Hello. Today we're finishing the week with a look ahead to Monday's total eclipse in Mexico, the United States and Canada. We have plenty of things in store for you - even if you're not one of the lucky millions who will witness the event. We're also covering the latest developments in Israel, where two officers have been sacked over the killing of aid workers in Gaza. But first, here's the latest on New York's rare earthquake.

TOTAL ECLIPSE

Spectacle of a century

Don't forget your eclipse glasses. Credit: BBC

On Monday, millions of people across Mexico, the US and Canada will see the first total solar eclipse to cross the North America continent in more than 100 years (the 2017 eclipse was mostly confined to the US). The rare phenomenon will carve a narrow path of darkness eastwards from ocean to ocean across the three countries. A total eclipse is a powerful, communal experience - our readers in Europe and the Middle East may remember fondly, just like me, the one we witnessed in 1999. It's also a scientific event - here's more on what researchers will be looking into during their few minutes in the darkness. We'll have much more to share on the day, but today I wanted to show you the work of our visual journalists, which I believe deserves a place in every science classroom. They've mapped - and timed - the path of the eclipse so you can follow along, whether you're lucky enough to be in it or not. And for all the other questions you might have, Nadine Yousif covers all the basics.

• Stay safe: Emma Vardy demonstrates how to safely stare at the sun- and how to pick the right glasses.

• Splurging for the moon: Here's how much some eclipse fans will spend to witness daytime darkness on Monday.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

IDF sacks officers over aid convoy strike

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The Israeli military has sacked two senior officers after seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers were killed in a strike in Gaza on Monday. Our Middle East bureau chief Jo Floto attended an IDF briefing on their conclusions - you can read his report here.

What should we make of today's IDF statement?

Fighting in built-up areas, known in military jargon as "FIBUA", has always been notoriously difficult, especially when one side is accused of hiding itself amongst the civilian population and uses civil infrastructure for military purposes. Today’s admission by Israel’s military, the IDF, that its fatal targeting of humanitarian aid workers on Monday was "a grave mistake" is further proof that its entire military operation in Gaza cannot possibly achieve its aims without inflicting intolerable civilian casualties.

What has failed more specifically?

The admission contained in today’s IDF statement that the coordination plan agreed between it and the World Central Kitchen charity "was not distributed down to operational level" is symptomatic of a wider problem. In the confusion of this 3-dimensional conflict, with drone pilots remotely targeting buildings, people and vehicles from the air, coordination with those on the ground is not working as it should.

What could be the next steps?

Given the fact that six months into this operation significant elements of Hamas, including its leadership, have survived to fight on, it is hard to see how further mistakes are going to be avoided without a major overhaul of the IDF’s operational procedures, something likely to be resisted by commanders on the ground.

• Internal divisions: Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the sacking of two officers was a "grave mistake that conveys weakness", while a senior majority MP told the BBC he disagreed with the cabinet's decision to open new aid routes to Gaza. More on our live page.

• Weapon supply: Western governments are coming under growing pressure to halt arms sales to Israel. But where does the country gets its weapons? 

• Explained: Jemma Crew and Tom Spender tell us how the new routes for aid into Gaza will work - and what's still unclear.

THE BIG PICTURE

Twiggy azaleas

At the One Hundred Mile Azalea Forest, in Bijie, Guizhou Province, China, the flowers are in bloom. Credit: Getty Images

Spring is finding its way through the Northern hemisphere - albeit, in the UK, with some rainy difficulties. From Chinese azaleas to Turkish cherry trees, here are some gorgeous pictures of blossoming across the world. We also have some advice for amateur photographers who wish to capture their blooming garden.

And finally... at Ron's Place

A flat in Birkenhead that has been transformed by an artist over 33 years has been granted Grade II listed status in England following a campaign to save it from being auctioned. It's the first example of what is called Outsider Art, done by those without conventional training, to be nationally listed. Take a look inside.