18 of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings of all time

Elizabeth Taylor arguably knew more about being engaged than any other celebrity in Hollywood. The "Cleopatra" actress said "yes!" a whopping 10 times throughout her lifetime. Those proposals came with a wide variety of rings (and other jewelry, as neither Eddie Fisher nor Richard Burton had a ring when they got down on one knee), but there's one sparkler that stands above all the rest.

When film producer Mike Todd popped the question to the then-24-year-old Taylor, he did so with a 29.4-carat...

25 iconic outfits from film history

Judy Garland's Dorothy dress


If you're at all familiar with the making of "The Wizard of Oz," you're probably well aware of the fact that several pairs of Dorothy's ruby slippers have disappeared since the film wrapped in 1939. What you may not know is that her blue-and-white gingham dress was also lost for years.

It was only rediscovered in 2021 when the Catholic University of America (to which the dress was donated back in the 1970s) was doing a major cleanout of its d...

Plant-based sources of probiotics to boost gut health

In 1906, Henry Tissier successfully isolated a specific microbe in the stomach of a breastfed infant. His discovery of what came to be called Bifidobacterium confirmed what many had long suspected to be true: that certain bacteria, which could be introduced to the body via food, could have positive health benefits. The demand for these probiotics, whether they come from the foods we consume or via a supplement, has only exploded from there.

Humans have been consuming fermented foods—the sole na...

25 influential women artists of the 20th century

Augusta Savage


Through her sculptures, Augusta Savage transformed everyday moments in the lives of Black Americans into high art. A key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Savage trained in Paris before returning to New York City, where she transformed her studio into a community art center; gave free lessons—other notable artists like Jacob Lawrence were students; and created commissioned projects like “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which was made for the 1939 New York World...

All The Details About Marion Jones' Steroid Scandal After The 2000 Olympic Games - Nicki Swift

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By Madison TroyerNov. 13, 2023 8:15 am EST


In the early 2000s, you could barely turn on ESPN or open an issue of Sports Illustrated without coming across Marion Jones. The track star was a sports world darling — one of the fastest women in the world. She had set a very public goal of winning five gold medals at the 2000 Olympic Games and seemed likely to do it. So when things kicked off in Sydne...

Prince William & Prince Harry's Strained Relationship: A Complete Timeline - Nicki Swift

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By Madison TroyerFeb. 18, 2023 11:11 am EST


Whether you're a royal watcher or not, you're probably well aware of the fact that Prince William and Prince Harry have had a bit of a falling out. Anyone who's had half an eye on celebrity news will have seen the various tabloid headlines describing how they've given one another the cold shoulder at events or had less than flattering things to say a...

The Shady Side Of George Santos - Nicki Swift

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By Madison Troyer and Brent FurdykUpdated: Dec. 6, 2023 1:49 pm EST


The following article includes brief references to homophobia, racism, addiction, and domestic abuse allegations.
In November 2022, New Yorkers elected an untested Republican to Congress. On paper, George Santos — who represented the state's third congressional district until December 2023, but more on that below — appeared to...

Bitcoin and the World of Cryptocurrencies, Explained

Three hundred thirty-one years ago, the first piece of paper money was printed in the United States. The Massachusetts Bay Colony supposedly issued those first bills to fund military action in King William's War. Flash forward to today, and those bills are as ubiquitous as the British pound or Chinese renminbi. In recent years, however, there have also been talks that those bills may be replaced with a newer form of money altogether: cryptocurrency.What is cryptocurrency? Is it really likely to...

The History of Women in Public Office

On Jan. 20, 2021, a new chapter in American history began when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the country's first female vice president, were sworn into office. Harris' role in the position is certainly monumental, but her nomination, while significant, was not a first. That honor, of being the first woman nominated by the Democratic party for the role of vice president, belongs to Geraldine A. Ferraro. In 1984, Ferraro, a congresswoman from Queens, strode on stage alongside Walter F. Mondale to a...

5 Female Winemakers Producing Wine You Can Feel Good About Drinking | ForceBrands Newsroom

As part of our ongoing Female Forces series to celebrate Women’s History Month (March), we’re highlighting some of the leading women in wine.
Wine has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. Most of the top vineyards, wineries, and brands have been founded by, and are run by men. And while women have been producing quality wines for decades, just 10 percent of California (which produces nearly 90 percent of the country’s wine) vintners are female.
But times are changing as more women are e...

Cannabis 101: The Real Difference Between CBD and THC | ForceBrands Newsroom

The marijuana business is booming. It’s estimated that by 2021, the legal cannabis industry will have created an additional 400,000 jobs. That’s a staggering number and one that should be encouraging for those looking to begin a career in consumer product goods.
While older more established industries require a certain level of previous experience in order to land a job, the cannabis industry doesn’t have the luxury to establish requirements like that. With the market growing at such a rapid rat...