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Contents: Starbucks Launches New Fall Drinks Menu Area of Interest in Gulf of Mexico Likely to Develop In Coming Days Quote/Word of the Day Starbucks' famed Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has returned for the fall season, and the favorite is already drawing in more customers. The popular beverage combines Starbucks' Signature Espresso with steamed milk, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. They have also brought back the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, which includes their cold brew with vanilla syrup, pumpkin cream cold foam, and pumpkin spice on top. All new this year is their Pumpkin Cream Chai Tea Latte, which combines a chai tea latte with pumpkin puree and some spiced flavors topped with pumpkin spice as well. However, that's not all. Fall is also the season for apple crisp, and Starbucks is bringing back a drink and adding a new one to the menu. Their Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato has returned, which contains flavors of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar with a spiced apple drizzle. Also, unlike other fall drinks, this drink is available hot and iced. Starbucks is also bringing something new to the table: the Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Macchiato. This new macchiato combines their Blonde Espresso with oat milk and the same flavors as the original (apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar) before being shaken up and served. On another note, the Atlantic Hurricane Season has really picked up lately, and an area of interest in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Yucatán Peninsula, could soon become a tropical system that could deliver some severe weather to Florida all the way up through the Carolinas. The system officially has an 80% chance of developing into a system, and it will surely bring heavy rain and some moderate winds to the Florida Panhandle before dumping more rain on Georgia and the Carolinas. Meanwhile, meteorologists are also watching Tropical Storm Franklin after it dealt a big blow to the island of Hispaniola. It is expected to strengthen into a Category 2 hurricane and brush past Bermuda, but Franklin could still generate some high waves and strong rip currents up the East Coast of the US, so watch out for that if you have beach plans this week. Quote of the Day: As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way. (Mary Anne Radmacher) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Quiescent (adj)- Quiescent is a formal word that describes things that are quiet, inactive, or in a state of peaceful rest. In medical contexts it describes a condition that is not currently developing or causing symptoms, as in "a quiescent disease/virus." In a Sentence: Volcanoes often exist for centuries in a quiescent state before their sudden, violent eruptions.

Contents: Magnus Carlsen Defeats Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa in Historic World Chess Cup Final Quote/Word of the Day Norway's Magnus Carlsen defeated India's Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa (who goes by Pragg) in a historic tiebreaker where Carlsen took the win. After two matches that ended up in a draw, Carlsen managed to defeat Pragg in the first tiebreaker, and they drew the second game, earning Carlsen his first World Cup title. He has now won every single major individual classical chess tournament and further proves himself as the best chess player of all time. However, Pragg still made a huge impact. He is only 18 years old, and achieved second place in the world cup, and he has a long way to go before finishing his chess career! They will both now compete for the title of world champion at the Candidates Tournament in 2024. The winner of this tournament goes against the reigning champion for the title, who is currently Ding Liren. Ding defeated Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi earlier in the year, ending Carlsen's five year champion streak after he decided not to defend his title this year. Quote of the Day: Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears. (John Lennon) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Empirical (adj)- When we describe something, such as data, as empirical, we mean that it originated in, or was based on, observation or experience. Empirical can also be used to describe something that is capable of being verified or disproved by observation or experiment, as in “empirical laws.” In a Sentence: The team of conservation biologists gathered reams of empirical data—from species inventories to soil analyses—to help them get a better understanding of the forest’s ecology.

Contents: India's Chandrayaan-3 Makes Historic Landing On Moon's South Pole Chess Prodigy Ties With GM Magnus Carlsen In First 2 Games of FIDE World Chess Cup Quote/Word of the Day India's Chandrayaan-3 rocket landed perfectly on the south pole of the moon on Wednesday morning at 6:04 PM IST (8:34 AM EDT), making history. India became the fourth country to ever land on the moon (after the United States, Russia, and China), and the first ever to land on the south pole. The lander slowly decreased velocity until reaching 30 kilometers above the lunar surface, and then started their "Rough Braking Phase" in which the rocket curved downward in an arc. It then passed through a brief "Altitude Hold Phase" at 7 km, and then slowly lowered down in a "Fine Braking Phase" until touchdown on the moon's south pole. Watch the official landing video from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) here. Their lunar exploration mission will now commence with the rover (Pragyan) starting to explore the uncharted territory of the moon. Many people are calling this a historic step forward for India as it starts to emerge as the world's next superpower under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On another note, India's young chess prodigy is doing quite well against the Norwegian grandmaster who currently holds the world title- Magnus Carlsen. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is only 18 years old and is already competing against the reigning world champion for the world title in the FIDE World Chess Cup, after becoming an international master at the age of 10 (youngest to do so at the time) and a grandmaster at 12 (second-youngest to do so at the time). Carlsen is a former five-time World Chess Champion, current four-time World Rapid Chess Champion, and current six-time World Blitz Chess Champion. The Chennai-born prodigy tied with him in Game 1 of the championship final on Tuesday after 35 moves in the classical format and tied again in Game 2 after 30 moves. Today, they will face off in a tie-breaker (rapid format) with a 25 minute allotted time for each player and a 10 second increment per move. If there is no winner in that game, there will be two more games with a 10 minute timer per player and a 10 second increment per move. Quote of the Day: It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. (Herman Melville) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Duplicity (noun)- Duplicity is a formal word that refers to dishonest behavior meant to trick or deceive someone. In a Sentence: The extent of his duplicity wasn't clear until a century after his death, when documents revealing more of his many deceptions were discovered.

