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Spain has instructed Airbnb to take down almost 66,000 rental listings as they work to lower costs of living and house affordability across the country. The move comes amid a serious housing crisis for not just Spain, but Europe as a whole. The large influx of tourists arriving into countries like Spain and the Netherlands has forced locals to turn their housing developments into rentals for these tourists, but the already-limited number of homes available to residents becomes even more expensive due to the choked supply. Protests have been held across Spain over the past few months, demanding lower housing prices and claiming that the government has been putting tourists over citizens. Tourists from other countries are coming in by the masses, so people building homes find it more appealing to turn residential complexes into rental properties instead of selling them to the locals who need homes. Now, the government has taken action-- they are cracking down on any Airbnb that does not have appropriate licensing. Some of the Airbnbs listed did not even have a license, and others had fake licenses that allowed them to rent the property out. Others failed to specify whether the listing was managed by a company or an individual. In total, 65,935 Airbnbs were affected, and the Spanish government is ordering that all of them be shut down. However, Airbnb strongly denies that they are the cause of the housing crisis-- the company attributes the dropping affordability in Spanish cities to a lack of homes. They believe that these new rules will just hurt travelers looking for cheap options, failing to provide a benefit to the country, the company, or the tourists. They appealed the decision, but Madrid's High Court ruled in favor of the Spanish government. This isn't the first time the Spanish government has taken action to combat this affordability crisis. Last year, Barcelona passed a law banning all short-term rentals in the city from November 2028, preventing landlords from prioritizing tourists over local residents. However, it is crucial that they find a balance between the two sides-- while tourism seems like a nuisance for Spanish citizens right now, it is extremely important to their economy, and phasing it out completely could have serious detrimental effects. Fact of the Day (BBC): The Moon looks upside down in the Southern Hemisphere-- compared to the Northern Hemisphere, anyway. This means that the ‘Man in the Moon’ is upside down in the Southern Hemisphere and looks more like a rabbit. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them. (Kahlil Gibran) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Antithetical (adj, an-tuh-THET-ih-kul) - Antithetical typically describes something that is in direct and unambiguous opposition to another thing. It is often used with to . In a Sentence: The district's new policy is fundamentally antithetical to the school's values.

Former United States President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and unfortunately, his condition is extremely serious. After he experienced urinary issues, Biden went to his doctor, who did a scan on the area. The doctor noticed a small nodule on his prostate, and quickly took a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan to see if there was any cancer in the area. The diagnosis was very severe-- Biden has stage 4 cancer, meaning that it has already spread to his bones and is now incurable. While prostate cancer is relatively common in older men, Biden's cancer is extremely aggressive. The doctor determined that the cancer had a score of 9 on the Gleason index, which is a score that analyzes the aggressiveness of the cancer cells. Unfortunately, 9-10 is the highest score possible. The cancer can be treated, but it cannot be removed entirely due to its status as stage 4. Biden is now looking towards his doctors to determine an appropriate treatment for the disease, which could help to extend his life expectancy by several years. However, Biden is now 82 years old, and many people had concerns about his health even when he was in office. During his term, Biden became the oldest-ever US president, and he experienced mental decline despite denials from the Democratic Party. Biden failed to recognize famous stars, zoned out during events, and tripped up dozens of times in speeches, including the infamous moment when he accidentally introduced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia's President Vladimir Putin. His performance in the first presidential debate against President Trump seemed to seriously display signs of his mental decline, leading to his withdrawal from the 2024 election later on. Nevertheless, Biden and many Democrats still deny these allegations, claiming that Biden was perfectly fit for office and had no health issues. Now that he is out of office, this diagnosis has confirmed that the former president is facing some health challenges. Despite that, though, his doctors have told him that he can live a mostly normal life after receiving treatment, and the new treatments they give him could extend his life expectancy by up to 10 years. Upcoming Events: World Fair Play Day (Monday, May 19) French Open Begins (Monday, May 19) World Bee Day (Tuesday, May 20) International Tea Day (Wednesday, May 21) World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (Wednesday, May 21) International Day for Biological Diversity (Thursday, May 22) Declaration of the Bab (Thursday, May 22) International Day of the Markhor (Saturday, May 24) World Football Day (Sunday, May 25) Table Tennis World Championship Ends (Sunday, May 25) IIHF World Hockey Championship Ends (Sunday, May 25) Fact of the Day (BBC): While hippos are very scary in the water, they can't actually swim. Hippos have huge bones-- so big and dense, in fact, that they’re barely buoyant at all. They don’t swim and instead perform a slow-motion gallop on the riverbed or on the sea floor. In fact, hippos can even sleep underwater, thanks to a built-in reflex that allows them to bob up, take a breath, and sink back down without waking. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Maturity is when you have the power to destroy someone who did you wrong but you just breathe, walk away, and let life take care of them. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Talisman (noun, TAL-iss-mun) - A talisman is an object (such as a ring or stone) that is believed to have magic powers and to cause good things to happen to the person who has it. In a Sentence: In ancient times, the gemstone was worn as a talisman to ward off evil.

