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Canada, Malta, and the United Kingdom have followed France in their plans to formally recognize Palestine as a state, joining the 147 other UN members who consider Palestine a state. Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France would recognize Palestine as a state at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, joining 147 other United Nations member countries that currently recognize the region. This was seen as a major move across the world, with speculation arising over whether other countries would follow suit, and they did. On Tuesday, the United Kingdom announced that they would also recognize Palestine as a state in September unless Israel agreed on a ceasefire before the assembly, increasing pressure on the Middle Eastern country to find a peaceful solution to the war in Gaza. Then, just one day later, Canada confirmed that they would also officially recognize Palestine in September, expressing their concern that the situation in Gaza had simply become too terrible to bear. Over 60,000 people have been killed, with more dying every day due to starvation, thirst, and consistent Israeli bombings and attacks. Malta quickly did the same, making similar statements to ramp up pressure on Israel to agree on a ceasefire and establish a two-state solution. Furthermore, a document titled the "New York Declaration" was passed at a UN meeting in New York earlier this week, detailing a plan to relieve the conflict in the Middle East and bring Palestine and Israel back to a peaceful state. Another document, the "New York Call," was signed by 15 countries on Tuesday, expressing their desires to recognize Palestine and invite others to join them in their efforts. The signatories included Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain, who have already recognized Palestine; Canada, France, and Malta, who have announced their plans to recognize Palestine; and Andorra, Australia, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and Sam Marino, who have not yet recognized Palestine as a state. However, the announcements were met with strong criticism from Israel, who claimed that the four countries are promoting terrorism and worsening efforts to rescue the hostages that remain in the hands of Hamas. They also strongly reject any sort of two-state solution, as they have attempted to maintain control over the entire area that is considered to be Palestine. Additionally, United States President Donald Trump also responded to the statement on social media, making comments suggesting that Canada's decision to recognize Palestine may impact trade talks between the two countries. The US has always strongly stood against Palestine due to their strong relationship with Israel, and they could become the only permanent member of the UN Security Council to not recognize Palestine if both France and the UK continue with the move. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In 2009, Stephen Hawking held a reception for time travelers but didn’t send out the invitations until after the party. This way, only those who could time travel would be able to attend by going back in time. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. (Beverly Sills) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Doppelgänger (noun, DAH-pul-gang-er) - A doppelgänger is someone who looks very much like another person. In literary use, doppelgänger refers to a ghost that closely resembles a living person. In a Sentence: I saw your doppelgänger at the movies yesterday and almost waved hello before I realized they weren’t you.

Several countries have struck deals with the United States ahead of the arrival of Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs, which have been adjusted again after his latest executive order. The largest of these deals was struck with the European Union, which had been facing a steep tax of 30% on all goods. However, after pledging to invest at least $600 billion into the US economy and promising to buy over $750 billion worth of American energy, Trump reduced the tariffs to 15%, which seems to have become the new baseline for his reciprocal tariffs. Read more into the deal here . Additionally, he also made deals with several other countries. With South Korea, he will lower their rates to 15% (he previously threatened to raise rates to 25%) as long as they invest $350 billion into the US and buy $100 billion of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Trump will lower Japan's tariffs to 15% if they invest $550 billion into the American economy and increase agricultural, energy, military, and automobile imports. Earlier this week, Trump confirmed that the Philippines would face a revised 19% tariff after they agreed to avoid placing reciprocal tariffs on the US, and he agreed on a similar deal with Indonesia the week before. In the case of Pakistan, the tariffs were significantly lowered, and Trump made an agreement with the Pakistani government to help them develop their oil reserves and increase trade between the two nations. Then, in an executive order yesterday, Trump drastically changed the tariffs that many countries will face and extended the deadline for when they go into effect by another week. Most tariffs were lowered, with notable drops including Cambodia (49% to 19%), the Falkland Islands (41% to 10%), Lesotho (50% to 15%), Madagascar (47% to 15%), and Mauritius (40% to 15%). Nevertheless, several major US trading partners were negatively impacted by the new changes. Switzerland, one of America's largest trading partners, saw its already-severe 31% tariff rise to 39%, which is certain to impact various companies-- in 2024 alone, the US imported $63.4 billion worth of Swiss goods. Meanwhile, Canada, the United States' second-largest trading partner, will face a staggering 35% tariff on all goods. The increase comes just days after Trump warned Canada that they were making the wrong move by announcing