Search The Website!

Amid a wave of military strikes into Afghan territory, the Afghan Taliban has alleged that Pakistan also hit a hospital, killing hundreds of people. According to the Taliban, the strike made a direct hit on a rehabilitation hospital for drug users at 9 pm local time, leaving behind charred remains of the building, which was known as the Omid hospital. At least 400 people have been confirmed dead, and more than 250 others were injured. Rescue teams arrived quickly to handle the resulting fire, and search crews are still looking for survivors who may be trapped under the rubble. Videos circulating online and on social media showed one building engulfed in flames, while smoke billowed from other sections of the facility. Pakistan denied the allegations of any strike taking place, insisting that they had solely targeted military-related locations and weapons storage spaces belonging to the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban. Pakistan accused the Taliban of fabricating the story to draw international support and sympathy, pointing out that the secondary explosions that followed their strikes signified the existence of ammunition depots. The Taliban quickly launched retaliation attacks, hitting Pakistan with several airstrikes. However, not many details have been available to the public. Unfortunately, if the hospital had been used as some sort of terrorist hub, it wouldn't be the first time something similar had taken place. During Israel's war against Hamas, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were known for specifically striking hospitals. This was because Hamas deliberately hid terrorist infrastructure, weapons and supplies, and even entire operations centers underneath hospitals to protect themselves from strikes. The attack also comes during a time of extreme tension and unsettlement across the Middle East and South Asia– although Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fighting for almost a month, the world has remained focused on the US-Iran war. Pakistan believes that Afghanistan is harboring the Tehrik-e-Taliban – a Pakistani, anti-governmental terrorist group – and providing them with supplies to destabilize and attack their nation. Afghanistan has denied those claims, but Pakistan continues to strike weapons depots and military installations inside Afghanistan to attempt to weaken the Tehrik-e-Taliban's alleged presence there. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The NYPD had a police officer follow Andre the Giant whenever he went out drinking. This was to make sure he didn’t get drunk and fall on anyone. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It is impossible to make your own luck without the ingredient of hard work . (Matshona Dhliwayo) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Putative (adj, PYOO-tuh-tiv) - Putative is a formal word used to describe something that is generally believed, supposed, or assumed to be something specified. It is always used before a noun. In a Sentence: The group's putative leader was conspicuously absent from the meeting. Image credit to AFP

The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, took place last night, with several critically acclaimed films taking home multiple awards at this year's event. The Academy Awards are usually handed out between late February and late March, taking place at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Several awards, like Best Picture, Best Actor/Actress, and Best Screenplay are some of the most coveted awards in the film industry, but any Oscar is a major achievement for any member of the industry. Here are the biggest films and awards of the night: One Battle After Another took home six awards, including Best Picture, after receiving 13 nominations. The movie, centered around American political extremism, was a flop at the box office due to widespread sentiment that it was too confusing and did not have a clear storyline. However, it received incredible acclaim from many critics, who viewed the film as a complex masterpiece of cinema. Paul Thomas Anderson, the director, won two Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, marking his first-ever wins. Sean Penn, who was noticeably absent from the award ceremony, won Best Supporting Actor for his performance, with One Battle After Another also taking home Best Film Editing and Best Casting. Sinners was another big hit at the Academy Awards, bringing home four awards. The horror film, centered around the trauma and exploitation contained within Black culture and Black history, was a massive hit at the box office, bringing home over $369 million worldwide. Prior to the ceremony, Sinners received 16 nominations, marking a record for the most nominations for one film in Oscars history. Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor for his performance in the movie, and director Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay. Ludwig Goransson, the composer of Sinners ' soundtrack, won Best Original Score, and the film also took home Best Cinematography. Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein was another film that took home multiple awards, winning Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Production Design. Uniquely, the movie only spent three weeks at the box office before moving onto Netflix, which made the initial investment for the film. Pop culture sensation K-Pop Demon Hunters was nominated for two awards and took home both. The film – a blockbuster Netflix hit from last summer – won Best Animated Feature, and the movie's chart-topping single "Golden" won Best Original Song– the first K-pop song to achieve such a feat. Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet , which received eight nominations. The film had a budget of $30 million but put on a strong performance at the global box office, bringing home over $100 million. Amy Madigan won Best Supporting Actress for Weapons , a horror film directed by Zach Cregger. The horror film was a massive hit, grossing at least $269 million worldwide on a $38 million budget. See the full list of winners and nominees here . Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): During the first live iPhone presentation, Steve Jobs had to frequently switch phones behind his desk because they had not completely finished the software yet. His team at Apple instructed him to switch phones and follow a specific order of actions on the device to prevent it from running out of RAM and crashing. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There’s no such thing as a small act of kindness . Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. (Scott Adams) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tranche (noun, TRAHNSH) - Tranche refers to a division or portion of a whole. In a Sentence: A tranche of leaked documents was delivered to the newspaper anonymously, with more promised to come. Image credit to ABC

Yesterday, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, spurring retaliation bombs that hit several US bases in the Middle East. However, the attack succeeded in killing Iran's Supreme Leader, accomplishing their primary mission. The move came after weeks of threats from US President Donald Trump, who announced last week that he would decide whether to strike Iran within the following ten days . The president had allegedly been conducting negotiations over the shutdown of Iran's nuclear program, but those talks appear to have failed. Trump was prepared, though, for a possible failure in negotiations. The US had been building up its arsenal in the Gulf for months, signaling that a war or some sort of conflict was inevitable. To dethrone Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and destroy his authoritarian regime, Trump authorized airstrikes in partnership with Israel. The two nations heavily damaged Khamenei's central compound in the Iranian capital of Tehran, sparking retaliation from Iran. Strikes on US military bases across the Middle East followed suit, with Iran striking Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. Several missiles were intercepted over Dubai, preventing a full impact, but the falling debris from the collisions led to damage at Dubai International Airport and fires at the famed Fairmont hotel on the Palm Jumeirah and the iconic sail-shaped façade of the Burj al-Arab hotel. A drone strike also hit Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, killing one person and injuring at least seven others. All flights have been grounded until further notice, disrupting air travel for thousands of people. Kuwait's Ali al-Salem Air Base was also targeted with strikes, all of which were intercepted by defense systems. However, a drone strike hit Kuwait International Airport, leading to minor damage and injuries to several employees. In Bahrain, airstrikes hit the headquarters of the US Navy's 5th fleet, along with several residential buildings in the capital of Manama. Saudi Arabia and Qatar also reported being targeted by airstrikes, but all of the missiles were successfully intercepted. Israel was also hit by a retaliation missile, which struck a residential complex in the country's largest city of Tel Aviv-Yafo. At least 22 people were injured, and one death was reported later on. After the retaliation, the US and Israel launched another round of strikes across Iran, and both nations confirmed Khamenei's death just hours later. Iran, on the other hand, has not confirmed the death of Khamenei, but they have stated that his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild were all killed in the strikes. The US and Israel have also confirmed the deaths of numerous other high-ranking Iranian officials, guaranteeing a collapse of the authoritarian leader's regime after strikes on over 19 cities. As a whole, the conflict sparked outrage from the United Nations, who condemned the US and Israel's decision to strike Iran and called for the " immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation" to protect civilians. Democrats were also quick to criticize Trump's actions, labeling it as a violation of international law and an unnecessary conflict that the US had no business getting involved in. They cited the deaths of over 200 Iranian citizens, including over 170 children killed by Israeli airstrikes at a girls' school in the southern city of Minab– the US military later confirmed that the strike was due to a "miscalculation," sparking outrage. Nevertheless, Trump