Contents: Atlantic Hurricane Season Quickly Intensifies As Hilary Remnants Bring Rain to Canada Quote/Word of the Day Tropical Storm Harold has fizzled out after bringing strong winds and heavy rain to southern Texas. After a relatively slow start to the Atlantic Hurricane Season, it has quickly intensified in just a few days, with Tropical Storm Franklin threatening Hispaniola, Post-Tropical Storm Gert bringing some rain to the Lesser Antilles, and Harold hitting Texas. Franklin is the main threat, and it will bring widespread rain to Haiti and the Dominican Republic- about 3 inches in most areas but up to 10 inches in some. Hispaniola is the island that contains the two countries, and it is severely impacted by tropical systems every year, due to poor drainage systems and lots of low-lying land. Gert is not a very big threat, just bringing some minor rain (under 1 inch) to countries like Antigua and Barbuda. Harold moved through Texas extremely fast, only staying there for under a day, but it still brought some damage. Multiple flash floods were reported and over 21,000 people were out of power as of Tuesday evening after it passed through Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and the Mexican city of Nuevo Laredo. The remnants of the storm could soon bring some light rain to the Southwest US, which was impacted by Tropical Storm Hilary in the past few days. Hilary's remnants are now bringing some much-needed rain to western Canada, which is still suffering in this year's terrible, record-breaking wildfire season. Quote of the Day: The best way to predict your future is to create it. (Abraham Lincoln) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Lackluster (adj)- Lackluster describes something lacking in sheen, brilliance, or vitality—in other words, something dull or mediocre. In a Sentence: After a summer of lackluster sales, business is booming at the coffee shop now that students are returning.

Contents: Ecuador Voters Decide to Ban Oil Drilling In Protected Amazon Area Tropical Storm Hilary Dissipates, California Begins to Recover Quote/Word of the Day Today, we start off with some amazing news about the Amazon rainforest. Voters opted on Monday to decide in a "historic" vote to stop oil drilling in Ecuador's Yasuni National Park, which is a huge step forward in their plans to save the Amazon. Yasuni is described as one of the world's most biodiverse areas, and it has been exploited for oil drilling in the past few years- and they were planning to expand. In the decision, over 60% of the voting population voted to ban drilling in the park, which is extremely biodiverse and high in oil deposits. In 2007, the president at the time tried to start an initiative for $3.6 billion to be used to save the area, but it never happened. Oil drilling continued and increased after that, threatening to unbalance the Amazon's delicate rainforest network. But thanks to this new ban, the area will be protected and oil drilling will become illegal in the park. However, there is a catch. Oil is a huge part in Ecuador's economy, and a step like this could result in a loss of, as one estimate puts it, $1.2 billion per year. This is still a huge step forward in saving not just the Amazon rainforest, but the Indigenous peoples in the area, and it could become a model for other countries around the world to follow. On another note, Tropical Storm Hilary has finally dissipated after bringing severe conditions to Mexico and California, but it impacted Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as well. The storm arrived in California on Sunday with high winds and heavy rain, the latter of which caused a huge problem. A lot of Southern California is desert, so it receives about 2.2 inches of rain per year. However, at least 3 inches was seen in most areas, with one area near San Diego getting 11.74 inches of rain. Hilary was the first storm system to hit California in 26 years, after Nora in 1997, which dumped over 20 inches of rain in some parts of Mexico and about 4-5 inches in some of California. About 30,000 people are still out of power, and the infrastructure damage is also extremely costly. Interstates have been shut down, roads have been washed away, rockslides have destroyed homes, buildings have been flooded, and more. Thousands of flights were canceled through Monday and schools were closed in all of Southern California- including the second-largest and 27th largest school districts in the country (Los Angeles and San Diego, respectively). So far, there have been no deaths in the US, but one person has been confirmed dead in Mexico's Baja California. Quote of the Day: Don't count the days. Make the days count. (Muhammad Ali) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Frisson (noun)- Frisson refers to a brief moment of emotional excitement. In a Sentence: He felt a frisson of delight as he stepped tentatively through the door to the walled garden.

