The most interesting. Curious facts about the countries of the world Mexican cartel wars

The “This is interesting” section on the website is interesting news in the world, unusual news, educational information about interesting events. Interesting things in the world, interesting news and exciting events from the world of fashion, politics, human relations, the natural world, cultural life, Guinness records, hobbies and unusual interests. Love and relationships, psychology and occult techniques, pets and family hearth. Resonant stories, interesting things in the world and interesting news from the lives of great people.

The “this is interesting” section provides online information about interesting events and incidents from life. Amazing, unexpected, shocking, outlandish, rare and fantastic facts in the news materials of Express-Novosti correspondents.

Latest and interesting news on the topics: wonders of the world, nature, climate, health, tourism, family relationships, crime, technological innovations, religion, future, space, extrasensory perception, LGBT, witchcraft, pop culture. The section publishes the most interesting things in the world: amazing stories from people’s lives and unusual destinies. Latest forecasts and predictions of Miro, Glob, Vanga and other seers. Wonders of the world. What interesting things can be seen in Europe, Asia, America, Australia and Antarctica, in general, all the most interesting things in the world. Unusual news and events in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova.

News digest of funny, fascinating and curious events and all the most interesting things in the world.

Leisure for everyone

Journalists of the Express-Novosti news agency constantly monitor interesting news in the world and entertaining events. Amazing facts and funny scandals.

How to treat gambling addiction, why is prostitution dangerous for society, is there life after death and how to live longer? Our correspondents are constantly looking for answers to these and other questions.

The No. 1 sporting event that needs no introduction. Starting from February 6, the attention of the whole world will be focused on the Krasnodar region, where the XX Winter Games will open. We smile, wave, dress in the colors of the national tricolor, get on skis, study the rules of curling and skeleton, create idols for ourselves and chant: “Russia - forward!” Know ours!

The draw for the group stage of the final part of the 20th FIFA World Cup has ended in Brazil. The national teams of Belgium, Algeria and South Korea have been announced as opponents of the Russian team. The opening match of the championship will take place in Sao Paulo, and the final will take place at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. We will find out whose team will receive the “golden” prize money of $35 million on July 13. We are cheering for ours!

Following the Winter Games, the second sports event in Sochi will take place in October. So don’t rush to pack your suitcases and bikinis when leaving the Black Sea shore. This time we are waiting for the greatest drivers of our time to visit us as part of the Formula 1 Grand Prix stage, many of whom have already tested their cars on the track in the Olympic Park. It looks like this time Sochi is seriously laying claim to the title of Russian Monte Carlo. The main print of autumn is a matryoshka doll wearing a racing helmet.

All flags are visiting us! In the summer of the coming year, Chelyabinsk will temporarily become the capital of judo. The Emirates, the USA and Korea fought for the right to host one of the most prestigious tournaments; in the end, Russia boldly knocked out its rivals, becoming the host of the Championship. In a country where the president is a black belt, it couldn’t be any other way.

CULTURE

Cross year of culture between Great Britain and Russia 2014

January - December 2014

Following the past year, the Netherlands are expecting eminent Britons in Russia. It was announced that in June, as part of an international project, the Multimedia Art Museum will show an exhibition dedicated to the design and style of the James Bond films, as well as an exhibition of the most expensive expressionist in history - Francis Bacon. In September, the Catherine Foundation will introduce everyone to the influential movement of contemporary British artists - a collection of works by Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sam Taylor-Wood. Fashionistas will love the multimedia project The Rise of Fashion Film about the English brands Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Ossie Clarke and Hussein Chalayan. The start of the new cultural year will be informally given in London at the April opening of the exhibition “The Golden Age of the Russian Avant-Garde,” curated by director Peter Greenaway.

The main hero of the year is William Shakespeare. To be there or not to be a celebration in our country in honor of the best-selling playwright on the planet? Of course there will be! Two “Othellos” - in “Satyricon” from director Yuri Butusov and a dance performance at the Vakhtangov Theater, “The Taming of the Shrew” at the Theater of Nations with Chulpan Khamatova, a joint project of the Pushkin Theater and the English Cheek by Jowl - “Measure for Measure” from Declan Donnellan - Low bow to the birthday boy from Russian theaters. Plus, on February 18, in Moscow, St. Petersburg and 23 other cities in Russia, as well as in 3 cities in Kazakhstan, as part of the @theatrehd (National Theater Live) project, screenings of the play “Coriolanus” with Tom Hiddleston in the title role will take place.

