Search The Website!
1087 results found
- Friday, September 15
Contents: Death Toll Rises To 11,300 In Catastrophic Libya Floods Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Today's only news is an update on the deadly Libya floods. At least 11,300 people have been confirmed dead in the catastrophic Libya floods, but the UN expects it rise to about 20,000. Thousands of people are still missing in Africa's worst ever flood disaster, but most of the damage wasn't directly caused by the rains, actually. The huge downpour ended up breaking two dams at 3 am, sending a massive, 7-meter (23-foot) wave down the river, wiping out the town of Derna. Derna had a population of over 100,000 before the floods, but that number is sure to drastically decrease after the final death toll from these floods. It was like a tsunami coming down the river from both dams, and everyone was sleeping as well. They destroyed bridges, homes, offices, and other assorted buildings, but a lack of a good warning system failed to alert the people of Derna to the flood ahead of time. Crumbling infrastructure on the dams also led to the collapse, but this all leads back to climate change. The stronger storms in the area are creating more and more extreme weather events are leading to more catastrophic damage like these floods in Libya and the floods in Greece, which were actually caused by the same storm: Storm Daniel. Fact of the Day: Sudan has the most pyramids in the world. Many people think it's Egypt, due to the famed Giza Pyramids, but Egypt only has 138 pyramids, which pales in comparison to Sudan's 255. Quote of the Day: If you can't convince them, confuse them. (Harry S. Truman) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Harbinger (noun)- A harbinger is something that foreshadows, or gives an early indication of, something that will happen in the future. In a Sentence: When the star running back went down with an injury in the team’s first game, it turned out to be the harbinger of a disappointing season.
- Thursday, September 14
A new YNH Junior video by Amaira Dhawan has just launched for this week. It shows you how to make a DIY folder for your papers! Check out the video here. Now, let's dive into today's news. Contents: 56 Dead, 37 Injured After Apartment Fire In Hanoi, Vietnam Dangerous Nipah Virus On The Rise In Southern India Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day At least 56 people are dead and and 37 others are injured after a fire in a nine-story apartment building in Hanoi, Vietnam. About 150 people lived in the building, and many of those became trapped inside during the blaze when rubble and debris blocked exits. Bars on windows also stopped people from using those as exits, so some people had to break them to escape. Officials think the cause of the fire was from the ground floor, which was packed with motorbikes. Residents of the apartment reported hearing a loud bang before smoke started rising from the building at about 11 pm, and the building quickly caught fire. 15 fire trucks rushed to the scene, but their ability to extinguish the fire was limited because they couldn't fit in the narrow alley that the apartment was located in. In a fast-growing city such as Hanoi, many new buildings do not meet federal requirements, and this building seems to have not met the fire safety regulations. Due to this, it caught fire extremely quickly, and the owner of the place has been arrested for violating the aforementioned regulations, and the cause is still being investigated. On another note, a dangerous virus is spreading in southern India, and it could cause a potential problem. Nipah virus (or NiV) is a virus that comes from bats and other animals, and it causes regular symptoms of sickness but can go on to cause brain infection if left untreated. Unfortunately, there is no vaccination or cure for Nipah virus, which is what makes it so deadly. Thankfully, only 5 people have been confirmed to have it, but it is extremely contagious and could be on the rise. The virus is most commonly transmitted to humans through having direct contact with the infected animal, but it is also transmitted through aerosol particles. Over 700 people have been tested and 5 have come up positive, which means that a lot more of the population could potentially have Nipah virus. However, it is extremely rare, so the chances of you having it (if you live in southern India) are extremely low. Fact of the Day: The Caspian Sea is the world's largest inland body of water, or in other words, the world's largest lake. It borders the countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. Quote of the Day: If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can't hear them anymore. (Michele Ruiz) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Abstain (verb)-To abstain from something is to choose to not do or have that thing. Abstain can also mean specifically "to choose not to vote." In a Sentence: The doctor insisted that Drew abstain from eating for at least 12 hours before his blood test.
