorts of things. Algeria roughly translates to 'the islands,' Cape Verde to 'green cape' and Costa Rica to 'rich coast.' However, this gallery is about people who are so important that they have an entire country named after them. You might be surprised to learn that some of the world's largest countries are named after real people or historical figures. Click through the gallery to discover these countries and the people who inspired their names.

" Putin’s regime seems stable and eternal, until it falls....quickly"

The opponent of the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Kara-Mourza, has just been released following the latest prisoner exchange between the West and Russia. In total, he will have spent two and a half years locked up between four walls. On Tuesday, he was a guest on France 2's "20 heures" where he confided his experience. He's a survivor. He was supposed to serve a twenty-five-year sentence in a Siberian prison, according to Franceinfo. "It was almost...

Syrian with machetes wanted to give German military bloody lunch break

German authorities have succeeded in foiling a new terror attack by a radical Islamist. A 27-year-old Syrian man had in fact bought two machetes and wanted to attack military personnel during their lunch break at an army base in the northern Bavarian town of Hof, according to police. So it fortunately did not come to that, as police caught the man before he could even take action. Another man from Syria already stabbed three people to death...

Unveiling the Phoenicians: ancient traders and mariners

The Phoenicians: while their homeland was primarily located in present-day Lebanon, their reach extended throughout the Mediterranean, stretching all the way from the Middle East and Cyprus to the Iberian Peninsula. They were part of the ancient Phoenician civilization, which flourished between 1550 and 300 BCE. Their city-states produced many prominent merchants, traders, and colonizers, being located along the naval trading routes. But how and when did these traders and mariners come to be the dominant commercial power in Europe for a significant part of antiquity? Click on to discover who the Phoenicians were and to learn about their historical legacy.

The world's most famous stolen paintings

Art theft, also known as artnapping, involves stealing paintings or other visual art from galleries, museums, or private collections. The stolen pieces are often resold or used as collateral for loans. On Sunday, September 8, burglars broke into an art gallery in London and stole one of Banksy's most famous works: 'Girl With Balloon.' The print was on display as part of an exhibition of the artist's work and is valued at £270,000 (approximately US$354,000). Two men were allegedly responsible for the theft, but were caught within the week by London's Metropolitan Police and charged with non-residential burglary on Thursday, September 12. The print was returned to the gallery safely. Some of the most famous theft cases include the robbery of Leonardo da Vinci's iconic 'Mona Lisa' and Edvard Munch's 'The Scream.' While some masterpieces were swiped for ransom and later returned, the disappearances of others remain a mystery. If you'd like to learn more about the world's most famous stolen paintings, click through this gallery now.

The most dangerous terrorist groups in the world

In 2023, there was a dramatic rise in tensions between the US and the Middle East. The October 7 escalation in the conflict between Israel and Palestine led Israel and its allies to begin a relentless attack on Gaza, while Palestine's allies in the region also increased their activities. As Israel waged war against Hamas, other militant groups in the Middle East such as the Houthi militia in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon ramped up their attacks on Israeli and US targets. Many of these groups are believed to be sponsored by Iran, forming a loose alliance known as the Axis of Resistance. Despite their differences in ideologies, they are united by Iran's support and their shared opposition of Israel and the US. On the flip side, the Islamic State seems to have cut down on its attacks in 2023. The group claimed a total of 470 attacks in 2023 compared to 717 the previous year. Al-Qaeda was also relatively quiet compared to previous years, partly due to counterterrorism measures as well as pressure from opposing groups in the region. The real statistics on terrorism trends will come with the release of the next Global Terrorism Index, which is published around March each year. The annual index provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last decade. Produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace, the report considers not only deaths but also incidents, hostages, and injuries from terrorism. It also names the top four deadliest terrorist groups operating around the world. So, what were the most dangerous terrorist groups in the world as of the 2024 report? Click through and be warned.