The Wind of Winter, the penultimate book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series of fantasy novels from George R.R. Martin, was expected in 2013. No miracle happened. The timing of the book's release is still vague; in a recent interview, the writer threatened that it might happen in 2014. Where is the fantasy world going, filmed in the most popular TV series on the planet about the war and peace of the seven kingdoms? Wait and see.

MOVIE

We follow the outfits on the red carpet, the smiles of the losers and the tears of the winners. Let's keep our fingers crossed for Leonardo DiCaprio, vote for the Coen brothers, bet on record holder Meryl Streep and never cease to admire George Clooney - at the main "elephant giveaway" of world cinema - the Oscars.

The main gossip of the film industry in 2014 is the return to the screens of the deadliest bride, Tarantino’s lyrical heroine. The release date is not disclosed even in the circles closest to the director. It is only known that in the third part of the Black Mamba (Ume Thurman) two of the “88 Mad Ones”, who lost their eyes and hands through her fault (including Ellie Driver), will take revenge. Liters of blood, feelings on the verge of a nervous breakdown and, as always, an amazing soundtrack, where all the songs are only about love.

According to IMDB, the world's largest film database, this is the most anticipated film of the last three years. Russian critics confirm the excitement around the film in our country. Steven Spielberg's brilliant idea was brought to life by the Nolan brothers - director Christopher and screenwriter Jonathan. The science-fiction film starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway tells the story of the intergalactic travels of a group of researchers through a space-time tunnel. The premiere is scheduled for November 7.

And also Wes Anderson’s new masterpiece “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, Leonardo DiCaprio as “The Wolf of Wall Street”, Megan Fox as reporter April O’Neil in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, the film adaptation of the game Need for Speed, the two-part “Nymphomaniac” "Lars von Trier, a cartoon about airplanes from Hayao Miyazaki, a sequel to Sin City and Johnny Depp proving his computer superiority.

SERIES

Sherlock is alive and will live! However, like Watson, Mrs. Hudson, Moriarty, sparkling remarks, cunning intrigues and soul-piercing eyes of the main character. Why list the details of the third season of the best detective series of our time - soon they will be obvious to everyone. We are rubbing our hands in anticipation of new evidence! There's not long to wait. The start of the third season is January 1.

One of the most anticipated television projects of 2014 is the fantasy thriller “Existing” by the American channel CBS. The 13-episode film about a female astronaut performed by Halle Berry, intergalactic odysseys and the fatal fate of all humanity from producer Steven Spielberg is another significant proof of the global trend for films on the theme of space.

And also the fourth season of “Game of Thrones”, “The Vatican” from Ridley Scott, the comedy “Together”, new series about secret agents “Intelligence” and “Spy”, Alfonso Cuaron’s drama “Believe”, horror films “The Strain” and “Spiral”.

MUSIC

Santa Claus has finally heeded our requests, which we have written with all passion in neat handwriting year after year - the most charming, attractive and successful pop singer in the galaxy, Justin Timberlake, will come to Moscow and St. Petersburg with concerts. It looks like May 15 and 17 in 2014 will become an alternative to Women's Day in our country.

Also on tour in Moscow and St. Petersburg will come: Backstreet Boys (February 26, 27), Depeche Mode (March 4, 7), 30 Seconds to Mars (March 15, 16 and 18), Aerosmith (May 24, 27), Nine Inch Nails (June 13, 15), Roxette (December 1).

Just two months after the release of the Artpop album, Lady Gaga is already promising to release a brand new disc of “classic jazz standards” - Cheek To Cheek, recorded together with the legend of American pop music, 87-year-old Tony Bennett. I wonder what outfit the pop diva plans to amaze the world with before the music premiere? Will he take the stage as a sexy saxophone? A Frank Sinatra mustache? Or will he try on a hat in the shape of a glass of whiskey with ice?

The restless producer, music video director and composer Pharrell Williams announced that he will release a new solo album in 2014. This is the artist’s first disc in the last eight years, and it will certainly include the song Happy, for which a 24-hour video of the same name was filmed. What happiness!