their impending recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September. Thankfully, the tariff is unlikely to immediately drive up prices in many sectors due to Canada's existing trade agreement with the US and Mexico, known as the USMCA, but the deal is due to expire next year. Mexico, on the other hand, has been given an additional 90 days to negotiate a trade deal with the US, making it the only country that still has that ability-- today, August 1, was the deadline for all countries to finalize a trade agreement with the Trump administration. Furthermore, various markets in southeast Asia will also be heavily impacted, as Laos and Myanmar still face a 40% tariff. Deals were made with various nations, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Thailand, but others remain without agreements. The prospect of the incoming tariffs has sent Asian stock markets plunging over the last few days, In the end, despite all of the reciprocal tariffs, the largest consumer impact will likely come from Trump's sector-specific tariffs, which affect every country that exports those goods to the US. Steel and aluminum continue to face a massive 50% tariff, and all vehicle parts have faced a 25% tariff for months. Additionally, beginning today, the Trump administration is imposing a 50% tariff on copper imports, which is sure to impact the electrical and manufacturing industries. Nevertheless, businesses and consumers alike will need to adapt quickly to the rising costs of foreign items, with tariffs expected to drive up prices within the coming weeks. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The youngest Pope in history was Pope Benedict IX, who was either 11 or 20 years old when he was elected in 1032. He is also the only person to have been the Pope more than once. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The worst thing a kid can say about homework is that it is too hard. The worst thing a kid can say about a game is it’s too easy. (Henry Jenkins) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Petulant (adj, PET-chuh-lunt) - Petulant describes a person who is angry and annoyed, or an attitude or behavior showing the emotions of such a person. In a Sentence: I didn't appreciate being accused of acting like a petulant toddler.

United States President Donald Trump has fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics yesterday after claiming that the latest jobs report was rigged, with the president strongly denying the results of the report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the government department responsible for publishing various reports each month, including unemployment, wages, prices, and productivity. One of the most important of these surveys is the jobs report, which gives an overview of how many jobs were added or lost over the last month and how that change affected unemployment, wages, and other aspects of the workforce. This month, as Trump continues to impose tariffs on other nations to bring manufacturing back to the US, the jobs report seemed to have taken a hit. Economists expected job growth to slow down in July, with projections estimating an addition of around 115,000 jobs, but the report showed that the numbers were even lower-- just 73,000 jobs were added in the month of July. Additionally, the bureau also revised the statistics for the two months prior, which had displayed a gain of 144,000 jobs for May and 147,000 for June. However, the revision brought those numbers down to 19,000 and 14,000, respectively, bringing the combined total for both months down by a staggering 258,000 jobs. Economists swiftly placed the blame on Trump's tariffs, which they claim are stalling the economy-- June's revised report, at 14,000 new jobs, is the worst since December 2020, when the market was still losing jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stock markets were also affected by the report, with the Dow shedding 542 points in a 1.23% drop. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 dropped by 101 points, falling 1.60%, and the NASDAQ Composite fell 472 points in a 2.24% plunge. Nevertheless, Trump took action, firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Dr. Erika McEntarfer within hours. The president quickly claimed that the entire statement was rigged and brushed off the report on social media, declaring that the American economy was in perfect shape. McEntarfer was appointed by former President Joe Biden in 2023 and was confirmed to lead the bureau until 2027 after she was approved by the Senate in January 2024, but Deputy Commissioner William Wiatrowski will now take her place for the time being as a new commissioner is selected. Many Democrats and other government officials have heavily criticized Trump's actions, as they believe that it could negatively affect the public's trust in government reports and statistics. However, the Trump administration has defended his decision, arguing that the report was rigged and that he made the right move in firing the woman who allegedly manipulated it. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Costa Coffee employs Gennaro Pelliccia as a coffee taster, who has had his tongue insured for $14 million since 2009. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The internet and online communication is the window into your world – but real life , in person communication / connection is the door. (Rasheed Ogunlaru) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Palimpsest (noun, PAL-imp-sest) - Palimpsest in its original use refers to writing material (such as a parchment manuscript) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased; the underlying text is said to be “in palimpsest.” Palimpsest in extended use refers to something that has usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface. In a Sentence: Scholars believe the motive for making palimpsests was often economic—reusing parchment was cheaper than preparing a new skin..