justified the entire conflict with a claim that Iran was just days away from building a nuclear bomb – a claim that has been highly refuted by experts, though – and asserted that Khamenei's regime has oppressed, tortured, and killed Iranian citizens. Just last month, over 30,000 Iranians were killed during a major crackdown on protests by Khamenei's authorities. Reporters in Iran confirmed that people across the nation have rejoiced at the death of Khamenei, and both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are pushing for the Iranian people to take control of the country. Trump told Iranian citizens to "seize control of your destiny" and "unleash the prosperous and glorious future that is close within your reach," while Netanyahu urged citizens to "flood the streets" and "unshackle themselves from tyranny." However, both leaders have asserted that strikes on Iran will continue throughout the week if needed to secure a transition of power and prevent Khamenei's supporters from regaining leadership of the country. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The word robot comes from the Czech “robota.” This translates into forced labor or hard work. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. (Dalai Lama) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Congruous (adj, KAHNG-groo-us) - Something described as congruous is in agreement, harmony, or correspondence with something else. Congruous can also describe something that is appropriate for a particular circumstance or requirement, or a thing that is marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among its constituent elements. In a Sentence: Their professional achievements were congruous with their academic abilities. Image credit to AP

On Friday, North Korea launched 10 ballistic missiles into the East Sea during US-South Korea military drills in a major show of force amid the war in the Middle East. The missiles, launched from the Pyongyang suburb of Sunan, landed in the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan, without hitting any landmasses. The projectiles also landed outside of Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), therefore nullifying any sort of escalatory impact the strikes may have caused. Nevertheless, the strikes – while they may appear random – are a strong show of power from North Korea as the war in the Middle East continues. Launching ten ballistic missiles at once is rare, proving that the nation is prepared to launch not just one or two, but large volleys of missiles if necessary. Furthermore, the missiles were launched during joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, which take place each spring to strengthen ties and bolster cohesion between the two sides. The exercises, known as the Freedom Shield, are viewed by North Korea as "invasion rehearsals," but the US and South Korea have maintained that they are purely defense-centric and are part of annual preparations in case of a North Korean attack. Just a day later, the autocratic nation also tested a nuclear-capable rocket launcher that local officials claim can easily launch across the border into South Korea with 100% accuracy. These tests, coupled with the aforementioned strikes and a slew of recent missile tests involving the North Korean Navy, have renewed fears of a future North Korean attack on South Korea. Tensions have remained relatively stable over the last few months, but North Korea has expressed support for Iran's new leader Mojtaba Khamenei and his continuation of his father's regime. South Korea has also confirmed that the US is beginning to move military firepower away from the East Asian nation to assist efforts against Iran. This could open up the possibility of a hole in South Korean defense systems, making them more vulnerable to a North Korean offensive. However, the world's focus remains on the US and Israel's joint war against Iran in the Middle East, which shows no signs of slowing down. Israel has continued to bombard Lebanon with strikes, and rumors are now circulating that a ground offensive may be on the cards. Meanwhile, the US continues to strike military targets in Iran, and Iran has responded by sending retaliation missiles all over the Gulf. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Ginger beer is brewed and fermented with ginger, while ginger ale is merely carbonated water flavored with ginger. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Whether it’s boxing, basketball, or badminton, one must be ready to succeed before entering the arena… long before the lights come up. (Muhammad Ali) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Rash (adj, RASH) - Rash describes something done or made quickly and without thought about what will happen as a result. It can also describe someone who is doing something rash. In a Sentence: I later regretted having made such a rash promise in a moment of chaos. Image credit to Reuters

