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A top Indian court has allowed stray dogs to be released back into the massive city of New Delhi, but the animals are to be neutered and vaccinated before then. On August 11, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that all stray dogs were to be removed from the streets of New Delhi – which is home to around one million of them – and placed into permanent shelters within eight weeks. This brought relief to many citizens, who have struggled with the dangers of stray dogs on the streets for decades, but also sparked outrage among others. Animal rights activists, as well as many citizens who have befriended the animals, stood up for the dogs, calling for the decision to be reversed. Additionally, other critics pointed out that New Delhi does not have the infrastructure to house one million dogs, which could lead to the rapid euthanasia of most – if not all – of them. However, in a major court ruling yesterday, a three-person panel decided to rescind the order, allowing the dogs to remain on the streets. The panel confirmed that the dogs would still be rounded up by authorities, but would instead be neutered and vaccinated before being released back into the area from which they were taken. This would decrease the risk of rabies or other diseases while also controlling the population, which has gotten extremely out of hand. Nevertheless, any dog found to be carrying rabies or displaying aggressive behavior will still be kept in shelters. The ruling also calls on residents to stop feeding strays, as this draws them to highly-populated areas– instead, they have instructed dog-loving citizens to adopt the stray dogs that they feel extremely connected with. However, once the dog is adopted, it cannot be sent back onto the streets, and authorities plan to impose legal punishments for feeding strays in public spaces. Stray dogs have long been a problem in India due to rabies and dog attacks. Rabies, a dangerous viral disease that is spread through saliva or nervous tissue, can have severe effects on the central nervous system, often leading to death if a rabies shot is not taken quickly after the infection sets in. Around 99% of global rabies cases can be traced back to dogs, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that India accounts for around 36% of global rabies deaths– over 20,000 Indians die each year due to rabies. Meanwhile, dog attacks are also common across the country. Many of the rabies cases in India occur due to bites or scratches from infected dogs, and videos showing young children or toddlers being mauled by stray dogs have drawn outrage across the nation. In fact, some studies show that over 2,000 dog bites occur each day within the city of New Delhi alone. Furthermore, according to the Press Trust of India, there are over 62 million stray dogs across the country, meaning that these risks are everywhere, and a lack of control over the dog population is contributing to the population growth. Due to the massive number of dogs within the country, most of the government's efforts to control the population have failed, as they are able to reproduce faster than authorities can neuter them. However, the court's latest steps prove that India is taking steps towards a safer, more hospitable environment for its citizens, even if the cost is high. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In 2015, an expedition to the Kavachi underwater volcano in the Solomon Islands found sharks living at the center of the volcano. The sharks were described as "mutant-like" due to their adaptations to the harsh environment, and the volcano has been nicknamed "Sharkcano." Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost. (Robert H. Schuller) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Apathy (noun, AP-uh-thee) - Apathy refers either to a lack of feeling or emotion, or to a lack of interest or concern. In a Sentence: Though the girl’s expression communicated apathy , Gina knew her daughter was actually very pleased at having won the poetry prize. Image credit to National Geographic

New Zealand's government has confirmed a huge, $1.6 billion military spending package that will include the purchase of helicopters from the United States. New Zealand, a country with few enemies and many friends, has not been the most military-focused in recent years. The country remains around 1,000 miles away from its closest major neighbor, Australia, and is primarily surrounded by the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. Nevertheless, military capabilities of countries across the world have increased over the past few years, meaning that the safety provided by their lack of proximity to other nations continues to dwindle. Furthermore, the country has experienced several military failures due to aging equipment, leading to embarrassing situations for leaders and ministers. New Zealand's fleet is currently quite old, and many of their aircraft are in desperate need of replacements. As of right now, the military operates two Boeing 757s that are over 30 years old and were already secondhand when bought– in fact, the planes are so old that they have broken down several times, stranding major leaders and forcing them to take commercial flights. On these grounds, New Zealand finally approved an increase in defense spending, with the official release of the plan coming earlier this year in April. They confirmed that they would double their defense spending, raising it from 1% of GDP to 2% over the next 10 years, in addition to spending over NZ $9 billion ($5.2 billion) on defense in the next four years. As part of the new deal, New Zealand will spend around NZ $700 million to acquire two Airbus A321XLRs, a long-range commercial jet with a range of around 5,400 miles. Additionally, to upgrade their rapidly aging helicopter fleet, New Zealand will spend NZ $2 billion to purchase five new MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the United States. Each helicopter is also equipped with torpedoes and missiles, increasing their defense capabilities. However, New Zealand officials have confirmed that it could take several years to obtain the helicopters, as a large line of countries are looking to purchase the model, including India and Australia. Meanwhile, the planes are scheduled to be delivered in 2028. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): St. Lucia is the only country in the world named after a woman. The country was named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse by the French. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): One must be a sea, to receive a polluted stream without becoming impure. (Friedrich Nietzsche) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Validate (verb, VAL-uh-dayt) - To validate something is to show that it is real or correct. Validate can also mean “to state or show that something is legal or official,” “to put a mark on something to show that it has been checked and is official or accepted,” and “to show that someone’s feelings, opinions, etc., are fair and reasonable.” In a Sentence: The company’s claims about its latest product are yet to be validated . Image credit to Lockheed Martin

India and China, two of the world's largest economies, have finally begun to strengthen ties with each other as they face Trump's tariffs. Relations between India and China have always been relatively spotty, with several battles and standoffs in past years near the McMahon Line. This line separates the eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet, and has seen various skirmishes and battles over the years as India and China fought over the disputed line. Another area known as Aksai Chin, located near the northern Indian region of Kashmir, has also been disputed in recent years– it is now claimed by India but remains under Chinese occupation. Due to these border disputes, India and China have maintained a cold relationship, with both sides attempting to side with the enemy of the other. China and Pakistan have developed strong ties as China funds various projects to grow the Pakistani economy, and India has stepped up relations with the United States. Furthermore, tensions reached their peak in June 2020 after the construction of a road through the Galwan Valley of Ladakh, in northern India, to get to a high-altitude airbase. China saw this infrastructure project as a threat, leading to a battle between the two sides that resulted in 20 Indian and 4 Chinese fatalities. However, that incident was seen as a breaking point, and relations began to mend themselves after that– as Trump imposed tariffs, both countries began to look for alternatives, and they seem to have found an ally in each other. In recent months, India's friendship with the US has begun to splinter after some of the moves US President Donald Trump has taken since he entered office. His tariffs have placed repeated pressure on allies like India, and their refusal to stop buying Russian oil has prompted him to increase tariffs to 50%– the updated tariff will go into effect on August 27. Meanwhile, China has also been facing serious pressure from the US to place restrictions on the ever-growing drug trade, in addition to various tariffs. After a trade war earlier this year, the US and China agreed on a tariff treaty that would reset levels back to around 30%. While that treaty was set to expire on August 12, it was extended by three months , giving the two countries more time to negotiate on a deal. Now, India and China have set their border dispute aside in an attempt to grow their weakened friendship, potentially showing a sign of strength against the Western world. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed that relations had been improving since his visit to Kazan, Russia, to talk with leaders of BRICS nations, which included Chinese President Xi Jinping– at that meeting, they also agreed upon the 2024 India-China Border Patrol Agreement, allowing them to defuse tensions near their disputed borders. Then, on Tuesday, Modi met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, allowing them to further strengthen ties. Both countries agreed to resume direct flights, which had been suspended since the skirmishes in the Galwan Valley in 2020. Additionally, the two major powers will allow border trade once again, beginning with three areas, and rules on visas will be relaxed. These new trade rules will allow them to build up each others' economies, possibly making up for some of the damage caused by American tariffs. Finally, on August 31, Modi will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in the Chinese city of Tianjin, making it the first time the Indian Prime Minister has traveled to China in over seven years. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Red Solo cups are a common souvenir for foreign tourists to bring back from the United States. The novelty comes from the cups being used in many party scenes in movies. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): First, accept sadness. Realize that without losing, winning isn’t so great. (Alyssa Milano) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Sailent (adj, SAIL-yunt) - Something described as salient is very important or noticeable. In a Sentence: The assignment was to write down the most salient points made in the article. Image credit to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Air Canada has confirmed that they have reached a deal with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the organization conducting a huge strike against the airline. On Saturday, the CUPE began a strike with over 10,000 flight attendants, crippling Air Canada's ability to take to the air. The airline quickly turned to the federal government, hoping to receive assistance, and the government agreed– the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) was given the final say, with the board issuing a back-to-work order by Sunday afternoon. However, the union defied the order, instructing flight attendants to stay on strike. This resulted in hundreds of additional cancelations, and Air Canada was still unable to restart operations– in total, the airline canceled around 2,500 