This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for February 25–March 3, 2023

A new study suggests that algae may help coral reefs survive rising ocean temperatures. The reefs, home to 25 percent of all marine species, are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Scientists studied Panama's Uva Island coral reef, which has recovered from major heat waves, and found that it hosts a lot of heat-tolerant algae. The green ocean plant seems to protect its coral host through photosynthesis. Algae's Latin root means "seaweed."

After going to Disneyland for 2,995 days in a row, a California man officially broke the Guinness world record for the most consecutive visits to the famous theme park. Jeff Reitz started the daily habit in 2012, using an annual pass he'd received as a gift, and continued going every single day, for eight years, three months, and 13 days. The Latin root of consecutive is consequi, "to follow after."

A North Carolina court ruled that the state can’t ban covert filming inside animal farms. The decision found a 2015 law prohibiting undercover recording by employees to be unconstitutional; the judge stated that the law violated free speech protections. It had been passed in response to animal rights activists filming surreptitious exposés of mistreatment on factory farms. The word covert is derived from the Old French covrir, "to cover."

Three years after the United Kingdom officially split from the European Union, the two have finally agreed to a deal on trade rules for Northern Ireland. An ongoing dispute over the issue had threatened to cause an all-out trade war between the U.K. and the E.U. The situation was complicated by the history of conflict between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Latin roots of dispute mean "to count" and "separately."

On February 25, Mexico’s president posted a photo on social media showing what he said seemed to be a mythological creature resembling an elf. Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the image looked like an alux, an elfin woodland spirit from Mayan folklore. The photo, taken at night, showed a curved tree branch in the shape of a diminutive face, with two "eyes" formed by stars in the dark sky. López Obrador wrote in the post, "Everything is mystical."

Employment has fallen at fossil fuel companies, but energy workers are finding new jobs at solar, wind, geothermal, battery, and other alternative-energy businesses. During 2020, oil and gas companies laid off more than 150,000 employees, a trend that has continued into 2023. Engineers and geologists who once worked at companies like Exxon and Chevron are now employed in the renewable sector, where hiring is up and employment is steadily growing.

A sect of nuns in Nepal is challenging Buddhist conventions with their practice of martial arts and environmental activism. Known as the Kung Fu nuns, the members of the Druk Amitabha nunnery combine traditional meditation and prayer with daily Kung Fu practice. Incorporating the martial art into their routine builds strength and fitness, as well as self-defense skills and the ability to protect others. Martial arts is a translation of the Japanese bujutsu.

A shipwreck off the coast of Italy on February 26 resulted in the deaths of more than 60 migrants. Dozens more are missing and feared dead, after a boat crowded with people who were being smuggled from Turkey capsized in rough seas. The passengers included adults and children from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Pakistan. The Latin root of migrant is migrare, "to move from one place to another."

The birth of a Chinese pangolin in the Prague Zoo marks the first time the endangered animal has been born in Europe. The baby struggled initially because its mother couldn't produce enough milk; the pup, nicknamed "Baby Cone," received supplemental feeding and is now doing well. These scaly mammals are native to southeastern Asia. Pangolin is from the Malay peng-goling, "roller," a reference to its habit of rolling into a protective ball.

A new Major League Baseball rule this year will include the use of a pitch clock, giving pitchers a set amount of time before they have to throw the ball. When there are runners on base, there will be 20 seconds on the clock; otherwise, a pitch must be thrown within 15 seconds. MLB officials hope the clock will make games shorter. The specific baseball meaning of pitch, "to hurl (the ball) to the batter," dates to 1868.

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake shook Turkey on February 27, affecting the same region that was devastated by stronger quakes earlier in the month. The temblor struck near the city of Malatya, injuring dozens and killing one person. Officials there said at least 29 buildings had collapsed in the latest earthquake. Temblor is a Spanish word that means "a trembling."

Tornadoes swept northeast from the Texas panhandle on February 26, injuring at least 15 people. There were nine funnel clouds reported in Oklahoma and Kansas, along with hail and wind gusts of 70 miles per hour. Two twisters touched down south and west of Oklahoma City and damaged dozens of homes and buildings. Etymologists suspect that tornado is a mistranslation of the Spanish tronada, "thunderstorm."