A United States KC-135 refueling jet went down in Iraq on Thursday, killing all six crew members onboard the plane. Manufactured between 1955 and 1965, Boeing's KC-135 Stratotankers are some of the oldest-serving aircraft in the US military, having been in service for more than 60 years. After considerable upgrades, the tankers are still flying with strong reliability, and no other plane has been more effective in the field of aerial refueling than the KC-135. However, those capabilities come at a cost– each jet is valued at around $80 million, and reports suggest that the military likely spends between $4 and $5 million per year to maintain each plane. Additionally, operation costs exceed $11,000 per hour, making them extremely expensive to fly due to their age. The jets are now being replaced with the KC-46A Pegasus, Boeing's latest generation of tankers that possess greater efficiency, require less maintenance, and have lower operation costs. Nevertheless, KC-135s are not disappearing anytime soon– some reports suggest that delays in the KC-46A testing process could extend the lifespan of the KC-135 into the 2040s. Thursday's incident, which involved at least two KC-135s, was confirmed by the US military on Thursday, with the Central Command stating that the cause of the crash is now under investigation. However, they released very few details on the nature of the crash, simply asserting that the crash cannot be attributed to fire from the enemy or their own military. Hostile attacks on KC-135s are rare, as refueling typically takes place in no-combat zones or areas out of the enemy's reach to avoid being struck down during the vulnerable refueling period. According to CENTCOM, at least one other aircraft was involved in the situation, but the other KC-135 managed to return to Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport – where US refueling operations are taking place – with no damage. All six crew members aboard were killed, unfortunately, which has raised speculation over the availability of parachutes onboard. Over a decade ago, a KC-135 crashed in Kyrgyzstan during operations involving Afghanistan, killing all three crew members. The US military later confirmed that parachutes were not onboard that plane due to maintenance costs, but the KC-135 is rarely involved in incidents and is designed with other features to ensure the safety of the crew. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Y ou can get a headstone with a QR code for after your death. Called “Living Headstones,” they show pages with photos, video biography, and comments from loved ones. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): In one minute, you can change your attitude, and in that minute you can change your entire day. (Spencer Johnson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Immure (verb, ih-MYOOR) - To immure something is to enclose it within or as if within walls. Immure is also sometimes used synonymously with imprison. In a Sentence: Scientists at the research station in Antarctica are immured by the frozen wild that surrounds them. Image credit to US Air National Guard

Iran has launched at least 150 missiles equipped with cluster munitions at Israeli targets, doing major damage as air defense systems struggle to take the bombs down. Cluster munitions are a specific type of weapon that explode into numerous other small exploding devices, turning one strike into a massive array of bomblets hitting all sorts of different targets. They can be effective during specific tasks, like destroying runways, due to their ability to explode over a large area, but they can also pose a major threat to civilians when launched into populated areas. For example, the United States used thousands of cluster munitions in their conflict against al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2001 and 2002, which collectively contained almost 250,000 bomblets. While they were effective, the rate of civilian casualties was also high. Additionally, the bomblets are extremely dangerous even after the conflict, as cluster munitions can often leave unexploded projectiles behind. These remaining projectiles are expensive to clean up and can pose a serious hazard to civilians even after the conflict has ended. Because of these risks, 124 nations collaborated using the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed in 2010. These 124 nations are therefore banned from using the munitions– though, notably, the United States, Israel, and Iran have not signed the convention. Usually, even if they have not signed the convention, nations in conflict refrain from using cluster munitions due to their humanitarian risks after their original impact, and countries who launch the munitions are often criticized by the rest of the globe. Furthermore, international law bans the use of cluster munitions in populated areas due to the fact that they indiscriminately kill civilians, and cannot be used in an area like a city to hit a specific target. Nevertheless, Israel has confirmed that at least 10 of the 150 Iranian missiles launched with cluster munitions have made impact, proving that Iran's new strategy appears to be working. Israel's Iron Dome system, which intercepts enemy missiles with a success rate of around 90%, can only handle the primary missile, as it is almost impossible to intercept the dozens of bomblets that are released prior to impact. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In the 1980s, the founder of Pringles, Fredric Baur, requested to be buried in a Pringles can. His children honored the request. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself. (Soren Kierkegaard) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Gambit (noun, GAM-bit) - A gambit is something done or said in order to gain an advantage or to produce a desired effect. In a Sentence: The workers’ opening gambit in the negotiations was to demand a wage hike. Image credit to AP

