› added 11 years ago

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TIL: In Switzerland a group of citizens may challenge a law passed by Parliament, if they gather 50,000 signatures against the law within 100 days. A national vote is scheduled where voters decide by a simple majority whether to accept or reject the law.

w9KJ TIL The Republic of Liberia began as a settlement of the American Colonization Society, who believed African Americans would face better chances for freedom in Africa than in the United States.
p85Yp TIL King Bimbisāra of Magadha (r. 543 – 492 BC) was known for his cultural achievements and also a great friend and protector of the Buddha. King Bimbisara met the Buddha for the first time prior to the Buddha's enlightenment, and later became an important disciple
BjpW TIL hog-morse happened when rookie telegraph users made timing errors. One alleged case concerns the similarity of “L” and “T”. A customer sent a request for “undressed staves (wood)” to a Virginia firm. Due to hog-morse, “slaves” was sent instead. The firm reminded the sender that slavery was over.
9nDD TIL Scientists at UCLA noticed that “time and time again” people suffered their first experience with anxiety or depression right after stomach illnesses. They did brain scans after patients ate probiotics, and found that stomach bacteria actually directly affected connectivity of the brain.
dDA1B TIL that the EU has a blacklist for airlines they consider unsafe, even if they don’t fly within Europe