Two people were killed and at least 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training vessel crashed into New York City's Brooklyn Bridge last night, sparking chaos. The Mexican ship, named the Cuauhtémoc, lost power in the middle of the Hudson River before smashing into the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday at around 8:30 pm. The cause was later determined to be a mechanical issue onboard the ship. The ship set sail from the Mexican town of Acapulco on April 6, carrying Mexican Navy cadets at the end of their training. The ship was carrying 277 cadets on a voyage to Iceland when it hit the underside of the bridge, breaking several of the ship's masts. The masts were seriously damaged, with parts of them falling into the water below. Unfortunately, a total of 21 people were injured in the incident, and two of them later died from their injuries. Two people are still in critical condition, but no one fell overboard and authorities have confirmed that everyone has been accounted for. Most of the injuries were caused by falling debris, in addition to the fact that several crewmembers were on the masts at the time of the crash. Police quickly arrived at the scene and towed away the ship, and officials have determined that no major damage was done to the bridge. Locals have also been instructed to avoid the area due to possible heavy traffic, as the area has been swarmed with emergency vehicles. Fact of the Day (BBC): Deaf people are known to use sign language in their sleep. A case study of a 71-year-old man with rapid eye movement disorder and a severe hearing impairment showed him using fluent sign language in his sleep, with researchers able to get an idea of what he was dreaming about thanks to those signs. The concept is similar to sleeptalking, except they do it with their hands. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance . Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. (Debbie Fields) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Mercurial (adj, mer-KYUR-ee-ul) - Mercurial is usually used to describe someone whose mood changes quickly and unpredictably. It can also describe something that changes frequently, such as weather, or something that is lively and quick, such as someone’s wit. In a Sentence: The director had some concerns about working with the play’s lead, an actor with a reputation for having a mercurial temperament on set.

The Israeli military has expanded their offensive in Gaza once again, which is the beginning of Operation Gideon's Chariots. The operation, which was approved around two weeks ago, will see Israeli forces invade Gaza and take as much land as possible. Israel is already bringing tens of thousands of additional soldiers onboard to their military to allow them to complete this mission, which aims to capture as much territory as possible while taking out Hamas operatives and rescuing any hostages still being kept by the terrorist organization. Now, after two more weeks of failed negotiations, Israel has put their plan into action. Operation Gideon's Chariots, as it is called, has begun, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiating a preliminary incursion into Gaza. They are attempting to move the population once again, this time forcing Palestinians into the southern portion of the strip while the forces move through the rest of Gaza. Operations in the area have already ramped up, and over 100 people have been killed within the last two days. Israel claims that their primary objective is rescuing all of the hostages, but they are also heavily focusing on wiping out Hamas. Unfortunately, Palestinians have greatly suffered from this new operation, and it seems that their woes will just continue. Israel continues to block all aid from coming into Gaza, which many countries and the United Nations see as a violation of international law. However, Israel claims that the blockades are necessary to force Hamas to hand over the hostages, meaning that they are unlikely to end anytime soon. Now, the death toll from the war has exceeded 53,000, and there does not seem to be any end in sight. Millions of Palestinians have been displaced, and most of them have no home to return to. Starvation is simply increasing, and Israel's latest operations are just expected to worsen the situation. Fact of the Day (BBC): There’s no such thing as a straight line. Zoom in close enough to anything and you’ll spot irregularities. Even a laser light beam is slightly curved. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. (Charles Hoskinson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Junket (noun, JUNK-ut) - Junket refers to a trip that is paid for by someone else, such as a promotional trip made at another's expense, or an official's trip made at public expense. In a Sentence: The cast of the widely-acclaimed movie is making press junkets to major cities.

