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17. November 2009

Heretics and Holy Warriors: The Persecution of the Knights Templar

Heresy trials, convictions and death by burning at the stake awaited the Templar leadership in France where the hatred of Philip IV prevailed over an indecisive Pope. In many countries, the Templars 'melted away', except in Portugal where they were long established and members of the royal family had joined the Order of Christ. A true tale of brutal persecution with a distinctly roasted Medieval flavour.

11. November 2009

4 Comments

5 Animals Most In Need of a Haircut

Regardless of what you think of body or facial hair, nature again is one step ahead when making animals’ coats look good and practical: As defense mechanism, heat protection, natural filter or simply cuteness enhancer – excess hair or fur in animals always has a special purpose. We found five critters that could definitely do with a trim.

11. November 2009

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The World On Sale: Swapping Dull Cityscapes For Exotic Destinations

Imagine waking up in the shadow of the great pyramids, or on a palm studded beach in the Maldives with cool water lapping at your feet. With British Airways you can escape the dull cityscape this fall and travel to exotic destinations all over the globe for reduced prices during their November sale.

29. October 2009

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The Rise and Fall of Christianity’s Warrior Monks

The Knights Templar were the Crusade's premier weapon of certain destruction. They repeatedly tested Saladin and Muslim leadership for almost two centuries. The Templars also became a European banking power that would earn the lethal hatred of Philip IV, King of France. Let's saddle up for a history of this legendary elite order and follow these warrier monks through the most epic battles in which they fought.

28. September 2009

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The Myth Behind the Lantern Bug

Anti-air missile, elephant bug, Pinocchio – these are just some of the nicknames the lantern bug has to endure. All because its nose is slightly long. Okay, fine, that might be an understatement – it is about half the size of the bug’s whole body. If that weren’t enough, the bug’s even supposed to poke its long proboscis into people’s sex lives. Or better, the lack of it might kill them. Find out how.

1. September 2009

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Take Your Brahman Bull to Tulsa, Oklahoma

Did you ever wonder how to get your Brahman bull from Kansas to Tulsa, Oklahoma? We decided to examine the lineage of the Brahman bull in America, uncovering the ancient religious significance of this often under appreciated animal.

28. August 2009

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The Slow Loris: The Cutest Thing You’ll See All Day

It’s amazing what being ticklish can do for your billing. From relative obscurity, the lowly loris recently became animal A-list material. One in particular of these wide-eyed primates shot to fame for its cutesy performance in some footage that’s pure, aww-inspiring dynamite. While the web watched, Sonya the slow loris simply looked loveable. So what’s the story with the loris – as a species and a starlet?

4. August 2009

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Incredibly Realistic Ballpoint Pen Drawings by Juan Francisco Casas

What is blue, about 10 feet tall and takes several ballpoint pens to make? One of Juan Francisco Casas’ drawings, created from a photograph and only with a blue pen. The 32-year old Spanish artist submitted his first realist ballpoint-pen drawing at a national competition in 2004 – and won second prize! The rest is history and Casas hasn’t really looked at traditional painting methods again.

10. July 2009

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What Became of the Glowing Green Bunny?

What do you get if you cross a bunny rabbit, some jellyfish genes and a madcap Brazilian bio-artist? Alba, the glowing green rabbit. Yes, we know, it's an oldie, but it's a goodie too, and one that's worth retelling, if only to see what became of the bunny. In 2000, artist Eduardo Kac commissioned a French genetics lab to make his genetically modified creation by implanting the albino rabbit with Green Fluorescent Protein from a type of jellyfish.

17. June 2009

2 Comments

Beef Jerky Underpants

The next time you strip off to get down to some sweet loving and you really want to give your partner something to get hot under the collar about, you might want to try a pair of beef jerky undergarments. OK, so the pant-tastic surprise might not create the desired effect if you’re lover is vegetarian, but provided they’re a hot-blooded carnivore type, this could be a garment to really beef up your bedroom antics.