Americans Plan To Spend $33.5 Billion For Mom's Big Day In 2024Every year on the second Sunday in May, Americans shower their mothers with lavish gifts and treats. This year's celebration on May 12, 2024, will be no exception. A National Retail Federation (NRF) survey indicates that the 84 percent of US adults who plan to celebrate Mother's Day will each spend an average of $254. This adds up to a staggering total of $33.5 billion. It is just shy of the record $35.7 billion spent in 2023. It is no wonder that retailers look forward to the holiday almost as much as mothers....
Read news articleTwo Cicada Broods Set To Emerge Together In Rare OccurrenceSixteen US states, stretching from Maryland to Oklahoma and Illinois to Alabama, are bracing for the arrival of trillions of noisy cicadas. What makes the event especially rare is that two broods are emerging simultaneously. Brood XIX, comprising four species that surfaces every 13 years, and Brood XIII, consisting of three species that appears every 17 years. This unusual coincidence last occurred 221 years ago, in 1803, and won't happen again until 2245....
Read news articleFather-Daughter Team Helps Discover Giant Prehistoric Ocean ReptileFossils found by a father-daughter team has led to the discovery of a new, massive species of ichthyosaur. The marine reptiles dominated the seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods (251 to 145 million years ago). Often referred to as "fish-lizards," they shared physical similarities with dolphins and whales but were, in fact, members of the reptile family....
Read news articleBrave Baby Penguins Leap Off Massive Cliff For First Swim!Renowned wildlife filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory is known for capturing rare and unforgettable moments in the animal kingdom. On April 11, 2024, Gregory once again made headlines with his unprecedented footage of a flock of baby penguins bravely diving off a 50-foot (15m) cliff for their first-ever swim in the icy Antarctic waters....
Read news articleRare Revolutionary War Drawing Discovered in New York City ApartmentIn the mid-1970s, Judith Hernstadt, an avid collector of 18th-century artifacts, bought a set of sketches from a New York antique dealer. One piece, depicting a scene from the Revolutionary War, particularly stood out to her....
Read news articleCole Brauer Is The First American Woman To Sail Solo Around The World NonstopCole Brauer has made history as the first American woman to sail alone around the world without stopping. The Long Island, New York, resident completed the tough 30,000-mile (48,280-km) Global Solo Challenge on March 7, 2024, in just 130 days. Brauer placed second among 16 sailors and was one of only seven participants who made it to the finish line....
Read news articleEarth Day 2024 Highlights The Perils Of Plastic PollutionCelebrated every April 22, Earth Day is an annual reminder of the urgent need to protect our planet. The global movement began on April 22, 1970, when US lawmaker Gaylord Nelson mobilized more than 20 million people to demonstrate support for environmental protection....
Read news articleNational Zoo Celebrates The Birth Of Two Pygmy Slow LorisesThe Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington DC, is celebrating the birth of two adorable pygmy slow lorises. This is the first time the endangered primates have been born at the zoo. The twins are the first offspring of three-year-old Naga and two-year-old Pabu....
Read news articleNatural Disaster Expertise Helped Limit Earthquake Death Toll In TaiwanOn April 3, 2024, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast. The tremor, centered 11 miles south of the coastal city of Hualien, was the most powerful to hit the island nation in 25 years. It was felt across the country and as far away as Hong Kong and Shanghai, China. The quake sent boulders and mud tumbling down the mountains and destroyed or damaged several buildings in Hualien. At least 13 people were killed, and over a thousand were injured. As of April 7, 2024, rescuers were still looking for six people believed to be buried in the rubble....
Read news articleStargazers To Get A Rare Chance To Witness A Nova ExplosionHere is some exciting news for those who missed the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. Between now and September, NASA predicts an even rarer celestial event — a nova outburst. Unlike the eclipse, this phenomenon can be observed from anywhere on Earth without using any special equipment....
Read news articleWhy High Schools And Universities Are Finally Embracing EsportsAfter years of reluctance, educational institutions across the United States are finally embracing competitive video gaming, commonly referred to as esports. Since 2018, over 8,600 high schools and about 175 colleges and universities have added esports as an extracurricular activity. And the numbers keep growing....
