Ripped from the Headlines: September 2024: This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for September 7–September 13, 2024

Officials in China announced an end to international adoptions. The policy change will affect hundreds of people in the U.S. who have already started the process of becoming the legal parents of children in China. Over the past several decades, 82,674 Chinese babies and children have been adopted by American families. The decision may be connected to China's falling birth rates and declining population. The Latin root of adoption is adoptare, "chose for oneself."

A man was arrested on September 10 for deliberately starting the fast-moving, destructive Line Fire in Southern California. Authorities say that Justin Wayne Halstenberg is suspected of arson in the wildfire that began last week in the city of Highland. The fire has burned more than 34,000 acres and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Arson is derived from the Latin ardere, "to burn."

Edmundo González, who was falsely accused of trying to steal Venezuela's presidential election, received asylum in Spain. González fled his home country under threat of arrest by its authoritarian government, and the Spanish government offered him political protection. While González won a July 28 election in a landslide over the current president, Nicolás Maduro, the administration claimed victory and charged González with "usurpation." Asylum's Greek root means "refuge."

Experts believe that a painting found in an attic in Camden, Maine is by the renowned Dutch artist Rembrandt. Portrait of a Girl sold at auction for $1.4 million, despite the fact that its artist has not been confirmed. If art appraisers authenticate the painting, verifying that Rembrandt did almost certainly paint it during the 17th century, its value will increase to $15 million. Authenticate is from authentic and its Greek root, which means "genuine."

On September 10, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump had a debate over key issues for the upcoming presidential election. Major topics included economic policies, healthcare reform, and immigration. The word debate comes from an Anglo-French word that means "to fight, contend, or beat down."

New Zealand’s Māori crowned a new monarch, selecting 27-year-old Nga Wai Hono i te Po Paki to succeed her late father. King Tuheitia died last week after reigning for 18 years as the ceremonial leader of the country's Indigenous Polynesian people. The new queen was chosen for what many describe as her mix of traditional and modern attributes. The Greek root of monarch is monarkhēs, "one who rules alone."

A popular zoo penguin known as Mr. Greedy died at age 33, leaving a legacy of 230 descendants over five generations. He was the oldest African penguin at the Maryland Zoo, the patriarch of the group, which is the largest North American colony of the flightless, black-and-white birds. Mr. Greedy got his name from a habit of stealing food and nesting materials from other birds, a quirk shared by his mate, aptly dubbed Ms. Greedy.

When the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott, he became the highest-paid NFL player in history. Prescott, who has led the Cowboys' offense for nine seasons, is guaranteed an estimated $231 million through the end of 2028. He led the league in 2023 with 36 touchdown passes and 410 completions. Quarterback comes from the player's position on the football field at the start of a game, in between the center and the halfback.

A salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 65 people in nine states. The CDC reported that 24 people were hospitalized with serious infections caused by the food-borne bacteria, which has been linked to eggs from Milo’s Poultry Farms. The possibly contaminated eggs, sold in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan, were recalled late last week. Salmonella was named for one of the scientists who discovered it, Daniel E. Salmon.

Scientists used a food dye to make the skin of mice transparent. The study involved yellow number five, the edible dye that turns your fingers orange when you eat Doritos. Researchers applied a solution containing the dye on the bodies of lab mice and found they could temporarily see through the animals' skin to the blood vessels and muscle fibers below. The possibilities for using the technique in humans include diagnosing tumors without surgery and locating veins to draw blood.

Typhoon Yagi caused widespread flooding and at least 200 deaths in Vietnam. The cyclone made landfall on September 7, battering the northern coast with heavy wind and rain before moving west toward Hanoi. Yagi was the most powerful typhoon to hit the country in more than 30 years, with winds up to 92 miles per hour. Even after the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression, downpours continued for days, causing landslides and flash floods.