OCT 19 WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR HALLOWEEN CANDIES?

OCT 19  WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR HALLOWEEN CANDIES?

Halloween is a mere twelve days away! And you know what that means: Women wearing inappropriate costumes to work, way to many pumpkin flavored foods and...of course...CANDY! When shopping, you want to buy the type that will please trick-or-treaters the most. Thankfully, the DUNER BLOG found a recent survey to answer this important question.

#1 REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS. 36%. There is just something magical about mixing chocolate and nuts. Each is good alone, but when combined they become glorious. Contrary to the "You got your chocolate stuck in my peanut butter" commercial, H.B. Reese did not come up with the idea by accident. Nope, the Hershey employee experimented with raisins, mint, toffee, coconut, etc. before finally deciding upon peanut butter.

#2. SNICKERS 18%. The most famous product from the famed Mars Family also combines chocolate and peanuts...but this time with caramel. Named after a horse in the Mars stable, Snickers owes a large part of its appeal to aggressive advertising. Hungry? Why wait? It's So Satisfying! Over the past 50 years, Snickers has partnered with NASCAR, FIFA, The Olympics, Super Bowl and even Mr. T.

#3. M&M'S 11%. The second-most popular candy from the Mars Company employs one of the most basic principles of marketing: People are drawn to bright colors. Forrest Mars got the idea from the similar British candy Smarties, which has chocolate covered in a colorful candy shell. In 1941, he designed an oval shaped version. Each one is stamped with a lower-case 'm.'

#4. HERSHEY BARS. 6% America's iconic chocolate bar owes its success to never changing. First produced in Central Pennsylvania in the year 1900, Hershey's secret is using fresh milk from the plentiful dairy farms in the area. This gives it that creamy flavor and that fluffy consistency. They also have stayed true to the same shape, size and packaging. If it ain't broke...

#5. SKITTLES 5%. The lone non-chocolate based is fruit-flavored Skittles. Trying to capitalize on the popularity of M&M's, Mars developed a similar candy, replacing the chocolate center with some odd sugar ball. Instead of an 'M', Skittles have an 'S' on their equally colorful shell. The coolest moment Skittles ever had was when NFL running back Marshawn Lynch ate them to celebrate a touchdown.

OCT 11 WHO ARE THE KURDS?

OCT 11  WHO ARE THE KURDS?

It's another confusing week for international diplomacy in the year 2019. Conflicting Trump Tweets may or may not have resulted in conflict in the Middle East. This time, it's a Turkish invasion of Northern Syria. Specifically, President Erdogan is delivering on a campaign promise to establish a 20-mile wide "safe zone" along the Syrian side of Turkey's southern border. This breaks an American promise to Kurds. Most folks are hazy when it comes to this group, so let's review the basics.

Behind the Arabs, Persians and the Turks, Kurds are the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East. That's 35 million people. The Kurds trace the lineage back to the Ancient Medes. Kurdish Kings fought against the Roman Empire and Genghis Khan. Converts to Islam, their kingdom thrived high in the Caucasus Mountains. It all came to an abrupt end in 1501 when the Ottoman Empire invaded. The Kurds have been fighting the Turks ever since.

Correction! There was a short span when the Kurdish Kingdom rose again. Mahmud Barzanji was the monarch for two years. Why so brief? After the first World War, the sprawling Ottoman Empire was carved into a dozen new nations. Syria and Iraq made the cut, but Kurdistan did not. The Treaty of Sevres instead broke up Kurdistan and placed it into the above two nations and Turkey as well. It was a slap in the face to the Kurds...a people with a unique language and an ancient history.

In the next hundred years, the Kurds became a marginalized minority in all three nations. Conditions were the worst under Turkish President Kemal Ataturk. He re-named them "Mountain Turks" and mocked their inferior culture. A similar fate was also seen by the peoples just north of Kurdistan. Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan also lost their chances at nationhood after World War One. Instead all three became neglected Soviet Republics.

While the three other Caucasus countries gained freedom in 1991, Turkey still keeps its Kurdish population under wraps. They thwart any attempts of nationhood. Things changed in the 2000's. Civil wars in both Iraq and Syria resulted in an armed autonomous Kurdish state. Until recently, the Kurdish army served a pivotal role in liberating ISIS held areas, doing the dirty work along side US forces. The Kurds were hoping for some recognition afterward...maybe an independent nation? Nope. Abandonment again. Welcome to the confusing world of US diplomacy in 2019.
   

