Search The Website!

Happy Diwali to all of our Hindu readers! Enjoy the festival of lights! To learn more about the holiday of Diwali, read this article by Armaan Dhawan. We also have some Diwali news, a Diwali fact of the day, and a Diwali quote of the day! Contents: Ayodhya Lights 2.4 Million Diyas to Break World Record Iceland Issues State of Emergency After Volcano Likely to Erupt Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day To start off our Diwali daily update, we have some big news from the town of Ayodhya! Ayodhya is where Diwali originally started, and to kick off their festival of lights this year, they broke their own Guinness World Record by lighting over 2.4 million (22.23 lakh) diyas to illuminate the city! On another note, after further investigation into the volcanic activity on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland, authorities have issued a state of emergency for the area and have said that a volcanic eruption is likely. Since Thursday, the area around the Fagradalsfjall volcano has experienced over 2,500 earthquakes, 7 of which were greater than a magnitude of 3. Earthquakes are usually an early sign of an eruption, as it means that the magma from the Earth is coming up and bubbling underground. After over 6,000 years of dormancy, the volcano just southwest of the town of Grindavik has erupted three years in a row (including this year- it erupted in July), and the well-known Blue Lagoon has also closed. Grindavik is the most populous town on the Reykjanes Peninsula and is home to about 3,000 people, while the Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most famous geothermal spa and its waters are known to have skin-healing properties. Due to magma intrusion under the city, Grindavik has been evacuated, causing families to leave their homes behind as the fear of an eruption looms in the near future. Fact of the Day: The word "Diwali" actually means "row of lights" and comes from Sanskrit. Quote of the Day: Good will always triumph over evil because light will always overcome darkness. (Anthony T. Hicks) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Valorous (adj)- Someone or something described as valorous is marked by courage or heroism. In a Sentence: For carrying three wounded members of his squadron out of harm's way, the lieutenant was presented with an award that recognized his valorous actions in the heat of battle.

Contents: Seismic Activity Skyrockets as Iceland Volcano Suspected to Erupt Soon Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Seismic activity has skyrocketed near Iceland's capital of Reykjavík, and the chances of a volcano eruption are increasing by the day. The Fagradalsfjall volcano is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, which is also home to the famous Blue Lagoon and Reykjavík's Keflavik International Airport, and over 2,200 earthquake have been reported there in the last few days. Increased seismic activity can be signs of the volcano's common eruption, as it is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Due to all of this activity in the area, the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa known for its mineral-rich waters that seem to have healing properties, has been closed for a week as a precaution in case of an eruption. More quakes in the coming days could hint at an eruption, while a stop in activity will help the Blue Lagoon open sooner. Fact of the Day: The word "aquarium" actually means "watering place for cattle" in Latin. Quote of the Day: It is not enough to have a good mind; the important thing is to use it well. (Rene Descartes) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Suffuse (verb)- To suffuse something is to spread over it or fill it, either literally or figuratively. The word suffuse is usually encountered in literary contexts. In a Sentence: Natural sunlight suffused the room as she opened the blinds.

Contents: Delhi Suffers in Toxic Air, Scientists Decide to Try a Temporary Fix Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Delhi is still suffering in toxic air, and some scientists are trying to come up with a temporary fix to relieve the city of the smog. The air quality in the area has been staying at 500 recently, which is the worst-possible air quality on the AQI scale. The smog can even be seen from space, where NASA images show a thick, massive gray cloud coating all of northern India. It is actually a regular, yearly event where farmers burn the remains of their old crops to make space for new ones ahead of the planting season, and the smog is primarily coming from the states of Punjab and Haryana right now. The smoke from the fires mixes with the regular pollutants and chemicals in Delhi's air, leading to a hazardous smog that shrouds the city, and exposing yourself to this air can lead to extremely high risk of heart and lung disease. However, some scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) have found a solution: cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is when a mix of salts are sprayed into moisture-full clouds to make them rain, but it is only a temporary fix and is very expensive. The process costs about $120,000 for 39 square miles, but scientists are planning to go through with it. The cloud seeding will take place on November 20, and will trigger some intense rain across Delhi to hopefully clear the air and bring the air quality back down to normal levels. Fact of the Day: Cap'n Crunch, the mascot of a popular cereal brand, actually has a first and middle name. His full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch. Quote of the Day: Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Audacious (adj)- Audacious is an adjective used to describe people, or things that people make or do, that are confident and daring, or bold and surprising. In a Sentence: She made the audacious decision to quit her job.

