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Contents: Total Eclipse on April 8 Approaches, Moving Twice the Speed of Sound Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day The total solar eclipse is less than a week away, so make sure to get ready for the viewing! Cities across North America will be able to witness totality on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024, with thousands of others being able to see a partial eclipse. It will begin near the Mexican city of Mazatlán, moving on through Concordia, Durango, Torreón, Monclova, and Piedras Negras before entering the United States. From there, the path of totality will continue through San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Hot Springs, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo before moving into southeastern Canada. The path of totality extends 115 miles from the center of the umbra, but the percentage of totality will go down from there. Cities like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, and Oklahoma City will have the Sun around 90% covered by the moon, while others like Atlanta, Charlotte, Washington DC, Des Moines, and El Paso will see around 80%. Check here to see how much your city will see. If you are in or near the path of totality, make sure to be on time-- don't miss it! Totality will only last for three to four minutes, as the eclipse is covering the entire North American continent in just an hour and 40 minutes as it moves at twice the speed of sound (1,500 mph). Wear proper eclipse glasses when viewing-- looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent eye damage. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): In Rome, you are required by law to walk your dog. Not doing so can result in a fine. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. (Jim Rohn) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Shambles (noun)- Shambles refers to a place or state in which there is great confusion, disorder, or destruction. In a Sentence: The house party they had over the weekend left the entire living room in shambles.

Happy April Fools' Day! Contents: Tropicale Foods Recalls Mini Ice Cream Bars After Salmonella Concerns Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Tropicale Foods has recalled 5,224 packs of their mini ice cream bars after they were found to contain a dangerous disease. The United States Food and Drug Administration found that their Helados Mexico Mini Cream Variety Packs with a best by date of October 11, 2025 contained salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, blood in the stool, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting, and fever. The bars were sold in 16 states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, as well as Washington, D.C. and some of Europe. Tropicale Foods has stated that any consumers with this product should immediately throw it away. This comes after another company, Wenders LLC, recently recalled certain batches of their Trader Joes Nuts due to more salmonella concerns. Upcoming Events: April Fools' Day (Monday, April 1) World Autism Awareness Day (Tuesday, April 2) International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (Thursday, April 4) International Day of Conscience (Friday, April 5) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (Saturday, April 6) International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda (Sunday, April 7) Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix (Sunday, April 7) World Health Day (Sunday, April 7) Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Anyone between the ages of 40 and 74 in Japan must get their waistline measured, by law. If it exceeds a certain length, they are considered obese and are put on dietary guidelines. If they are found to be obese, the company they work for can also be fined. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. (Albert Einstein) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Expiate (verb)- Expiate is a formal word that typically means “to atone or make amends for something, such as a sin or offense.” In a Sentence: Although the editorial had characterized the mayor's failure to disclose the details of the meeting as a lapse that could not be expiated, many of the city's citizens seemed ready to forgive all.

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate! Contents: 400 Tons of Food Leave Cyprus Port to Feed Palestinians in Gaza Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Over 400 tons of food have left Cyprus aboard a three-ship convoy in another shipment of food to Gaza, and they are hoping to help in Gaza's worsening food crisis. Famine is increasing in the region, especially in some of the hardest-hit areas in the north, where Israel's original counterattack was launched. The World Central Kitchen sent about 200 tons of food earlier this year as the first aid shipment by sea, and this second round has now been sent after the success of the first. This convoy is carrying enough food to feed one meal to about one million people, which seems like a lot, but it barely makes a dent in the crisis. Trucks are much more efficient than air or sea deliveries, but Israel continues to block the border despite an order from the International Court of Justice to open up more roadways into Gaza. Famine is on the way, and it could arrive as quickly as mid-April if measures are not taken to feed Palestinians in Gaza. Almost 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's invasion of Palestine, and humanitarian officials are worried that number could rapidly rise if more food is not delivered into Gaza. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): The citizens of Pakistan, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia are banned from celebrating Valentine's Day because it focuses on love to someone other than God. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): An inch of time is an inch of gold but you can’t buy that inch of time with an inch of gold. (Chinese Proverb) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Haphazard (adj)- Something haphazard has no apparent plan, order, or direction. In a Sentence: Considering the haphazard way you measured the ingredients, it's a wonder the cookies came out this good.