flights in under a week, affecting over 500,000 customers. The CUPE was clear, though, that they would not back down until a deal was reached, even if their union leaders were prosecuted. Read more into the initial story here . After defying another back-to-work order on Monday, the union finally entered talks with Air Canada over a new deal to increase wages for flight attendants. The airline, scrambling to find a way to resume operations, agreed to the union's demands, the most significant of which was paying flight attendants for their time on the ground. Currently, flight attendants are paid relatively low wages, with a starting salary of around $25 to $30, but attendants with seniority can achieve wages as high as $70 to $90 depending on the airline. Furthermore, they only begin being paid once the aircraft doors close, meaning that their crucial assistance in the boarding process is largely unpaid. Several years ago, Delta Air Lines became the first carrier to begin paying flight attendants boarding pay, with American and Alaska Airlines following suit. Now, Air Canada has become the latest to provide such a benefit to its employees. While the contract has not been completely finalized yet, the union will bring all 10,000 flight attendants back to work immediately, as ordered by Air Canada. Nevertheless, the airline has confirmed that it may take up to a week to fully restore operations, and some flights may continue to be canceled throughout the next few days. Air Canada is offering full refunds or free rebooking on other airlines in case of a cancelation, and they have urged customers to check their flight's status before arriving at the airport to avoid a major inconvenience. Meanwhile, union leaders continue to face criticism for their actions. The CIRB has described the strike as "illegal" after they gave the final say in the case, which the CUPE ignored. Additionally, due to the fact that their decision went against a government order, they could be prosecuted for their actions in the near future. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): A wildlife technician, Richard Thomas, took the famous tongue-twister, “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood,” and calculated a rough estimate of what the answer would actually be. It came out to be around 700 pounds. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There is nothing impossible to him who will try. (Alexander the Great) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Euphemism (noun, YOO-fuh-miz-um) - A euphemism is a mild or pleasant word or phrase that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive. In a Sentence: The HR department advises using the euphemism “let go” instead of saying that someone was fired. Image credit to Business Insider

The MSNBC cable network is set to change their name to MS NOW by the end of the year as the company prepares for their separation from Comcast. To understand the change, one must go back to the current company hierarchy of Comcast. Comcast is the largest cable network in the United States and owns various cable channels and major companies, many of which were previously owned by NBCUniversal. In 2011, Comcast bought a significant stake in NBCUniversal, making the latter a subsidiary. However, in an attempt to streamline operations and focus on their core businesses, this year, Comcast decided to spin-off some of its cable networks into another independent company, which will be known as Versant. While stockholders of Comcast will lose the value that those particular cable networks provide to the stock, they will also receive shares of the new company, allowing them to potentially gain additional capital in the future if Versant is successful. This new company will contain most of Comcast's currently-owned cable networks, including USA Today, CNBC, and MSNBC. However, MSNBC, which stands for Microsoft and National Broadcasting Company, was originally a joint venture between Microsoft's MSN news network and NBC. Microsoft later relinquished their ownership of the company, but the name stuck. Due to this, Versant has decided to rename the network to MS NOW, removing the NBC part of the network– the new name will stand for My Source for News, Opinion, and the World. The name change is also meant to make the public more aware of Versant as a company, as they are already trying to make a larger imprint and distinguish themselves from Comcast. Furthermore, the classic Peacock logo will be removed from MSNBC – at the discretion of NBC – with the new logo set to be released later this year once Versant becomes a publicly-traded company. MSNBC was chosen for this change because their coverage has a significant overlap with that of NBC, but CNBC will not undergo the same change. Versant felt that the coverage of CNBC is already different enough from NBC, and CNBC technically stands for Consumer News Business Channel– National Broadcasting Company was never actually in the name. The network is also undergoing various changes beneath the surface, with the new administration working to hire over 100 new journalists to allow them to compete with the newsroom of NBC News. An update: Air Canada Fails to Resume Operations After Strike Continues Air Canada is still unable to resume operations due to the ongoing strike of over 10,000 flight attendants, forcing them to cancel hundreds of flights per day. Union leaders of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) are facing fines and possible jail time after ordering their members to defy a federal back-to-work order for the second time– a situation that has never occurred before in Canadian history. Almost all Air Canada flights remain canceled, and the airline has already entered talks with the union as they scramble to try and convince the organization to bring their flight attendants back to work. Read the initial story here . Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): For nearly 60 years, Texas didn’t have an official state flag between 1879 & 1933. During that time, the Lone Star flag was active, but the unofficial flag. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it. (Eckhart Tolle) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Ostentatious (adj, ah-stun-TAY-shus) - Ostentatious describes someone or something that displays wealth, knowledge, power, etc., in a way that is meant to attract attention, admiration, or envy. Things that are ostentatious tend to stand out as overly elaborate or conspicuous. In a Sentence: The resort town is famous for its extravagantly expensive summer homes, which some tourists view as impressive and others as merely ostentatious . Image credit to Los Angeles Times

