FlashFeed

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Omiword: A Word Game Built Around East Asia's Fear of the Number 4
💡 Did You Know

Omiword: A Word Game Built Around East Asia's Fear of the Number 4

In several Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese dialects, the word for "four" sounds nearly identical to the word for "death," making the number widely considered unlucky across East Asia. As a result, many buildings in the region skip the fourth floor when labelling, much as Western buildings often omit the 13th. The word game Omiword draws its concept from this cultural phenomenon known as tetraphobia.

Should cultural number superstitions influence modern building design?

Damn Interesting · 2h ago · Source ↗
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Bogle was right: costs are the single biggest factor in investing
📈 Business

Bogle was right: costs are the single biggest factor in investing

Jack Bogle, founder of Vanguard Group and creator of the world's first index fund for retail investors, famously argued that costs are the single most important factor in investing. His mantra — a riff on real estate's "location, location, location" — holds that fees silently erode long-term returns. The principle is especially relevant today as investors compare actively managed funds with low-cost index alternatives.

Are index funds a better choice than actively managed funds?

Bankier.pl · 5min ago · Source ↗
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Ancient Greek curse tablet found buried under Dutch city of Heerlen
🔬 Science

Ancient Greek curse tablet found buried under Dutch city of Heerlen

Researchers from the University of Heidelberg have deciphered an inscription on a lead tablet unearthed in the Dutch city of Heerlen. Dating to the 2nd century AD, the tablet bears a curse written in Greek, invoking gods and demons to bring misfortune upon specific individuals. The artifact had lain buried beneath a city square for nearly 2,000 years.

Rzeczpospolita · 5min ago · Source ↗
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Poll: Most Poles say doctors' salaries are too high
🏥 Health

Poll: Most Poles say doctors' salaries are too high

A SW Research poll conducted for rp.pl found that a clear majority of Poles consider doctors' salaries in Poland to be too high. The results feed into the ongoing public debate about pay transparency in the healthcare sector. The survey comes amid the scandal surrounding Warsaw's Szpital Południowy hospital and reports about physician earnings.

Are doctors in Poland paid too much?

Rzeczpospolita · 6min ago · Source ↗
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Venezuela declares state of emergency after earthquakes devastate Caracas and main airport
🌍 World

Venezuela declares state of emergency after earthquakes devastate Caracas and main airport

Venezuela declared a state of emergency after back-to-back massive earthquakes struck the country, toppling buildings in Caracas, knocking out power lines, and severely damaging the capital's main airport. The consecutive quakes caused widespread destruction across the capital. Authorities activated emergency procedures in response to the scale of the disaster.

Should the international community immediately send aid to Venezuela?

Bloomberg · 16min ago · Source ↗
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Vinicius scored a header vs Scotland and is waiting for promised gift from Ancelotti
⚽ Sport

Vinicius scored a header vs Scotland and is waiting for promised gift from Ancelotti

Vinicius Junior scored a header during Brazil's 2:0 win over Scotland, then revealed in a post-match interview that he had promised coach Carlo Ancelotti he would do exactly that. Ancelotti reportedly told him it was impossible and pledged a gift if he pulled it off. Vinicius confirmed he is now waiting for Ancelotti to deliver on the promise.

Is Brazil the main favourite to win the tournament?

WP SportoweFakty · 16min ago · Source ↗
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Stefanovic dropped from radio show after Tommy Robinson interview backlash
🎬 Entertainment

Stefanovic dropped from radio show after Tommy Robinson interview backlash

Karl Stefanovic will not appear on his Friday radio show on Gold FM with Eddie McGuire following widespread backlash over his podcast interview with UK far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Nine Entertainment is expected to cut ties with the Today show host. ARN Media is reviewing Stefanovic's recently signed contract after advertisers threatened a boycott.

Should a journalist lose their job for interviewing a controversial figure?

The Guardian World · 19min ago · Source ↗
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"Gostek" Book Helps Parents Talk to Children About Pain and Family Secrets, Says Psychologist
💄 Lifestyle

"Gostek" Book Helps Parents Talk to Children About Pain and Family Secrets, Says Psychologist

Pieter Koolwijk's book "Gostek" appears to be a story about boyhood friendship, but psychologist Michalina Gajewska explains it is really about childhood pain, mental health and family secrets. Gajewska recommends it to parents who want to better understand a child's inner world — one that does not always fit into adult-convenient frameworks. The book can serve as a gateway for difficult family conversations.

Should parents discuss family secrets openly with their children?

Newsweek Polska · 50min ago · Source ↗
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GTA 6 Polish pricing revealed: physical edition is poor value
💻 Technology

GTA 6 Polish pricing revealed: physical edition is poor value

Rockstar Games has revealed Polish prices and editions for GTA 6. According to the article's analysis, buying the physical box edition is poor value compared to the digital version. The full price breakdown and edition details are discussed in the piece, but the specific figures were not included in the provided text excerpt.

Does buying physical game editions still make sense in the digital age?

Spider's Web · 1h ago · Source ↗
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How 1970s Tourism Transformed Bali Beyond Recognition
💡 Did You Know

How 1970s Tourism Transformed Bali Beyond Recognition

In the 1970s, Bali's southern coastline was rapidly transformed by a tourism boom that brought hotels, parking lots, and nightlife hotspots catering to young travellers from North America, Europe, and Australasia. This wave of mass tourism collided with the island's centuries-old social and religious order. The piece explores what survived of traditional Balinese culture amid that upheaval.

Does mass tourism inevitably destroy local traditional culture?