- Wednesday, September 13
Contents: Over 2,000 Dead, Thousands Missing After Catastrophic Libya Floods Apple's Wonderlust Event Takes Place, Launch iPhone 15, New Apple Watches, and More Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day Over 2,000 people are dead and thousands more are missing after a strong low-pressure system struck Libya on Tuesday, bringing extremely heavy rain. Flash floods are plaguing the region and the high water levels have caused multiple bridges to collapse and destroyed two dams. The dams, in turn, caused a massive flow of water to rush down the river, flooding everything near it. The same system actually brought flooding to Greece last week, and it is now wreaking havoc in Libya. Multiple countries are now offering aid to help the north African country recover, and search and rescue teams are now rushing into action to find any survivors of the floods who have been washed away or trapped under rubble. On another note, Apple's yearly launch event took place yesterday, dubbed 'Wonderlust' by the tech company, and they made some big launches. Let's dive into what they announced. To skip ahead of this article, click here. The Apple Watch Series 9: Apple has made some tweaks and updates to the Apple Watch, and they have arrived in the form of the Series 9. This new Apple Watch contains a neural engine that enables Siri offline, so you don't need to be close to your phone to access Siri on your watch anymore. This new engine also allows for a new feature called "Double Tap," where you can just tap your thumb and index finger together two times and it will automatically control certain customizable functions. For example, you could use Double Tap to answer and end calls, play and pause music, and much more. This is a helpful new feature for when your other hand is in use, because you don't even have to touch the display! This new Apple Watch starts at $399, but it should last you a while. Lastly, Apple is also using a new synthetic material called "FineWove" for their new watch bands, because leather is not very environmentally friendly. The Apple Watch Ultra 2: The Ultra 2 is receiving the same updates as the Series 9 above, due to the new neural engine, but with a few more features. The watch is built to take a beating, as it is designed specifically for rigorous outdoor use. It also has the brightest screen of any Apple Watch, because it is meant for deep sea divers who need a high brightness level to see underwater. This new watch, however, is only meant for the real outdoor pros- because it starts at $799! Buying that expensive of a watch just for the gym would probably be a waste. The Apple iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max: Now, the most awaited of them all- the new iPhone. The iPhone 15 generation features a USB-C charging port, which for our Mac users, is the one you use to charge your laptop. This USB-C port is also featured in the new Apple AirPods Pro, and it enables you to charge your Mac, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch using each others' battery. Also, the new iPhone 15 features a brighter-than-ever screen and an updated camera, as well as the Dynamic Island (the black, tube-like feature that shows apps running in the background at the top of the screen) which was introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max last year. The Plus is slightly bigger, but the real changes come in the Pro. The iPhone 15 Pro has an aerospace-grade titanium case, and along with the water-resistant and Ceramic Shield features, the phone is practically unbreakable. In the Pro Max, the enhanced camera features 5x zoom and Apple new A17 Pro chip, along with the 15 Pro. Lastly, the cases for the new phones will also be made of FineWove, to help phase out leather in Apple's products in an important environmental step. The prices start at $799 for the iPhone 15, $899 for the iPhone 15 Plus, $999 for the iPhone 15 Pro, and $1,199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. iCloud+: For our readers who have way too many files in their iCloud, Apple is helping you out. As of right now, iCloud has four storage options: 5GB (free), 50GB ($0.99 per month), 200GB ($2.99 per month), and 2TB ($9.99 per month). However, that is about to change. At Apple's Wonderlust event, they also announced the arrival of 6TB and 12TB options for your iCloud storage, which start at $29.99 per month and $59.99 per month, respectively. NEW Fact of the Day: The Wampanoag people were a Native American tribe that lived on the edge of the US state of Massachusetts on Cape Cod before English settlers arrived and battled with them in the mid-1600s. The tribe helped the Pilgrims establish a colony in that time period, but the English soon drove them out of their lands and sold many into slavery after King Philip's War from 1675-1678. Quote of the Day: You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. (Rabindranath Tagore) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fallible (adj)-Fallible means “capable of making mistakes or being wrong.” In a Sentence: We can be too hard on ourselves at times and often need gentle reminders that everyone is fallible.
