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TIL the state of Kuwait is banned from the Olympics due to government legislation that permits the state to interfere in elections of sporting organizations. As a result, Kuwaiti athletes compete as independent athletes under the Olympic Flag instead of their own flag.

Read more theguardian.com

via reddit.com

R7v5j TIL that meteorologists rely in part on data from commercial planes to accurately forecast weather. Under European regulations, all large aircraft must carry Mode-S EHS an enhanced surveillance navigation apparatus. Data collected by this apparatus is used to extrapolate wind speed and temperature.
8arVb TIL that the term to describe anyone who is unfamiliar with sailing or who simply lives on land is not “land lover” but actually “land-lubber”. A "lubber" is a 14th century derogatory word to describe a clumsy or stupid person.
0pBN TIL that the mysterious squiggly things floating in our eyes are called “floaters”. They are shadows cast on our retina by small strands of protein inside our eyes.
LdJV TIL that in Singapore, caning is a commonly used form of punishment for male criminals under the age of 50
4X5ja TIL astronauts need to sleep near air vents or risk carbon dioxide from their own lungs forming a bubble around their head due to weightlessness.