Catalogue

1. Diamond Auction Prices: Diamonds are often sold for astonishing amounts at auctions.

2. Formation: Diamonds start as rough stones formed deep beneath the Earth's surface over billions of years.

3. New York Market: Approximately 80% of all diamonds are sold in New York, a major hub for the diamond trade.

4. Geological Process: Diamonds are pushed to the surface by volcanic activity, where they can be mined.

5. Composition and Hardness: Made primarily of carbon, diamonds are the hardest natural substance known, much harder than any other material.

6. Mining Locations: Rough diamonds are extracted from mines in countries like South Africa, Russia, and Botswana.

7. Cutting Centres: Key cities for cutting and polishing diamonds include Antwerp, Tel Aviv, Surat, and Guangzhou.

8. Diamond Cutters: Skilled professionals who transform rough diamonds into polished gems using specialized tools and techniques.

9. Four Cs: Diamonds are evaluated based on colour, carat weight, clarity, and cut.

10. Cultural Significance: Diamonds symbolize love, especially in engagement rings, with a history dating back to 1477.

11. Marketing Influence: The successful "A Diamond is Forever" campaign by De Beers changed public perception and boosted diamond sales after the Great Depression.

1. Selfie Trend: A survey found that young women (ages 16-25) take an average of three selfies a day, spending about 16 minutes per photo.

2. Time Investment: This equates to over five hours a week dedicated to taking selfies.

3. Dangerous Incidents: The article highlights several fatal accidents related to selfie-taking, demonstrating the risks involved.

4. Case Studies:
- Indonesia: A man drowned while attempting to take a selfie jumping into the sea.
- Russia: A woman accidentally shot herself while posing with a found pistol.
- Spain: A man was killed by a bull while trying to take a selfie during a festival.

5. Cautionary Message: The article emphasizes the need for awareness and caution when taking selfies to avoid dangerous situations.

6. Reflection on Time Use: It questions whether spending significant time on selfies is a productive use of time.

1. Historical Significance: The Cutty Sark is a famous clipper ship launched in Scotland in 1869.

2. Tea Trade: The ship played a crucial role in transporting tea from China to England, reflecting Britain's tea-drinking culture.

3. Tax on Tea: A high tax on tea in the 17th century limited access for many, but its removal in 1784 increased demand.

4. Clipper Design: Clippers were designed for speed, allowing them to compete in races to deliver tea quickly.

5. Suez Canal Opening: The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 reduced travel distance but favoured steamships over clippers.

6. Sailing Efficiency: The Cutty Sark had 29 sails and could travel quickly under optimal wind conditions, completing a journey to China in just 109 days.

7. Transition to Wool Transport: After the decline of the tea trade, the Cutty Sark shifted to transporting wool from Australia.

8. Preservation: She remained in service until 1957 and is now on display in London for public visits.

9. Cultural Impact: The Cutty Sark represents an important chapter in maritime history and the global trade of the 19th century.

10. Legacy: Her story highlights the impact of technological advancements on traditional shipping methods.

1. Historical Beginnings: The launch of the "Prinzessin Victoria Luise" in 1900 marked the start of modern cruising.

2. Luxury Travel: Early cruises catered primarily to wealthy passengers, offering opulent amenities.

3. Post-War Boom: After World War II, cruising became more accessible, leading to increased demand for leisure travel.

4. Larger Vessels: The 1960s introduced larger ships, like the "SS France," with modern features appealing to a wider audience.

5. Cruise Industry Growth: The 1980s and 1990s saw a boom in the cruise industry, with companies introducing massive ships for thousands of passengers.

6. Entertainment Options: Modern cruise ships offer diverse activities, including theatres, shopping, and water parks, creating a floating resort experience.

7. Environmental Awareness: The cruise industry is increasingly focusing on sustainability and cleaner technologies to minimize its environmental impact.

8. Changing Traveller Demographics: Cruising has evolved from a luxury experience for the elite to a popular vacation choice for families and diverse groups.

9. Complete Vacation Experience: Today’s cruises provide comprehensive itineraries with exotic ports of call and unique excursions.