Yesterday, the International Energy Agency approved the largest-ever release from global oil reserves to quell rising prices for oil and gas amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The International Energy Agency, also known as the IEA, was founded in 1974 and consists of 32 advanced economies across North America, Europe, and Northeastern Asia. The group works to ensure that the world has access to reliable and affordable energy, and they maintain massive oil stockpiles of approximately 1.8 billion barrels in case of emergencies to facilitate a collective response to disasters and wars. In this case, the US-Iran war has gone on for over a week, and it shows no signs of stopping. The Middle East is responsible for over 30% of the world's crude oil production, churning out over 31 million barrels per day. Additionally, the Strait of Hormuz handles around 20% of the world's oil supply, but the bottleneck has been effectively shut down by Iranian operations . Iran asserted recently that they will not allow "even a liter of oil" through the Strait of Hormuz, and almost all shipping companies have completely shut down operations in the Persian Gulf. Major producers like Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have halted oil production as they run out of storage space at local facilities, and Iran continues to press on– yesterday, Iranian officials addressed the US: "Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized." Gas prices in the United States have spiked considerably with the loss of oil supply from the Middle East– according to AAA, the national average gas price is approximately $3.60 per gallon, having been just $2.94 one month ago. Diesel prices have jumped even higher than gas, soaring from $3.67 in February to $4.86 per gallon. To handle the situation, the IEA has sanctioned the release of over 400 million barrels of oil from global stockpiles, helping offset the shortage caused by the war. They did not confirm exactly when the release would take place, but when it occurs, it would be the largest-ever release from emergency stockpiles since the agency's founding. Nevertheless, IEA Chief Fatih Birol confirmed that the release is simply a temporary solution, but shipping through the Strait of Hormuz must resume in order to fully re-stabilize global oil markets. His point was proved just hours later, as global crude prices began climbing from their lowest points in the war so far to surpass $90 per barrel once again. Amid this crisis, several nations are emerging with minimal to no impacts– those that have invested in renewable energy. Renewable energy has been hailed as the energy of the future, and the Earth is slated to run out of oil by 2070. Countries that are already investing in renewables can reduce energy costs with an initial investment that also allows them to circumvent fluctuations in global oil markets and keep energy clean, reliable, and affordable for consumers. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Spam mail got its name from the canned meat after a Monty Python skit that made fun of Spam as tasting “horrible and being ubiquitous and inescapable.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): I’m not lost. I’m exploring. (Jana Stanfield) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Besotted (adj, bih-SAH-tud) - Someone described as besotted is so in love that they are unable to think clearly; they are utterly infatuated. Besotted can also be used as a synonym of drunk . In a Sentence: The opening scene of the movie follows a besotted couple at a party, the camera’s focus emphasizing their ignorance of all that’s around them. Image credit to AFP

Iran has begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, posing a threat to any remaining ships sailing through the channel. Naval mines are extremely dangerous for various reasons, and Iran's laying of them in one of the world's most important straits creates a massive risk for future trade and commerce operations. Underwater mines can do damage to a ship in three ways. First, if a ship or submarine makes contact with a contact mine, it explodes on impact, destroying the vessel that made contact. The second type of naval mine, known as an influence mine, detects the presence of a nearby submarine or ship before automatic detonation. The third type of mine contains some sort of moving weapon, like a torpedo or rocket, that is launched when a vessel's presence is detected. All three types can do serious damage to ships passing through the region, which handled over 20% of the world's oil and gas before the war began. While they are targeted at American ships and submarines, some mines can remain undetonated at the bottom of the seafloor for decades, posing a threat to future vessels as well. Furthermore, naval mines create massive threats to local ecosystems, destroying reefs