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We apologize for the recent issues with our daily push notifications providing you, our readers, with the Daily Update. The problems have been resolved, and the notifications are now back up and running. The United States military has successfully recovered a missing pilot from Iranian territory, requiring an operation involving hundreds of people. On Friday, a United States F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down by Iranian forces over the southern portion of the country, but both pilots were able to eject safely. One was quickly rescued by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the region, but the helicopter soon faced enemy gunfire and was forced to move away. Meanwhile, the Air Force pilot moved away from the site of his ejection, and he was confirmed to have sustained an injury from the crash. According to the New York Times, the CIA launched a disinformation campaign targeted at distracting Iranian forces soon after receiving word of the crash. The Iranian government placed a $60,000 bounty on the pilot in the hours after the crash, hoping to motivate locals to search for the American man, but the CIA plan spread the word that the pilot had already been found and was being transported by forces on the ground. This sparked significant confusion among Iranians, but many remained on the hunt for the pilot. Eventually, after more than 24 hours, the pilot was able to complete an arduous, 7,000-foot climb before reaching a nook in the mountain where he could hide. According to other sources, he was equipped with just a lone pistol, a beacon, and a communications device. From his secure point, he signaled forces in the region using technology specific to the CIA, allowing US forces to circle in on his location. Soon, the US military arrived, dropping bombs around the mountain to expel Iranian forces before rescuing the pilot and carrying him to Kuwait to be treated for his injuries. In total, the mission required hundreds of people, including Navy SEALs, elite Delta Force commandos, CIA operatives, and the President himself, who skipped his weekend golf session to remain at the White House while the mission went on. However, it came at a cost. Two MC-130J special operations jets, which cost over $100 million each, were damaged during the pilot's rescue. Iran claimed that they had struck several flying targets during the same time as the mission, but neither the US nor any external sources confirmed this information. Rather than attempt to extract them or risk Iran gaining possession of the jets, the military decided to blow them up and send in new planes. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Honey and items immersed in honey can be preserved for centuries, or even millennia. This long shelf life is due to an enzyme found in the stomachs of bees, known as glucose oxidase. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Even when this rain stops, when clouds go away, I stand here, just the same. (j-hope) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Verdant (adj, VER-dunt) - Verdant describes something that is green in tint or color, or green because it is covered with growing plants. Verdant can also describe a person who is inexperienced or has not yet developed good judgment. In a Sentence: The golf course is noted for its tricky hazards and lush, verdant borders along its fairways. Image credit to USAF

Iran is beginning to allow more countries to send their ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightening pressure from the US and Israel to completely open the crucial waterway. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down for the past month, cutting off oil, natural gas, fertilizer, sulfur, and methanol exports from Middle Eastern countries. Furthermore, all inbound ships have been halted, preventing import-dependent nations like Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE from getting access to important materials. Now, several nations have already gained access to the strait via talks with Iran, and the United States' European allies are also looking to negotiate with Iran after Trump told them to "get [their] own oil." Trump has maintained that the US does not need the Strait of Hormuz and is simply fighting to destroy the regime, but his administration and Israel continue to ramp up pressure on Iran to reopen the strait. So far, Iran has allowed at least 12 countries to send goods through the strait, and more are requesting negotiations. China, Pakistan, and Russia, as close Iranian allies, obtained permission for their ships to pass through several weeks ago, and India – a nation known for its neutrality – soon followed. Malaysia, Thailand, and Sri Lanka later achieved safe passage following initial negotiations, and Bangladesh was recently established as a friendly nation by Iran. Iraq, which has recently been increasingly overrun by Iran-backed militias, was also confirmed yesterday as a friendly nation by the Iranian government. The situation with Turkey remains restricted, as some ships have been allowed through but others have been held back, but the Turkish government remains confident in their relations with Iran. Oman and Panama have also successfully sent tankers through the strait, but on a limited scale. France sent their first ship – though it was flagged under the nation of Malta – through the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, and they have requested talks with Iran. Japan also has dozens of ships waiting for entry, and the first went through on Thursday. Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to claim that they can "easily" open up the strait, and they have given Iran yet another 48-hour ultimatum to do so. Iran, once again, has threatened to target all US military infrastructure in the region if their own infrastructure is attacked, further raising the stakes in the conflict. However, the fact that negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz are taking place – especially with longtime US allies like France and Japan – means that the world is beginning to move away from the US and Israel, shifting towards Iran during a time of crisis where supply chains have been throttled all over the world. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Scientists have found that mixing nanoplatelets from carrots and other root vegetables can significantly strengthen concrete mixtures, meaning less cement is needed to achieve the same effect. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death. (Omar Bradley) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Wiseacre (noun, WYZE-ay-ker) - A wiseacre is someone who says or does things that are funny but annoying. Wiseacre is an informal and old-fashioned word, as well as a synonym of smart aleck . In a Sentence: Some wiseacre in the audience kept heckling the comedian throughout the performance. Image credit to AFP

Two American fighter jets have crashed in the Middle East, one of which was shot down by Iran– one of the plane's pilots is still missing, and the race to find him has begun. A race to recover a missing pilot began yesterday when an American fighter jet, an F-15E Strike Eagle, was shot down over Iran. Three F-15s were accidentally shot down by Kuwait, a US ally, earlier in the war, but this incident marks the first time an American warplane has been shot down by enemy fire during the war so far. Additionally, the strike came despite the Trump administration's recent claims that Iran's air defenses have been practically destroyed, sparking concern from experts that the Middle Eastern nation may possess even more firepower than previously expected. Both crewmembers aboard the F-15E were able to eject safely, and one was quickly located and rescued by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter in the region. However, the second was not found, and a search to find the missing member commenced. Nevertheless, Iran is also aiming to find the pilot, as his capture would further complicate negotiations for the United States. According to local reports, Iran has urged locals to search for the pilot as well, and they are offering a $60,000 bounty to anyone who successfully captures the American pilot. Because of this, the US is racing to find the pilot before Iran does. The same Black Hawk that rescued the other crewmember was hit by ground fire during the search, injuring several military members onboard, but the helicopter was able to escape the situation. Israel is also assisting in the search for the pilot, and they have halted all airstrikes to avoid impacting the ongoing rescue operations. Meanwhile, Iran confirmed around the same time that they had shot down another American warplane– this time, an A-10 Warthog. The A-10 crashed near the Persian Gulf, but the plane's sole pilot was quickly rescued. The US has not confirmed what downed the plane, but Iranian reports announced that they had shot down an A-10 around the same time as the crash. Following the crashes, Trump's approval ratings dropped to new lows, with 57% of Americans saying they disapprove of the current president. A mere 39% still approve of Trump, while 4% say they are unsure. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Movie theaters make roughly 85% of their profit off concession stands. This is because ticket revenues have to be shared with the movie distributors. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars. (Max Ehrmann) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Adroit (adj, uh-DROYT) - Adroit describes someone or something that has or shows skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations. In a Sentence: We marveled at how adroit the puppeteers were, the marionettes responding to each precise shift of their hands, each flick of their wrists. Image credit to USAF

"The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," Nintendo's sequel to "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" from 2023, is already smashing expectations at the box office. The animated film follows main characters Mario and Luigi as they take on Bowser Jr., the son of the villain from the movie's predecessor. The series is based on the original Super Mario Bros. video game from the 1980s, developed by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. Miyamoto still serves as one of the executive directors at Nintendo and has held the position since 2002. 