Monday, March 18

We have a boatload of upcoming events this week, so make sure to get to that after reading today's news highlights!

Contents:

1. Vladimir Putin Wins His Fifth Term as Russian President

2. Upcoming Events

3. Fact of the Day

4. Quote of the Day

5. Word of the Day

Russian incumbent President Vladimir Putin won the country's election again by a massive margin, as there was no other serious opponents, leading to his fifth term as Russia's president. He was first elected in 1999 for his first six-year term, and just won the right to his fifth by an overwhelming 87.8%. This term will make him Russia's longest-ever serving president (beating Joseph Stalin), but everyone knew that there was no chance of anyone else winning the election. Many countries, including Ukraine, the US, and the UK, have accused the election of being rigged and not democratic. They believe that many strong candidates were imprisoned for going against him, but Putin strongly denied this and shot back by criticizing the US political system. This election comes as Ukraine ramps up their war efforts to get Russia to back off, striking multiple bases and oil refineries. Putin is sure to lead Russia's war effort once again, and he has stated that a strong retaliation is on the way. However, there is no end in sight to the war.

Upcoming Events:

• NCAA March Madness Kicks Off (Tuesday, March 19)

• International Day of Happiness (Wednesday, March 20)

• French Language Day (Wednesday, March 20)

• International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

• World Poetry Day (Thursday, March 21)

• Nowruz (Thursday, March 21)

• World Down Syndrome Day (Thursday, March 21)

• International Day of Forests (Thursday, March 21)

• World Water Day (Friday, March 22)

• World Meteorological Day (Saturday, March 23)

• Purim (Sunday, March 24)

• World Tuberculosis Day (Sunday, March 24)

• Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix (Sunday, March 24)

• International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims (Sunday, March 24)

• Palm Sunday (Sunday, March 24)

Fact of the Day: "Albert Einstein" is an anagram for "ten elite brains."

Quote of the Day: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Blarney (noun)- Blarney refers to false but charming talk that often flatters the listener.

In a Sentence: The bartender laughingly asked her gregarious patron if anyone ever believed his blarney.