News from March 7–March 13, 2026
Each week, we scan the latest headlines to spot words in action. From major news stories to pop culture buzz, this feature highlights language as it’s unfolding. Stories about a quicksand alert, sleep deprivation, and that familiar squeak on the basketball court all contributed to the vocabulary from this week’s news.
arboreal
adjective: relating to or living in trees
From the headlines: Two tree-dwelling species thought to have vanished thousands of years ago were discovered alive in New Guinea. Photographers documented the pygmy long-fingered possum and the ring-tailed glider, both arboreal marsupials that had previously been known only from 6,000-year-old fossil remains, on a peninsula in West Papua. Most of the region is still cloaked in dense rainforest and remains largely unexplored.
constituency
noun: the voters or residents in a district represented by an elected official
From the headlines: Supporters of a new Nepali political party celebrated wins in several constituencies as results of a parliamentary election pointed to a landslide victory. The National Independent Party, formed in 2022, declared victory in most voting districts and won 103 of 165 directly elected seats ahead of a final vote tally. The party’s prime ministerial candidate is Balendra Shah, a former rapper who’s thirty-five years old.
deprivation
noun: the disadvantage that results from losing something
From the headlines: Researchers report that more and more teenagers are experiencing sleep deprivation. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that about three-quarters of teens get less than eight hours of sleep each night, with many getting as little as five. Experts warn that this level of sleep deprivation can interfere with normal brain development. The findings indicate that the pattern spans many demographic groups and does not appear to be tied specifically to screen time.
force majeure
noun: an unexpected and unavoidable catastrophe
From the headlines: Bahrain’s state oil company declared force majeure after an Iranian missile hit one of the country’s major oil refineries. This kind of declaration, made when a natural disaster, war, or other uncontrollable event causes severe damage, frees the company from its shipping obligations. Oil and gas prices are skyrocketing over fears about global supply in response to the ongoing war.
friction
noun: the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
From the headlines: While watching a Boston Celtics game from the stands, materials scientist Adel Djellouli became curious about the familiar squeak of players’ sneakers on the court. Intrigued by the sound, Djellouli and his colleagues later re-created the effect by filming and recording a sneaker sliding across a glass plate in a controlled friction experiment. Their tests showed that as the shoe moves over the smooth surface, friction produces rapid ripples in the sole that vibrate at extremely high frequencies, creating the distinctive squeak heard during basketball games.
hypothermia
noun: dangerously subnormal body temperature
From the headlines: Twenty-three people had to be rescued after the ice they were standing on broke away from the shore. The stranded adults and children had been ice fishing on Canada’s Georgian Bay in Lake Huron when they realized they were moving. Several people fell into the frigid water and held onto chunks of slushy ice as they waited for help. Police helicopters lifted the group to safety, and the only injuries were cases of hypothermia. Everyone involved is expected to make a full recovery.
incumbent
adjective: currently holding an office
From the headlines: At least one in eight incumbent members of Congress will leave their seats after this election cycle, a near record. Thirteen senators and fifty-five House members who are serving now say they plan to retire or run for a different office. In addition to these departing lawmakers, primary season is making it clear that there will be additional sitting senators and representatives leaving after this year’s election cycle. Only one year in the past century has seen more departures of incumbent members.
mutable
adjective: capable of or tending to change in form or nature
From the headlines: The National Park Service has cautioned visitors to watch for quicksand at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, urging them to learn how to recognize signs of mutable terrain. Certain stretches along the shores of Lake Powell may look solid but are actually unstable and prone to shifting. Smooth, evenly flat patches of ground can be especially hazardous, often signaling an area that can quickly change from dry and firm to soft and yielding.
onerous
adjective: burdensome or difficult to endure
From the headlines: The European Union’s environment chief advised countries to restore native plant species near their borders to make the areas more onerous to cross. Jessika Roswall cited Poland and Finland, which have both used “rewilding” to improve the security of their borders with Russia. Trees, shrubs, and wetlands can all make border land more hostile to potential military invasions by deterring vehicles, including tanks.
surfeit
noun: an excessive amount
From the headlines: Economists say a surfeit of chain salad-bowl restaurants like Sweetgreen, CAVA, and Chipotle has driven their stock prices downward. Beyond this oversupply of “fast casual” salad spots, diners seem to be growing tired of the soft, bowl-based meals, while rising menu prices have further dampened demand. Economists note that these combined factors have led to a noticeable drop in customer visits and overall sales.