Contents: Spain Beats England In Historic Women's World Cup Final Tropical Storm Hilary Makes Landfall, Hits California Russia's Luna 25 Moon Lander Crashes Due to Technical Glitch Upcoming Events Quote/Word of the Day The long-awaited FIFA Women's World Cup final finally took place on Sunday, with Spain beating England 1-0, winning the world cup for the first time in a historic match. Spain's Olga Carmona made the winning goal in the 29th minute, making Spain the second country (after Germany) to win both the men's and women's world cups. However, England still made history- they have never come this far in the Women's World Cup. On another note, Hilary has now made landfall and has weakened to a tropical storm. It smashed into Baja California and hit the Mexican border city of Tijuana before moving on, and it is now battering California. The storm is dumping rain across Arizona, California, and Nevada, with San Diego and Los Angeles taking the brunt of it. Rain is also impacting Phoenix and Las Vegas, and flash flooding is a huge concern. Floods have already taken out bridges and roads, with multiple rockslides causing interstate closures. Hospital emergency rooms have been flooded, and a state of emergency is in place for California. Over 3 inches of rain is falling over most of the area, but some sections of Southern California have received up to 6 inches. Over 50,000 people are out of power as floods and high winds take down power lines and electrical grids. Also, over 1,000 domestic flights and at least 4,700 international flights have been canceled as airports like Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), and Las Vegas (LAS) take a hit. However, Hilary is moving very fast, and is expected to dissipate soon. Lastly, Russia's Luna-25 moon lander has crashed into the moon after a technical glitch. It launched from Earth on August 10, 2023, and it was expected to land on the moon somewhere between August 21 and August 23. However, that mission is now over, and Russia is now planning its next launch. India's rocket, Chandrayaan-3, is still on track though, and it is expected to land on the moon on August 23. Upcoming Events: International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism (Monday, August 21) International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief (Tuesday, August 22) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition (Wednesday, August 23) "Ahsoka" arrives on Disney+ (Wednesday, August 23) India's Chandrayaan-3 rocket lands on the moon (Wednesday, August 23) "Gran Turismo" arrives in theaters (Friday, August 25) Quote of the Day: Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best. (Bob Talbert) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Balmy (adj)- Balmy is an adjective that is often used to describe weather that is warm, calm, and pleasant. It can also be used to describe someone or something (such as an idea) that is foolish or irrational. In a Sentence: After a long, eight-hour drive, we were rewarded with a mild, balmy evening at our vacation spot on the shores of Lake Erie.

Contents: Hurricane Hilary Approaches Mexico As State of Emergency Declared For California Canadian Wildfires Intensify in British Columbia As 35,000 People Given Evacuation Orders Quote/Word of the Day Hurricane Hilary has weakened into a Category 1 storm after passing by Baja California, and is now taking aim at the Mexican city of Tijuana. However, Hilary has weakened less than expected, and it is now on track to continue past Los Angeles and Las Vegas to hit areas like Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe. The rain from the storm is already arriving in some of the parched desert of the southwest United States, where some areas could see 1 or 2 years worth of rain in a few days. It will pass Tijuana and slam into San Diego and Los Angeles with sustained winds of 50 mph. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, which will bring 3 inches of rain to some areas that receive 1-2 inches a year. On another note, the Canadian wildfires in the province of British Columbia have rapidly increased in just a few days, forcing over 35,000 people to evacuate. The main fire is affecting the town of Kelowna (about 180 miles - 300 kilometers - east of Vancouver), and Canada is running out of space for evacuees in other cities. British Columbia and Northwest Territories are the most affected as of right now, as fires also approach the Northwest Territories' capital of Yellowknife. Quote of the Day: Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out. (Brad Montague) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Slake (verb)- Slake is a verb meaning "to satisfy or quench." It can also mean "to hydrate." NEW In a Sentence: They slaked their thirst with cold lemonade.

