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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz defeated Serbia's Novak Djokovic in a dominating Australian Open final yesterday, making the Spaniard the world's youngest-ever career Grand Slam winner. Alcaraz cruised to a dominant win in four sets after a couple of thrilling semifinals in the days prior. On Thursday, Alcaraz defeated Germany's Alexander Zverev in a five-and-a-half hour long, five-set match, including three tiebreakers in the second, third, and fourth sets. While Alcaraz won the first and second sets, Zverev won both tiebreakers in the next two sets, forcing a fifth set. However, Alcaraz was able to outplay Zverev in the final set, completing the third-longest match ever held at the Australian Open and earning him a spot in the final. Meanwhile, Djokovic – now 38 years old – beat the 24-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner in the other semifinal. The pair alternated wins in the first four sets, but Djokovic was able to squeeze out a win in the fifth set after saving eight break points. Then, the day of the final arrived, with Alcaraz playing Djokovic on Sunday. Djokovic came out with all guns blazing, dominating the first set 6-2 with highly accurate serves and a strong forehand. However, Djokovic's early precision quickly flagged, allowing Alcaraz to control the next two sets, 6-2 6-3. Then, the fourth set arrived, with Alcaraz taking an early lead. By the end of the set, the score was 6-5, with both players holding strong. Nevertheless, an incredible 24-shot rally yielded crucial points to Alcaraz, 15-0. The stamina needed to complete such a rally was too great for Djokovic, who erred on the next three points to seal the title for Alcaraz. With the win, Alcaraz became the youngest-ever career Grand Slam winner, adding the 2026 Australian Open title to his doubles at the US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open. The previous titleholder was Don Budge, who completed the feat in 1938 at 22 years and 363 days, while Alcaraz won yesterday's game with an age of 22 years and 272 days. Despite his loss, Djokovic took home a title on the other end of the spectrum– he is now the oldest-ever finalist since the beginning of the Open era. Both players have already made a mark for themselves in history, and Alcaraz seems set to maintain his position as world No. 1 for quite a while longer. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The celebrity hand and footprint tradition in front of Hollywood's Chinese Theater started accidentally when silent film actress Norma Talmadge stepped on wet cement in 1927. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. (Havelock Ellis) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Gargantuan (adj, gahr-GAN-chuh-wun) - Gargantuan describes something that is very large in size or amount; something gargantuan is, in other words, gigantic. In a Sentence: Bigfoot is said to be a creature of gargantuan proportions. Image credit to Australian Open

At least 33 civilians were killed and 92 militants are dead after major attacks were conducted by Baloch militants in the Pakistani region of Balochistan, sparking conflict. Balochistan, located in southwestern Pakistan, is a province that makes up around 44% of Pakistan's total land area. However, it contains only 6 to 7% of its population, and much of the province's population has been stricken by serious poverty, leading to the formation of groups like the BLA. The BLA, or Baloch Liberation Army, is a group of militants fighting for the independence of Balochistan from Pakistan, who often resort to violent tactics to gain the attention of the Pakistani government. Alongside the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehrik-i-Taliban, they are one of the largest opposition forces against the Pakistani government. Yesterday, BLA-affiliated attacks targeted both civilians and government officials, with militants striking a prison, police stations, and military zones while others robbed banks and set vehicles on fire. Several criminals were set free from the jail, and bombing attempts took place in various military and administration offices. Local security forces were able to prevent many of the attacks, though, saving countless lives. Other reports confirmed that militants were found destroying rail tracks, leading to a suspension of train services between other provinces and Balochistan. At least 18 civilians were killed, alongside 15 government employees and security personnel. However, Pakistani forces struck back quickly, eliminating militants who were not killed in the suicide blasts. Over 92 BLA-affiliated insurgents were killed, and dozens more have been killed in the days prior to the blasts. The Pakistani government described it as the deadliest day for the BLA in years, and the military is still working on tracking down additional insurgents. The Pakistani government accuses India of backing the BLA, which India has strongly denied. Pakistan also claims that the Tehrik-i-Taliban and the BLA are utilizing Afghan land to center their operations under the existing Taliban government of Afghanistan– a close ally of both terrorist organizations. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Not all hamsters are small. Although some hamsters are as small as 2-4 inches, the largest ones are approximately 13 inches long. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Chaos was the law of nature; Order was the dream of man. (Henry Adams) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Short shrift (noun, SHORT-SHRIFT) - Short shrift means “little or no attention or thought” or “quick work.” In religious use it refers to barely adequate time for confession before execution. In a Sentence: Certain neighborhoods have received short shrift from the city government. Image credit to Reuters

