On a quiet winter morning, Ash and Fern find tiny icicles that seem to sing beside the frozen pond.
The pond turned cold and quiet overnight. Ash the young raccoon put on his warm scarf and stepped carefully onto a snowy rock. Fern the fawn followed close behind, with a tiny scarf around her neck.
Above them, a bare branch hung over the water. Little icicles shone along it in the soft morning light. When the sun touched them, a drop of water slid down and fell into the pond with a gentle plink.
"Listen," Fern whispered. Ash held his breath. Plink, plink, plink. Each drop made a small ring on the water, like a tiny bell. "It sounds so soft and happy," said Ash.
Owl had told them the secret the night before. "When the air is very cold, water turns into ice," he had said. "When the sun warms the ice a little, it melts and drips again. That is how a bell made of ice rings."
Ash and Fern sat together on the rock until the sun was high. Then they promised each other to come back tomorrow and listen again.
This story is fiction.
On October 30, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced important news from the Caribbean island of Barbados. WHO said Barbados has stopped a serious problem called mother-to-child transmission of HIV, a virus that can make the body very sick. From 2022 to 2024, not one baby in Barbados caught HIV from its mother.
This happened because almost every pregnant woman on the island, about 98 out of 100, received good medical care and the right medicine during pregnancy. This care keeps mothers healthy and protects their babies before birth.
Barbados is now the 26th country or territory in the world to reach this goal, and most of these places are in the Americas. WHO's director, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the result shows what good health care for everyone can really do.
Most of Japan will enjoy bright, sunny skies today, while Sapporo stays cloudy and cool.
Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka look great for outdoor plans today. In Sapporo, wear a warm coat, since the sky will stay cloudy and cool.
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued November 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
In 1994, a sports shop called Esport Mizuno created Soccer Day in Japan. The date was chosen because soccer teams play with eleven players on each side, so 11/11 fits perfectly. Written as "11-11," the numbers even look a little like two players standing with a ball between them. Every year, this day reminds people across Japan to enjoy and support soccer.
In 1909, Japan's government chose the carat as the official unit for weighing gemstones, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams. In 1986, the Japan Jewelry Association picked November 11 to celebrate that decision, calling it Jewelry Day. Long ago, traders used small carob seeds to measure gem weight, because the seeds were almost all the same size. People still use carats to weigh diamonds today.
On this day in 1918, leaders from Germany and the Allied nations signed an agreement called an armistice, which stopped the fighting of World War I. The agreement began at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. People still remember this moment every year, calling it Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, as a time to think about peace.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
Overall Everything should go smoothly today, so enjoy your good luck.
Money A fair deal or a small gift may come your way.
Love A warm, honest talk will bring you closer to someone.
Lucky color deep purple
Lucky item a soft wallet
Overall A happy surprise at home will brighten your whole afternoon.
Money A small bit of good luck may come your way with money.
Love Family and close friends will feel extra close to you today.
Lucky color cream
Lucky item a cozy blanket
Overall Your energy will be high today, so try starting a task you have put off.
Money A quick decision about money will work out well for you today.
Love Someone will enjoy your honest, cheerful way of talking today.
Lucky color red
Lucky item a small notebook
Overall New ideas will come easily, so write them down right away.
Money A small bit of extra money may find its way to you.
Love A message to an old friend will bring a happy reply.
Lucky color orange
Lucky item a travel bag
Overall Careful planning today will make tomorrow feel much easier.
Money A thoughtful choice now will help you later this week.
Love Small, kind actions will mean more than big words today.
Lucky color olive
Lucky item a tidy planner
Overall A small task finished today will clear your mind nicely.
Money Check your plans carefully before spending anything today.
Love Being honest about your feelings will help, even if it feels hard.
Lucky color pale blue
Lucky item a neat pencil case
Overall A calm, steady pace will help you more than rushing today.
Money Hold off on buying anything big until you think it over.
Love Spending quiet time with family will feel especially nice today.
Lucky color forest green
Lucky item a warm mug
Overall Take things slowly today instead of trying to do everything.
Money Keep your money plans simple and check them twice today.
Love A quiet moment together beats a busy outing today.
Lucky color sky blue
Lucky item a pair of gloves
Overall Stay close to home today and enjoy simple, quiet comforts.
Money Spend only on things that truly make your home feel cozy.
Love Quiet time with someone you trust will feel just right.
Lucky color sea green
Lucky item a soft pillow
Overall Today may feel a bit slow, so be gentle with yourself.
Money Wait before spending on something you are not sure about.
Love A short rest will help you listen better to a friend.
Lucky color pale yellow
Lucky item a soft scarf
Overall Things may move slowly, so try to be patient with yourself.
Money Save a little today, and you will feel proud later.
Love Listen more than you speak, and someone will notice your care.
Lucky color charcoal gray
Lucky item a cup of hot tea
Overall Plans may change today, so stay calm and flexible about it.
Money Keep your spending simple and avoid any new risks today.
Love Give people around you a little extra space this evening.
Lucky color gold
Lucky item a warm hat
We use may and might to say that something is possible, even when we are not completely sure.
B — "May I...?" asks for permission. The other sentences talk about something that is possible.
Answer: B — "May I...?" asks for permission. The other sentences talk about something that is possible.
Wednesday morning was clear and cold. Lyn walked partway to the hotel with Star, their footsteps crunching softly on the frosty path. "Only two more days," Lyn said, and Star's tail wagged as if she understood every word.
At the front desk, a guest preparing to check out asked Lyn which mountain was best for viewing autumn colors this week. Lyn gave her usual friendly answer, then checked the small pot of chrysanthemum leaves sitting by the window. Thirteen leaves now, one more than yesterday. She smiled and gave it a little water before her shift began.
Back home that evening, Linda sat at the kitchen table with a pencil and a notepad. "It's time we finish planning John's welcome meal," she said as Lyn hung up her coat. They had already decided on chestnut rice and a persimmon cake, but several details still needed deciding.
"We'll need fresh chestnuts, a few more persimmons, and daikon radish for the pickles," Linda said, writing each item down carefully. Lyn added a clear soup made with mushrooms from the garden to the list, remembering how much John had enjoyed it during his last visit.
Pinkysan hopped onto the table and sniffed at the notepad, as if checking the list herself. Star rested her chin on Lyn's knee, watching the pencil move across the page. "That should be everything," Linda said at last, setting down the pencil with a satisfied nod.
"Let's go to the market together tomorrow evening, after I finish work," Lyn suggested. "That way everything will be fresh for Friday." Linda agreed, and they decided to buy a little extra, just in case John was hungrier than usual after his long train ride.
After dinner, they sat on the veranda for a few quiet minutes, listening to the cold night air settle over the garden. The chrysanthemum by the window seemed to grow a little taller every day, and so, it felt, did their excitement. "Two more days," Linda said softly, looking toward the gate. "We're almost ready."