Contents: Tropical Storm Watch In Place As Hurricane Hilary Takes Aim At Southwestern US 10 Dead After Massive Plane Crash On Malaysia Highway Quote/Word of the Day A tropical storm watch is now in place for Southern California for the first time in history, as Hurricane Hilary approaches Baja California, Mexico. Hilary is currently a Category 4 hurricane, but it will rapidly weaken after making landfall in Baja California. It will hit the major border city of Tijuana before moving into the US, and will definitely impact Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Las Vegas. LA is directly in its path, and some meteorologists say that Southern California could receive a year's worth of rain in one day. Hilary is expected to dump at least 3 inches of rain on Death Valley, while its average yearly rainfall count is 2.21 inches. Most of the impacted area is desert, which rarely receives this kind of rainfall, so landslides, mudslides, and flash floods are expected and are a big concern. On another note, 10 people are dead after a massive plane crash onto a highway in Malaysia, killing all 8 people on board and 2 on the ground. A man riding a motorcycle and another person in a car were killed as the plane smashed into the ground at full speed after it lost control, with massive black plumes of smoke erupting out of the area immediately. Dashcam footage from a car driving on the opposite side of the road shows debris blasting out of the explosion and thick black smoke compromising visibility, while more footage from a house on a hill near the highway shows a gray object (the plane) crashing into the ground and exploding in a ball of fire. An investigation into the incident is now underway. Quote of the Day: If it doesn't make the world better, don't do it. (Brad Montague) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Inkling (noun)- Inkling refers to a slight, uncertain idea about something, or to a slight amount of knowledge about something. NEW In a Sentence: As the professor explained the complex math formula in class, I didn’t have an inkling of what it all meant.

Contents: Death Toll Reaches 111 In Catastrophic Maui Fires Smoke Suffocates US Midwest As Canadian Wildfires Intensify Quote/Word of the Day The death toll is up to 111 in the devastating Maui wildfires, but rescue crews have only searched 38% of the burned area. Thousands of people are still missing, however, and some of the missing people may have died in the ocean after jumping into the waves to escape the fires consuming the island. President Joe Biden and the First Lady, Jill Biden, are arriving in Hawaii on Monday to survey the damage and talk with first responders and police while meeting victims of the fires. On another fiery note, the wildfire smoke from the Canada wildfires is picking up again, with numerous more fires burning and multiple intense ones approaching the Northwest Territories' capital of Yellowknife as skies turn an ominous red across the city. The entire city is being evacuated, and residents have no idea when they will be able to return home or what kind of devastation they will return to. British Columbia and Northwest Territories are experiencing the worst fires in all of Canada (with 236 fires burning in Northwest Territories alone), and the smoke is now being carried by strong winds back into the US. However, the areas most at risk of wildfire are in southwest Canada, in southern British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The smoke is now affecting Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the air quality expected to be some of the worst in the world in the coming days. Quote of the Day: For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. (Ralph Waldo Emerson) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Volatile (adj)- Volatile has several closely related meanings, including “subject to rapid or unexpected change,” “having or showing extreme or sudden changes of emotion,” and “likely to become dangerous or out of control.”

Contents: 32 People Dead After Major Landslide In Myanmar Jade Mine Spain Triumphs Sweden And England Defeats Australia In Thrilling FIFA World Cup Semifinals Quote/Word of the Day Unfortunately, 32 people are dead and hundreds of others are injured after a large sand cliff collapsed in Myanmar, causing a landslide onto a jade mine. Myanmar has the largest jade industry in the world - 70% of the world's jade comes from Myanmar - but it is highly unsupervised. Their tactics are not environmentally friendly, and many people are killed each year by landslides and other natural disasters in the harsh mining conditions. Myanmar's government was overthrown in a 2022 coup, and the military now controls the country. Their severe tactics have caught the attention of many Western countries and the UN, but they continue to force poor migrants to do dangerous work that fills their pockets, and the conditions can be life-threatening in some situations. On another note, the semifinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup have just taken place, with Spain defeating Sweden (2-1) and England beating Australia (3-1) in their home country. England and Spain will now face off in the final match on Sunday, August 20, in Sydney. Australia and New Zealand have co-hosted this year's world cup, and the next FIFA Men's World Cup will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico in 2026 after Argentina took home the grand prize. The next FIFA Women's World Cup location is yet to be decided, and is planned to be announced in May 2024. Quote of the Day (BrainyQuote): The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me. (Ayn Rand) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Chasten (verb)- To chasten someone is to cause them to feel sad or embarrassed about something that has happened, or in other words, to make them feel more humble or restrained.