Contents: Kia Recalls Over 425,000 Telluride SUVs Heavy Duty Equipment Arrives in Baltimore to Remove Bridge Wreckage Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Kia has recalled over 425,000 Tellurides after a roll-away issue while the vehicle is in park. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the metal rods connecting the engine and transmission to the wheels in 2020-2023 Kia Telluride models can become damaged over time, leading to the car unintentionally moving while in park, which could lead to an accident. Owners of any Telluride models made between these years should visit their nearest Kia dealership to get the issue fixed, and Kia will reimburse them for the repair. On another note, cranes and crews have arrived in Baltimore, and they are now beginning the complex issue of removing the numerous steel beams criss-crossing the Patapsco River after a cargo ship smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge earlier this week. Of the eight construction workers on the bridge, two were initially rescued, and two of the remaining six missing workers that were on the bridge at the time of collapse have been found dead, but the other four remain 'presumed dead' as the bodies have not been found. However, divers cannot go into the river to search for the remaining bodies because of the dangerous steel beams strewn across the river. Four heavy lift cranes, ten tugboats, nine barges, eight salvage vessels, and five Coast Guard boats have come to Baltimore to remove the wreckage of the bridge as fast as possible, as it is blocking access to the city's main port area. President Joe Biden approved a $60 million immediate aid package to help the dire situation, as the Port of Baltimore is the nation's 17th largest port (as of 2021). It creates 15,000 jobs and is the number one port in the United States for automobile imports. It is also a major port for coal and soybeans, but thankfully, it is not one of the nation's largest ports. There will still be a sizable impact on the world economy, but not too big. Crews are racing to get the debris out of the way as soon as possible for the port to quickly resume operations. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Anyone 15 and up can be put in jail for cheating on a final exam in Bangladesh. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Lack of time is actually lack of priorities. (Tim Ferriss) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Braggadocio (noun)- Braggadocio refers to brash and self-confident boasting—that is, the annoying or exaggerated talk of someone who is trying to sound very proud or brave. In a Sentence: His braggadocio hid the fact that he felt personally inadequate.

Contents: 45 Dead After Bus Plummets into Ravine in South Africa, 8-Year-Old Survives Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day At least 45 people are dead after a bus full of Christian worshippers celebrating Easter plummeted off of a bridge in South Africa yesterday, with an 8-year-old girl being confirmed as the only survivor. The bus is believed to have been traveling from Botswana to the South African town of Moria, a popular religious pilgrimage around Easter, when the driver lost control on the Mmamatlakala bridge, leading to a plunge of 165 feet into a ravine. The bus smashed into the ground and exploded into flames, which is why officials have been struggling to identify the victims. The government has launched an investigation into the incident, and they expect to find more information in the coming days. This is provoking more protests against South Africa's road system, including outcries over the country's more than 12,400 road deaths each year due to poor road safety and the failure to enforce important traffic laws. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Potatoes from Poland were officially banned in Britain in 2004 following a potato disease outbreak, and the law still stands today. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The greatest oak was once a little nut who held its ground. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Flout (verb)- To flout something, such as a law or rule, is to treat it with contemptuous disregard. A teenager flouting a curfew, for example, will not hide the fact that they are out past the time they are required to be home. In a Sentence: The court found that the company had continued to flout the law despite multiple warnings.

Contents: 17 Dead After Israel, Lebanese Militants Exchange Airstrikes Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Violence on the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified once again, with the latest breakout leading to 16 Lebanese deaths and one Israeli death. Multiple Israeli airstrikes were launched towards sites in Lebanon, primarily targeted at bases of the Islamic Group, a Sunni organization who have partnered with Hezbollah, another militant organization battling against Israel. Retaliation strikes were launched back at Israel, which caused the death of one Israeli. This comes as Israel and Hamas continue with their war in Gaza, and these Islamic militant groups are attempting to show their support for Gaza by fighting against Israel. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Stepping on Thai currency is illegal in Thailand-- it has the royal family on it, and defacing any image of the Thai royal family has been illegal since 1908. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Auxiliary (adj)- In general use, auxiliary describes someone or something available to provide extra help, power, etc., when it is needed. In linguistics, an auxiliary verb (also called a “helping verb”) is used with another verb to do things like show a verb’s tense or form a question. In nautical contexts, auxiliary can describe a sailboat equipped with a supplementary inboard engine, or a vessel that provides supplementary assistance to other ships. In a Sentence: The auditorium has an auxiliary cooling system used only on particularly sweltering days.

Contents: Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge Goes Down After Ship Crashes into Support Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early on Tuesday morning after a strong impact from a container ship, and six construction workers have been presumed dead. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency after the incident, as that bridge is a crucial part of Interstate 695, which is known as the Baltimore Beltway. Chaos later ensued as roads came to a halt when citizens of Baltimore attempted to bypass the bridge, and the entire section of I-695 has been shut down, as the entire bridge has fallen into the Patapsco River. In total, the entire bridge was about 1.6 miles long and four lanes wide, and its construction was finished in 1977, making it a fairly old bridge. Six construction workers were reportedly fixing potholes on the bridge at around 1:30 am when a 985-foot ship, named The Dali, lost all engine power shortly after leaving the Baltimore port, just half an hour into its journey towards Colombo, Sri Lanka. It sent out a mayday call, but it is still unknown why the construction crew on the bridge did not move off of the bridge upon hearing that call. The ship lost control and was not able to turn, leading to its crash into one of the central piers of the bridge. The piers are the main supports of the bridge, and if one falls, the entire bridge goes down. Within 30 seconds of the impact from the ship, the entire central section of the bridge had fallen into the river, showing how fast steel bridges can crumple when their supports are taken out. Normally, these piers have deflectors, widely known as fenders, to protect the supports from any possible impacts from a ship, but this bridge did not seem to have that protection. Engineers are looking into the lack of protective barriers for the piers, and any that may have been in place were certainly not strong enough to stop a large ship like The Dali. Amid these concerns over the bridge's questionable structural integrity, officials are conducting a full-scale investigation into the collapse. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard has ended their 18-hour search-and-rescue operation for the workers that fell into the water, as they would have found the workers by now if they were still alive. Also, the horrible searching conditions did not help-- thick fog covered the area and there were metal structures teetering above the water, making conditions unsafe for rescuers. Due to this, they have sadly been presumed dead. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): High heels are banned in some historical parts of Greece, as it can damage the ancient sites. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Don’t spend a dollar’s worth of time on a ten-cent decision. (Peter Turly) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Kismet (noun)- Kismet refers to a power that is believed to control what happens in the future. It is synonymous with both fate and destiny. In a Sentence: From the moment we met, we felt connected; we knew it was kismet.