We Should’ve Called The Police... (Magnet Fishing)

Someone Called 911 On Us For This… Magnet Fishing Gone Wrong (Police Called)

Van Gogh exhibition at London’s National Gallery finally brings one of his visions to life

A triptych of Van Gogh's paintings, including two 'Sunflowers', forms part of a major new exhibition of the Dutch master's works A hundred years after acquiring one of Vincent van Gogh's "Sunflowers", the National Gallery in London has brought one of the Dutch painter's visions to life by showcasing it with two of his other works side-by-side for t...

The history of mass extinction events on Earth

It's safe to say that most of us are familiar with the concept of mass extinction. But this is by no means a recent phenomenon. For millions of years, Earth has been through extinction events that have shaped the planet. Yes, you know that dinosaurs were made extinct in one of these events. But many scientists argue that we're going through a mass extinction even in this day and age. Intrigued? Browse through the following gallery to learn more about mass extinction events on Earth.

Wikipedia has an antisemitism problem

Wikipedia has decided that the allegation of genocide in Gaza is now a fact, once again igniting controversy as content is manipulated to target Israel.

The country where 100,000 people a year "evaporate"

Leave, and never look back? Although this is something not many people do in our countries, in one nation it has become something of a social phenomenon. In Japan, they are called "johatsu", which means "evaporated" in English. These are people that decide to disappear voluntarily to start their lives again, somewhere else, differently. In all, they now total about 100,000 “evaporees” per year. The phenomenon started in the 1990s at a time when...

"Putin is haunted by Ceausescu, Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden"

On French TV's LCI set, Franco-Russian actress Macha Méril brought her point of optimism on the conflict between Ukraine and Russia forward. Macha Méril has kept many contacts in Russia and she senses a movement underway to oppose Vladimir Putin: "Putin is going to end badly, one of these days, because he's haunted by the end of his term. In fact, images of Ceausescu, Saddam Hussein and especially Bin Laden are playing on a loop. It could end...

Moment art thief smashes through gallery doors and makes off with Banksy original

Two men have been charged with burglary after Banksy's Girl with Baloon artwork was stolen from London's Grove Gallery.

Elon Musk calls Australian government "fascist".

Elon Musk, owner of X, doesn't support the suppression of the Australian government against the propagation of "fake news". On X, the American billionaire called the Australian government "fascists". He's responding to the Australian government's plan to sanction social media platforms that do not act against disinformation. Indeed, the Australian government presented a bill to parliament on Thursday that would provide for fines for internet...

Ongoing global conflicts in 2024

The world is currently experiencing a record number of conflicts and crises since the end of World War II. From the war in Gaza, which is hitting civilians particularly hard, to the fighting in Ukraine, currently in its second year, it's estimated that around 300 million people will need humanitarian aid in 2024. So, which are the ongoing conflicts in 2024? Click on to find out.

Revealed: the mega-rich countries that used to be poor

Discover the countries that turned their fortunes around to become some of the most prosperous nations on the planet.

Woman finds human tooth in mooncake from US supermarket in China, leading to police probe

Manufacturers say it is 'impossible' to have anything slip through due to X-ray check US supermarket chain Sam's Club is under investigation after a customer found a human tooth in a mooncake purchased from a mainland branch. A woman shared a Douyin video showing the tooth in a 30-yuan (US$4) meat-filled mooncake bought in Changzhou in eastern Chin...

Key figures of the American Revolution

The American Revolutionary War, also called the War of Independence, was fought in North America and took place from 1775 to 1783. It was a military conflict that was part of the broader American Revolution, an insurrection by Patriots in the 13 Colonies against British rule. The revolution made heroes of many, and quite a few villains, too. But a number of individuals stand out for their courage and determination in the face of adversity and seemingly insurmountable odds, people who are remembered as key figures in a pivotal moment in American history. But who are these revolutionaries of note? Click through and meet the men who helped make America independent.

Cruising America's most haunted roads

The United States is crisscrossed with numerous roads that are supposedly haunted. Many are already notorious for their alarming accident rate. But couple this unfortunate fact with stories of ghostly sightings, strange noises, and other supernatural goings-on, and driving suddenly becomes an even more perilous and frightening experience. But where in the country are the spookiest highways from hell? Click on and motor through America's most haunted roads.