We also download new albums by Sophie Ellis-Bextor / Wanderlust in 2014 (January 20); Limp Bizkit / Stampede of the Disco Elephants (January); Lily Allen (March); Jay-Z and Kanye West / Watch the Throne II (April); Jennifer Lopez (April) and we are waiting for releases from Adele, Chris Brown, Garbage, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Mariah Carey, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

TECHNO

Just to remember, after April 8, 2014, technical support for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that make your computer more secure. You can continue to use Windows XP, but your computer may become vulnerable to attacks and viruses. A reason to hang a black ribbon on the monitor screen of an old PS. The future is Windows 8.1. A curtain.

The future that we have been waiting for since the premiere of the second “Terminator”, and then from the show of Diane Von Furstenberg’s collection, where models sported gadget accessories from Sergey Brin, is coming! The commercial launch of computer glasses was postponed several times. The final release date is May 2014. The lucky owner of Google Glass will be able to see reality through messages from friends, air temperature readings, a turn-by-turn navigator, a guide to an unfamiliar city, and much more. You won't believe it until you try it!

In 2014, Apple promises to present several must-have and must-touch products in the fall of 2014. The main sensations, according to analysts, will be: a budget version of the iMac desktop computer, a new screen for the iPad tablet and the first affordable 12-inch MacBook. There are also rumors that Apple is working on an iPhone with a larger screen size, a TV and a smartwatch.

Each photograph tells its own story, and taken together they will show us the full picture of the events that occurred in 2014.

Ice Age in the USA. In the first days of the new year, a front of cold air from the Arctic arrived in the United States. Temperatures hit 20-year lows in several regions and at least 21 people died. The frosts affected areas home to more than 200 million people out of the more than 300 million US population.

The Arctic storm Hercules was to blame. In some northern states, thermometers dropped to -44 Celsius.

"Akademik Shokalsky" and the rescue operation in Antarctica. On December 24, 2013, the scientific vessel Akademik Shokalsky was blocked in Antarctica by iceberg fragments. There were 74 people on board the scientific vessel Akademik Shokalsky, including the crew, scientists and tourists. It set out on a cruise from New Zealand to visit several sites off the Antarctic coast. Several powerful ships came to his aid at once. At first, the Chinese and French icebreakers could not overcome the 3-meter ice, and then the Aurora Australis, with which the main hopes for rescue from ice captivity were pinned, could not break through.

On January 7, the Russian ship Akademik Shokalsky was freed from ice captivity. It was not the icebreakers that saved him - they were never able to get to the ship - but the weather. The wind changed direction and a wide crack appeared in the ice.

Death of a friend. Motorcycle racer from Portugal Paulo Goncalves' motorcycle caught fire at one of the stages of the Dakar Rally, January 9, 2014. Racing in the desert is an activity for real extreme sports enthusiasts. On January 5, more than 450 teams from around the world began their two-week adventure in South America as part of the annual 2014 Dakar Rally.

Americans and space. On January 9, 2014, the Antares rocket with the private Cygnus space truck (“Swan”) successfully launched from the spaceport on Wallops Island in the USA. This was the second flight of the Cygnus to the international space station. So the United States is systematically moving towards using its spacecraft and abandoning Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Until recently, only they could deliver astronauts and the equipment the Americans needed to the ISS. Americans place emphasis on private companies.

Fire Mountain. Mount Sinabung, the tallest volcano on the Indonesian island, has erupted again in northern Sumatra, Indonesia. “Fire Mountain” threw volcanic ash into the air up to seven kilometers into the air. On January 4, 2014, the volcano produced 30 ash emissions and sixty lava eruptions, forcing more than 20 thousand residents of the island of Sumatra to flee their homes.

Every year in January, in the Spanish village of San Bartolome de Pinares, located 100 km from Madrid, traditional celebrations are held in honor of St. Antonio, the patron saint of domestic animals. On the night before St. Antonio's Day, which falls on January 17, the most colorful part of the celebration takes place - riders ride horses through blazing bonfires to purify the animals.

Gifts of the Magi in Moscow. In mid-January, all the media wrote for several days in a row about kilometer-long queues in Moscow of people who wanted to get into the Temple to the shrine of the Gifts of the Magi.

The Gifts of the Magi are one of the few relics associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ that have survived to this day. According to legend, more than 2000 years ago, the Star of Bethlehem showed the Magi the place where the future Messiah would be born. They brought Jesus gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense - all these gifts have a deep meaning. Gold symbolizes an offering to the king, myrrh is used for burying people, and incense is used during worship.