- Tuesday, September 12
Contents: Death Toll Rises To Almost 3,000 In Massive Morocco Earthquake Nishimura Comet Passing By Earth This Week, Won't Be Back For 430 Years Fact of the Day Quote of the Day Word of the Day The death toll in the Morocco earthquake has now risen to over 2,850, which took place on Friday in the High Atlas mountain range. The 6.8 magnitude quake destroyed entire villages and struck the city of Marrakech, which has a population of over 1 million people, and it has left people sleeping in the streets as they fear more building collapses. Search and rescue operations are now kicking into high gear as they search for survivors, and most historic sites in the area are closed for repairs and rescue operations after the earthquake damage. Multiple countries like France and Austria are ready to help and are now offering aid to Morocco, and other countries are now mobilizing aid as well. The Nishimura comet is passing by Earth this week, so make sure not to miss it! The comet is a special green comet that only passes by Earth every 430 years or so, and it was discovered by amateur Japanese astronomer Hideo Nishimura in early August of 2023. The last time this comet flew by was in about 1588, which was before Galileo Galilei invented the telescope- that is why we discovered it so recently. The comet was closest to Earth this morning, but you may have a better chance of seeing it on Friday, September 17, when it will be closest to the Sun. The comet is only visible from the northern hemisphere right now, but it will be visible in the southern hemisphere this weekend. To see it, you'll have to wake up before dawn anytime this week and look low on the eastern horizon, near the constellation of Leo. However, you'll notice that the comet looks white. This is because the comet only appears green in photos, due to a substance coating the surface of the comet. Its origins are unknown, but researchers are working to find out. Meanwhile, make sure not to miss this once-in-four-lifetimes experience- it will probably be back in the mid-2450s! NEW Fact of the Day: The trapezius muscle is located in your upper back and connects your skull and neck to your scapula (shoulder blade) and shoulder. This muscle enables you to do things like raise your hand, shrug, or pull your shoulders back. Quote of the Day: You make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing. (Kate Morton) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Injunction (noun)- Injunction refers to an order from a court of law that says something must be done or must not be done. In a Sentence: The group has obtained an injunction to prevent the demolition of the building.
- Monday, September 11
Today is the 22nd anniversary of the terrible 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, where multiple hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers of New York City and killed thousands of people. Let's take a second to remember and mourn for those we have lost. Now, let's dive into today's news. Contents: Djokovic Triumphs Medvedev To Take Fourth US Open Title Hurricane Lee Restrengthens, Takes Aim At Bermuda NFL Week 1 Finishing Off Today Quote/Word of the Day Serbia's Novak Djokovic won against Russia's Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, beating him in three straight sets to win his 24th Grand Slam. He won the first set 6-3, the second set 7-6, and then the third set 6-3 to take the title once again. This ties him with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slams ever won by a professional tennis player- he has won the Australian Open 10 times, the French Open 3 times, Wimbledon 7 times, and the US Open now 4 times. He is also the oldest ever person to win the US Open, which marks another place for him in the history books. On another note, Hurricane Lee has restrengthened into a Category 4 hurricane with winds of over 130 mph and it is now taking aim at Bermuda. The hurricane was first expected to maybe hit the US mainland, but it is now expected to take a turn north and brush Bermuda before possibly making landfall or affecting the northeastern US and southeastern Canada. The storm could bring strong winds and heavy rain to the area, but that is still a long way away- and it would be much weaker. Thankfully, the only effects Lee is having right now are some strong waves and rip currents in Puerto Rico, which have resulted in a marine warning for the north coast. Lastly, Week 1 of the NFL is finishing off today! Read all about the latest games, stats, and standings here. Upcoming Events: 22nd Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks (Monday, September 11) Apple's Wonderlust Event (Tuesday, September 12) International Day of Democracy (Friday, September 15) International Day for Interventional Cardiology (Saturday, September 16) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (Saturday, September 16) Mexican Independence Day (Saturday, September 16) Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix (Sunday, September 17) Asia Cup One Day International (ODI) Cricket Final (Sunday, September 17) World Patient Safety Day (Sunday, September 17) Quote of the Day: Worry is like sand in an oyster: a little produces a pearl, too much kills the animal. (Marcelene Cox) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Orotund (noun)- Orotund is a formal word used as a synonym of sonorous to describe something—usually a voice—marked by fullness, strength, and clarity of sound. It can also be used disapprovingly to mean "pompous" or "bombastic." In a Sentence: As a child, she loved listening to her grandfather’s rich, orotund voice as he told stories of his childhood growing up overseas.