The world's top 10 most powerful nuclear nations

The world's bloodiest conflicts are the result of political and diplomatic tensions between two or more countries, which is why certain nations have such strict and often intimidating defense policies. With the current global political climate, nuclear weapons have become a dangerous reality. Currently, there are approximately 12,121 nuclear warheads in the world. Although this number is lower than during the peak of the Cold War, more countries now have nuclear capacity and the ability to produce nuclear weapons. One of these nations is North Korea, although they are notoriously cagey about the details. This changed on September 13, when state media released photos of leader Kim Jong Un touring what was described as a uranium enrichment facility, giving an unprecedented look inside the country's nuclear weapons program. This came just days after Kim Jong Un announced a policy that will exponentially increase the country's nuclear arsenal. He also stated that North Korea wants to improve its "nuclear capability and its readiness to use it properly at any given time in ensuring the security rights of the state." This raises concerns about the imminent nuclear threat as international tensions continue to escalate. Read through this gallery to discover the 10 countries with the most powerful nuclear weapons.

Parashat Ki Tetze: Commitment, abilities, and results

Those who understand this need no further explanation of the difference between a relationship without marriage and a relationship that has gained the legal and emotional commitment of marriage.

Ukraine is getting another helpful tool from one of its smaller allies

Why was this man sentenced to more than 11 thousand years in prison?

Stolen Police Equipment Found Magnet Fishing (Handcuffs, Gun And More)

The world's most notorious spies

For the most part, spying is all about committing treason, carrying out espionage, and betraying one's country. But among the spies listed here are one or two genuine heroes whose supreme acts of bravery and selflessness saved many lives and helped end wars. Click through this veritable rogue's gallery of treacherous individuals and find the good among the bad.

The bone-chilling stories behind this abandoned German hospital

No matter where in the world they are, abandoned places tend to be linked to spooky stories. These scary tales are passed down from generation to generation, building these locations a terrifying reputation.This German sanitarium's stories include the fact that Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was treated there.Click on the gallery and take a look if you're brave enough!

20 creepy photos of abandoned nuclear bunkers

Over the course of the twentieth century, many countries built bunkers, some of which cost millions of dollars. Designed to protect the most important government officials in the event of a nuclear attack, most have since been abandoned or converted into museums.

Abandoned aircraft scattered around the world

Some places around the world are haunted by the wreckage of planes which crashed or were forced to make emergency landings there. The shells of these former planes all have a different reason for ending up where they did, but while some of these are known, others still remain a mystery. Click to discover the stories behind these chilling scenes of abandoned planes!

50 years after her husband disappeared, she discovers the terrible truth

While he was on a mission in Egypt, Maryvonne's husband mysteriously disappeared. Gilbert Bréant, originally from Angers in western France, was a professional soldier. On March 24, 1969, his wife Maryvonne received a terrible message announcing her huband's death in Egypt. His plane had disappeared in the Mediterranean Sea. According to army officials, Gilbert could also have been held captive somewhere in Egypt. A glimmer of hope... The...

I FOUND A STOLEN CASH BOX IN THE RIVER - The Ultimate Criminal Dumping Grounds Discovered!

Green light for Ukraine: Long-range weapons open up prospects

The American green light for the use of long-range weapons by the Ukrainian army on Russian territory opens up a range of possibilities, but above all, a situation full of uncertainty. On the set of French news channel LCI, the specialists appear one after the another. General Michel Yakovleff, former vice chief of staff of SHAPE (NATO), wants to highlight the decision of the American government: "The Russians are paying for their strategic...

