Columbus Day is observed annually on the second Monday of October. It commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492. However, this US federal holiday, which falls on October 14 this year, has often been a topic of debate. Many believe that the European settlers' mistreatment of the Native American people is not a cause for celebration....
Read news articleOn October 2, 2024, a few lucky skygazers witnessed the Sun transform into a stunning "ring of fire" in the sky. The annular solar eclipse's narrow path, which began in the Pacific Ocean and ended in the Atlantic Ocean, tracked far from land. As a result, it was visible only to about 175,000 people worldwide....
Read news articleEgyptian archeologists revealed the discovery of a gleaming bronze sword on September 5, 2024. The weapon was marked with the insignia of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt's most powerful pharaohs. Despite being buried for over 3,000 years, the sword has retained its reflective shine....
Read news articleGet ready for a rare celestial event! This weekend, our planet will capture a temporary "mini-moon" in the form of a small asteroid called 2024 PT5. This tiny space rock will enter Earth's orbit on September 29, 2024. However, unlike our permanent Moon, which has been with us for billions of years, 2024 PT5 will only be around for eight weeks....
Read news articleMost people see a doorstop as an everyday object. But for one woman in Romania, it held an extraordinary secret. What she thought was just a simple doorstop turned out to be the largest-known nugget of Rumanite amber, worth over $1 million!...
Read news articleThe Māori people of New Zealand welcomed a new queen on September 5, 2024. Nga Wai Hono i te Po succeeds her father, Kiingi Tuheitia, who died on August 30, 2024, after 18 years as king. The 27-year-old is the youngest child and only daughter of the late king. She was chosen by a committee of 12 Māori leaders. Nga Wai Hono i te Po is only the second woman to lead the Māori monarchy since it was founded in 1858....
Read news articleA herd of 100 life-sized elephant sculptures have begun their trek across the United States. The "Great Elephant Migration" aims to promote harmony between humans and animals. The project is spearheaded by Ruth Ganesh. She is a trustee of Elephant Family USA and cofounder of The Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 indigenous artists in Southern India....
Read news articleHispanic Heritage Month is marked annually in the United States from September 15 to October 15. This national celebration began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. It was expanded to cover an entire month in 1988. The observance honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin-American communities. This includes those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America....
Read news articleCarbon dioxide (CO2), released by burning fossil fuels like oil and coal, is a large contributor to global warming. Switching to renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines can help reduce the harmful emissions. However, phasing out fossil fuels entirely will take time. Meanwhile, companies like Climeworks are developing innovative solutions to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. On May 8, 2024, the Switzerland-based startup turned on Mammoth, the world's largest direct air capture (DAC) plant....
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