These concepts illustrate the significant changes and developments in the cruise industry over time.

1. Definition: Crop circles are circular patterns that appear in crop fields, such as wheat, barley, or corn.

2. Observation and Study: These formations have been observed for decades, leading to ongoing research and speculation about their origins.

3. Design and Size: Crop circles can range from simple circles to intricate designs, varying in size from a few meters to over 300 meters in diameter.

4. Creation Theories: Theories about their origin include human pranksters, artists, and paranormal or extraterrestrial activity.

5. Crop Circle Making: Many crop circles are believed to be created by people using tools like boards and ropes to flatten crops in specific patterns.

6. Complexity and Precision: Some enthusiasts argue that the complexity of certain designs suggests a non-human influence, contributing to the mystery.

7. Public Fascination: Crop circles continue to capture public interest, inspiring curiosity and debate about their meanings and origins.

8. Cultural Impact: The phenomenon has become a part of popular culture, often discussed in relation to art and social commentary.

9. Global Occurrence: New crop circles appear worldwide each year, maintaining their status as a topic of intrigue.

1. Geography: Papua New Guinea is situated in the southwest Pacific Ocean, north of Australia, known for its beautiful beaches and coral reefs.

2. Cultural Diversity: The country is home to many tribes, some with little or no contact with the outside world.

3. Sepik River: The longest river in Papua New Guinea, significant for local culture and traditions.

4. Spirit Houses: Structures along the river believed to house animal spirits, central to local rites of passage.

5. Rites of Passage: Annual ceremonies where boys undergo initiations to mark their transition to adulthood.

6. Crocodile Symbolism: In local legend, humans evolved from crocodiles, which symbolize power and strength.

7. Initiation Process: Involves painful cuts made into the skin, believed to strengthen the boys.

8. Traditional Healing: Use of smoke, clay, and tree oil to treat wounds and prevent infection.

9. Life Skills Training: After initiation, young men learn essential skills from elders, such as fishing and woodcarving.

10. Cultural Identity: The markings from the initiation signify the boys' transformation into men within their community.

1. Importance of Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining health.

2. Variety of Activities: People engage in different forms of exercise, such as team sports, running, and walking.

3. Step Count as Measure: The target of 10,000 steps per day is commonly recommended for fitness.

4. Origin of 10,000 Steps: The concept originated with the Japanese company Yamasa, which created the first step-counting device after the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

5. Lack of Initial Scientific Evidence: There was no scientific basis for the 10,000-step target until it gained popularity.

6. Health Benefits: Studies indicate that increasing daily steps reduces the risk of early death and lowers the chances of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and depression.

7. Historical Perspective: The Greek philosopher Hippocrates advocated for walking as a form of medicine, highlighting its long-standing recognition as beneficial.

8. Modern Technology: The rise of fitness trackers like FitBits reflects the growing trend of monitoring physical activity.

1. Homework Culture: Mainland China's teachers are known for assigning large quantities of homework to students.

2. Unusual Assignment: Ms Su, a maths teacher in Foshan, assigned her Primary 4 students the task of counting 100 million grains of rice within two days.

3. Student Reactions: The assignment led to significant dissatisfaction among students, who found the task nearly impossible and began to complain to their parents.

4. Parental Concerns: Parents expressed outrage, with one parent accusing the teacher of torture and questioning the feasibility of the assignment.

5. Counting Challenge: The calculation showed that counting 100 million grains would require extensive time and resources, making the task seem absurd.

6. Alternative Approaches: Some parents suggested practical methods, like counting smaller amounts of rice, weighing them, and using multiplication to estimate the total.

7. Educational Philosophy: Ms Su explained that she aimed to teach students through practical activities rather than rote learning, promoting problem-solving skills.

8. Successful Outcomes: Some students managed to use measuring cups to count the rice, reporting that the exercise helped them develop analytical skills.

9. Historical Anecdote: The article references the tale of an Indian king and the inventor of chess, illustrating the exponential growth of rice grains, drawing parallels to the homework task.

10. Intellectual Insight: The story suggests that both Ms Su and the wise king were more clever than they initially appeared, highlighting the value of innovative thinking in education.