At least two people were killed in a recent mine collapse in central Chile, and several others are still trapped as rescue operations continue. The incident took place at the El Teniente mine near the city of Rancagua in central Chile, approximately 45 miles southeast of the capital of Santiago. Chile is a huge player in the global mining industry, with the country's major exports including copper, lithium, gold, silver, molybdenum, and iron. In fact, Chile is the world's largest producer of copper, supplying around 24% of global copper in 2023. Additionally, El Teniente is the world's largest underground copper mine, with over 2,800 miles of tunnels stretching beneath the Andes Mountains. The mine is run by the state-owned National Copper Corporation of Chile, also known as Codelco, which is the largest copper mining company in the world. Due to its power in the region, the company has various resources that it has already begun using to search for any survivors of the mine collapse. The collapse occurred after a 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck the region on Thursday, during a period where the miners had been working deep below the surface. Crews quickly found one miner to be dead just one day after the quake, but five others were trapped underground. Unfortunately, rescue crews discovered the body of one of the trapped miners yesterday, but four remain inside the mine without food or water. Over 100 people are assisting with the efforts, but it has proven difficult-- reports have confirmed that there are dozens of feet of rock between the rescuers and the miners. However, Chilean President Gabriel Boric promised to finish the operation and confirmed that Codelco, as a massive corporation, has the resources to execute it. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Johnny Cash took only three voice lessons before his teacher advised him to stop taking lessons and to never deviate from his natural voice. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): If we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us. (Francis Bacon) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Dissociate (verb, dih-SOH-shee-ayt) - To dissociate is to separate oneself from association or union with someone or something; in contexts relating to psychology, it has to do specifically with mentally detaching from one's physical or emotional experiences. In chemistry, dissociate means "to separate a chemical compound into its constituent parts especially through the application of heat or a solvent." In a Sentence: The director has tried to dissociate herself from her earlier films.