Ebola fever. The Ebola epidemic in West Africa began in February 2014 in Guinea and continues to this day, leaving the country and spreading to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, the United States and Spain. The case is unique in that the epidemic of this fever began for the first time in West Africa, as a result of which doctors in the affected countries have no experience in dealing with it, and panic and the spread of misinformation are possible among the population. According to the WHO Director General for Health Security, this outbreak is the worst Ebola outbreak they have seen. The reasons for the rapid spread of the epidemic in Africa are poor hygiene and sanitation, and local funeral customs.

Revolution in Ukraine. All the main news of 2014 related in one way or another to events in Ukraine. Mass protests in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine began on November 21, 2013, when the government announced the suspension of the preparation of an association agreement with the European Union.

On January 19, 2014, clashes began in the center of Kyiv on the approaches to the government and Parliament buildings. Radicals armed with shields, cobblestones and rods fought street battles with special forces, who responded with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets. Cars and tires were burning, fire and smoke barricades were erected. These were the most massive and bloody clashes for the entire existence of Ukraine.

The reformatting of all branches of government began on February 22, 2014. At the same time, at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, they reported the “disappearance” of President Viktor Yanukovych, who fled the country.

Technology of "color revolutions". By the end of the 80s of the last century, the United States and its allies developed and successfully tested technology for destabilizing the situation and nonviolent change of power in different countries of the world. In the 2000s, this technology proved its effectiveness in a number of former USSR republics - as a result of the “color revolutions”, Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan were led by politicians loyal to the West, anti-Russian.

The American ideologist of “color revolutions” Gene Sharp identifies 3 main stages:

convincing people of the illegitimacy of the authorities and protests;
public disobedience, riots, clashes with security forces;
overthrow of power.

According to the head of the main operational directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Colonel General Vladimir Zarudnitsky, the geography of “color revolutions” will expand, since their implementation allows, with fairly little funding and limited use of one’s own armed forces, to crush regional powers.

From the series “it was and became.” Kyiv, Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Clicking on it will open a high-resolution photo.

All the “color revolutions” of the late 20th - early 21st centuries in infographics

Consequences of the war in Syria. But here are the fruits of another “color revolution”, the so-called “Arab Spring” in Syria. Since the beginning of the war in Syria, about 160 thousand people have lived in the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk. Since December 2012, the camp came under the control of Islamist armed groups, thereby becoming isolated from surrounding cities. As a result, dozens of civilians died of starvation. The delivery of humanitarian aid from the Syrian government, UNRWA and the Red Crescent is hampered by Jabhat al-Nusra militants shelling humanitarian convoys.

The photo shows residents of the besieged Palestinian camp of Yarmouk standing in an endless line to receive food in Damascus, Syria.

Apocalypse in Rostov. Local residents of Rostov do not remember such snowfalls. A state of emergency was introduced in the region at the end of January: a month's worth of precipitation fell in one day. There were shortages of bread in stores.

Killing of the giraffe Marius. The Copenhagen Zoo decided to kill the one-and-a-half-year-old giraffe Marius, who was born as a result of close crossing. Such wild animals, according to the rules adopted by EU officials, must be killed so as not to create a danger for further reproduction. Marius was an absolutely healthy animal, with a good, friendly character, and was accepted by the other inhabitants of the zoo. However, rules are rules and the zoo decided to follow them.

Local animal welfare societies opposed this, more than 30,000 people signed a petition to save Marius’s life, a community was opened on Facebook where people wrote in defense of the giraffe, two zoos in Sweden and England (Yorkshire Wildlife Park) were ready to accept him, private Thus, the zoo was offered approximately $500,000 to keep Marius alive. However, on Sunday morning the giraffe was called in with a piece of rye bread, and when he ate it, he was shot in the head with a rifle. This is the head (picture below). But what happened next was even more disgusting - the zoo invited spectators to cut up the animal, promising to show what a giraffe is made of. The most interesting thing is that there were spectators.

A Spanish cargo ship breaks in two off the coast of France. In early February, a dramatic rescue operation unfolded off the coast of France after the Spanish bulk carrier Luno collided with a breakwater off the coast of France and broke in two.

Shooting at Moscow school No. 263. This was the first case of a school shooting in Russia. On February 3, 2014, at about 11:40, a 10th grade student, armed with a carbine and rifle taken from his father, went into office No. 2 on the first floor, where a lesson was going on at that moment.