1. Constitution Day: Celebrated on September 17 annually, marking the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

2. Historical Significance: The Constitution established the framework for American government and defined citizens' rights.

3. Founding Fathers: Key leaders like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin played pivotal roles in drafting the Constitution.

4. Constitutional Convention: The gathering in Philadelphia began on May 25, 1787, leading to the Constitution's creation after extensive debate.

5. Educational Opportunities: Constitution Day serves as a chance for Americans to learn about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and government functions.

6. Bill of Rights: Added in 1791, this comprises the first ten amendments, ensuring fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and religion.

7. Federal Holiday: Established by Congress in 2004, it mandates educational programs about the Constitution in federally funded schools.

8. Civic Engagement: The day encourages reflection on democratic participation, urging citizens to vote and engage in local governance.

9. Rights and Responsibilities: Emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s rights and duties as a citizen in a democracy.

10. Reflecting on Democracy: Constitution Day is not just historical; it fosters ongoing discussions about protecting rights and civic involvement.

1. Comfort Food: Dishes that evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and satisfaction.

2. Cultural Variations: Each country has its own unique comfort foods that reflect local traditions.

3. Italy: Lasagna, a layered pasta dish filled with meat, cheese, and sauce, enjoyed at family gatherings.

4. Japan: Ramen, a comforting noodle soup with rich broth and various toppings, popular in social settings.

5. Mexico: Tamales, made from corn dough and filled with various ingredients, often prepared during celebrations.

6. United States: Macaroni and cheese, a creamy dish linked to childhood memories, versatile in serving options.

7. India: Dal, a lentil dish cooked with spices, offering nourishment and comfort in many households.

8. United Kingdom: Shepherd's pie, a hearty meal made with lamb and mashed potatoes, associated with home cooking.

9. Shared Experiences: Many comfort foods are linked to family gatherings and communal cooking.

10. Emotional Connection: Comfort food reinforces feelings of belonging and connection to one’s heritage.

These concepts highlight the significance of comfort food in different cultures and its role in fostering connections.

1. Definition: Colour blindness is a genetic condition that impairs the ability to distinguish between certain colours, primarily red, green, and blue.

2. Genetic Factors: The condition is usually inherited, often passed from mother to child, affecting one in 12 males and one in 200 females.

3. Prevalence: Approximately 300 million people worldwide are estimated to be colour blind.

4. Impact on Daily Life: Colour blindness can create challenges in tasks requiring colour recognition, such as driving or interpreting signals.

5. Ishihara Test: A common test for colour blindness, consisting of coloured dots forming numbers, where colour blind individuals may not see the number.

6. Professional Implications: Many professions, such as driving trains or cars, require accurate colour recognition for safety reasons.

7. Technological Solutions: Advancements like automatic trains, which do not rely on traditional colour signals, provide new opportunities for individuals with colour blindness.

8. Personal Stories: Alex Bulley's journey illustrates the challenges and eventual success of someone with colour blindness pursuing their dream job.

9. Future Developments: As technology advances, reliance on colour-coded systems may diminish, potentially benefiting those with colour blindness.

1. Historic Discovery: For the first time, scientists filmed a colossal squid in its natural habitat.

2. Research Expedition: The discovery occurred on March 9 near the South Sandwich Islands using the remote-controlled vehicle SuBastian.

3. Juvenile Squid: The team captured footage of a 30-centimetre (one foot) juvenile squid at a depth of 600 meters.

4. Centenary Recognition: This year marks 100 years since the colossal squid was first identified.

5. Mysterious Species: Colossal squids are part of the glass squid family, which includes various deep-sea species.

6. Significance of Footage: Filming a live squid is a major advancement in understanding these elusive creatures, previously only known from remains found in predators.

7. Physical Characteristics: Colossal squids can grow up to seven meters long and weigh as much as 500 kilograms.

8. Collaboration in Science: The expedition highlights the importance of teamwork among scientists to discover new species and share findings.

9. Schmidt Ocean Institute's Mission: The institute aims to enhance marine understanding and protect ocean life through research and public outreach.