Over 200 people were killed on Wednesday after the collapse of a massive coltan mine in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The mine, known as the Rubaya coltan mine, is located in North Kivu, an area controlled by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The rebels are part of a group primarily made up of Tutsis, an ethnic group of the African Great Lakes region who reside in the Rwanda-Burundi area. M23 has controlled the region for over a year now after invading the DRC in February 2025, which they claim is just the first step towards their future goal of overthrowing the Congolese government in Kinshasa. After taking control of the city of Goma, the rebels continued to expand their territory, making Goma the center of their invasion. Rubaya, located just 25 miles away from Goma, was quickly snapped up by M23, who took control of its resources. Coltan, a metallic ore rich in niobium and tantalum, is crucial to global technology advancements due to tantalum's usage in heat-resistant capacitors, which are used in almost every form of electronic device. The DRC, with its mineral-rich eastern region, holds almost 80% of the world's coltan reserves, making it one of the largest producers of the mineral alongside neighboring Rwanda. The Rubaya mine, specifically, is crucial to this industry– accounting for 15% of the world's total coltan, Rubaya is the world's largest coltan mine. However, this week's mine collapse could impede that global supply chain. At least 227 people have been confirmed dead after a section of the mine's floor collapsed after heavy rain, and over 20 others are in critical condition. An official death toll has not been released yet, as rescue teams are still pulling bodies from the rubble, and locals asserted that some miners are still trapped inside. The incident has also raised further concerns from human rights groups, which have long targeted central Africa and the DRC with accusations of rampant child labor exploitation and inhumane treatment and compensation for miners. Many workers toil throughout the day and night to obtain minerals used by the Western world, while they receive a few dollars a day in return. Additionally, without proper resources, the miners are forced to battle tough conditions without equipment and resort to the technique of artisanal mining, which uses pans and shovels instead of modern technology. Without the right gear or techniques, mine collapses become more common as tunnels grow longer without support, and a weak local government further worsens the issue. Meanwhile, the United Nations and the DRC have condemned the M23 rebels of capturing the Rubaya mine and utilizing its profits to fund their incursion of the DRC, further destabilizing the central African nation and strengthening Rwanda– this has been denied by Rwanda, though. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The money for the Statue of Liberty came from fundraising from auctions, a lottery, and boxing matches in Europe and the U.S. The Statue cost the French about $250,000, which today would be over $5.5 million dollars. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): For me, it’s important to build good partnerships rather than score centuries. Once you have those partnerships, you will also get centuries. (MS Dhoni) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Preeminent (adj, pree-EM-uh-nunt) - Preeminent is a formal word used to describe someone or something more important, skillful, or successful than their counterparts or peers. It is used synonymously with outstanding and supreme . In a Sentence: She's the preeminent chef in a city renowned for its cuisine . Image credit to MONUSCO

The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists shifted the Doomsday Clock for 2026, adjusting it to just 85 seconds away from midnight– the closest humanity has ever been to the prospect of a catastrophic global event. The Doomsday Clock was created by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists in 1947 as a signal of how close the world is – in that particular year – to a mass extinction event like nuclear war or complete climate collapse. Midnight on the clock would mean that humans' actions have rendered the Earth uninhabitable, and the clock's distance away from midnight tells humanity how close we are to this catastrophic event. For 2026, the scientists set the clock to 85 seconds away from midnight– the closest we have ever been to the so-called end of civilization as we know it. Last year, the clock was set to 89 seconds away from midnight, and the bulletin decided on setting it at 90 seconds in 