OCT 4 YOU CAN'T SIT ON ROME'S SPANISH STEPS ANYMORE

OCT 4  YOU CAN'T SIT ON ROME'S SPANISH STEPS ANYMORE

For many travelers, the BEST PART of going to Rome isn't stately St. Peters, the ancient Forum or tossing coins into the Trevi Fountain. Nope, for them the best the Eternal City has to offer is eating a gelato while sitting on the Spanish Steps. In addition to fantastic people-watching, the stairs offer a stunning view of the Plaza de Spagna and the Via del Corso. Yet as of last week, city authorities have banned this beloved tourist practice. The size of the crowds have made it unfeasible. Let's answer the basic questions!

Why are they called that? They're in Italy...not Spain! The 174 steps were constructed by the Spanish in 1725. At the time, Spain was part of the House of Bourbon, which also controlled Sicily and Naples. Eager to control the Papal States as well, they constructed an enormous embassy in Rome. To link it with the plaza below, a grand staircase was needed.

Aren't there hundreds of other scenic stairs in Rome? Good point, but what separates this staircase is the fact it was built by the Bourbons. As with Versailles, over-the-top opulence is a must. A unique, triangular design incorporates straight flights at different angles. Wedged in between are vistas and terraces filled with colorful azaleas. From the start, this gorgeous public space has been a popular hangout.

How did the steps become internationally famous? The first instance that comes to mind must be the 1952 movie Roman Holiday. Ridiculously charming Audrey Hepburn happily eats gelato whilst seated on the staircase. Dashing Gregory Peck approaches... 150 years prior, poet John Keats lived in an apartment overlooking the stairs. It also features prominently in the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel Tender is the Night.

What will the cops do to violators? At first, offenders will be given a verbal warning. Cards have it written in a variety of languages. But if you continue to loiter, it will be a hefty fine of €160. A second violation will cost you €400. While many feel this is unfair, the truth is it's against the law to loiter on any public staircases in Rome.

Is McDonald's to blame? Yes. There were HUGE protests back on March 20th of 1986. That's when the first ever McDonald's opened in Italy. What enraged Romans was the fact that the Fast-food giant wasn't at the airport or a shopping mall...it was right on the Plaza de Spagna. Allegations of city officials accepting bribes were not unfounded. Yet the result has been the slow-but-sure change of businesses. The square is now littered with Starbucks, Burger King and Pizza Hut! Yuck.

SEPT 28 BEIJING'S NEW DAXING AIRPORT IS PHENOMENAL

SEPT 28  BEIJING'S NEW DAXING AIRPORT IS PHENOMENAL

Once again, the DUNER BLOG turns its attention to the People's Republic of China for yet another engineering achievement. Last time, it was the Shanghai-Beijing 300 km/hr bullet train above the ground. Before that, it was a record-setting skyscraper. This time, it's the opening of Daxing International Airport in Beijing. Xi Jinping was there, cutting the ribbon at the main concourse. He called it an "airport built for the future." Let's see why..

THE DESIGN.  Nicknamed the starfish, Daxing has five identical concourses connecting in the middle. Architect Zaha Hadid researched what angers airline passengers the most. Unsurprisingly, the top gripe is walking long distances. So she drew up this new scheme that guarantees travelers won't have to walk more than 600 meters from security to the most remote gate.

THE CEILING. The word used most often to describe PKX (its official abbreviation) is sparkling. This is because the ceiling is comprised of 8,000 super-shiny windows. They are set at differing angles and reflect the sun's rays to every corner of the terminal. That's a lot of ground to cover. Ginormous Daxing is a whopping 700,000 square meters...about 100 soccer fields.

THE GARDENS. Growing in this ample sunlight are five ancient-Chinese style gardens. The main concourse has the China Garden, complete with a Koi Pond. You can also unwind in the Countryside Garden or sip tea in the Tea Garden. We'll pass on the Porcelain and Silk Gardens.

THE SECURITY. Perhaps the most impressive innovation is the new security technology. Instead of showing your passport at check-in...then again at security...then one more time at boarding...at Daxing International you'll only need your smile. 5G facial recognition upon entry will be relayed to security and the departure gate, so put that passport away. This tech can process 260 people in one minute.

