Ripped from the Headlines: March 2024: This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for March 23–March 29, 2024

The UN Security Council passed a resolution on March 25 calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. The U.S. did not veto the resolution as it has in previous votes, but instead abstained. By withholding the vote, the United States allowed the cease-fire to pass, a move that led Israel to cancel a planned diplomatic visit to Washington, D.C. The Latin root of abstain is abstinere, "withhold or keep back."

Chick-fil-A said it will return to using antibiotics in its chicken. Ten years ago, the fast food restaurant chain joined companies including McDonalds and Subway in pledging not to sell chicken that had been treated with the bacteria-killing drugs. Chick-fil-A won't use "antibiotics important to human medicine," but only those specifically intended for animal use.

A woman who bought a brooch for about $35 at an antiques fair has sold it for $12,000. The British art historian purchased the pin, which is made of silver, lapis lazuli, malachite, and coral, 36 years ago. It wasn't until she saw an episode of Antiques Roadshow that she realized the piece of jewelry might be valuable. Brooch is derived from the Old French broche, "long needle."

On March 26, a cargo ship lost power as it traveled out of Baltimore Harbor and crashed into a support pylon, causing the Francis Scott Key Bridge to collapse. Two construction workers who had been filling potholes on the bridge were killed, and four are still missing. The 1,000-foot ship, known as the Dali, was carrying goods for the Danish Maersk shipping company. Cargo is from the Late Latin carricare "to load a wagon," and the Latin carrus, "wagon."

Catherine, Princess of Wales said that she is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The former Kate Middleton, who is married to Britain's Prince William, made the statement after months of public speculation about her health and whereabouts. She said her diagnosis came after abdominal surgery in January, and that she is early in the process of taking strong anti-cancer drugs. She also requested privacy as she is treated.

A mural by the anonymous street artist Banksy was defaced just two days after it first appeared on the side of an abandoned building in London. The piece gave the illusion that a nearly dead cherry tree in front of it had been brought back to life, a burst of green behind its over-pruned branches. Vandals damaged the mural by throwing white paint across it. The Old French desfacier, "mutilate or disfigure" is the source of deface.

The Biden administration will spend $6 billion to reduce industrial greenhouse gases, including emissions from a macaroni and cheese factory. The federal funding will help curb pollution at an Illinois facility where Kraft Macaroni and Cheese is made, as well as 32 other U.S. manufacturing plants. Industrial emissions make up a third of the country's greenhouse gas pollution, and the funding represents a massive investment in the environment.

MLB star player Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was fired after allegations he had ties to illegal gambling. Ohtani, a designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, speaks some English but is more comfortable communicating in his native Japanese. Until charges of gambling debt and illegal bookmakers arose, Ippei Mizuhara worked translating between the languages for Ohtani. Interpreter is from the Late Latin interpretator, "an explainer."

So far this year, there have been more U.S. measles cases than there were in all of 2023. The contagious disease, which in 2000 was considered to have been eliminated, comes from a virus that spreads through coughing and sneezing and causes a high fever and signature red bumps on the skin. Measles frequently leads to pneumonia and can be deadly for babies and people with weakened immune systems. The root of measles means "little spot."

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group released its annual "dirty dozen" list of the produce items containing the most pesticides. This year, the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables included spinach, apples, blueberries, kale, and peaches. While many experts say it's more important to eat fresh produce than to avoid residual pesticides, others advise buying organic fruits and vegetables.

More than 200 Parisian servers participated in the centuries-old "Course des Cafés" race on March 24. The waiters and waitresses walked as fast as they could along a 1.2-mile course, each of them carrying a tray holding a full water glass, an empty coffee cup, and a croissant. The race's winner finished first without breaking dishes or spilling water. Using server to mean "attendant at a meal" dates from at least the 15th century.

At least 137 people were killed in a deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall. Armed militants opened fire on the crowded venue before setting the building on fire. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the violence, and four suspects have been arrested. The event is being described as Russia's worst act of terrorism in 20 years.

Archaeologists discovered a remarkably intact 3,000-year-old village in eastern England. Researchers described the ancient settlement of wooden houses on stilts as a "time capsule" of life in a late Bronze Age hamlet. The well-preserved artifacts included glass beads, unfinished bowls of porridge, and textiles woven from bark. Village comes from the Latin villaticum, "farmstead," and villa, "country house."