Ramadan, Oscars winners, and skijoring.

Adam Rogers
March 11, 2024

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Big Stories

Round-up campaigns, where customers are prompted to donate small amounts at the point of sale, have become the norm in retail stores.

The campaigns have proven highly successful, raising millions annually for charitable causes, including scholarships and medical research. In 2022, such campaigns nationwide generated $749 million in donations.
Despite being bombarded with donation requests, data suggests that customers continue to donate more every year. Organizations have begun using tactics to bypass psychological factors that influence donation habits. For example, the “pain” of parting with money is reduced when customers are asked to round up their purchases rather than donate a specific dollar amount. Human’s preference for round numbers also affects donation decisions.
A lot of donors are asking where the money goes. Organizations like Round It Up America say its agreements ensure that 90% of donations reach intended charities. Those charities can then only use 25% of donations on administrative costs. However, concerns remain about retailers' handling of donations, as highlighted by a lawsuit against CVS regarding how point-of-sale donations were used.

On Sunday evening, Muslims worldwide began to observe Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, charity, and feasts.

Ramadan is observed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This year, the hardships in Gaza due to war and starvation cast a dark shadow over the festivities. Economic challenges, including high inflation, are also exacerbating the difficulties for many other Muslim countries.
Indonesia’s massive Muslim population faces challenges during Ramadan due to soaring food prices, driven by global inflation and poor local harvests. Many families can’t afford meat to create a traditional meal called rendang - meat braised in coconut milk and local spices.
Muslim Americans will observe Ramadan traditions while being deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. The usual focus on personal spiritual growth during Ramadan is intertwined with activism and prayers for Gaza's well-being. Interfaith events, such as the Music City Iftar in Nashville, promote dialogue and understanding while highlighting the ongoing global challenges faced by Muslims.

Pope Francis urged Ukraine to have the courage to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

"I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," Francis said. The Vatican later said the Pope picked up the term “white flag” from the interviewer and meant that negotiations to end the war should be a priority.
Despite the Pope's appeal, Ukraine remains firm on its stance of not engaging directly with Russia in peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the initiative for peace negotiations must come from the invading country.
People responded to the Pope’s comments by waving Ukrainian flags at St. Peter’s Square during Pope Francis’s Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican.

At the 2024 Oscars, "Oppenheimer" was the standout winner, securing major awards including Best Director for Christopher Nolan and Best Picture. Cillian Murphy won Best Actor for his role, and Emma Stone clinched Best Actress for "Poor Things." Other notable winners included Robert Downey Jr. for Best Supporting Actor in "Oppenheimer" and Da'Vine Joy Randolph for Best Supporting Actress in "The Holdovers." (More)

South Carlina women’s basketball Center Kamilla Cardoso, who had never made a three-pointer before, made a triple with 1.1 seconds left against Tennessee on Sunday. Her basket gave South Carolina a 74-73 win, extending their winning streak to 31-0 and advancing them to the SEC tournament championship game. (More)

United Airlines faced another safety issue on Friday as Flight 821 from San Francisco to Mexico City had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport due to a hydraulic system problem. The Airbus A320, carrying 105 passengers and five crew members, landed safely. (More)

More employers are improving childcare benefits. A Care.com survey found that 56% of American companies, including C-suite and HR leaders, are prioritizing care benefits in 2024. Child care now outranks other perks like mental health support and fitness discounts — only health insurance and paid time off were more important. (More)

US Senator James Lankford doubled down on his push to end seasonal time changes as Americans adjusted their clocks for daylight savings. The Sunshine Act has received unanimous approval in the Senate. But, it hasn't been considered by the House. Arizona, Hawaii, and the US territories already follow standard time year-round. (More)

Inside the 6-figure Oscar nominee goodie bags.

SAT exams are now fully digital.

Rodeo meets skiing in a sport called skijoring.

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