Countries with the lowest divorce rates

Marriage is a common feature of all societies. In contrast, divorce, or ending a marriage, has not always been possible in many places. In some countries, the rate of divorce is extremely low. Looking at the numbers, it's important to bear in mind they don't provide context for the rate of divorce itself. In some countries, there are religious and cultural reasons conspiring to keep the rate below average. Divorce rates are calculated using available census data from each country. Dividing the number of divorces in a given year by total population yields the crude divorce rate. However, this doesn't take into account that the divorce rate is measured as a percentage of the total population, not in relation to the total number of marriages. Where possible, i.e. there is data available, the divorce rate is taken alongside the marriage rate to come to paint a more accurate picture about a country's rate of divorce. Curious? Click on to discover the countries with the lowest divorce rates worldwide.

"Putin lives in a parallel world"

Invited on LCI, the French news channel, General Michel Yakovleff, former vice chief of staff of NATO has his personal vision of Vladimir Putin's psychology. For Michel Yakovleff, one of the explanations for Putin's behavior is linked to his psychology: "I believe that if a psychoanalyst dissects the character (Putin), we'll discover lots of things". "During World War II, there was an excellent study on Hitler's psychoanalysis that proved...

Parking Revenge #379

How America became a superpower

The modern United States of America holds unparalleled military power, with over 800 military bases worldwide and being responsible for some 37% of global military spending. Yet the country is virtually unrecognizable when compared to the way it began two centuries ago. Expansionism has been the lifeblood of the American nation, and the spread of US idealism has reached across the world, with deep consequences. But how did America go from being a continent-restricted colony to becoming a global powerhouse of influence and military might? Click through this gallery to find out.

Police Confiscate Magnet Fishing Find (Taken For Evidence)

Found A Gun Magnet Fishing _Police Involved_

Cops Couldn’t Believe What We Found In The River! (Magnet Fishing Gone Crazy)

Zelensky reveals the shocking number of war crimes Russia has committed

A Russian jet mysteriously vanished over the Black Sea

The alarming trend: is syphilis on the rise?

Syphilis has been around for centuries. In fact, the first recorded outbreak is said to have occurred in the 1490s in Naples, Italy, during a French invasion. But it wasn't until 1905 that the organism that causes the infection was isolated and identified at a clinic in Berlin. The number of sufferers dropped in the post-World War II years, as penicillin was used to treat it. However, recent numbers suggest a worrying trend: syphilis is on the rise again What's more, this resurgence is happening at an alarming rate, with a high number of babies being born with congenital syphilis in the United States. It's not just the US though: according to World Health Organization data, the increasing number of syphilis cases is a global phenomenon. Curious to know more? Click on this gallery to find out how to recognize, treat, and prevent syphilis.

The oldest animals on our planet

Life on earth has gone through a number of extinction periods, but somehow many species have managed to survive and thrive to this day. These animals have been on our planet for millions of years and will likely outlive humans in the future. Curious to find out more about these living fossils? Click through!

How Ed Sheeran brought joy to wounded IDF soldiers

Israel's leading organization for terror victims and their families flew 180 wounded IDF soldiers and bereaved young adults to Ed Sheeran's Cyprus concert along with mentalist Lior Suchard.

I Found A Gun Diving In The River (Illegal Finds)

The brainiest star signs based on Nobel Prize winners

Since the Nobel Prize was established in 1895, and the first prizes given out in 1901, more than 900 figures have been awarded the prizes for a variety of categories, including Peace, Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine, and Economic Sciences. To determine which star sign racked up the highest amount of winners, check out this gallery and find out how brainy your star sign is.

Moscow may attack Europe this winter

According to Bild, which cites information from the English and German intelligence services, Putin is considering attacking the Baltic countries in November or December. According to a source cited by the German newspaper, the Russian Federation could strike Europe precisely at the time when the United States would find itself without a leader, in a transitional situation. Putin and his entourage are seriously considering taking advantage of...

The Indian site where DNA tests confirmed the story of Georgian saint killed 400 years ago

Bones at Goa's Church of St Augustine were recently found to belong to a queen Georgians consider a saint, believed to have died in 1624 The Church of St Augustine, which forms part of the Churches and Convents of Goa Unesco World Heritage site in Old Goa, in western India, is a major tourist attraction with an interesting history. The religious mo...