United States President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United States could be getting close to achieving a nuclear deal with Iran as negotiations continue. Iran has clearly expressed their desire to develop nuclear weapons in the past, and they have the resources to do it. The creation of a nuclear weapon can be done in two ways: enriched uranium or plutonium production. Enriched uranium, or U-235, readily undergoes a process called nuclear fission, which is used to generate energy. Meanwhile, uranium can produce a highly radioactive byproduct known as plutonium, which also be used to make a nuclear weapon. Iran has the facilities and the ability to enrich uranium in order to create a nuclear weapon, but they have not done it yet. They currently face a roadblock in the process, and much of the Western world, especially the United States, is urging them to shut down their nuclear weapon development operations. Over the last few decades, the United States has maintained numerous sanctions on Iran, which has seriously hurt their economy. Due to this, Trump engaged in negotiations with Iran this week during his trip to the Middle East. Mediated by Oman, the talks saw direct, face-to-face discussions and the passing of notes in between rooms, with both sides agreeing on certain terms. Both Iran and the United States have indicated that they are willing to make peace with the other, as the conflict between the two countries over nuclear weapons dates back decades. While Trump has established that they are getting close to a deal, it is unknown how exactly they will achieve that. The US wants Iran to completely shut down their nuclear operations and stop enriching uranium, which Iran has refused to do. Iran has proposed that they could export their enriched uranium and decrease the enrichment levels to a more widely-used amount, preventing them from building a weapon. Iran has clearly stated that they are ready to sign a deal that will never let them build a nuclear weapon-- they just need the sanctions to be lifted by the United States, which could boost their economy and grow Iran as a country. However, as of right now, it is not clear how they will agree on that deal and what methods the US will use to prevent Iran from building a weapon. Fact of the Day (BBC): A horse normally has more than one horsepower. A study in 1993 showed that the maximum power a horse can produce is around 18,000 watts, around 24 horsepower. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Make good decisions even with incomplete information. You will never have all the information you need. What matters is what you do with the information you have. (Michael Steinhardt) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Impervious (adj, im-PER-vee-us) - Impervious describes that which does not allow something (such as water or light) to enter or pass through. It is also used formally to mean “not bothered or affected by something.” Both senses of impervious are usually used with to . In a Sentence: The material is impervious to water.

United States President Donald Trump has secured over $600 billion in investments into the US from Saudi Arabia as he continues through his visits of the Gulf countries. Trump is now on a tour of the Middle East, where he is working to find investors and strengthen ties with the Gulf countries. His tour began with a trip to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, continued with a visit to Qatar yesterday, and he is now in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, for the final leg of his journey. Recently, Trump has been working to strengthen partnerships with these three countries, which together, hold almost one-quarter of the world's oil reserves and over 18% of the world's natural gas. At a high-stakes lunch on Tuesday, Trump met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, along with the CEOs of dozens of large American companies. After several deals came through, the White House published an official message announcing that they had secured over $600 billion in investments. One of the most major of these deals was with Nvidia: Saudi Arabia confirmed that they are looking to heavily invest into artificial intelligence, and they announced that the Saudi company Humain would buy over 18,000 Nvidia chips. Additionally, as an attempt to better befriend the current president, most companies whose CEOs attended the lunch also donated $1 million to his inauguration fund. Most of the fund will be used to build Trump's future presidential library, and he has raised a staggering $239 million so far. Meanwhile, a brief trip to Qatar yesterday also saw some productivity for Trump and other companies. Boeing, a major aircraft manufacturer, announced that they have agreed on their largest-ever deal with Qatar Airways, which comes at a time when Boeing has been struggling financially. However, many people are concerned about Trump's personal goals on the trip, as he has also used his time with the world leaders to expand his personal profile in the area. Throughout the trip, Trump has also secured deals for new Trump hotels, golf courses, and other ventures, along with the aforementioned investment deals. For example, one Emirati company has invested over $2 billion into Trump's cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, which came as a shock to many people. Fact of the Day (BBC): Sound can reach negative decibels. The quietest place on Earth is Microsoft’s anechoic chamber in Redmond, WA, USA, at -20.6 decibels. These anechoic chambers are built out of heavy concrete and brick and are mounted on springs to stop vibrations from getting in through the floor. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future . (John F. Kennedy) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Scuttlebutt (noun, SKUTT-ul-butt) - Scuttlebutt refers to rumor or gossip—in other words, talk or stories about someone or something that may not be true. In a Sentence: According to the scuttlebutt in the financial markets, the company will be downsizing soon.