2023 and 2024. The farthest-ever distance from midnight was back in 1991, when the Bulletin set the clock back to 17 minutes away after the formal end of the Cold War. Last year, the scientists cited growing concerns of nuclear war and heightening geopolitical tensions, alongside failures in battles against climate change and the misuse of biotechnology. They also mentioned the existential threat of artificial intelligence, which only gained more traction throughout the year. For 2026, the scientists explained that the same pressing issues simply continue to grow without action from major powers, bringing the world closer and closer to an apocalyptic future. In terms of nuclear power, the US, Russia, and China continue to grow their military as they compete for control on the global stage, and the crucial New START treaty preventing a repeat of the Cold War between the US and Russia expires in five days. This could give way to a massive nuclear arms race, which could prove catastrophic for the world. However, the bulletin mentioned that international cooperation this year could reverse those sorts of impacts and bring us farther away from a nuclear war. Climate change has continued to strengthen its grip on the world amid a lack of action from nations at UN summits and on their own, and the US has entirely dismissed the idea of climate change under current President Donald Trump. They also highlighted the growing potential for biotechnology in today's world, explaining how artificial intelligence can drastically increase the potential for development of dangerous pathogens, leading to biological warfare. Again, both of these problems can be solved with international cooperation and multilateral negotiations, but it seems unlikely under current administrations. Whether nations will take action in 2026 on the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists' assertions is still unclear, but a lack of action could move the clock even closer to midnight in 2027. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Margherita pizza uses tomato, mozzarella, and basil toppings to represent the Italian national flag. It was originally to honor the Queen of Italy in 1889. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): We all do things we desperately wish we could undo. Those regrets just become part of who we are, along with everything else. (Libba Bray) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Reciprocate (verb, rih-SIP-ruh-kayt) - To reciprocate is to do something for or to someone who has done something similar for or to you. Reciprocate can also mean “to have (a feeling) for someone who has the same feeling for you.” In a Sentence: It was kind of my friend to give me a ride to the airport, and on the flight I was thinking of how to reciprocate the favor. Image credit to AP

US President Donald Trump has initiated the Board of Peace with him at chairman, giving him major powers over conflict resolutions and negotiations across the globe. The Board of Peace was first proposed by Trump in September 2025 as an international body that would focus solely on negotiations and ending long-term conflicts. Trump's idea of the Board featured various world leaders with rotating positions alongside him as indefinite chairman, and it was officially ratified at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last week. The idea was initially pushed forward as a solution to solve the Israel-Palestine conflict, but Trump has evolved the Board's approach into one with global implications– in fact, the Board's charter lacks a single mention of Gaza in its entire framework. This has led to significant backlash against the Board, claiming that it fails to address the actual problem in Gaza, while others have accused Trump of attempting to undermine the United Nations. Now, as per the Israel-Hamas ceasefire negotiated by Trump, the Board of Peace maintains control over a significant portion of the Gaza Strip's future. Trump, as chairman, will hold the position of utmost importance, delegating responsibilities and assigning tasks to certain officials as he deems fit. The Board will also maintain an international force to manage conflicts between countries, led by a commander chosen by Trump. The Board also includes an Executive Board consisting of Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and several other high-ranking officials and world leaders. In terms of membership, the Board currently has 19 world leaders as members, consisting mostly of prime ministers, presidents, and ministers of foreign affairs. Notably, most of the United States' allies are not on the board– almost all of the nations currently represented on the Board are located in eastern Europe, the Middle East, and central Asia, as well as Morocco from northern Africa, Indonesia from southeast Asia, and Argentina and Paraguay from South America. In particular, no western European nations accepted invitations to the Board, and Canada's invite was revoked after Prime Minister Mark Carney made several controversial comments opposing the idea of a US-led world order at the WEF. However, Trump confirmed that the Board's current member nations only have a tenure of three years, unless they pay $1 billion within the Board's first year to secure permanent membership. Trump maintained that the contribution was "voluntary," though, stating that it is not considered an entry fee and contributions are not mandatory. Many of the US allies invited, including the United Kingdom, cited Russia's invite as a major concern that discouraged them from joining– despite the invitation, Russia was absent at the Board's signing event. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When dogs are first born, they are completely blind and cannot hear anything. The first sense that they develop is the sense of touch, and smell follows soon after. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears. (Anthony Robbins) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Bombast (noun, BAHM-bast) - Bombast is a formal word that refers to speech or writing that is meant to sound important or impressive but that is not sincere or meaningful. In a Sentence: You need less bombast and more substance in this speech. Image credit to AFP

India and the European Union signed a massive free trade agreement yesterday, allowing them to establish an extremely strong strategic partnership in the global shift away from the United States amid Donald Trump's tariffs. The agreement, coined the "mother of all deals," is the largest deal in India's history– together, the sides' two-way trade totals $215 billion, and the number of Indians living in the EU exceeds 800,000. The EU is currently the world's second-largest economy, while India is the fourth-largest. By establishing deals with China and the EU, India now holds a prime position to avoid American goods amid a 50% tariff from Donald Trump. India is the EU's ninth-largest trading partner, making up just 2.4% of their total trade, but the EU is one of India's top three trading partners among the US and China. Due to this, the deal gives the EU a solid base to grow trade with a rapidly-growing nation, while providing India with the elimination of almost all export tariffs from one of their largest trading partners. The deal will see India remove tariffs on 96.6% of incoming goods from the EU, including vehicles, wine, machinery, and agricultural exports, with around one-third of those reductions taking place immediately. The rest will be spread out over the next five to ten years, allowing the EU to double its exports to India by 2032. On the other side, the EU will do away with levies on a staggering 99% of Indian exports by value– conversely, this means that the goods not included in the deal make up just 1% of Indian exports by value to the EU. The goods included in the agreement include major Indian industries like textiles, leather, gems, jewelry, electronics, tea, and coffee. According to the European Union, the deal will save European manufacturers around $4.7 billion each year. On India's side, the industries impacted by the deal make up around $33 billion in total annual exports, and they were hit by the EU with levies of up to 26%. According to CNBC, Indian officials also confirmed that major job growth would arrive alongside the deal, mentioning that it could generate six to seven million new jobs in the textile sector alone. The deal is expected to be signed in August, with the first tariff removals taking place in early 2027. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Any prime number higher than three, when squared and subtracted by one, will always turn out to be a multiple of 24. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you're anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. (Lao Tzu) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fiduciary (adj, fuh-DOO-shee-air-ee) - Fiduciary is a formal word describing something relating to or involving trust, such as the trust between a customer and a professional. In a Sentence: The bank's fiduciary obligations are clearly stated in the contract. Image credit to Reuters

Alex Pretti, a certified nurse, was killed by ICE officers over the weekend after they wrestled him down to the ground and fired multiple shots, sparking outrage. Pretti, 37, had a degree in nursing and served as an ICU nurse at a Minneapolis veterans hospital, where he was known as a non-violent man with solid morals who took care of everyone. Others who knew him well said that he wanted to make a difference in the world, standing up for disadvantaged people and what he knew was right. At the time of the incident, which was around 9 am local time on Saturday, Pretti was filming several ICE officers with his phone as they spoke to two people on the street. Suddenly, the officer shoved the two locals towards a white car, shuffling them across the roadway. In the process, the officer shoves one of the civilians to the ground, and Pretti steps in to prevent further violence. However, the ICE officer then discharges a can of pepper spray as Pretti attempts to help the fallen civilian stand back up. Without warning, a charge of seven ICE officers surround Pretti, pinning him to the ground, while another man fires more pepper spray. Then, an eighth officer pulls Pretti's gun out of his pocket and moves to the side, allowing one of the original seven to pull out a separate firearm. This officer then fires four shots at Pretti before the agent who pepper sprayed him pulls out his respective gun and fires several times. In total, Pretti was hit by ten bullets while on the ground. The Trump administration was quick to defend the ICE officers, accusing Pretti of approaching the officers with a handgun. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeled the agents' actions as "defensive shots," just as they did with the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 8. Similarly, they also claimed Pretti was committing an "act of domestic terrorism" by "attacking" ICE officers and waving his handgun, which has been clearly disproved by video footage of the scene. This characterization of the incident sparked outrage from citizens across the country, asserting that Pretti was clearly exercising his Second Amendment rights by having possession of the handgun, which was legally obtained. Additionally, footage taken by bystanders shows that Pretti never removed the gun from its holster, and another officer had actually removed the gun from the scene before the first shots were fired. Apart from the handgun, many viewed Pretti's actions as completely innocent– he was exercising his First Amendment rights by videoing the ICE officers and attempted to help a civilian before he was fatally shot, posing no real threat to anyone. Thousands of people quickly swarmed the ICE headquarters in Minneapolis, with locals braving frigid temperatures of as low as -10˚F as they held up signs and chanted for ICE to leave the state. The Minnesota government is now suing the Trump administration, calling the deployment of ICE a violation of the 10th Amendment, which consigns any power not given to the federal government to state governments or the people. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The pumpkin is a member of the cucurbit family, which are gourds, such as cucumbers and squashes. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Oaf (noun, OHF) - Oaf is used to refer to someone as big, clumsy, and slow-witted. In a Sentence: The main character starts the movie as a tactless, bumbling oaf who is constantly causing offense to everyone around them, but eventually learns a valuable lesson about kindness and courtesy. Image credit to France 24

Over one million people are out of power and cities are decked out in snow and ice after Winter Storm Fern swept across the Eastern United States. The winter storm slammed 34 states with inclement weather, ranging from rain to snow and everything in between. In response, 24 states were forced to declare states of emergency, and major preparations were made ahead of the storm. Roads were salted, trucks were arranged into prime position for quick responses, and people initiated the felling of dead or risky trees ahead of the ice threat. Fern proved to be a relatively unique storm compared to others– in addition to bringing 1-2 feet of snow to much of the Midwest and Northeast US, the storm brought significant ice totals to the Deep South. Arctic air from Canada dipped into the south this week, allowing the rain to freeze into snow, but a strong warm front from the Gulf of Mexico pushed warmer air into the Deep South, specifically into Alabama and up through the Appalachian Mountains. This led to thunderstorms and a significant tornado threat across much of the Deep South, especially along mountainous areas that typically see snowfall instead of rain, but the surrounding areas were also affected by this front of warm air. Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Georgia all experienced major ice totals due to freezing rain and sleet, with the frozen precipitation spreading as far as Texas and Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Fern also dropped several inches of snow across much of the Midwest, with totals going much higher towards the north. Single-day records across the Ohio Valley were smashed by Fern, with multi-day totals in some areas reaching as high as 13 inches, with more on the way. Multi-vehicle pileups have been reported in several states, including Louisiana and Missouri, and at least two people died in Louisiana due to hypothermia. Schools across the country are also closed on Monday due to the weather, and frigid temperatures across the next few days could prolong the life of the existing snow and ice on surfaces like roads and sidewalks. In total, over 245 million people were affected by Winter Storm Fern, with around 11,600 flight cancellations and over one million power outages across the nation. Tennessee has been one of the hardest-hit, with over 250,000 outages, while Louisiana and Mississippi continue to suffer from serious ice accumulations and plummeting temperatures. Crews are working their hardest to clear roads and restore power as soon as possible, but it could take days, if not weeks, to bring the situation back to normal. In the meantime, locals are being urged to stay indoors and avoid driving at all costs, particularly in icy areas where roadways are still extremely slippery. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Though most think it’s Italian, pepperoni is an American invention. The first use of the word dates back to 1919. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): People need to be cautious, because anything built by man can be destroyed by Mother Nature. (Russel Ho nore ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Resplendent (adj, rih-SPLEN-dunt) - Resplendent is a literary word used to describe someone or something as very bright and attractive. In a Sentence: She looked resplendent in her green evening gown. Image credit to the Columbus Dispatch