2023's "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" was just Nintendo's third attempt at adapting the renowned video game franchise into a movie, but it proved to be a massive success at the box office. The film garnered $31.7 million on its opening day at the domestic box office, setting a record for the most successful opening Wednesday in April. The movie went on to generate $575 million domestically and $786 million internationally, grossing over $1.36 billion worldwide. That made the first installment the highest-grossing video game film of all time, and it still stands as the sixth highest-grossing animated film in box office history. Meanwhile, its successor appears to be on a similar track. "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," Nintendo's second installment in the franchise, grossed $34.5 million domestically on its opening day – a Wednesday – breaking the record of $31.7 million set by the first movie. Including international markets, the movie grossed a staggering $68.4 million on its opening day, and the movie will not release in theaters in Japan, South Korea, Poland, or Israel until later this month, setting it up for further success. Critic reviews were mixed, with the film receiving a mere 6.6 on IMDb and 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, but viewers appear to be loving Nintendo and Illumination's latest smash hit. However, whether this film can surpass the incredible records set by its predecessor is yet to be seen. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): “Tater Tots,” a registered trademark, originally failed because people thought the product was too cheap. Popularity actually rose after the price was raised. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Don’t fear failure . Fear being in the exact same place next year as you are today. (Michael Hyatt) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fawn (verb, FAWN) - To fawn over or on someone (usually someone important or powerful) is to try to get their approval through praise, special attention, or flattery. Fawn is also sometimes used—especially but not exclusively of dogs—to mean “to show affection.” In a Sentence: Still new to celebrity, the musician blushed at the restaurant staff fawning over her during her recent hometown visit. Image credit to Nintendo and Illumination

NASA successfully launched the Artemis II rocket yesterday, marking the United States' first crewed moon mission since 1972. The rocket is carrying four astronauts – Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen – to the Moon and back, with the spacecraft conducting a brief flyby before heading back to Earth. However, they will not be relaxing; the astronauts will be conducting all sorts of tests for hours each day, ranging from complex technological tests to testing the space toilet. The entire mission, which will take place over the next ten days, is designed for the purpose of testing the systems of the Orion spacecraft. Mounted on top of a 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft is the culmination of years of NASA research and advanced technological design. Orion uses solar panels for its energy and is designed to support life in deep space, with all sorts of onboard features for crewmembers. It can carry four crewmembers for a maximum of 21 days, and it has some of the best life support systems ever designed by NASA. The spacecraft is also designed to be reusable, allowing NASA to reduce the turnaround time between Moon launches. Finally, Orion also possesses the ability to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at incredible speeds, with an updated heat shield. Scientists estimate that the spacecraft can safely enter the atmosphere at a speed of 25,000 mph– more than 33 times the speed of sound. The agency claims that Orion and its role in the Artemis missions are the first step to building a sustainable presence on the Moon and eventually moving onto Mars. Because of this, yesterday's launch was a major success for the American space program. After years of anticipation, NASA finally launched Artemis II, the mission carrying four astronauts around the Moon and back to Earth. The rocket successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 39B at Florida's Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, launching at around 6:35 pm EDT. The mission is scheduled to reach the Moon on April 6, conducting a flyby from around 4,000 miles away, before returning to Earth on April 10. There, Orion will splash down in the Pacific Ocean, where it will be collected by NASA and reused for future missions. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Daniel Radcliffe had the same stunt double, David Holmes, for the first six Harry Potter movies. However, the double was paralyzed from the chest down due to an accident on set during the filming of the first part of the seventh movie. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity. (Douglas Horton) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Shenanigans (plural noun, shuh-NAN-ih-gunz) - henanigans is an informal word used to refer to activity or behavior that is either not honest or proper, or is mischievous or high-spirited. Its oldest meaning, and the one most likely to be encountered as the singular shenanigan , is “a devious trick used especially for an underhanded purpose.” In a Sentence: The CEO resigned amid accusations of financial shenanigans and dubious deals. Image credit to NASA