Read news article"Magic Carpet" Deep-Sea Worm Discovered Near Costa RicaA new species of ragworm, likened to a living magic carpet, has been discovered in the methane seeps 30 miles (48 km) off the coast of Costa Rica. The rose-colored Pectinereis strickrotti (P. strickrotti) is one of 450 species found in the area since 2009. Forty-eight of them are new to science....
Read news articleIndia, The World's Largest Democracy, Prepares For ElectionsIn most democratic countries, voters go to the polls on a single, predetermined day. However, that is not true in India. The world's largest democracy, with about 970 million registered voters, conducts its elections in seven stages over six weeks. Held every five years, the elections will occur from April 9, 2024, to June 1, 2024. The results will be announced on June 4, 2024....
Read news articleCaitlin Clark's Incredible Scoring Record Shines Light On Women's BasketballInterest in women's college basketball has been rising steadily in the past few years. A large part of the sport's increasing popularity is attributed to Caitlin Clark. The 22-year-old point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes is credited with bringing mainstream attention to a sport historically overshadowed by its men's counterpart....
Read news articleEverything You Need To Know About March MadnessThe NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball championships, held annually in March, are among the most widely viewed collegiate sporting events in the United States. The popular tournaments turn even casual basketball watchers into die-hard fans of teams with whom they have no affiliation. Here is everything you need to know about "March Madness."...
Read news articleCelebrating Holi, The Indian Festival Of ColorsIndia is home to numerous fun festivals. But few are as anticipated as Holi, the Festival of Colors. The Hindu holiday celebrates the start of spring and the victory of good over evil. The date of the event is determined by the lunar calendar and differs every year. In 2024, Holi will be observed on March 25....
Read news articleExploring The History And Rich Traditions Of St. Patrick's DaySaint Patrick's Day, observed annually on March 17, is a global celebration of Irish culture. Here is a brief history of the man behind the popular holiday and some fun traditions associated with the commemoration....
Read news articleCelebrate Pi Day: It Is As Easy As 3.14!A holiday honoring a math constant may not seem very exciting. But pi ("π") Day, observed annually in the US on March 14 (3/14), is an exception. The celebrations usually begin with activities centered around pi — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — widely recognized as 3.14. However, they usually end with a slice or two of delicious pie....
Read news articleWildfires Cause Widespread Destruction In TexasFirefighters in Texas are battling a number of wildfires in the state's northernmost area called the Panhandle. The destructive blazes have scorched over a million acres, killed thousands of cattle, and charred crops. The fires have burned over 500 structures, melted lamp posts, and split power lines in half. Two residents have been killed, four firefighters injured, and thousands evacuated....
Read news articleDaylight Saving Time Starts On March 10Winter is almost over — at least when it comes to the clocks. On March 10, 2024, most Americans will mark the start of "Daylight Saving Time" (DST) by moving their clocks ahead an hour. The time change will result in a loss of sixty minutes of precious sleep or play time on Sunday. However, it will allow for longer days during the spring and summer months....
Read news articleThe Significance Of The Holy Month Of RamadanRamadan is the ninth and most sacred month in the Islamic lunar calendar. During this month, Jibril (the archangel Gabriel in the Judeo-Christian faith) unveiled the first verses of the Quran — Islam's holy text — to Prophet Muhammad. Ramadan's start date is determined by the appearance of the new crescent Moon. This year, it is expected to begin at sundown on or around March 11, 2024....
Read news articleCelebrating Women's History MonthMarch marks the start of Women's History Month. The month-long celebration highlights women's contributions to American history, culture, and society. This year's theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." Here are two trailblazers who dedicated their lives to fighting for equality....
Read news articleWhy February 2024 Has 29 DaysNeed more time to complete an assignment this month? Then, you will be thrilled to know that 2024 is a Leap Year, an event that occurs every four years. Instead of the customary 365 days, this year will have 366 days. The extra day is added to the calendar as February 29, also known as Leap Day....
Read news articleFrench Tourist Finds Massive Diamond At Arkansas State ParkIt is not unusual for visitors to find diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Park officials at the 37.5-acre (15.2 hectare) park register one to two gem discoveries almost weekly. But most stones weigh about a quarter carat. On January 11, 2024, French tourist Julien Navas defied the odds when he unearthed a massive 7.46-carat diamond....
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