Contents: BPA Found in Widely Used Everyday Item Millions of Australians Lose Power After Optus Outage Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Something that you use almost every single day is most likely extremely toxic: receipts. Receipts are printed on thermal paper, and about 80% of thermal paper printed in stores contains bisphenol A, or BPA, a very toxic chemical that can lead to increased chances of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, fertility issues, and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), as well as causing anxiety and depression. Studies have found that receipts contain 250 to 1,000 times the amount of BPA in a can of food, which is even more dangerous. BPA is widely known as a toxic chemical, and it is showing up in more and more common everyday items including food containers, baby bottles, water bottles, and eyewear. It is impossible to avoid, as it is everywhere, but try not to wet or heat any body part that you touch BPA with- so don't wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, or bring your fingers near anything hot after touching a receipt (or any other BPA contaminated material), and try not to touch them as much as possible. On another note, over 10 million Australians lost all internet on Wednesday after the country's second-largest telecommunications company, Optus, had a major outage, causing disruptions in businesses, banks, and hospitals. The outage started at about 4:05 am and lasted through most of the day, causing chaos during peak rush hour, when trains were stopped and payments didn't go through. Emergency services were also hindered, leading to people not being able to call the emergency line, 000, and hospitals temporarily going out of service. Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said that a cyberattack was definitely not the cause; it seems to have occurred in a deep fault within the system. They are now investigating, but the cellular networks are thankfully back up- this really shows us how dependent we are on the internet and technology in general. Fact of the Day: Since high temperatures make iron expand, the Eiffel Tower can grow up to 6 inches during the summer. Quote of the Day: Do not give your past the power to define your future. (Dhiren Prajapati) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Mien (noun)- Mien is a literary word that refers to a person's demeanor or appearance, especially as expressive of their attitude or personality. In a Sentence: The minister projected a stern and serious mien from the pulpit, but we found him to be friendly and welcoming when we spoke with him in the social hall after the service.

To start off this update, we apologize for the issue in yesterday's daily update where the it was published late due to a scheduling issue. You can view the article here. Contents: US Election Day Takes Place, Democrats and Republicans Fight for Control Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Tuesday was Election Day in the United States, with the states of Kentucky and Mississippi voting for their next governor and many other states voting for their own different political representatives. Some other main ones are that Ohio is voting to amend the state's constitution, Virginia's vote will decide which party controls the state House and Senate, Rhode Island will be voting for their representative in the House, and Pennsylvania will be voting on the state Supreme Court seat up for grabs. These small elections may decide the 2024 presidential election, and the party (Democrat or Republican) that controls the House or Senate could change in many of other states. The ballots are now in, and the results will be out soon! Fact of the Day: The US's smallest state capital is Montpelier, Vermont, with only 7,500 residents. Quote of the Day: It's better to be unique than the best. Being the best makes you the number one but being unique makes you the only one. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Cockamamie (adj)- Cockamamie is an adjective used to describe something ridiculous, silly, or incredible. In a Sentence: Instead of being honest, he came up with a cockamamie excuse about why he didn't turn in his assignment.

To start off this update, we apologize for the issue in yesterday's daily update where the Upcoming Events were not included. You can view the updated article here. Contents: 30,000 Pounds of Tyson Chicken Nuggets Recalled After Metal Found in Food Multiple Other Major Earthquakes Strike Nepal, Aftershocks Cause More Damage Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Tyson Foods is recalling over 30,000 pounds of their signature dinosaur chicken nuggets after they discovered small metal pieces in them, and buyers have been advised to return the product or throw it away. It is specifically in 29-ounce bags labeled as "Fun Nuggets" that have an expiration date of September 4, 2024 and were sold in Alabama, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and California. The metal could pose a hazard to your gut or hurt your teeth, so make sure to check any Tyson chicken nugget bags you have in your house! On another note, multiple other 5+ magnitude earthquakes have struck western Nepal after the major 6.4 magnitude earthquake a few days ago, causing even more destruction and damage to the area. Landslides after the quake wiped out entire villages and killed hundreds of people after the main quake, and many others are now dead after these other recent quakes. The strong aftershocks just destroyed anything in the area that was still standing, setting back the recovery process that is already going extremely slow and the aid trickling into the area from the rest of Nepal and India. Fact of the Day: Giraffes can have tongues up to 20 inches long. Quote of the Day: Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strengths. (Corrie Ten Boom) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Terraform (verb)- To terraform something (such as a planet or moon) is to transform it so that it is suitable for supporting human life. In a Sentence: With Earth being the only Goldilocks planet within our reach, some argue that the survival of humanity depends on our ability to eventually terraform Mars.

Contents: New Delhi Air Quality Spikes to 500, Residents Urged to Stay Indoors Upcoming Events Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day New Delhi's air quality has spiked in the last few days, with smog engulfing the city and visibility down to 9 miles. The thick, hazardous smog was caused by farmers in the nearby states of Haryana and Punjab burning the remains of their old crops in preparation for the new season, and it has become an annual problem. The city's air quality level has hit 500, which is the worst-possible air quality on the scale. Also, this is 10 times the level deemed healthy by the World Health Organization (WHO), as healthy air is 50 or less. Due to this, Delhi residents are being urged to stay inside, which is leading to a lack of crucial minerals and vitamins people receive when outdoors. However, health issues will be even worse if you go outside, with people at high risk of coughs, irritated eyes, pneumonia, and other breathing issues. The toxic haze is causing citizens to suffer when outdoors, and it doesn't seem like it will clear up anytime soon. Upcoming Events: International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (Monday, November 6) Horse Racing Melbourne Cup Kicks Off (Monday, November 6) World Science Day for Peace and Development (Friday, November 10) Fact of the Day: The symbol # actually isn't called a hashtag or a pound. It's called an octothorpe. The 'octo' is for its eight lines jutting out of the center, but no one really knows where the 'thorpe' part came from. Quote of the Day: A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe. (Thomas Keller) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Requisite (adj)- Requisite is a synonym of necessary and essential that describes something needed for a particular purpose. In a Sentence: It's clear from her application materials that Leona has the requisite knowledge and experience for the job.