Russia has officially been found responsible for downing Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over a decade ago, finally giving the families affected a chance of compensation. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, or MH17, was a flight traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down over eastern Europe in 2014. The plane, a Boeing 777-200ER, was carrying 283 passengers and 15 crew for the 12-hour flight on July 17, and all of them were killed in the deadly crash. An international investigation into the crash was conducted in 2016, led by the Netherlands, where the flight had taken off from. The team determined that the plane was taken down by a Buk surface-to-air missile, placing the blame squarely on Russia. However, Russia maintained that they had no involvement in the plane crash, preventing a true verdict from being released. Since Russia refuses to recognize the International Court of Justice, the Netherlands and Australia took the court to another international body: The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization. Russia was found guilty of violating the Chicago Convention, which clearly states that member countries must avoid using any weapons against civilian aircraft in flight. Due to this, the Council can now formally request Russia to negotiate with the Netherlands and Australia over possible compensation for the crash, as the families of the victims have still not received any sort of payment. However, the Council still has to determine how much compensation will be given-- that will be finalized after negotiations. Fact of the Day (BBC): Soccer teams wearing red are thought to play better. A review of soccer matches in the last 55 years showed that teams wearing a red kit consistently played better in home matches than teams in any other color. The study discovered that the color red subconsciously boosts players' confidence and affects their opponents as well. However, of course, there are many studies contradicting this hypothesis as well. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The only certainty is that nothing is certain. (Pliny the Elder) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Apotropaic (adj, ap-uh-troh-PAY-ik) - Something described as apotropaic is designed or intended to avert evil. In a Sentence: The etchings are believed to be associated with ancient apotropaic rituals.

United States President Donald Trump has announced that he is planning to accept a 747-8 jet as a gift from Qatar, sparking outrage among politicians. The luxury plane is a Boeing 747-800 and costs approximately $400 million-- a staggering price for a gift from another country. Trump has stated that he plans to accept the jet and begin using it as the new Air Force One, which is the official plane that carries the President. Currently, there are two planes that serve as Air Force One, both 747s. However, the two jets are over 40 years old, and Trump has consistently criticized their condition. While the government is working on adding another, newer jet to the fleet, it could take years before that project is complete. Now, Qatar, a close US ally, has offered him a $400 million jet-- for free. Additionally, Trump will maintain ownership of the plane after leaving office, but he claims that he will move it to his future presidential library instead of using it. Nevertheless, politicians -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- have raised concerns over the jet and his uses for it. Many Americans have questioned the fact that the plane is from Qatar, meaning that there may be security problems with using the jet as Air Force One. Hidden cameras, microphones, and other devices are all possibilities, and while the plane will be scanned for these spying mechanisms, many people believe that there could be something suspicious onboard the expensive plane. Also, Air Force One jets have been specifically tailored with certain capabilities like air-to-air refueling that could be crucial during times of war-- capabilities that the luxury jet does not have. US officials have confirmed that they can add these features to the new plane, but it will take time that the president is not willing to give them. Others have expressed disdain over the fact that Trump is accepting such an expensive gift, and many see it as a way to personally benefit him. After all, the plane will stay under his ownership after he leaves office. While Trump has attempted to quell those concerns by claiming that he will place it in a future presidential library dedicated to him, the plane would still be relatively new and in good condition in 2029, meaning that he, or the rest of the Trump family, could end up using it for other purposes after he leaves office. This has been one of people's primary concerns with President Trump for years now, as he has been accused of utilizing his position as president and the law for personal gains. Trump's launch of his own social media platform, Truth Social, allowed him to gain millions of dollars in a time of need after the value of his stock shot up, and the creation of his own cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, has also financially benefited him-- the family's collection of the coin is now worth billions. He has also won lawsuits against various companies, gaining him additional millions of dollars, and his business interests in US-allied countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia have given him even more money. Trump, though, has defended his decision, saying that he would be a "stupid person" if he turned down a "free, very expensive airplane." However, it is currently unlikely that the Supreme Court or Congress will take steps to reverse the decision. Fact of the Day (BBC): You can actually die laughing. Laughing itself can't kill you, but many people have died after intense laughter caused a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or suffocation. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Gossip dies when it hits a wise person's ears. Rumors are initiated by haters, spread by fools, and swallowed by the gullible. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fester (verb, FESS-ter) - Something that festers becomes worse as time passes. Fester can also mean, in the context of wounds, sores, etc., “to become painful and infected.” In a Sentence: We should deal with these problems now instead of allowing them to fester .