Damn Interesting · 2h ago · Source ↗
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Beta ETF plans 140-stock Polish fund and seeks own TFI licence
📈 Business

Beta ETF plans 140-stock Polish fund and seeks own TFI licence

Beta ETF, the leading ETF provider on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, has surpassed 2.5 billion PLN in assets under management and aims to break 3 billion PLN this year. The firm is developing a new fund offering exposure to 140 Polish companies in a single transaction. In parallel, it is pursuing its own investment fund company (TFI) licence, a move that could significantly change how it operates.

Are Polish-stock ETFs a good choice for retail investors?

Bankier.pl · 5min ago · Source ↗
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Psychology students in Poland surged 150% to 84,000 in seven years
🔬 Science

Psychology students in Poland surged 150% to 84,000 in seven years

The number of psychology students in Poland has surged from 34,000 seven years ago to over 84,000 today — a nearly 150% increase that puts Poland among Europe's leaders in the field. Experts warn that academic staff numbers are not keeping pace with the boom, raising concerns about education quality. A new law regulating the psychology profession may expose further systemic problems.

Is Poland training too many psychology graduates?

Bankier.pl · 5min ago · Source ↗
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Trump demands Iran accept Strait of Hormuz tolls or the deal is off
🌍 World

Trump demands Iran accept Strait of Hormuz tolls or the deal is off

The US and Iran are continuing to clash over the terms of an agreement to end their war, despite a deal already being in principle agreed. Trump stated that Iran must accept tolls on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, or the deal is off. The standoff risks collapsing negotiations that were meant to bring the conflict to a close.

Does the US have the right to demand tolls through the Strait of Hormuz?

The Independent World · 17min ago · Source ↗
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Health minister: Some Polish hospitals spend 100% of their budget on salaries
🏥 Health

Health minister: Some Polish hospitals spend 100% of their budget on salaries

Health Minister Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda revealed that some Polish hospitals are spending up to 100% of their budgets on staff salaries, leaving nothing for treatment or equipment. Commenting on the Warsaw Szpital Południowy scandal, she confirmed that she and the Mazovian governor have launched their own audit of the facility. Proposed healthcare reforms are to include measures on pay transparency.

Should Polish hospitals have a legal cap on spending on staff salaries?

RMF24 · 18min ago · Source ↗
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Canada qualify from group but lose home advantage after loss to Switzerland
⚽ Sport

Canada qualify from group but lose home advantage after loss to Switzerland

Canada have qualified from their World Cup group but will play no further matches on home soil after losing their final group game to Switzerland. As co-hosts of the tournament, the result means Canadian fans will no longer be able to see their team play domestically. Players and supporters described "mixed emotions" — relief at qualifying alongside disappointment at losing home advantage.

Should Canada be satisfied with qualifying despite losing their home matches?

BBC Sport · 29min ago · Source ↗
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Journalist accessed dressing room and VIP lounge at World Cup with just a press badge
🎬 Entertainment

Journalist accessed dressing room and VIP lounge at World Cup with just a press badge

A Polish journalist covering the World Cup describes walking into the dressing room, tunnel and VIP lounge at the New York Red Bulls stadium armed with nothing more than a press credential around his neck and a dose of confidence. He also met fans who had flown halfway around the world without tickets to a single match. The column offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the tournament and highlights security gaps in access control.

Should World Cup organisers tighten stadium access controls?

Interia Sport · 30min ago · Source ↗
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Star Fox: 9 beginner tips to help you survive the campaign
💻 Technology

Star Fox: 9 beginner tips to help you survive the campaign

The new Star Fox game starts simply — shoot enemies and avoid being shot — but grows significantly more complex later in the campaign, especially on harder routes. A beginner's guide offers 9 tips to help new players navigate the game's mechanics and tricky stages. The article covers core gameplay systems, though the full tip list wasn't included in the excerpt provided.

Polygon · 1h ago · Source ↗
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Lindau: the picturesque island town where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet
💄 Lifestyle

Lindau: the picturesque island town where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet

Lindau is a charming island town on Lake Constance, situated at the point where Germany, Austria and Switzerland converge — one of Bavaria's lesser-known gems. While Bavaria is typically associated with castles and beer festivals, Lindau draws visitors with tranquility, picturesque architecture and stunning lakeside views. The article presents it as an ideal destination for travellers seeking calm away from the tourist mainstream.

Interia Kobieta · 1h ago · Source ↗
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Chief Joseph's 1877 Surrender: The Last Stand of the Nez Percé
💡 Did You Know

Chief Joseph's 1877 Surrender: The Last Stand of the Nez Percé

On 5 October 1877, a Nez Percé leader on horseback faced five U.S. soldiers on the Montana prairie and surrendered, ending a months-long, hundreds-of-miles flight from the U.S. Army. The tribe had been fleeing forced relocation, fighting off pursuit across rugged terrain. His surrender speech — "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever" — became one of American history's most quoted.

Should the U.S. formally apologize to Native Americans for 19th-century policies?

Damn Interesting · 2h ago · Source ↗
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PARP offers grants up to 154,000 PLN for businesses in financial trouble
📈 Business

PARP offers grants up to 154,000 PLN for businesses in financial trouble

Poland's Enterprise Development Agency (PARP) is running a programme called "Support for Companies in Temporary Difficulties", aimed at businesses struggling with cash flow problems. Eligible firms can receive grants of up to 154,000 PLN for advisory services, with participation free of charge. The scheme targets issues including rising costs, staffing problems, and unreliable business partners.

Are state grants for struggling businesses a good solution?

Bankier.pl · 5min ago · Source ↗
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One year since Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański's mission launch
🔬 Science

One year since Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański's mission launch

June 25th marks one year since the historic launch of the space mission carrying Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański. The mission succeeded on the seventh attempt. The anniversary is an occasion to reflect on this landmark moment for Polish spaceflight history.

PAP Nauka · 6min ago · Source ↗