Air Canada has further delayed resuming operations until this evening, with the call coming after the continuation of a massive strike. The airline was forced to halt almost all Air Canada flights through the weekend after the strike began on Saturday morning, with over 10,000 flight attendants leaving their posts to protest for higher wages and better treatment within the workplace. The strike was conducted by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which has over 750,000 members in various sectors of the Canadian economy. Following the strike, the Canadian government was forced to intervene, with Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu placing binding arbitration on the case. Binding arbitration is where a third party, known as the arbitrator, is forced to intervene in a case where two sides are at an impasse. Once binding arbitration is imposed, it is confirmed that the final say of the arbitrator will be legally binding. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) then acted as the third party, informing Air Canada flight attendants that they were to return to work by 2 pm on Sunday afternoon. However, the union instructed its attendants to stay on strike, going against the legally binding decision made by the Industrial Relations Board. The CUPE has stated that they will not stop until their flight attendants receive what they view as fair compensation, which requires a significant change from current pay rates. Flight attendants are technically only paid for their time in the air, making the other hours that they spend on the ground unpaid. The union is seeking to change that, with flight attendants receiving compensation for their time in the air and on the ground. However, this would be a massive cost to Air Canada as the employer, and the two groups will likely need to go through several rounds of contract negotiations before a deal can be reached. For now, the leadership of the CUPE is likely to face legal challenges after they defied a legally binding federal order, with the union facing possible fines as well. There is only one other instance in Canadian history where a union has gone against a federal decision, occurring with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) in 1978. After the union defied the government order, significant fines were imposed on the organization, and the leader was jailed for three months and placed on probation for an additional 18 months after being convicted for contempt of Parliament. Meanwhile, Air Canada is scrambling to get flights back in the air as customers remain stranded across the world. The airline is urging their fliers to avoid visiting the airport before confirming that their flight is still on, and they are willing to provide customers with travel coupons, refunds, or free rebooking with other airlines for the inconvenience. So far, Air Canada has canceled a total of 730 flights for each day of the weekend – around 96% of all flights – and have already scheduled an additional 400 cancelations for today. They plan to resume operations by Monday evening, but that could change based on the decisions the union and the company's flight attendants take from here. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): A cluster of bananas is called a “hand.” Along that theme, a single banana is called a “finger.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Each night, when I go to sleep, I die. And the next morning, when I wake up, I am reborn. (Mahatma Gandhi) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Glitch (noun, GLITCH) - Glitch is an informal word referring to an unexpected and usually minor problem. It is used especially for a minor problem with a machine or device, such as a computer. In a Sentence: The email went out to everyone in the company because of a technical glitch . Image credit to The Points Guy

Hundreds of people are dead after a devastating round of monsoon rains hit southern Asia over the past few days. The worst of the impact was in Pakistan, where at least 300 people have been confirmed dead. The rains washed away everything from homes to businesses to entire roads. The precipitation also triggered several landslides in more mountainous areas, which accounted for a large portion of the damage– locals reported that massive boulders had taken out dozens of homes as they were washed downstream. Search-and-rescue operations begun almost immediately, but many of the survivors died before reaching the hospital due to their terrible condition; many victims were crushed by the boulders as they were carried into rivers and lakes by the flash floods. Aid has also arrived from other parts of the country, with first responders bringing tents, food, and clean water to those in need. Meanwhile, in neighboring India, the monsoons wreaked havoc as well. In the Indian region of Kashmir, at least 60 people were killed in the town of Chashoti after it was hit by flash floods several days ago. At least 150 people are still missing, and dozens of survivors are still in critical condition. Unfortunately, the floods struck during the town's annual pilgrimage, which attracts a staggering 300,000 people every year. Chashoti is where the road for vehicles to the Himalayan temple of Machail Mata – a form of Goddess Durga – ends, forcing pilgrims to hike from the village to the shrine. Similar disasters also struck different regions of Nepal over the past few days, killing at least 40 people and leaving over 100 injured. Monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, can bring strong winds and heavy rain throughout the summer due to the warm, humid air blowing onto the Indian subcontinent. However, climate change has intensified the annual event, bringing more and more devastating rain each year. Additionally, poor infrastructure in rural mountain areas has also contributed to the damage, as homes are haphazardly built without consideration of possible flood routes or measures to prevent landslides. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Researchers have found that flossing your teeth can help your memory. Flossing prevents gum disease, which prevents stiff blood vessels, which cause memory issues. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. (Carl Jung) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tempestuous (adj, tem-PESS-chuh-wus) - Tempestuous is used to describe something that is related to or resembles a violent storm. In its literal (and often literary) use tempestuous is synonymous with turbulent and stormy . Figuratively, tempestuous describes something or someone full of strong emotions, such as anger or excitement. In a Sentence: On its return to port the unlucky schooner was beset by tempestuous weather and nearly capsized. Image credit to The Guardian

After the much-awaited meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Russia-Ukraine War, they have failed to agree on a deal. The goal set by the two leaders was to establish some common ground over the Russia-Ukraine War – which has entered its fourth year – allowing them to begin talks over a peace deal to put an end to the conflict. The meeting took place in the northern US state of Alaska, which was sold to the US by Russia back in 1867, specifically due to the fact that Putin would have been arrested had the meeting taken place in almost any European country. However, despite Trump's efforts to put an end to the war, European countries have been phased out of ongoing negotiations. Trump has worked to exclude European nations from talks with Putin, including Ukraine themselves, raising global concerns that he could strike a deal with the Russian leader that could benefit the US or Russia while putting Ukraine in a worse position. Read more into the initial situation here . Because of this, when Trump and Putin began talks yesterday, they were already at front and center of the global stage. Nevertheless, both leaders confirmed last night that a deal was not reached, and they did not agree on any sort of treaty or ceasefire. Both Trump and Putin have also been extremely tight-lipping about the negotiations, with neither party disclosing anything about what they disagreed over, why it wasn't possible, or whether a deal could be in the works. The failed talks, though, have allowed Europe to breathe a sigh of relief, as they were previously in serious distress over the issue. Trump is expected to call all NATO leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to a meeting to discuss the negotiation with Putin, and the American president will also attend the next round of talks between Ukraine and Russia. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Lettuce is a member of the sunflower family. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The place to be happy is here. The time to be happy is now. (Robert J. Ingersoll) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Meander (verb, mee-AN-der) - To meander is to follow a winding or intricate course—that is, one with a lot of turns and curves—or to walk slowly without a specific goal, purpose, or direction. In a Sentence: We spent the afternoon meandering around the seaside town. Image credit to Reuters

Negotiations to finalize a global plastics treaty have come to an end, with countries failing to agree on a solution to the massive problem once again. Around two weeks ago, talks began in Geneva, Switzerland, to address the world's growing plastic problem. This was their sixth meeting as a group, and it marks the second time that they came in with a goal and failed to finalize a deal– last year's talks in Busan, South Korea, also ended without a concrete solution to the problem. Plastics are everywhere, and the problem is spreading. While plastic does break down, it never actually degrades completely, leaving what is known as microplastics in the environment. Researchers have found that there are over 4,800 mcg of plastic per gram of tissue in the brain, which means the brain holds the equivalent to about an entire plastic spoon. The ocean faces an even greater issue, with scientists estimating that there are around 8.3 million pieces of microplastics per cubic meter of water– and there are a lot of cubic meters in the ocean. Microplastics come from just about everything: actual plastic products, synthetic clothing, tea bags, confetti, glitter, coffee cups, cosmetic products, several types of salts, wet wipes, and much, much more. They have already spread into just about every ecosystem on Earth, and everything from biodiversity to pollution levels are taking a hit. However, the curbing of plastic production has faced serious pushback due to one specific condition– plastic is made from oil. Oil companies have been some of the largest hindrances in the global fight against climate change, promoting fossil fuels while taking action to limit the production of renewable energy and other sustainable solutions. Similarly, oil-producing nations have been the first to shut down any sort of deal involving the curbing of plastic pollution, as proposed during treaty negotiations this week. Additionally, environmental groups and other nations have raised serious concern over the fact that hundreds of lobbyists from the fossil fuel, plastics, and petrochemical industries also attended the talks in Geneva, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Several of the lobbyists also came from oil-producing nations like Egypt, Iran, and China. Now, many nations have been left disappointed after talks stalled over the issue, and the negotiations have been described as an "abject failure." Countries came in with a goal to finalize a legally-binding