THE ROBOTS. Another complaint Zaha Hadid encountered about airports was a lack of assistance from staff. To aid the human employees, a fleet of artificial intelligence-powered smart robots roam the terminal. They'll help you find a parking sport, tell you your gate number, deliver your food and message your back.

The timing of the opening was critical. See, Tuesday is October the First, the top Communist holiday in the People's Republic of China. Since the PRC is turning 70 this year, Xi Jinping wanted the give the country a real nice present. Most importantly, Daxing is projected to pass  Atlanta as the busiest airport worldwide in 2024. Yet another time China replaces the USA atop a worldwide ranking..

SEPT 20 WHITE HOUSE RENOVATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS

SEPT 20  WHITE HOUSE RENOVATIONS THROUGH THE YEARS

Earlier today, Melania Trump proudly opened the doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for a State Dinner. When Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his lovely wife Jenny entered the Diplomatic Reception Room, they were the first people to see the fabulous re-model. Everything sparkled. In the center, Melania added a intricate rug depicting all 50 state flowers. Likewise, she refurbished the Green Room décor. Also, the walls in the Red Room were so faded, people called it the Pink Room. Not any more. To salute our current First Lady, we'll look at similar White House renovations through the years.

EARLY YEARS. After getting torched in the War of 1812, the Presidential Mansion was painted white to cover up the burn marks. Or so the story goes. The first remodel came in 1828, after Andrew Jackson's inauguration. The "People's President" invited everyone into the White House for a drink and thrashed the place.

CHESTER A. ARTHUR. When he abruptly took office in 1880, Vice President Arthur turned his attention to the building itself rather than the duties it represented. He replaced the dismal décor with up-to-date Victorian flair. While the flamboyant purple furniture is long gone, his giant Louis Comfort Tiffany screen still graces the main entrance.

TEDDY ROOSEVELT. When Roosevelt moved into the White House, he brought dozens of pets with him: Eight horses, five dogs, three cats, two snakes a couple of guinea pigs and flying squirrel. Staffers demanded more space and the West Wing was constructed. At the heart of the new addition was the Oval Office.

FDR. The uncertainty of World War Two made the White House a vulnerable target. Under FBI pressure, Roosevelt had the East Wing added. In addition to giving the building balance, it also provided an underground bomb shelter to protect the Chief of Staff in case of attack. It's still in use, but it's now called the Presidential Emergency Operations Center.

HARRY S TRUMAN. After the war, President Truman continued renovating the aging White House. In fact, he shut the whole building down and moved to the Blair House for his entire four year term. During this period, the entire steel frame was replaced and new spaces were created. For the first time, the White House was officially open to the public for tours.

JOHN F. KENNEDY. Like Melania, Jacqueline Kennedy had an acute sense of style and grace. As First Lady, she completed a thorough re-decoration in attempt to restore the building's historical legacy. With the help of the DuPont family, she recovered paintings, tapestries and art treasures that had previously been auctioned away. She famously displayed them all on a TV special.

RICHARD NIXON. As an avid bowler, Vice President Nixon noticed some of the space in the underground additions was not being properly used. When elected President eight years later, he converted closets into a one-lane bowling alley. It's still in use today, and has been a favorite hideaway for many presidents since.

SEPT 13 WHICH COUNTRY PRODUCES THE MOST M.L. BASEBALL PLAYERS?

SEPT 13 WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE MOST M.L. BASEBALL PLAYERS?

The Oakland A's made history on Wednesday when they inserted relief pitcher Jesus Luzardo into the game. The unknown leftie became the first ever major league player born in Peru. This season, a record 28% of the players (251 total) were not born in the USA. Let's see which nations supply the most and best athletes.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (102).  It's no secret, this island nation has become a factory for producing baseball talent. As documented in the award-winning documentary Sugar, players are recruited young, trained hard and groomed into superstars. NOTABLE PLAYERS: David 'Big Papi' Ortiz retired last year with 541 career home runs, tops for a Dominican player. Chasing him are Nelson Cruz (396) and Robinson Cano (334).

VENEZUELA (68). Believe it or not, baseball is more popular in Venezuela than soccer. Since 1945, the Liga Venezolano de Beisbol (LVBP) has grown in popularity and attendance. Their premier club, Leones de Caracas could beat the Baltimore Orioles. NOTEABLE: Starting pitcher 'King' Felix Hernandez has 169 career wins. Even more impressive when you consider he spent all 14 years with the Seattle Mariners. First baseman Miguel Cabrera is a lock for the Hall of Fame.