The global stock market skyrocketed yesterday after Trump confirmed that the US will pull out of Iran within the next two to three weeks, whether a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is reached or not. The move comes as the American war in Iran reaches a standstill, with both sides launching strikes but neither side making major progress or necessarily "winning" the conflict. American sentiments towards the war are rapidly changing– more than 59% of Americans believe the US made the wrong decision to use military force in Iran, and Trump's approval ratings have slipped again to a mere 37%. Recently, Trump claimed that negotiations are taking place and recently confirmed that the US was dominating in Iran, but Iran has denied both allegations and taken a stance of their own. Now, Trump has announced that the war will end within the next two weeks, whether a deal with Iran is made or not. Many experts view this announcement as one of defeat– the original goal of the United States when they attacked Iran was to swiftly destroy the regime, obliterate Iran's nuclear program, and secure the region. Instead, they have done almost the opposite. The regime is just as strong, even with Khamenei gone, and the Middle East has been destabilized. Just months ago, the region had achieved some sort of peace with a Gaza ceasefire, and attacks of any kind were no longer taking place. With US intervention, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively shut down, the Red Sea is now at risk, Israel has invaded Lebanon once again, and Middle Eastern economies have been crippled. Now, many believe that after making the situation worse, the US will back out, attempting to protect their own economy while leaving the world to deal with the repercussions. Supplies of just about every global item that comes from the Middle East – including fertilizer, oil, and natural gas – are running low across the globe, and prices continue to increase. Following Trump's announcement, gas prices in the United States hit an average of $4.02, crossing the $4 mark for the first time since August 2022. Even if the US backs out of Iran, the move will not fix the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing Iran to maintain effective control over the area. An American departure from the Middle East with the strait in its current state would force Middle Eastern nations to create deals of their own with Iran to allow their tankers through. Nevertheless, while gas prices have risen, the stock market skyrocketed on Monday after Trump's announcement of an impending end to the war. The Dow Jones Index jumped more than 1,100 points, rising 2.49%, while the S&P 500 leaped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite soared 3.83%, ending a rather grim quarter on a positive note. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The A.D. and B.C. system was not proposed until 525 A.D. by a monk. However, it was not widely used until the 9th century. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): To finish first, you must first finish. (Juan Manuel Fangio) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Genteel (adj, jen-TEEL) - Genteel means “of or relating to people who have high social status” and can be used as a somewhat old-fashioned synonym of aristocratic . It can also be used to describe something with a quietly appealing or polite quality, as in “genteel manners.” In a Sentence: Their genteel upbringing shaped the way they viewed the world. Image credit to Al Jazeera

Recent airstrikes on Israel launched by the Yemeni Houthi rebels could draw yet another party into the worsening US-Iran War, and their entrance into the conflict could have serious repercussions for the entire world. The Houthi rebels have allied themselves with Iran during their progressive takeover of Yemen– they currently control the Yemeni capital of Sana'a and the nation's Red Sea coastline, maintaining authority over around 80% of Yemen's population. Along with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran's militant groups in Iraq, the Houthis are some of Iran's strongest proxy forces in the Middle East, and they have joined the fight against Israel. Hezbollah is currently fighting Israel in Lebanon, while Hamas has been decimated by Israel's devastating attacks on Gaza. Local Israeli authorities confirmed that they had been targeted by at least one missile on Saturday, while the Houthis claimed they launched multiple missiles at Israeli military sites. Due to these new threats, Israel could face threats from three sides – Lebanon to the north, Iran to the east, and Yemen to the south – as the war continues, while the US is still striking military targets in Iran. However, the largest concern right now is the possibility that the Houthis could block the Red Sea. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut down by Iran, the Bab al-Mandab Strait between Eritrea, Djibouti, and Yemen has become even more crucial, allowing trade to easily pass through the Red Sea without threats. More than 25% of the world's shipping containers pass through Bab al-Mandab as they sail to and from the Suez Canal, and it also facilitates over 12% of global oil shipments and 10-12% of natural gas shipments. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia has ramped up exports along its western coast, with ports like Jeddah and Yanbu becoming essential. Jeddah's imports are expected to increase by at least 50% as cargo ships reroute through the Red Sea, allowing Saudi Arabia to move food and other crucial supplies through their nation and into Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. Meanwhile, the city of Yanbu, which is directly connected to the Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline, has quadrupled their oil exports, jumping from just 750,000 barrels per day in February to over 4 million barrels each day in March. If the Houthis were to shut down the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the price of oil would skyrocket, with no way to export oil out of the Middle East. The only way for ships to cross the world would be to sail around the Cape of Good Hope off the coast of South Africa, significantly increasing shipping costs. Consumers all over the world would bear the brunt of this impact, with almost all imports becoming more expensive. Meanwhile, the Middle East would be effectively closed off from the rest of the world, unable to import or export any goods without risking Houthi attacks. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Only 3% of the world’s population have gray eyes, and just 2% have green eyes. However, the rarest eye color is violet, which occurs in just 0.01% of people due to a rare genetic mutation but can often be a sign of albinism. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Regarding the creative: never assume you’re the master, only the student. Your audience will determine if you’re masterful. (Don Roff) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Oblivion (noun, uh-BLIV-ee-un) - Oblivion can refer to the state of something that is not remembered or thought about any more, or to the state of being unconscious or unaware. It also sometimes refers to the state of being destroyed. In a Sentence: After so many days of exhaustingly difficult work, he longed for the oblivion of sleep. Image credit to EPA

The United States has allowed a Russian oil tanker to arrive in Cuba amid a devastating embargo that has crippled the Caribbean island. Earlier this year, the US intensified existing sanctions on Cuba, blocking all oil tankers from arriving. The ramp-up in pressure was meant to cut off Cuba's current authoritarian regime from oil supply, forcing them to give up their position. The Trump administration was largely able to do this due to their capture of Maduro in January, effectively giving the US control over Venezuelan oil. Venezuela was one of Cuba's largest oil suppliers during the time of US sanctions prior to this year, but that quickly changed after Maduro's capture. Unfortunately, cutting off oil to the island has had major ramifications. Around 95% of Cuba's energy is from fossil fuels, meaning that most of the island has been without power for weeks as power plants fail to operate due to oil shortages. Citizens are also unable to take hot showers or cook using the stove due to the lack of natural gas. Now, Trump has confirmed that the US will allow a Russian oil tanker by the name of Anatoly Kolodkin into Cuba, bringing approximately 730,000 barrels of oil to sustain the island. Experts estimate that the oil could support Cuba's demands for up to 10 days, depending on how much energy is used. Trump confirmed that he "had no problem" with letting it in despite the fact that the ship was Russian, stating that "the people need heat and cooling and all of the other things." He also acknowledged that it is a time for crisis for people in Cuba and they would need the oil to keep surviving as the US keeps up heavy sanctions. While this shipment of oil will serve as a lifeline for Cuba as they struggle through this crisis, they will need more oil to be able to support their population for a longer period of time. It is unclear who will win in the standoff between the Trump administration and the current Cuban regime, but the people will serve as collateral damage to that silent battle until one side gives up their position. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The eye muscles are some of the most active in the body, moving almost constantly. Humans make around 2-3 rapid eye movements, known as saccades, each second, equating to over 100,000 movements in a single day. Further h igh-frequency, small-amplitude tremors occur between 30-70 times per second, helping to maintain image sharpness. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Good order is the foundation of all great things. (Edmund Burke) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Cadge (verb, KAJ) - To cadge something is to persuade someone to give it to you for free. Cadge can also mean “to take, use, or borrow (something) without acknowledgment.” In a Sentence: I don’t know how, but my brother always manages to cadge an extra scoop of ice cream on his sundaes. Image credit to AFP

Farmers are reporting massive shortages in fertilizer due to the US-Iran War, leading to issues during planting season, and rising diesel prices are also impacting food costs. Urea, one of the most crucial fertilizer products, is the worst-affected by the war. Around 46% of the world's urea passes through the Strait of Hormuz, coming from major producers like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Now, those urea exports are blocked from passing through the strait, effectively trapping it in the Gulf. Both countries possess extensive natural gas resources, which they can leverage using the Haber-Bosch process to produce urea. This process, invented in the early 1900s, turns natural gas into hydrogen before raising it to a high temperature and adding nitrogen to the mix, producing ammonia. This ammonia is then synthesized with carbon dioxide to produce urea, which is used as a high-nitrogen fertilizer to improve soil fertility and amplify crop yields. Now, as the planting season draws closer, the farming industry is facing a urea shortage, leading to skyrocketing prices. Urea prices have increased more than 50% since the beginning of the war, and that rise in cost will trickle down to consumers all over the world. Furthermore, diesel prices have also jumped, with the average price for one gallon of diesel in the US rising further to $5.39. One month ago, that number was just $3.76. Rising diesel prices mean that farms will need to pay more to ship their goods to supermarkets and distribution centers– another additional cost that consumers will bear the brunt of. Prices of groceries are expected to rise all over the world in the coming weeks, and extended urea shortages could force farmers to plant less during the coming spring. This would lead to a significant decrease in crop yield, heavily impacting food supplies across the globe. Consumers in nations like the US, Brazil, and India are expected to take the hardest hit due to their reliance on Middle Eastern fertilizer, but the shortages will likely affect the entire world. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Despite being part of Denmark, Greenland voted to leave the European Union in 1985 due to a dispute over common fishing policies and has not rejoined since. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Never judge a man’s actions until you know his motives. (Vikas Swarup) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fiscal (adj, FISS-kul) - Fiscal is used to describe things relating to money and especially to the money a government, business, or organization earns, spends, and owes. In a Sentence: The recent change in leadership was essential for addressing the fiscal health of the university. Image credit to Getty Images

The US House of Representatives and Senate are still struggling to come to terms on a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, but US President Donald Trump has directed DHS to use backup funds to pay TSA officers. Every fiscal year, the House and Senate of the United States must pass a new bill to fund each governmental agency, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which manages border patrol, airport security, and immigration. This year, DHS entered a shutdown after the two chambers failed to agree on a bill to fund the agency. Amid Trump's highly contested crackdown on immigration, Democrats refused to support a bill that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. Meanwhile, Republicans argued the opposite, refusing to pass a bill that did not fund ICE. While the rest of the government continued to receive funding, DHS did not, resulting in shutdowns of other departmental agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Border Patrol. During shutdowns, governmental workers within these agencies do not get paid– while they usually receive backpay after a funding bill is approved, many live paycheck-to-paycheck and are unable to work without pay. Because of this, airports across the US have suffered from major staffing shortages over the last two weeks, with check-in and security wait times extending past multiple hours at some airports. Most locations advised passengers to arrive at least four hours before their flight to ensure a timely arrival to the gate, but the situation deteriorated so quickly that the White House was forced to redirect unpaid ICE officers to airports to help fill in for the lack of TSA workers. Then, on Thursday, Senate Republicans came to terms with Democrats, allowing them to finally approve a bill that would fund the entire Department of Homeland Security except ICE and Border Patrol. While this would go against President Trump's immigration crackdown, it would move the government closer to resolving the dire situation at hand. Usually, the Senate is the more challenging chamber to pass a bill through, so many experts expected the bill to be quickly approved in the House of Representatives. However, that did not happen. House Republicans quickly rejected the bill, criticizing their Senate counterparts for straying from Trump's agenda and being swayed by the Democratic party. Then, they passed a bill of their own, which would fund the entire department, including ICE and Border Patrol. Now, the battle is no longer just between Democrats and Republicans. While both parties continue to blame each other for the shutdown, the disagreement has expanded to a stalemate between the House and the Senate, drawing the situation into an even larger impasse– by the US Constitution, there is no way for one of the two chambers to circumvent the other, meaning that both must agree in order for a bill to be passed. Furthermore, both chambers have now departed for a two-week recess for an Easter break, preventing them from passing any sort of bipartisan legislation until mid-April. After seeing the further retrogression of the bill's progress, Trump signed a directive ordering the Department of Homeland Security to fund the TSA and pay workers immediately, with paychecks scheduled to arrive as soon as March 30. It was not exactly clear where that funding would come from, but some have suggested that it may be sourced from specific funding allocated to DHS by last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Travelers are hoping that the move will shorten wait times at airports and smoothen the process amid the shutdown, but whether the paychecks will actually arrive on Monday are yet to be seen. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In rare situations, tonsils can grow back if there was tissue left behind during the removal process. Sometimes it’s accidental, but other times, it’s left behind on purpose. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Even if you're not perfect, you're limited edition. (Kim Namjoon) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Dross (noun, DRAHSS) - Something referred to as "dross" is of low value or quality. Dross may also be used as a technical term to refer to unwanted material that is removed from a mineral to make it better. In a Sentence: He's a skilled editor who has a talent for turning literary dross into gold. Image credit to Bloomberg