Good morning! The weekend edition is 740 words, a 3 minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• New pancreatic cancer blood test

• Family farm donates eggs to wildfire victims

• 20¢ to $9 million.

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Today’s Big Story

Ramadan Begins

Muslims across the world will soon begin observing Ramadan.

• Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe this is when the first verses of the Quran (Islamic religious texts) were revealed to Prophet Muhammad through Angel Gabriel. During the month, Muslims focus on spiritual growth, give to charity, and gather with their community for prayers and events.

• Ramadan 2025 is expected to start around March 1 and end around March 29. The exact dates depend on when the crescent moon is spotted. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year because the Islamic calendar follows lunar cycles. During Ramadan, Muslims who have reached puberty and are physically able must fast from sunrise to sunset each day.

• Besides fasting, Muslims often study the Quran more seriously during this month. Mosques hold nightly dinners called Iftars to break the fast and non-muslim community members can be invited to join. Families and friends also host Iftars at home. The last ten nights of Ramadan are especially sacred, with one night called Laylat Al-Qadr (Night of Power) considered the holiest.

• The day after Ramadan marks the beginning of Eid Al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast. This three-day celebration will start around March 30, 2025, depending on the lunar cycle. Muslims celebrate with special prayers, sweets, presents for children, and community festivals.

Saturday’s Quick Hits

• President Trump scolded Ukrainian President Zelenskyy for being "disrespectful" during an Oval Office meeting and canceled a planned minerals deal signing. Trump accused Zelenskyy of "gambling with World War III" and criticized Ukraine for requesting more US support. The Ukrainian delegation left the White House shortly after the confrontation, with their planned lunch and press conference canceled. (More)

• Mexico has extradited 29 alleged drug cartel members to the US, including notorious drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero. He's wanted for murdering a DEA agent 40 years ago. This major extradition follows President Trump's threats to impose tariffs on Mexico for failing to tackle drug trafficking. US Attorney General Pam Bondi pledged to prosecute these "terrorists" fully. (More)

• Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have developed a new blood test called "PAC-MANN" that could detect pancreatic cancer earlier than current methods. The test identifies specific proteins in blood samples that signal cancer presence. Unlike existing tests, which lack accuracy or specificity, PAC-MANN offers a less invasive alternative to expensive imaging and biopsies. (More)

• Consumer spending dropped sharply in January—the largest decline since 2021—despite rising incomes. While inflation cooled, Americans reduced spending by 0.2%, partly due to cold weather but possibly signaling growing caution amid economic uncertainty. (More)

• Russia offered to restart direct flights with the US during recent diplomatic talks in Istanbul. The meeting focused on normalizing embassy operations after years of diplomat expulsions. The US and other Western nations cut direct flights after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. (More)

• Microsoft announced that Skype will shut down on May 5 after 21 years of service. Users can switch to Microsoft's free Teams app, sign in with Skype credentials, and access their transferred contacts and chats. Once popular for free calling in the 2000s, Skype lost momentum in the mobile era and during the pandemic. (More)

Weekly Dose of Positive

• Two nonprofits, Mainers for Working Families and Undue Medical Debt, joined forces to eliminate $1.8 million in medical debt for over 1,000 working families in Maine. (More)

• The Green Bay Packers donated over $13 million in 2023 through their outreach program. In February, they gave $250,000 to Veterans 1st of Northeast Wisconsin to help homeless veterans find affordable housing. (More)

• Rosemary Farm in California is donating 270,000 fresh eggs to victims of the Los Angeles wildfires. They're even providing eggs for birthday cakes for affected children. (More)

• The nonprofit Our Kids Read opened a free children's bookstore in a Baltimore mall to promote literacy among underserved children. The store offers thousands of donated books from various supporters. (More)

Extra Credit

💰️ Bettor wins $9 million on a 20-cent bet. 

🐬 Watch: 2000-strong superpod of dolphins swim near California.

📸 …and the most elusive mammal caught on camera.

🥚 Travelers are trying to smuggle eggs across the US-Mexico border.