- Sunday, September 10
Contents: Over 2,000 Dead After Massive Earthquake Strikes Morocco Coco Gauff Wins US Open Women's Title After Action-Packed Final Match Quote/Word of the Day Over 2,000 people are dead after a massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco in the High Atlas Mountains on Friday night. The quake struck around 11 pm about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of the major Moroccan city of Marrakech, but it was even felt over 217.5 miles (350 kilometers) away in the capital of Rabat. Hundreds of people are staying outside in fear of aftershocks, and tens of thousands of buildings have been damaged. It has been the most powerful earthquake to hit the area in 120 years, and there is a high chance of aftershocks that could damage more structures. Countries like Austria and Israel are now offering aid to help the victims of the quake, while others like Germany are just offering their condolences. On another note, the US's Coco Gauff has won the Women's Singles title in the US Open, defeating Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka in an action-packed final. Sabalenka won the first set, 6-2, but Gauff came back to win the second and third sets, 6-3 and 6-2, respectively. She is only 19 years old, making her the youngest American to claim the US Open title since Serena Williams won it at 17 years old in 1999. The next big match will be later today at 4:00 pm, where Russia's Daniil Medvedev will face off against Serbia's Novak Djoković in the US Open Men's Singles Final. Quote of the Day: Our attitude towards life determines life's attitude toward us. (Anonymous) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Bellwether (noun)- Bellwether refers to someone or something that leads others or shows what will happen in the future—in other words, a leader or a trendsetter. In a Sentence: She was known as a bellwether of fashion because she was always one step ahead of the runways and magazines.
- Saturday, September 9
Contents: 300 Dead, Hundreds More Injured After Massive Earthquake Strikes Morocco Massive Rainstorm Floods Hong Kong, Shuts Down Stock Market Quote/Word of the Day Almost 300 people are dead and hundreds of others are injured after a massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco, around the High Atlas mountain range. making it the strongest earthquake to hit the area in over 100 years. The quake also struck at night, when many people were unprepared and vulnerable to the disaster. Numerous homes and buildings have collapsed, and many streets and bridges have also become undrivable as well. However, the shaking wasn't only felt near the source of the earthquake. It was mainly felt in the city of Marrakech, 45 miles (72 kilometers) away, but it was even felt in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, 217.5 miles (350 kilometers) away! On another note, Hong Kong has been completely flooded by extreme rains from a strong storm passing through the metropolis on Friday, inundating the entire city. The storm dumped over 6 inches of rain on the city, but some areas recorded up to 20 inches in 24 hours. Metro stations were completely flooded and streets were covered with water as cars struggled to drive through the high waters. Stock trading was stopped and hundreds of flights were canceled as well, and schools were called off for the day. Landslides were reported in the hills outside Hong Kong too, causing the closure of multiple roads. The nearby city of Shenzhen also received record rain, with some parts of the city getting almost 19 inches of rain. Quote of the Day: Happiness is like jam. You can't spread a little without getting some on yourself. (Anonymous) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Redound (verb)- Redound is a formal word that when paired with to means “to have a particular result.” It is often used in one of two idioms: “It redounds to someone's credit/honor” is used to say that a person deserves credit/respect for having done something. “Redound to the advantage of” means “to benefit (someone or something).” Redound is also sometimes used as a synonym of accrue and reflect. In a Sentence: It redounds to his credit that he worked so hard to prevent this crisis.
- Friday, September 8
Contents: Hurricane Lee Rapidly Intensifies To Become Strong Category 5 Storm NFL Season Kicks Off With Action-Packed Game Between Chiefs and Lions Quote/Word of the Day Hurricane Lee has strengthened into a Category 5 storm after "insane" rapid intensification in the Atlantic Ocean, going from a Category 1 storm with winds of 80 mph to a Category 4 with winds of 130 mph in under 12 hours. It is now packing a huge punch as it moves northwest, but it will thankfully pass the Lesser Antilles. However, it will still bring huge waves and strong rip currents, so you may want to cancel your beach day if you live in the eastern Caribbean. Those will be the main issue, along with some heavy rain, but the 160 mph winds shouldn't be a problem as it moves clear of the islands. Whether it will hit the United States is still unknown, though- it is too early to tell. On another note, the United States' National Football League (NFL) kickoff took place on Thursday night, with the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Detroit Lions. To view more about the standings and scores, click here. Quote of the Day: A mistake that makes you humble is much better than an achievement that makes you arrogant. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Disingenuous (adj)- Disingenuous is a formal word that describes things, such as speech or behavior, that give a false appearance of being honest or sincere. Similarly, a person who is being disingenuous may seem sincere, but is in fact only pretending to be open and candid. In a Sentence: Her recent expressions of concern about the community center closing are disingenuous at best because she stands to benefit financially when the property is redeveloped.