and seafloor areas that contain various types of marine life. Some parts of the Strait of Hormuz, particularly the southern Iranian and Omani coastlines, contain biodiverse coral reefs that are already stressed due to the area's high shipping traffic. The detonation of mines can destroy entire reefs in seconds– one mine alone can contain over 2,000 lbs of explosives. US President Donald Trump quickly commented on the reports on X, stating "we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY!" He also warned Iran that they would face major consequences if the mines were not removed. US officials reported later in the day that they had sunk at least 16 Iranian minelayers, and they plan to target more– the task will be tough, though, as mines can be laid by almost any vessel, including small, inconspicuous boats that may not draw the attention of the Central Command. Additionally, Iran has asserted that they do not plan to allow any oil or goods through the strait, further endangering the world's oil supply by turning the Strait of Hormuz into a sort of "death valley" for ships. This war has already choked off almost the entire Middle East from continuing their oil trade– prior to the war, over 20 million barrels of oil passed through the strait each day. Now, that figure has been reduced to zero, sending oil prices skyrocketing. Before the war began, the price for a barrel of Brent crude was $72.97. Now, it stands at just over $91, having reached as high as $116 on Monday. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have all been affected, with many oil production facilities being shut down due to strikes. However, many are facing a new problem: lack of storage. Without the ability to ship the oil out of the country, facilities are reaching their maximum capacity to store oil, forcing them to cut production. Of the five nations, Saudi Arabia has still been able to ship some oil through the crucial port of Jeddah, located along the country's west coast on the Red Sea, but the other four have been completely cut off. Unfortunately, the war has shown no signs of coming to an end, with the Iranian government still resisting US and Israeli attempts to wipe out the nation's authoritarian regime. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): We feel “hangry” because it’s harder for us to control our emotions when our brains are low on glucose. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. (Epictetus) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Mea culpa (verb, may-uh-KOOL-puh) - The noun mea culpa is used for a formal acknowledgment of personal fault or error. In a Sentence: The podcast host's mea culpa did little to satisfy those who found the episode deeply offensive. Image credit to AFP

After days of consideration, Iran has named their new Supreme Leader to be Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of former leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, represents Iran's ongoing refusal to comply with the demands of the United States and Israel, who asserted that they would play a role in finding the next leader of Iran. Khamenei has been a prominent figure in the Iranian government for years, serving as a religious leader alongside his father while building up ties with organizations like the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps– a major branch of the Iranian Army. Furthermore, Khamenei has worked to diversify his backing by investing in other industries like real estate, banking, and shipping, but kept his profile low-key. He rarely speaks or appears in public and is barely known by much of the country, directing operations from behind the scenes. This, though, has led to allegations against his secretive influence over the Iranian government, helping promote the elder Khamenei's hardline, often violent stances and goals without making his moves public. In total, experts have confirmed that Mojtaba Khamenei is the closest leader Iran could have selected to maintain the status quo, as he maintains almost all of the same ideals to his father. However, whether the US and Israel will target him next is yet to be determined. The civilians of Bahrain are beginning to suffer the consequences of the ongoing war after several Iranian strikes on major infrastructure. While the ongoing war had been largely limited to strikes on US-affiliated bases and equipment, Iran has expanded their attacks on Bahrain to include civilian infrastructure, and stray drones and missiles have struck other locations as well. Last week, an Iranian drone hit one of Bahrain's numerous desalination plants, doing minimal damage. However, it represents an escalation in hostility to include crucial infrastructure– the Middle East is heavily dependent on desalination to provide their water, as it remains impossible to find fresh water in the extensive expanse of the Arabian Desert. Iran claimed that the US had hit a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, off the coast of southern Iran, sparking retaliation strikes on Bahrain. However, Iran has also claimed that they have only targeted US military operations and bases, which has not been true– they have struck targets in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and debris from stray drones and missiles have sparked fires and caused damage across other nations like Qatar and the UAE. Then, yesterday, Iran hit an oil refinery on the island of Sitra, located near the capital of Manama. The attack sparked a fire following an initial explosion, sending smoke billowing into the air, and injured at least 32 local citizens, drawing the ire of the Bahraini government. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): A Swedish startup was sucessfully able train wild crows to pick up cigarette butts and place them in trash cans for a peanut as a reward. However, the pilot project was discontinued after concerns were raised regarding the crows' health after being exposed to the chemicals in the cigarette filters. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): A great man is always willing to be little. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Hector (verb, HEK-ter) - To hector someone is to criticize or question them in a threatening way. In a Sentence: The judge ordered the attorney to stop hectoring the witness. Image credit to Reuters

India dominated New Zealand in yesterday's Men's T20 World Cup final, bringing home the trophy for the second tournament in a row. To reach the final, New Zealand had pulled off an epic win against the South African national team, defeating them in just 12.5 overs after chasing down a total of 169 runs. Meanwhile, India squeezed out a win against England, who put up an incredible fight– India scored a massive 253/7, but England fought back to score 246 runs before their 20 overs expired. Then came the final, where India were heavy favorites and were playing at home– this year's world cup took place across India and Sri Lanka, with the final happening at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first, but India's opening batsmen began the match with a bang. The pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma raced to 98 runs before Sharma's wicket was taken, but Ishan Kishan came in just after. Together, Kishan and Samson took India past the 200-run mark, scoring 54 and 89 runs, respectively, before their wickets were taken by Kiwi bowler Jimmy Neesham in the 16th over. Several other Indian batsmen came in afterwards, but they failed to make a solid impact until the last over. Shivam Dube, India's powerful finisher, scored 24 runs in the final few balls, bringing the team to an incredible 255/5– the highest-ever total by a team in a T20 World Cup final. Then, New Zealand came out to bat, with a monumental task ahead of them. Openers Tim Seifert and Finn Allen came out with a mission, having maintained the most successful partnership between two batsmen in the World Cup, but Allen was quickly dismissed by Indian bowler Axar Patel in the third over. Tim Seifert continued to serve as the anchor for the Kiwi team, smashing 5 sixes, but wickets continued to fall– batsmen Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, and Mark Chapman were dismissed within the next few overs, leaving New Zealand struggling at 70/4 in the eighth over. Then, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner came in, establishing the beginnings of a strong partnership despite the rapidly dropping chances of them surpassing such a total. In the end, Mitchell's wicket was taken by Axar Patel, and Santner and two other tail-enders were dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah's blistering yorkers. For the final over, Abhishek Sharma came in to bowl to Jacob Duffy, who attempted to hit the ball past the boundary. The catch was taken by Tilak Varma on the boundary line, sealing the game with New Zealand all-out for 159 runs. Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match for his four wickets against New Zealand, giving away just 15 runs. Sanju Samson, on the other hand, was awarded Player of the Tournament for his crucial knocks of 97*, 89, and 89 runs against West Indies, England, and New Zealand in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, respectively. The World Cup win makes India the first nation to take home the trophy three times, having won in 2007, 2024, and now 2026. England and the West Indies have won the tournament two times each, while Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have won once. India also becomes the first country to win back-to-back titles, having beat South Africa by just 7 runs in 2024, and set the record for the largest margin of victory in a T20 World Cup final. India won by a staggering 96 runs, demolishing the previous record of 36 runs set by the West Indies in 2012. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When cellophane was invented in 1908, it was originally intended to be used to protect tablecloths from wine spills. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Remind yourself that you cannot fail at being yourself. (Wayne Dyer) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Crepuscular (adj, krih-PUHSS-kyuh-ler) - Crepuscular means “of, relating to, or resembling twilight.” It is used in zoological contexts to describe creatures that are active during twilight, or the activities of such creatures. In a Sentence: As evening came on, fireflies began to appear in the crepuscular gloaming. Image credit to AP