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Suborbital space tourism finally arrives | FCC prepares to run public C-band auction | The big four in the U.S. launch industry — United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman — hope to be one of two providers that will receive five-year contracts later this year to launch national security payloads starting in 2022. | China’s launch rate stays high | The International Space Station is the largest ever crewed object in space.

 
7 Presidential Stories They Don't Teach in...
As we prepare for the election of the next president of the United States, here at Atlas Obscura, we’re reflecting on the shocking stories of presidents and their partners. From sea slugs to first lady escapades, these are odd, interesting, and out-of-pocket details you probably didn’t learn in any high school history class. Explore the secrets of Oval Office desks past and present, find out what went down when Lyndon B. Johnson got stuck in an elevator, and peek...

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The Unique Gullah Geechee History of South...
While you may not have visited the Gullah Geechee of South Carolina, you’ve surely experienced them. If you’ve ever eaten gumbo, sang “kumbaya,” or sat on a front porch painted blue, you are living Gullah legacy and carrying on African traditions that survived the unlikeliest of conditions into the modern day. “Our culture continues to influence American culture,” says Janette Rodrigeus, curator of the Gullah Museum of Georgetown. “People just don’t know where it comes from.” Populating the southeastern...

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This Map Shows a Fictional Country Created...
A little over a year ago, Daniel Crouch, one of the foremost dealers of rare books, maps, and atlases in the world, came into possession of a 19th-century map. It had been drawn by a man named Gregor MacGregor. “The first thing you need to know about Gregor MacGregor, from the Clan Gregor, is he’s improbably named,” says Crouch. “The second is that his story is so improbable, but, trust me, everything I’m about to tell you is true.”...

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The Science of Fighting Our Nightmares
In Japan’s stormy summer of 1983, Ikuo Ishiyama couldn’t stop thinking about a chilling pattern among his patients. They were dead, but that wasn’t what troubled him. As a specialist in forensic medicine at Tokyo University, Ishiyama was accustomed to seeing dead bodies. However, these victims—numbering in the hundreds—shared a similar demise. “The symptoms are the same,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “Young men without medical problems are essentially dying in the same way, without warning.” What way...

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Get Inspired by History’s Most Scandalous and...
Have you picked your Halloween costume yet? There’s still time, especially if you’re willing to brave the crowded, rubber mask–scented aisles of a costume store. There’s the standard witch hats and skeleton suits, tiny princess and superhero costumes for children, and supplies to dress as whatever’s in the pop-culture water. I imagine that this year, in 2024, we’ll be seeing a lot of Beetlejuices and Rayguns. On the higher end, celebrities don’t hit up Spirit Halloween for their costumes....

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'Diwalloween' Means Lights, Sweets, and Spooky Treats
This article is adapted from the October 26, 2024, edition of Gastro Obscura’s Favorite Things newsletter. You can sign up here. Throughout my 20s, I hosted an annual birthday costume party with a different theme each year. The theme for my 21st was, of course, alcohol: I glued crystals to my face and went as Bombay Sapphire. But as my interest in food grew over time, the focus of my parties shifted from the costumes to the menu, and...

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Interview with Pablo Torres, Hospitality Consultant
In this article, we interview Pablo Torres, a hospitality management expert specializing in revenue optimization and guest experience. With over 20 years in the industry, Pablo develops innovative strategies that drive ancillary revenue and operational efficiency. He is also a consultant, educator, and LinkedIn Top Voice, recently launching his new book Mastering Hospitality The post Interview with Pablo Torres, Hospitality Consultant appeared first on Revfine.com.

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Black Swan Hotel in Bendigo, Australia
This unassuming pub is a building that one might walk past without a second glance at the treasures that lie within.  But as soon as you walk in, you’ll notice a quirkiness as you gaze at the bar, littered with motorcycle paraphernalia.   On closer inspection, one will note a few motorbikes propped up on the stage like someone just parked them there before stepping down to order a beverage and then left. Walking around the bottom floor its becomes...

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Paseo del Sistema Solar in Manzanares, Spain
The Paseo del Sistema Solar (Solar System Walk) is a three-dimensional model of the solar system that was inaugurated on September 10, 2010. This project was conceived by scientist Julián Gómez-Cambronero Pacheco. It offers an opportunity to understand the vastness of our universe on a pleasant walk through the park. In 2007, Gómez-Cambronero, a professor at Wright State University in Ohio, created the first design for this project, which scales the size of the planets and their distance from the...

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Peanuts Gang Bronzes in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Charles M. Schulz, creator of the comic strip Peanuts, was born in Minneapolis and spent his childhood in Saint Paul.At its height, Peanuts was published daily in 2,600 papers throughout 75 countries, and translated into more than 20 languages. Over the almost 50 years that Peanuts was published, Schulz drew nearly 18,000 strips. After Schulz died in 2000, colorful fiberglass figures featuring his beloved characters were installed around the Twin Cities. Amazing as these are the best commemoration of Schultz is possibly...

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Were the Salem Witch Trials Ruff on...
This story was originally published on The Conversation. It appears here under a Creative Commons license. I teach a course on New England witchcraft trials, and students always arrive with varying degrees of knowledge of what happened in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Nineteen people accused of witchcraft were executed by hanging, another was pressed to death and at least 150 were imprisoned in conditions that caused the death of at least five more innocents. Each semester, a few students...

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Choosing the Right Hotel Property Management System...
When selecting a Property Management System (PMS) for your hotel, the Request for Proposal (RFP) process is crucial for making an informed decision. Through a well-structured RFP, you can ensure a comprehensive evaluation of potential vendors, leading to a successful PMS implementation that aligns with your hotel’s needs. This article explores what an RFP is, The post Choosing the Right Hotel Property Management System Through the RFP Process appeared first on Revfine.com.

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6 Lessons from Leading Brands for Elevating...
While OTAs have dominated the digital travel booking space in recent years, their influence is quietly dwindling as travelers seek more authentic experiences. In parallel, hoteliers now have access to more tools and resources for digital optimization. In fact, hotels of all sizes can significantly boost online bookings by taking a few notes from these The post 6 Lessons from Leading Brands for Elevating Hotel Booking Strategies appeared first on Revfine.com.

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Overbooking Done Right: How to Fill Rooms...
Imagine you’re at the front desk, midway through a busy day, when you suddenly realize you’re overbooked. Guests are still pouring in, but you know—awkward conversations and unhappy faces await you. But overbooking doesn’t have to be chaotic. When done strategically, it can increase occupancy and revenue. This article will show you how to master The post Overbooking Done Right: How to Fill Rooms Without Upsetting Guests appeared first on Revfine.com.

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Old Town Počitelj in Počitelj, Bosnia...
Počitelj is a charming historic fortified village located in the south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along the Neretva River. The village has medieval Ottoman architecture built on a hillside, with stone houses, narrow streets, and fortress in the top of the hill that gives you an amazing panoramic view from the region. The town was first mentioned on records from the 15th century, but it was likely founded even earlier, in the late 14th century. Počitelj played a significant...

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