A hostage situation occurred, a geography teacher and one policeman were killed. According to one of the widespread preliminary versions, which appeared almost immediately after the incident, 10th grade student Gordeev had a conflict with the “geographer” over a grade.

Olympics in Sochi. The Olympics in Sochi became a real “construction project of the century” for Russia; the whole country worked for it. All expenses for the Olympics had unconditional priority. Some Western experts estimate that Russia has spent about $51 billion on the Olympics, which will take place from February 7 to 23, making it the most expensive Olympics in history.

On February 7, 2014, at the Fisht stadium in Sochi, a colorful and technically ambitious opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games took place. The basis of the show was an excursion into the history of Russia and a ballet performance based on Natasha Rostova’s ball, and a view of our planet from space.

At the XXII Winter Olympic Games, a record number of medal sets were awarded in the entire history of the Winter Olympic Games - 98. In fact, 99 gold, 97 silver and 99 bronze medals were awarded. Russia took unconditional first place in the unofficial medal standings - 13 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Unrest in Venezuela. While well-known events were taking place in Ukraine, Venezuela was also uneasy: mass protests against the government’s policies began in early February. The unrest and chaos have already claimed the lives of more than 50 people. The protesters’ motives are simple and common: they are dissatisfied with the shortage of goods, low quality and high cost of living.

At the beginning of February, the Snow Festival, one of the largest winter events in Japan, took place in Sapporo for the 65th time.

Oscar 2014. On March 2, the main event of the year in the world of big cinema took place in Los Angeles - the 86th Academy Awards 2014. The best film was chosen in the American way, it was the film about American slave owners “12 Years a Slave”. Best Actor - Matthew McConaughey, won an Oscar 2014 for the film "Dallas Buyers Club".

Carnivals. At the same time, the last celebrations before Lent took place all over the world, marking the end of winter and the arrival of spring. For almost a month, numerous festivals took place throughout Europe and America. The culmination of the largest and most famous of carnivals took place last weekend - the carnival in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro: 6 million residents and 900 thousand tourists filled the streets to see joyful parades and extravagant processions of the best samba schools.

Solar Energy News. In California, in the Mojave Desert, the world's largest solar power plant, Ivanpah, was launched, covering an area of ​​almost 13 sq. km. The $2.2 billion facility consists of three power plants and nearly 350 thousand heliostat mirrors.

At the end of winter, cold weather set in again in America, and for the second time this winter, Niagara Falls partially froze.

Strong people. In Sochi, from March 7 to 16, the competition of strong people took place - the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games. The Paralympic Games are international sports competitions for people with disabilities, which are traditionally held after the main Olympic Games, and since 1988 - in the same stadiums and sports venues.

Confrontation in Turkey. Protests against the Prime Minister began at the end of May 2013 with a regular rally in defense of the park - a green island in the middle of Istanbul. Then many Turkish cities were covered in protests. And on March 12, numerous new anti-government demonstrations took place throughout Turkey, timed to coincide with the funeral of a teenager who was a victim of those summer protests in Istanbul, where he was accidentally hit in the head by a gas grenade. He remained in a coma for nine months and died on Tuesday in an Istanbul hospital.

The disappearance of a Malaysian airliner. It was a Malaysia Airlines flight, Boeing 777-200ER, with which contact was lost on Saturday, March 8, 2014, during a flight from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) to Beijing (PRC). At that moment, the plane was flying over the South China Sea. Subsequently, it was established that unknown persons turned off the communication systems on the airliner, but at the same time the plane deviated significantly from the course and remained in the air for at least 7 more hours. As a result, it is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, killing all on board.

This is a Boeing 777-200ER 15 months before the crash:

“Comrade Sukhov” passed away. On March 7, at the age of 84, the Soviet and Russian actor, People's Artist of the RSFSR Anatoly Borisovich Kuznetsov died as a result of a long illness. The actor’s filmography includes 94 films, but Kuznetsov gained fame after playing the role of the Red Army soldier Sukhov in the film “White Sun of the Desert” (1969).

Return of Crimea. On March 1, Putin addressed the Federation Council with a request to send troops to Crimea. The Federation Council allowed President Vladimir Putin to use the Armed Forces in Ukraine.

On March 16, 2014, following the results of a referendum held in Crimea, 96.77% of the residents who took part in it voted for the autonomy to join Russia.

Meanwhile, Hindus all over the world celebrated Holi 2014 - a festival of spring and bright colors. This is one of the most colorful festivals in India, falling on the last full moon of the lunar month. People take to the streets and throw bright, colored powders at each other.