- Thursday, September 7
Contents: Amazon Deforestation Rates Plummet Once Again, Marking Huge Step Forward Death Toll in Eastern European Floods Rises to 14 31 Dead After Catastrophic Floods in Southern Brazil Quote/Word of the Day Today, we have some more amazing news about the Amazon rainforest. Under the leadership of Brazilian president Lula da Silva, deforestation in the Amazon fell another 66% compared to August 2022, which is another huge step toward Lula's goal of zero deforestation by 2030. His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, encouraged deforestation and mining in the Amazon, and he also took away funds from organizations that were helping the Amazon. However, in the last election, Lula was barely elected, and he has now been taking huge steps to stop deforestation in the Amazon. It is especially impressive that the rates fell this much in August, which is one of the most active months for Amazon deforestation. At first, it didn't look like Lula was doing much; according to the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE), deforestation rates were actually higher than 2022 rates during February and March, but the change started happening in April. During that month, rates dramatically decreased, but came back up in May. However, in June, July, and August, which are the most active months for deforestation, the rates plummeted compared to 2022, which proves that Lula is following through with his plan for change and that it could very well happen even before 2030. On another note, the death toll is up to 14 after the catastrophic storms in Greece, Bulgaria, and Turkey, with over 20 inches of rain being dumped in some spots- in less than 10 hours! The storm, named Daniel, delivered some much-needed rain to the region- but it dumped a little too much. Eastern Europe has been going through a drought for the past few weeks, causing the largest wildfire ever recorded in the European Union. Daniel relieved the drought, but brought extreme weather on the other side of the spectrum. The flash floods have washed away cars, homes, offices, people, bridges, and much more. The region is now starting the recovery process- let's hope another extreme weather event doesn't come soon! Meanwhile, floods in Brazil have killed at least 31 people, and over 2,300 others are now homeless. Massive floods struck southern Brazil on Wednesday, flooding homes until their roofs. The state of Rio Grande do Sul was especially affected, and Governor Eduardo Leite announced that it was the state's highest death toll ever from a climate event. Rivers quickly burst their banks after the extremely heavy rain, and large roads turned into huge rivers amid the flooding. The water level even reached the tops of power lines in some areas, with some images even showing a sheep being found hanging on a power line- that's how high the water reached! Power is still out for most of southern Brazil as they begin to recover, but it will definitely take time. Quote of the Day: Never blame anyone in your life. Good people give you happiness. Bad people give you experience. The worst people give you lessons. And the best people give you memories. (Zig Ziglar) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Pareidolia (noun)- Pareidolia refers to the tendency to perceive a specific and often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. In a Sentence: For those especially prone to pareidolia, a simple piece of toast can get distracting.
- Wednesday, September 6
Today is the big Hindu holiday of Janmashtami, which celebrates the birthday of Krishna, one of the avatars of the god Vishnu. The exact date of this holiday differs every year due to the lunar cycle, but it is a big holiday for all Hindus. Janmashtami is also a public holiday for all of India, meaning that schools and most businesses are closed today. Now, let's dive into today's news. Contents: Extreme Weather Strikes Greece Again, Killing 1 Great Wall of China Vandalized By People Looking For Shortcut Quote/Word of the Day Extreme weather has struck Greece again, but it isn't heat this time. Right after a scorching drought parched the region, causing multiple wildfires, torrential rain has arrived, killing one person. Last week, one of Greece's fires became the largest ever recorded in the European Union, and thousands of people were evacuated. Now, the ones that didn't evacuate are having their homes and cars washed away in flash floods, amid an odd extreme weather pattern in eastern Europe. Bulgaria and Turkey are also experiencing heavy rain, but Greece is receiving the brunt of the hit. Thankfully, the massive wildfire has been extinguished, but that is the only good news about this storm. On another note, the famous Great Wall of China has been damaged after two people used an excavator to smash through the wall, causing irreparable destruction. They used the excavator to widen a gap in the wall as they were looking for a shortcut while working on a local construction project. The two have been arrested by the Chinese government and charged with destroying a cultural relic, but the damage may never be repaired to its original state. Vandalism has become an increasing problem on the Great Wall of China, so the government is now taking even more measures to protect the important monument. Quote of the Day: Life is like looking for your phone. Most of the time, it's in your hand. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Ambiguous (adj)- To describe something as ambiguous is to say that it can be understood in more than one way or that it has more than one possible meaning. In a Sentence: We were confused by the ambiguous wording of his message.