The Nobel Goes to…
Announcements for this year’s Nobel Prize winners will begin on Monday. In the meantime, learn about one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
“Merchant of Death”
In 1888 a French newspaper, mistakenly believing Alfred Nobel had died, wrote an obituary that used this unfortunate nickname. Discover the story behind the moniker and how it likely gave rise to the awards.
Think you deserve a Nobel?
Then this article is for you! Learn all about the selection process and why it helps to befriend a former winner.
Pomp and controversy?
While the awards might seem staid, they have not been free from scandal. Read about a few controversies, including the time Hitler was nominated for the Peace Prize.
Has anyone turned down the award?
Surprisingly, two people have, and this French writer was the first. The other was Le Duc Tho, who turned down the 1973 Peace Prize (though his corecipient accepted).
Who was the first woman to win?
Find out that answer and more in our quiz.
Brazil on the Brink
On October 2, with the threat of violence looming, a deeply polarized Brazil will choose between two starkly different presidential candidates, authoritarian incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and leftist icon and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Without evidence, Bolsonaro has sought to cast doubt on the country’s electronic voting system. If neither contender captures more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff on October 30.
“Trump of the Tropics”
Fred Magno/Getty Images
“Lula”
Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images
The Scandal That Upended Brazilian Politics
Andre Penner/AP Images
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Physical contests and recreational games have long played a part in human society. In both team and solo sports, the human body has been pushed to its limits in the name of improving athletic performance and in order to break record upon record. The ancient Olympic Games are an early example of the contests in which humans have engaged to showcase physical prowess. In modern times, sports and games have evolved into a lucrative and competitive industry, while other leisure activities, such as card and video games, can be competitive or just serve as a way to unwind or socialize.
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