68 migrants were killed after a boat capsized off the coast of Yemen, and dozens of people are still missing as search-and-rescue operations begin. The boat was traveling across the Gulf of Aden towards the Yemeni Governorate of Abyan, located on the country's southern coast. Carrying approximately 157 people searching for jobs in the Middle East, most of which were Ethiopian nationals, the ship capsized after a storm struck the region, sending all passengers and crew into the water. 68 bodies have been found so far, and a rescue operation to recover the remaining victims of the accident has been launched. Yemeni authorities are currently searching for bodies and survivors in the area where the boat sank, and at least 12 people have been rescued from the water. Unfortunately, incidents like this are extremely common in the Gulf of Aden, which is the busiest maritime migration route in the world. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an average of 11,500 people boarded vessels to Yemen from the Horn of Africa each month in 2019, summing up to a total of 138,000 in one year. Most of the migrants making the journey are Ethiopian nationals searching for better opportunities in Middle Eastern countries, and over 90% of them end up finding jobs in Saudi Arabia after departing from Djibouti and Somalia. Unfortunately, many of these migrants do not make it to the end-- the passage is extremely treacherous. Smugglers often board boats and kidnap dozens of people before taking them away to inhumane living conditions where they are tortured and forced to work for no pay. If they do manage to make it to the coast of Yemen, they have to fight the Gulf's strict laws before getting permission to cross into another country, and they have to cross large swaths of the Arabian Desert without food or water to make it to their final destinations. Despite all of these challenges, migrant numbers have not dropped over the years, and there are no signs that it will decrease in the near future. Update: All five miners have been found dead from the Chile mining accident. Several days ago, a 4.2 magnitude earthquake triggered a collapse in Chile's El Teniente, the world's largest copper mine. Rescuers had to dig through dozens of feet of rock to reach five trapped miners, who were all found dead, bringing the total death toll from two to six. Read more into the initial incident here . Upcoming Events: International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs and Challenges of Landlocked Developing Countries (Wednesday, August 6) World Games Begin (Thursday, August 7) International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (Saturday, August 9) Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Just Enough Room Island, also known as Hub Island, is a small rocky island in the middle of Thousand Islands State Park, New York. The island is the smallest inhabited island in the world, with just 3,300 square feet os space-- enough room for just one tree, some shrubs, and a cottage. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): A good friend knows all your best stories. A best friend has been there to live them with you. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Egregious (adj, ih-GREE-juss) - Egregious is a formal word used to describe things that are conspicuously bad. In a Sentence: Leaving one’s phone on during a performance is an egregious breach of theater etiquette.

Australia has chosen Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to construct frigates for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in a major $6.5 billion deal. Mitsubishi will begin supplying Australia with Mogami-class frigates in 2029, when the first three ships are expected to arrive. The Mogami-class frigate is a stealth frigate produced solely by Mitsubishi, as it has been developed exclusively for the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) over the past few years. The frigate has a range of around 10,000 nautical miles and has the ability to launch long range missiles, but its lower operating costs are what made it stand out to the Australian government. Australia chose the Mogami-class frigates over German manufacturing company ThyssenKrupp's MEKO A-200. Experts have pointed out that the Japanese deal was more expensive, but the frigates have more bang for their buck. The Mogami allows the RAN to defend against submarines, air attacks, and other ships using its long range missiles, and the frigate is one of the most technologically advanced of today's day and age. Additionally, the Mogami has 32 vertical launch systems (VLS), which is double that of the A-200, which requires a crew of 120 people compared to the Mogami's 90. The first three frigates will be built in Japan and will arrive in Australia in 2029, but the remaining eight ships will be built in Western Australia by local shipbuilding company Austal. In fact, Japan has confirmed that the first frigates will be sent to Australia before their own navy receives them. Australia plans to deploy the ships into waters crucial to their trade industry, as well as areas near the country that have seen an increase in Chinese presence. Meanwhile, the deal is Japan's largest-ever military deal with another country, which is a huge success for their manufacturing industry. Some of Japan's largest companies are automakers like Toyota and Nissan, and Trump's 25% tariff on all foreign automobiles has dealt a significant blow to their manufacturing industry. As they face a 15% tariff from the US on top of that, Japan has been searching for other trade partners to strike deals with, and this new agreement is expected to bring Japan and Australia closer together-- from both an economic and military perspective. However, the contract has not been finalized just yet. While the two countries have made a mutual agreement to go through with the deal, the exact specifics are still being fine-tuned. The total cost is expected to be around A$10 billion, or $6.5 billion, but the contract is not expected to be finalized until later this year or sometime in 2026. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Studies have shown that people who post their fitness routine on Facebook are more likely to have psychological problems. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): You can’t change someone who doesn’t see an issue in their actions . (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tapestry (noun, TAP-uh-stree) - A tapestry is a heavy textile characterized by complicated pictorial designs and used for hangings, curtains, and upholstery. In figurative use, tapestry may refer to anything made up of different things, people, colors, etc. In a Sentence: The walls were adorned with handwoven tapestries .