Dark forces. On the eve of the early presidential elections in Ukraine, Darth Alekseevich Vader, in the presence of the “emperor”, “drones of the empire” and other characters from the legendary Star Wars, was officially nominated as a candidate for president of Ukraine. Compared to the other candidates, the representative of the dark forces was the brightest option.

Fukushima-1. Homecoming. Three years after the accident at the Japanese Fukushima-1 nuclear power plant, people began to return to their homes near the plant. Numerous checks and examinations were carried out in advance. Experts have concluded that the radiation level in this area is quite low. However, many Japanese have not yet decided whether it is worth returning to their homes now.

Earthquake in Chile. On Thursday, April 3, the third earthquake in two days occurred off the Pacific coast of Chile. The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 10 km.

On April 8, Microsoft completely stopped supporting the popular Windows XP system. Interestingly, at that time, about 90% of ATMs in Russia were still running the Windows XP operating system.

Bee costume. In April, a 34-year-old beekeeper from Chongqing set a world record - he planted 460 thousand bees, weighing a total of 45.65 kg. The procedure of putting on the “living suit” lasted about 15 minutes. According to the Guinness Book of Records, previously the world record for the number of bees retained on the body belonged to the American Mark Biancaniello - 39.5 kilograms. This was in 1998.

Fire in Chile. In mid-April, the worst fire in the city's history continues in the Chilean Valparaiso, which has been declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The fire destroyed 850 hectares of territory and more than 2,000 residential buildings, killing 15 people. To extinguish the fire, the largest-scale operation in the history of the country was launched with the participation of firefighting aircraft.

Red Moon. On the night of April 15, 2014, residents of the Western Hemisphere of planet Earth could observe a unique cosmic phenomenon - a total lunar eclipse. It was notable for the fact that the Moon turned blood red.

Protests in southeast Ukraine. And in eastern Ukraine, protest movements against the new authorities have continued since the end of February 2014. Having broken out in Donetsk and Kharkov, rallies of supporters of federalization continued in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Mariupol, Enakievo, Zhdanovka, Lugansk, Krasny Liman, Gorlovka and other settlements. Local self-defense forces are seizing city councils and police departments, people are demanding referendums on the status of their regions. Kyiv decided to respond to the protests with force, sending troops and armored vehicles to eastern Ukraine as part of an anti-terrorist operation.

Sewol ferry wreck. On April 16, 2014, the South Korean ferry Sewol crashed off the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The ferry was carrying 476 people (mostly high school students) on a voyage from Incheon to Jeju. About 300 people died. The captain was one of the first to leave the ship. Passengers claim that he was unable to assess the danger of the incident in time and delayed too much in announcing the evacuation.

Easter in Greek. There are so many incredible traditions in the world! For example, on Easter, a rocket launch takes place in the Greek city of Vrontados on the island of Chios. This is how two local rival churches celebrate the holiday. The goal of the event is to hit the bell of the opposite parish more times than the enemy does.

At the end of April, snow fell in the Urals. The height of the snow cover was 10-20 cm, the wind speed reached 21 m/s. Heavy snowfall and wind led to a blackout in 124 settlements, home to about 67 thousand people.

Bob Hoskins has passed away. On April 29, the famous English film and television actor, winner of the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards in the Best Actor category, Bob Hoskins, passed away. He gained worldwide fame from Robert Zemeckis' film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Tornadoes in the USA. Although tornadoes can occur anywhere in the world, they most often occur in the United States. Tornadoes that hit the central United States in late April killed dozens of people.

Let's finish our review of the first four months of 2014 on a positive note. Thousands of bluebells cover a forest like a carpet in the south of Brussels, Belgium, April 15, 2014.

Cartel wars in Mexico. Despite (and often because of) all the social media and online news, people today tend to have a distorted view of the world around them. Quite often, people think that things are worse than they actually are, or they focus on historically insignificant events (for example, the presidential election). But there are actually much more important things happening in the world right now.

1. Desertification

2. Flynn effect

3. Cancer incidence is decreasing

4. Mexican cartel wars

5. Qatar's deadly stadiums

6. Blood business

7. Bees

8. Antibiotics stop working

9. Fakes

10. Self-learning machines

11. Baby design

12. Refugees

13. Slavery

14. Coltan mining

15. Self-driving cars