treaty to limit the spread of plastic into the environment, and came out with almost the opposite. Around 100 countries were willing to make major changes, but oil-dependent countries rejected the idea of cutting plastic pollution, shifting the primary focus of the discussion to managing existing waste instead of stopping waste production in the first place. Some oil-producing nations have confirmed that they would like to leave with a treaty preventing the production of some plastics or chemicals used in plastic production, but they have not taken the same widespread approach as environmentally-focused nations like Norway have. The new agreement that was finalized was not legally-binding, and instead asked member nations to make a commitment to reducing the amount of plastic that enters the environment. The only item that countries agreed on was that nations who make the commitment should significantly redesign their plastic products to be less harmful and easier to recycle, but most countries that are willing to make the commitment have already taken steps to complete those actions. Due to this, over 100 countries rejected the deal, calling it "unambitious," "inadequate," "abysmal," and a "gift to polluters," and environmental leaders across the world have denounced the stalled negotiations as a massive missed opportunity to do something great. Now, the world leaves Geneva without a plastics pollution treaty once again, and Earth remains on track towards a devastating plastic problem within the next few decades. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): There is a punctuation mark used to signify irony or sarcasm that looks like a backward question mark: ⸮ Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Integrity is telling myself the truth . And honesty is telling the truth to other people. (Spencer Johnson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Immutable (adj, ih-MYOO-tuh-bul) - Immutable is a formal adjective used to describe something that is unable to be changed. In a Sentence: It is hardly an immutable fact that cats and dogs are sworn enemies; over the years our golden retriever has grown both fond and protective of her tabby housemate. Image credit to Plastics Industry Association

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have threatened to reimpose sanctions on Iran if they refuse to resume negotiations over their nuclear program with NATO within the next few weeks. The three countries plan to initiate "snapback sanctions" if Iran fails to resume negotiations by the end of the month, giving the country two weeks to consider their options. Snapback sanctions were originally included into the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was made between the UK, France, Germany, Russia, China, EU, US, and Iran. This deal relieved Iran of several sanctions that had been hindering their economy, while Iran did its part to restrain their nuclear program. However, under the special condition, if Iran shows any sort of non-compliance with the agreement's terms in the future, one of the countries that brokered the deal can trigger the snapback sanctions. This would reimpose all of the UN sanctions that were previously removed, and no country in the deal can veto the decision. However, President Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, limiting their ability to trigger the sanctions. Now, the UK, France, and Germany are taking a joint approach to the problem, guaranteeing that the snapback sanctions will be triggered if they take action. The move comes as Iran has faced continuous pressure to shut down their nuclear program in previous months, with Israel and the United States taking action after they received intel that the Middle Eastern country was days away from creating a nuclear bomb. Israel began a war with Iran that lasted for 12 days, but that conflict came to an end once the US conducted a targeted operation to eliminate the threat posed by several Iranian nuclear sites. Despite the destruction of a large part of their nuclear program, Iran has refused to halt its uranium enrichment program, and they have not resumed negotiations with the US and EU. Additionally, they have put a pause on their ties with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which manages all nuclear-related conflicts– the IAEA has confirmed, though, that if Iran were to resume talks with the organization, it could delay the arrival of the snapback sanctions. However, Western countries are facing serious pressure to get an agreement finalized, as the JCPOA is set to expire on October 18. Nevertheless, Iran has made a threat of their own. Iran claims that they need just 24 hours to withdraw from the Treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which prevents countries from purchasing nuclear weapons from each other and using them in battle. This could allow them to develop nuclear weapons and use them freely without any sort of international oversight. Despite these possibilities, Iran's economy is facing a massive crisis, and the country itself is also grappling with a massive water shortage . The triggering of the snapback sanctions could further impact their already-struggling economy, which could worsen the water problem even more. Whether they will continue with negotiations or take the hit from the snapback sanctions is still unknown, though. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When mice live in the wild, they typically only live for about six months. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. (Rick Warren) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Calculus (noun, KAL-kyuh-lus) - Calculus refers to an advanced branch of mathematics that deals mostly with rates of change and with finding lengths, areas, and volumes. The word can also be used more broadly for the act of calculating—that is, estimating something by using practical judgment, or solving or probing the meaning of something. In a Sentence: By my calculus the more efficient air conditioner will have paid for itself within a span of five years. Image credit to Responsible Statecraft