Four European countries have confirmed that they will spend over $1 billion to buy American-made military support for Ukraine, further strengthening ties between the two countries. US President Donald Trump has been reluctant to provide Ukraine with additional military support like his predecessor Joe Biden did, as his efforts within the presidency have primarily targeted growing the country's economy. The US has a massive national debt of over $37 trillion, and Trump has been focusing on bringing that number down by increasing tariffs on other countries and decreasing government spending. As part of his efforts to stop government spending, he shut off all aid to Ukraine back in March, but it has been on and off since then, with small amounts of aid being intermittently sent. However, four European countries have decided that they will purchase $1 billion worth of weapons for Ukraine, making both sides happy in a major deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that they are in desperate need of missiles used in the American-made Patriot defense systems, which are currently one of the best anti-aircraft missile systems in the world. While they have several of the systems, they are running out of the missiles needed to defend against incoming Russian attacks. Now, the Netherlands has approved a deal to buy $500 million worth of American military goods and pass them onto Ukraine. Furthermore, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have agreed on a separate deal to buy at least $500 million more in American weapons, which will be given as military aid to Ukraine. Of those $500 million, approximately $90 million will be contributed by Denmark, $146 million from Norway, and another $275 million from Sweden. The agreements do not specify exactly which weapons will be provided, but Sweden has confirmed that their package does contain Patriot missiles, air defense systems, and anti-tank ammunition. While US-Ukraine ties worsened during Trump's initial term in office, they are now beginning to recover. After spending billions of dollars on Ukrainian aid during Biden's term, Trump refused to allow government spending to fund their war against Russia. However, he has confirmed that he supports the purchase of US-made weapons by European countries -- which then send them to Ukraine for assistance -- improving American relations with both Ukraine and Europe. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Hanna-Barbera pitched The Flintstones to networks for 8 weeks before it was finally picked up. It became the first-ever animated show to air during primetime. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Maturity is learning how to start when you feel like procrastinating and learning how to listen when you feel like talking. (James Clear) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Contentious (adj, kun-TEN-shuss) - Contentious describes something that is likely to cause people to argue or disagree or that involves a lot of arguing. When used of a person, contentious describes someone likely or willing to argue. In a Sentence: I think it’s wise to avoid such a contentious topic at a dinner party.

US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs have officially gone into effect, with over 90 countries being hit with the taxes at midnight last night. After several rounds of changes, most of the tariffs have now been finalized, and they are sure to bring a serious impact to the economies of the US and other countries. Most of the country's largest trading partners have been hit with tariffs higher than the baseline rate of 10%, including its bordering nations of Canada and Mexico. The baseline tariff rate has been established at 10%, but any country that faces an updated rate is being hit with a tax of 15% or higher on all goods. Several major deals have been made, though, saving multiple countries from massive tariffs that would have been a huge detriment to their economies. After pledging to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into the US economy, the European Union has seen their tariff lowered to 15%, which was previously at 30%. South Korea and Japan made similar investment deals and saw their tariffs lowered to the same rate, while the Philippines and Indonesia are also seeing lowered rates. Read more into Trump's recent deals and tariff adjustments here . Meanwhile, other countries are seeing skyrocketing tariff numbers with the potential for further increases. Brazil is seeing a 50% tariff on various goods due to Trump's disagreement with their decision to indict former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was accused of starting a coup. Switzerland is seeing a staggering 39% tariff on all goods, while other countries like Syria, Iraq, Serbia, and Myanmar are seeing rates of 35% or higher. Canada, China, and Mexico, the United States' three largest trading partners, are also facing high tariffs. Trump has imposed a 35% tariff on all Canadian goods after claiming that they have failed to bring down the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl into the United States, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has refused to agree with Trump's ideology and make a deal like other countries have. Mexico, on the other hand, is still in talks with the Trump administration over an agreement to bring down their tariff, but their taxes have been paused in the meantime. China currently has a deal keeping tariffs down to 30% after their intense trade war earlier this year, but that agreement expires on Tuesday, forcing the two countries to re-enter negotiations soon. Lastly, India now faces the