CUBA (19). With a strong history of American colonialism, baseball is part of Cuba. The first game ever was won by Club Havana  in 1874. The team went on the dominate the Cuba League from 1933 to 1960...when Fidel Castro banned all pro sports. Stay tuned: A new league is just underway.. NOTEABLE: Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman did the unlikely and replaced beloved Mariano Rivera as a lights-out closer. Yoenis Cespedes has 163 career HRs.

MEXICO (8). With 14 teams in two divisions, La Liga de Beisbol is the America's second largest baseball league. Since 1967, it has been classified as an official Triple-A classification by America's Major Leagues. Despite this, it has produced a surprisingly small number of prospects. NOTABLE: None since Fernando Valenzuela.

JAPAN (6). Baseball in Japan dates back to the 1920's, but things really took off during the American occupation following WWII. From a few clubs, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has grown into a billion-dollar industry...it's the second most profitable baseball league in the world. NOTABLE: After six record breaking seasons as a pitcher and slugger, Shohei Otani signed a ginormous contract with the Anaheim Angels. Injuries have slowed him. Pitcher Yu Darvish has a crazy curveball.

SEPT 7 A QUICK PRIMER ON THE BAHAMAS

SEPT 7  A QUICK PRIMER ON THE BAHAMAS

The horrifying images of the destruction from Hurricane Dorian have been heart wrenching to see. Entire communities lay ruined and flooded. Yet many people are still iffy when it comes to specifics about the Bahamas. Is it in the Caribbean? Who owns the islands? So here's a quick DUNER BLOG Primer about the island nation:

THE BAHAMAS ARE CLOSE BY. Aside from Canada and Mexico, (the land borders) and a couple Russian islands in the Bering Strait, the Bahamas are the closest foreign nation to the USA. Bimini Island is a mere 946 miles from Miami. That's closer than Cuba or Bermuda. None of the Bahamanian islands are in the Caribbean Sea. Rather, they are found above Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean.

THE BAHAMAS ARE FLAT. There are over 700 individual islands in the Bahamas. Of these, only 30 are inhabited. All of the islands have ridiculously low elevations. In fact, the highest point in the entire nation is on Cat Island, at a mere 209 feet. This is the main reason why they are so vulnerable to Category 5 Hurricanes like Dorian.

COLUMBUS FIRST LANDED THERE. Americans celebrate October 12th as Columbus Day, yet aside from Puerto Rico, the sailor never actually reached anywhere in the modern-day USA. San Salvador is where he first came. The islands remained under Spanish control until 1648, when English colonists took over. For the next 325 years, the Bahamas were part of the massive British Empire.

THE ORIGINAL PIRATE OF THE CARIBBEAN. Disney based the flamboyant character Jack Sparrow after an actual person: Edward Teach. Better known as Blackbeard, he was a 17th century pirate who wrecked havoc on Floridian shipping lanes. Authorities could never find him, as he hid amongst the Bahama's 700 uninhabited islands.

THE BAHAMAS HAS AN AWESOME FLAG. Most Caribbean countries have colorful and vibrant national flags, and the Bahamas is no exception. It's been flown proudly since independence from the UK in 1973. Here's the breakdown: The gold is the sun. Aquamarine = ocean. The black triangle symbolizes strength. With a long history of slavery, 90% of the population is of African descent.

ATLANTIS PARADISE IS THERE. The Bahamas spans an enormous region. March Harbor and Abacos Islands took the brunt of Dorian. Parts of the capital city of Nassau were impacted, but are now back and open for business. This includes the Atlantis Paradise Resort. All four thousand rooms and suites are beckoning tourists back!

THE BAHAMAS ARE NOT IMPOVERISHED. While the images on the news paint a dreary picture of the nation, there is another side. For example: Sir Sean Connery's multi-million dollar estate survived. See, the Bahamas is home to a bevy of other millionaires as well. This, combined with tourism and offshore finance, means the nation boasts a GDP of $34,000. That's third in North America and #26 worldwide...just behind #25 Italy.

NOTE: 'The' is placed before a couple of countries: The Ukraine, The Sudan, The Lebanon and The Bahamas. Geography is a social science, and there is no reason why.