American rock climber Alex Honnold made history yesterday when he climbed the Taipei 101 skyscraper in Taiwan without any ropes, completing an incredible free solo climb of over 1,667 feet. Honnold is known for his free solo climb of Yosemite National Park's El Capitan, meaning that he completed the entire climb without ropes or safety gear. By climbing the mountain's primary rock face, he ascended over 3,000 feet on camera, culminating in the famed 2018 film Free Solo . This year, he announced that he would be attempting his next major free solo climb– not out in nature, but in the middle of a busy urban landscape. Honnold confirmed that he would be scaling Taipei 101, the tallest building in Taiwan's capital of Taipei at 1,667 feet tall. Netflix was quick to begin advertising the event, dubbing it Skyscraper Live , where they would film Honnold climbing the skyscraper on live television. By using the ledges along the corners of the building, he was able to pull himself up, floor by floor, taking him just one hour and 31 minutes to reach the top of the spire atop the skyscraper. The climb is now the world's tallest urban free solo climb and the first free solo climb on Taipei 101– though there were concerns that the climb might not even take place. Heavy rain on Saturday contributed to a 24 hour delay, but weather permitted the climb to go ahead on Sunday afternoon local time. Netflix also paid Honnold for the event, though he admitted that it was just six-figures. For the risk he takes – one slip means instant death in Honnold's situation – he and his agent felt like he should have been paid more, but he admitted that he enjoys climbing so much that he would have climbed Taipei 101 either way, even if he had not been part of a documentary. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In the Philippines, you can buy spaghetti at McDonald’s, called McSpaghetti, where they also sell a “McDo” piece of chicken. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Fruitful trees bend down; Likewise, the truly great are humble. (Sanskrit Proverb) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Garner (verb, GAHR-ner) - Garner means "to acquire by effort; earn" or "to accumulate or collect." In a Sentence: The new research findings have garnered the attention of medical experts. Image credit to Netflix

US President Donald Trump has announced a new plan to rebuild Gaza into a glittering metropolis with a strong coastal tourism industry along the Mediterreanean. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, was one of the primary officials advocating for their new proposal, labeling it as a "masterplan." He also stated that the only possible way the plan could fail is if Hamas refuses to demilitarize the strip, which would be the next phase in Trump's 20-point ceasefire plan between Israel and Palestine. However, various countries – along with some experts – expressed other concerns that the US may attempt to relocate existing Palestinian citizens of Gaza to complete the redevelopment. The proposal, presented after the inauguration of Trump's Board of Peace at the World Economic Forum, includes over 180 mixed-use towers on Gaza's coast along the Mediterranean Sea, providing the enclave with a new economic engine. Behind this mixed-use area would be blocks of residential areas, separated by parks, sports facilities, and farms. Meanwhile, the infrastructure and road network would also be developed through these centers, and the industrial areas required to run a city would be placed on the outside of the strip, on the border with Israel. An airport was also included in this border area, placed next to a large logistics area and a major port. The design was rather crude and did not include very many specificities, making it appear relatively rushed, but they did mention that the area will be split up into New Gaza and New Rafah. New Gaza is set to be the economic hub of the enclave, encompassing most of the major mixed-use skyscrapers, while New Rafah will be a massive residential region containing over 100,000 homes and 200 schools. During the proposal speech, Kushner also avoided defining any existing investors but urged the private sector to take advantage of this opportunity despite its potential risks. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Scotland wanted to replicate the Parthenon bigger and cheaper in 1826. It was never completed and is now nicknamed “Scotland’s Disgrace.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.(Buddha) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Astrolabe (noun, A-struh-layb) - An astrolabe is a compact instrument used to observe and calculate the position of celestial bodies before the invention of the sextant. In a Sentence: The new astronomy exhibit featured various gadgets and instruments, including an extensive collection of astrolabes . Image credit to Getty Images