I was among the crowds gathered in Manhattan’s Central Park to witness the partial eclipse. The sky darkened to dusk-like conditions by 3:20 in the afternoon, and there was a collective cheer when only a sliver of the sun was visible.
Many spectators in Central Park left before the sun fully emerged from behind the moon. In other parts of the country like Houlton, Maine, where the eclipse concluded its journey through the U.S., people seemed more reflective.
“I would pay a million dollars to see that again,” said 11-year-old Sebastian Pelletier.
Unfortunately, we will all have to wait as a total solar eclipse will not be visible again in the contiguous 48 U.S. states or Canada until 2044. However, eclipse enthusiasts can catch one as early as 2026 in Greenland, Iceland, or Spain.
The Vatican Warns Against Gender Fluidity
A document from the Vatican states that the Roman Catholic Church views gender fluidity and transition surgery as threats to human dignity. The church also opposes surrogacy and in vitro fertilization.
The document argues that the sex assigned at birth is a gift from God and any attempt to change it risks undermining the individual’s unique dignity. Approved by Pope Francis, the document has sparked concern among L.G.B.T.Q. advocates within the church.
Despite Francis’ efforts to create a more inclusive church, the document’s stance on gender issues may lead to discrimination against transgender individuals.
Supreme Court Urged to Reject Trump’s Immunity Claim
Special counsel Jack Smith, prosecuting Donald Trump for election interference, has asked the Supreme Court to dismiss Trump’s immunity claim. Lower courts have already rejected this argument.
The case is scheduled for April 25, and a delay in the resolution could push Trump’s trial past the election. If re-elected, Trump could potentially dismiss the charges.
In related news, an appeals court denied Trump’s request to postpone his criminal trial in Manhattan, set to begin on April 15.
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Running became a challenging endeavor for Russ Cook, facing robbery, illness, and threats while running the length of Africa. Despite the difficulties, Cook successfully completed his over 10,000-mile journey on Sunday.
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Final Episode of ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’
After 24 years, Larry David’s HBO comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm” concluded on Sunday. While some see David’s character as selfish, critic Wesley Morris views him as a modern-day Emily Post.
Morris argues that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is more than just about Larry’s narcissism; it’s a comedy of manners. Read more of Morris’s analysis here. You can also explore our television critic’s take on series finales that “stick the landing” and test your “Curb” knowledge with this quiz.
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