prospect of a staggering 50% tariff on all products after they refused to stop buying Russian oil and military products. India and Russia have sustained good relations in the past, but India has always worked to maintain a neutral status on the world stage-- neither leaning towards the US or Russia. Now, Trump is attempting to force them to move away from Russian oil, but Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly rejected that idea. In retaliation, Trump confirmed that he has signed an executive order to raise tariffs on India from 25% to 50% within three weeks. Meanwhile, India called the tariff hike "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable," and will continue to "ensure the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." Of course, there are still exceptions to the tariffs. Steel, aluminum, and copper face a substantial 50% tariff from any country, and all automobiles and automobile parts are already seeing a 25% tariff. Additionally, Trump confirmed that he will impose a 100% tariff on semiconductors in the near future, and he has other plans to ramp up tariffs on other sectors. All of these levies are part of Trump's plan to shift manufacturing back to the United States and grow the economy, but experts are pointing out that they are currently pushing the market towards a slowdown. Trump claims that costs have come down since he came into office, but consumers are already starting to see the tariffs drive prices of everyday items up. Meanwhile, the July jobs report was one of the weakest the country has seen in recent years; though Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shortly after claiming that the report was "rigged." It is still unknown whether the tariffs will be a benefit or a detriment to the United States economy in the future, but an impact is already being made on global markets. Now, the world will have to wait and see how economies are affected by these major changes. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): There’s no period in “Dr. Pepper.” It was removed because the old logo font made it look like “Di: Pepper.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from. (Cormac McCarthy) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Largesse (noun, lahr-ZHESS) - Largesse is a somewhat formal word that refers to the act of giving away money or the generosity of a person who gives away money. It can also refer to the money that is given away. In a Sentence: The community has benefited greatly from the largesse of its wealthiest family.

The Israeli government has approved a new plan to executive a full military takeover of Gaza City, continuing the country's invasion into the strip. The decision was made earlier this morning by the Israeli Security Cabinet, with the government aiming to take control of all areas of Gaza that are still maintained by Hamas. While they did not agree on a plan to take over the entire strip, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned prior to the announcement, they have confirmed that a new offensive will take place. Israel believes that the remaining hostages are likely being kept in the areas that they do not have a presence in-- one of the largest of which is Gaza City. Currently, Israel maintains control over around 75% of the Gaza Strip, with the remaining Hamas-controlled areas located near the coast. One of the densest of these regions is the center of Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of refugees from other parts of the enclave are sheltering for the time being. Palestinians that initially lived in the city were forced to move south after Israeli bombings on the city, then back up north after bombings in the south, and so forth. Now, the refugees are clustered in the cities of Khan Younis, Deir-al-Balah, and Gaza City, where the majority of aid distribution centers are located. However, this new operation may change all of that up. The invasion of Gaza City could allow Israel to rescue any hostages that are still alive, but experts are concerned over the impact it may have on aid delivery. Palestinians are already struggling to find food and water amid a severe humanitarian crisis, and a fresh invasion could worsen the situation even more. Israel has denied those claims, though, arguing that taking control of the city would increase the efficiency of aid distribution within the region, providing benefits to both Israel and Palestinians. Now, Israel is already preparing for the offensive, with forces arriving at the border with Gaza within hours. Despite their lack of an agreement on a total invasion, Netanyahu has strongly asserted that their goal is to take over the region completely, with Israel aiming to disarm Hamas, return all hostages, demilitarize the Gaza Strip, establish short-term control over the enclave, and then hand it off to an administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): There is an underwater version of rugby, unsurprisingly called “underwater rugby.” It is a contact sport between 2 teams of 6 competing underwater in a pool to score goals while freediving. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): This is the nature of genius, to be able to grasp the knowable even when no one else recognizes that it is present. (Deepak Chopra) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Adjudicate (verb, uh-JOO-dih-kayt) - To adjudicate a dispute between two parties is to make an official decision about which party is right; to adjudicate a case or claim is to settle it judicially. Adjudicate is also used to mean “to act as judge.” In a Sentence: The case will be adjudicated in the state courts.