Contents: 16 Dead, Dozens of Others Injured After Storm Ciarán Death Toll in Nepal Earthquake Rises to 157 Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day 16 people are dead and dozens of others are injured after Storm Ciarán lashed England and France, bringing gusts of over 100 mph and waves of over 70 feet. Heavy rain became an issue as soon as it entered the area, quickly inundating towns and cities. Bridges were washed away, ground floors of buildings were engulfed in water, and cars were submerged in the flooding, and the winds also caused a problem. Roofs were blown off homes and furniture was swept away, and all of these factors contributed to knocking out power for over 1.2 million people. A reported tornado also hit the island of Jersey, which was heavily affected by the massive waves. Officials say that the death toll is still expected to rise, and another storm, Debi, is on its way with winds of 100 mph and more heavy rain. On another note, the death toll in the deadly 6.4 magnitude earthquake in western Nepal has risen to 157, but it is expected to rise. Hundreds of people are injured and entire villages have been destroyed, and all of the people killed were in two districts closest to the epicenter- Jajarkot and Rukum West. Communications are still out for most of the region, which is why the impact could be much greater than expected. Tremors were felt in Kathmandu, the capital, as well as the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Nepal since 2015, when a 7.8 magnitude quake killed over 9,000 people and caused over $6 billion in damages after destroying over 1 million homes. Fact of the Day: No positive integer before 1,000 contains the letter A. Quote of the Day: Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. (Alice Morse Earle) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Parse (verb)- To parse something is to study it by looking closely at its parts. In grammar and linguistics, parse means "to divide (a sentence) into grammatical parts and identify the parts and their relations to each other." In a Sentence: The lawyer meticulously parsed the wording of the final contract to be sure that her client would get all that he was asking for.

Contents: 128 Dead, Thousands of Others Injured After Deadly Nepal Earthquake Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day At least 128 people are dead after a severe 6.4 magnitude earthquake in western Nepal, and the death toll is expected to rise. The quake struck late into Friday night (Nepali time), but multiple strong aftershocks were reported afterwards. Buildings in nearby towns collapsed as the mountains violently shook, causing multiple landslides that wiped out roads and homes. Communications are out for many areas across the country, but the impacts didn't stop there. Tremors were felt in Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, and even some of Bihar. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that they are ready to extend any assistance Nepal needs to recover from this disaster, and that recovery process is now beginning. Fact of the Day: The American flag was originally designed in 1958 by Ohio teenager Robert Heft. At that time, Alaska and Hawaii weren't states, but he predicted that they would be soon and created his flag. It was for a US history project, and he only earned a B-minus on it. However, once it was approved and became the American flag, his teacher changed the grade to an A. Quote of the Day: We are not at our best perched at the summit; we are climbers, at our best when the way is steep. (John W. Gardner) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Maelstrom (noun)- A maelstrom is a powerful often violent whirlpool that sucks in objects within a given radius. Maelstrom is also often used figuratively to refer to a situation resembling the turbulence of a maelstrom, as when there are a lot of confused activities, emotions, etc. In a Sentence: He was caught in a maelstrom of emotions after the news he received over the phone.

Contents: Rangers Defeat Diamondbacks For First World Series Win Ever 1 Dead, 1 Million Out of Power After Storm Ciarán Smashes England, France Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day The Texas Rangers won the Major League Baseball World Series for the first time in the franchise's history on Wednesday night, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks to the title. They won the series 4-1 as they defeated Arizona 5-0 in the series-winning game, and they will now finally get a rest after a long, great season. MLB will resume on Thursday, March 28 for the 2024 season. However, American football is still going on! Check out our NFL articles here. On another note, Storm Ciarán lashed England and France yesterday, and one person is dead after the intense rain and strong winds. Over 1 million people are still out of power in France after power lines were knocked down, and the community is now starting to recover. Strong winds that consistently hit 75 mph and gusts that clocked 120 mph blew away furniture, blew down power lines, and damaged structures. Chaos ensued after the heavy rain in the subway tunnels across northwestern Europe after water poured into them, and cars were submerged in over a foot of it as floods inundated cities like London and Paris. Fact of the Day: Kleenex tissues were originally created to be a filter in gas masks during World War I. However, the war ended before the company could perfect the filter, so they improved it and re-marketed it as a tissue. Quote of the Day: The best way to predict the future is to create it. (Abraham Lincoln) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Analogue (adj)- Analogue refers to something that is similar to something else in design, origin, use, etc. In other words, an analogue is analogous to something else. In a Sentence: There are many historical analogues to our current political situation that we can learn from in order not to repeat the mistakes of the past.