Contents: Florida Governor Bans Usage of Social Media for Children Under 14 Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially banned the use of social media for children under 14, which is a sweeping new law that could change the lives of millions of tweens and teens across the state. The new law states that the use of social media, such as Snapchat or Instagram, is completely banned for kids 13 and under, and 14 to 15-year-olds need parental consent to create an account. Social media companies are required to delete any accounts that they believe belong to underage users, and the apps must ask for parental consent if the user is between 14 and 15. DeSantis stated that this new law would help teens get out of their devices and allow their parents to have greater control over their online life, limiting the mental damage that social media can do. However, there will surely be backlash against this from the community, and lawsuits may be filed that could nullify the law, such as what happened in Arkansas and Ohio-- judges blocked laws that limited the usage of social media and increased privacy settings to minors. Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Denmark has a Law on Personal Names, meaning that parents have to choose their child's name from a pre-approved list of 7,000 names. If you want to choose a different name, government approval is required. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Life, if well lived, is long enough. (Seneca) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Genuflect (verb)- To genuflect is to kneel, or nearly kneel, on one knee and then rise again in worship or as an act of respect. In figurative use, genuflect means "to be humbly obedient or respectful." In a Sentence: Churchgoers genuflected before the altar.

Contents: Geomagnetic Storm Set to Impact Communications Today Upcoming Events Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day A severe geomagnetic storm is on the way, and it could disrupt some communications across Earth. The Sun has a magnetic cycle, and every 11 years its poles switch places. It is now in the most active part of that cycle, a phase called the solar maximum. In this phase, solar storms can happen multiple times per year, while during the solar minimum, there are solar storms about every few years. A G4 strength (the scale goes from 1-5) solar flare is planned to hit Earth's magnetic field today, leading to some disrupted high frequency radio transmissions, which are normally long range transmissions used by aircraft or exploration vehicles. Space tracking may be impacted as well, but there is a good part to it. People living at higher latitudes like Canada or Norway could get the chance to view some striking auroras overnight if the weather permits, and the strength of the storm could allow people at lower latitudes as far south as Washington DC to see the lights in the sky. Upcoming Events: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Monday, March 25) International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members (Monday, March 25) Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, March 27) Major League Baseball Opening Day (Thursday, March 28) Holy Thursday (Thursday, March 28) Good Friday (Friday, March 29) International Day of Zero Waste (Saturday, March 30) Easter (Sunday, March 31) Fact of the Day: Photography in and around airports is illegal in Kazakhstan. Quote of the Day: Time is a created thing. To say “I don’t have time” is to say “I don’t want to.” (Lao Tzu) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Pedantic (adj)- Pedantic describes someone or something that exhibits the characteristics of a pedant—that is, a person who often annoys other people by correcting small errors and giving too much attention to minor details. Pedantic also means “narrowly, stodgily, and often ostentatiously learned.” In a Sentence: Their habit of reminding fellow birders that the bird is called a “Canada goose” and not a “Canadian goose” came across as pedantic rather than helpful.

Contents: 133 Dead, Hundreds Injured After Moscow Concert Hall Shooting Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day At least 133 people are dead and hundreds of others are injured after a deadly shooting at a concert hall in Moscow, Russia. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin originally blamed Ukraine, but the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) later claimed full responsibility. The Crocus City Hall is a large hall that can accommodate over 6,200 people and is located in the western suburbs of Moscow, and the building was left in flames after gunmen burst in and fired at everyone in sight. Witnesses reported that they just came in and silently shot everyone they could see, and chaos ensued. No one could figure out whether they should run or hide, and the hall was set on fire afterwards as well. Russian police arrested four suspects following the incident, and the entire world has condemned the attack. This shooting comes just after Putin was elected for his fifth term after he promised safety to his people amid Russia's war against Ukraine, but that safety may be in question. Nevertheless, this is a deeply saddening incident that the entire world is mourning. Fact of the Day: It is illegal to feed pigeons in San Francisco. Quote of the Day: Never leave ’till tomorrow which you can do today. (Benjamin Franklin) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Megillah (noun)- Megillah is slang for a long, involved story or account. Megillah can also refer to a complicated sequence of events, or it can be used as a synonym of ball of wax meaning “everything involved in what is under consideration.” All three senses of megillah are often preceded by the adjective whole. In a Sentence: Don’t worry about reciting the whole megillah from last night’s game; just give me the highlights.