After lengthy talks hosted by the United States, Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a peace deal that will finally put an end to their lasting conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan, two neighboring nations in the Caucasus Mountains of Western Asia, share a long, unfriendly relationship with each other, but this new deal shows that the leaders of the two countries are willing to forgive and forget in an effort to turn things around. Azerbaijan officially gained independence from the Soviet Union on August 30, 1991, with Armenia gaining its independence less than one month later. However, the conflict between the two peoples began several years before that. The region of Nagorno-Karabakh is an enclave within Azerbaijan that is home to primarily Armenians, sparking conflict between the two sides before they even gained independence. When Azerbaijan and Armenia initially joined the Soviet Union in 1918, the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh were forced to live within Azerbaijan, but they eventually grew extremely unhappy with this decision. In 1964, they sent a letter to the head of USSR asking for their region to be moved to the Armenian SSR, as they were under the Azerbaijani government at the time. The Armenians which supported the cause, though, were jailed and ejected from Nagorno-Karabakh, effectively dissipating any sort of possible rebellion. Due to this inaction, Azerbaijani authorities attempted to dilute the Armenian majority of Nagorno-Karabakh with new citizens, leading to discrimination and mistreatment of the Armenians in the region. Armenian culture was heavily suppressed, and support for Armenian sports teams was considered illegal. In 1988, tensions began rising, leading to several battles, and once Armenian and Azerbaijani independence was gained in 1991, Nagorno-Karabakh also declared independence of their own. This resulted in an all-out war, lasting from 1988 to 1994 and causing the deaths or injuries of over 30,000 people. By 1993, Armenia had taken control of Nagorno-Karabakh and around 20% of Azerbaijan's total territory. A ceasefire was established in 1994, though, leaving Nagorno-Karabakh's status in limbo. Despite the ceasefire, fire was exchanged multiple times between then and 2020, escalating tensions along the border. In 2020, another war erupted, resulting in a win for Azerbaijan after another deal was negotiated. Then, in 2023, Azerbaijan launched a full-on offensive into Nagorno-Karabakh, effectively breaking down the region. Most of the Armenians residing in the area left for Armenia, and the area's government was also dissolved, ending the conflict and allowing for the reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijan. Nevertheless, several problems remained. Border disputes continued, and Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was still cut off from Azerbaijan due to the Armenian territory standing between the two. Tensions between both countries were still extremely high, impacting trade, travel, and other industries. Now, after intense negotiations with the United States, Armenia and Azerbaijan have settled their differences and are opening up their borders and economies to each other. Additionally, Azerbaijan will gain control of a corridor traveling to Nakhchivan, allowing them safe passage into the other section of their territory without facing threats from Armenia. The deal is also a part of US President Donald Trump's efforts to expand American influence in Western Asia, which has long been heavily affected by its neighbor, Russia. As former nations of USSR, Armenia and Azerbaijan have always sought Russian help to solve their disputes, but Trump has stepped in this time to improve relations with the two countries in his ongoing battle with Putin for global influence. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Standing burns plenty of calories. On average, a 150-pound person burns 114 calories per hour while standing around and doing nothing. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely. (William Osler) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Winsome (adj, WIN-sum) - Winsome describes people and things that are cheerful, pleasant, and appealing. In a Sentence: Though a relative newcomer to acting, Maya won the casting directors over with her winsome charm, which was perfect for the role of the plucky young superhero.