At least 21 people are dead after a serious bus crash in Sri Lanka, and at least 35 additional passengers have been hospitalized with injuries. The crash occurred in Kotmale, a small town around 80 miles east of the country's capital of Colombo. The bus was traveling alongside a steep hill in an mountainous area known for its tea farms, and the rural nature of the roads can lead to frequent accidents. The bus, which had around 50 people onboard, was driving along the road when it skidded off the edge of the cliff, tumbling down before coming to a stop at the bottom of the ravine. Debris was strewn all over the crash site, with pieces of metal and numerous pieces of the bus' exterior and interior lying across the area. Rescue teams reached the site soon after and began an operation to save any survivors and get them treated quickly. Currently, 35 people are in the hospital for various injuries, while 21 people were found dead at the scene. An investigation has now begun into the cause of the crash, which could have been due to a mechanical issue with the bus or a serious error from the driver. Unfortunately, deadly bus crashes like this are common in the mountainous, rural areas of Sri Lanka, where badly maintained buses travel daily across narrow, unkempt roads, and driver error can commonly lead to major crashes as well. Upcoming Events: Vesak (Monday, May 12) International Day of Plant Health (Monday, May 12) International Day of Families (Thursday, May 15) PGA Championship (Thursday, May 15 to Sunday, May 18) International Day of Living Together in Peace (Friday, May 16) International Day of Light (Friday, May 16) World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (Saturday, May 17) Football Association Cup Final (Saturday, May 17) Table Tennis World Championship Begins (Saturday, May 17) World Masters Games Begin (Saturday, May 17) Fact of the Day (BBC): Octopi don’t actually have tentacles. They have eight limbs, but they're technically called arms, not tentacles. When talking about cephalopods (octopi, squids, etc), scientists define tentacles as limbs with suckers at their end-- octopus arms have suckers down most of their length, meaning that they are actually arms, not tentacles. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become. (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Darling (noun, DAHR-ling) - Darling can refer to a dearly loved person or to someone who is liked very much by a person or group. It can also mean “a kind and helpful person” as in, “Be a darling and carry this inside for me, would you?” In a Sentence: Our baby grandchild is just the sweetest little darling .

India and Pakistan have finally agreed to a ceasefire, but within a day of the agreement, India has accused Pakistan of violating it. In case you haven't caught up on the current situation between India and Pakistan, check out this article . The violent conflict continued into yesterday, with the civilian death toll rising to 66 after both countries struck military bases belonging to the other. Tensions began to rise even further, and fears of an all-out war grew even further. The two nations have a long history of conflicts, so another war could have been likely. However, just after several days of intense fighting, India and Pakistan finally agreed on a ceasefire deal yesterday. The deal, brokered by the United States, would see peace between the neighboring countries, and over 30 countries had contributed to the efforts. Pakistan announced that they would be reopening their airspace, and civilians on either side of the border experienced a major sense of relief after hearing that the conflict had come to an end. Unfortunately, the already-fragile agreement did not stay stable for long, with India accusing Pakistan of attacking them again just hours after the ceasefire was established. Attack drones were seen across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and India's air defense systems were deployed to deal with incoming missiles. Pakistan denied the allegations, and they have maintained the fact that they are committed to the ceasefire. External forces have confirmed that it is crucial for the countries to communicate well with their forces, as military personnel in remote areas near the border may not receive the information that a ceasefire has been put into place. This could have been a possible cause of the latest attacks on India after the agreement. Now, India and Pakistan will attempt to find peace after this intense bout of fighting, and the citizens of both countries, along with the world, is hoping that this ceasefire holds. Fact of the Day (BBC): Our solar system has a wall. The heliopause – the region of space in which solar wind isn’t hot enough to push back the wind of particles coming from distant stars – is often considered the “boundary wall” of the Solar System and interstellar space. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self. (Henri-Frédéric Amiel) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Uncanny (adj, un-KAN-ee) - Uncanny is typically used to describe something that is strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand. It can also describe something that seems to have a supernatural character or origin. In a Sentence: The child has an uncanny ability to recognize streets and locations she's seen only once or twice before.