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Upmarket retailer Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy yesterday, forcing them to close down stores and give away items at massive sales. Saks Global is one of the most prominent upmarket retailers in the United States, known for its high-quality, luxury goods from various aspects of the market. Within their brands, they bring high-end items under one roof, allowing customers to find a variety of luxury brands within one department store. Saks also holds seasonal sales and other promotions that high-end brands alone may not offer, giving the store serious appeal to the wealthier portion of the market. However, they are now closing stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Companies often file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy during times of extreme economic difficulty– right now, many people have begun to shift to online shopping or have avoided shopping altogether due to the shaky economic state of the US, leaving malls and department stores empty. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, companies are allowed to keep running their business instead of liquidating assets– instead, it gives them a platform to reorganize their debts and restructure the company while keeping the business running. Nevertheless, companies still shutter stores during this time to help ease back into a normal rhythm. In the case of Saks, they have secured $1.75 billion from investors to help reorganize their debts, which will have to be paid back at some point in time. Around $1 billion of that is a DIP loan, or debtor-in-possession. DIP loans serve as emergency funding for the company, and in Saks' case, they are being funded by existing bondholders like Pentwater and Bracebridge (two major hedge funds) who invested in Saks prior to its bankruptcy and are now providing extra money to protect their past investments. This loan will allow many stores to stay open, and employees will continue to be paid. A judge, though, has only allowed $400 million to be released to Saks at this moment, preventing them from misusing the money and allowing them to ask for more later on if the restructuring efforts prove successful. On top of this, they have received around $250 million in asset-based lending, a process where certain lenders give the company loans, but only on a measurable amount of assets that can be taken by the lenders if the company fails to pay the loan back. In this case, the primary lender is Bank of America, but there are others chipping into that $250 million. Finally, the remaining $500 million is post-bankruptcy equity, which will be given to the company after they escape bankruptcy. Once Saks gets out of bankruptcy, bondholders will provide the company with another $500 million, and Saks will give them ownership over some of the business in return for their funds. This largely wipes out shareholders, who lose out on their investments while bondholders take control during and after Chapter 11. The move to file bankruptcy, though, represents a larger issue in the upmarket retail industry– a lack of customers. Countless brands have seen serious declines in sales since the coronavirus pandemic, including Saks subsidiary Neiman Marcus. Neiman Marcus filed for bankruptcy in 2020 before being purchased by Saks Global last year for $2.7 billion. Saks hoped to create a luxury retail giant, but their debts simply continued to increase from there. Nevertheless, Saks will hope to restructure efficiently and effectively following their Chapter 11 filing, helping the company stay alive amid tough economic times. Customers, on the other hand, can take advantage of Saks' situation– some Saks Fifth Avenue stores are offering goods at up to 85% off, creating an incredible opportunity for Saks customers to purchase luxury goods at prices well below their usual. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York City has such a massive shoe department on the eighth floor that it was granted its own zip code by the US Postal Service: 10022–SHOE. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Have patience with all things, But, first of all with yourself. (Saint Francis de Sales) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Delegate (verb, DEL-uh-gayt) - To delegate something (such as control, responsibility, authority, or a job or duty) is to trust someone else with it. In a Sentence: Those tasks can be delegated to someone else. Image credit to AP

Based on reports from each company, Boeing had more net orders than Airbus in 2025, marking the first year since 2018 that they have achieved this. According to Boeing, they had 1,173 net orders for airplanes in 2025, while Airbus had just 889. However, Airbus outpaced Boeing in deliveries with 793 airplanes being sent to customers, while Boeing sent 600 planes. This was largely due to several major airplane incidents, including the devastating crash of an Air India 787 Dreamliner in June. December proved to be a huge month for Boeing, though, with three major orders coming in. Alaska Airlines ordered 105 of the popular 737 MAX 10 jets in addition to five new 787 widebody aircraft, which will be delivered through 2035. Meanwhile, Aviation Capital Group (ACG) – a firm that leases planes to over 90 airlines in around 50 countries – ordered 50 of Boeing's 737 MAX 10 jets, which are scheduled for delivery in 2032 and 2033. Finally, Delta Airlines made an order for 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, which will be the first 787 jets to be added to the Delta fleet– and they have the opportunity to purchase another 30 planes. Currently, the airline maintains 38 of the Airbus A350, known for its comfortable, quiet, and roomy cabin, with more on order, but they are slowly working to retire their fleet of Boeing 767s while having already retired all Boeing 777s in their fleet. In total, this year's achievement from Boeing marks a significant step forward since the deadly Boeing 737 MAX crashes of 2018 and 2019, damaging the manufacturer's reputation. Those incidents made way for an Airbus takeover, with the European manufacturer taking over the market– they currently maintain around a 60% market share, up from 50% in 2018. Nevertheless, while large orders are still coming in for Boeing, their manufacturing capabilities are still limited. Due to the MAX crashes, they continue to experience significant oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who have also capped the number of 737 MAX planes they can produce each year. Furthermore, major supply chain problems involving aviation parts and equipment across the globe have contributed to massive delivery delays for both Airbus and Boeing– if an airline orders an airplane now, the timeline for its arrival could stretch well over 10 years. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Snakes and lizards both molt out of their old skin as they grow. Investigators have come to the conclusion that dinosaurs may have also molted. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth . (Leo Tolstoy) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Umbrage (noun, UM-brij) - Umbrage refers to a feeling of being offended by what someone has said or done. It is often used in the phrase “take umbrage.” In a Sentence: Some listeners took umbrage at the podcaster’s remarks about the event. Image credit to Boeing

Horrifying images have emerged from inside Iran as a massive crackdown on protesters continues, with internet blacked out and hundreds of deaths being reported. The demonstrations originally began in December after a spike in inflation, leading to rising anger among the people. However, over the last two weeks, protests escalated into a wider expression of anger and unhappiness over the country's current social, political, and economic state, turning violent in some areas. However, the government soon began a deadly crackdown, and the people are suffering. Hospitals reported seeing numerous cases of tear gas inhalation and injuries from pellets, fired by pellet guns to repel protesters. Just a few days later, though, they are now seeing scores of patients suffering from life-threatening gunshot injuries. Police – armed with automatic machine guns – have opened fire on streets full of protesters, many of whom are completely unarmed. Other witnesses spoke about snipers who took out protesters from afar, turning demonstrations into gory scenes of blood and chaos. The official death toll stands at around 600, but the Iranian government confirmed that around 3,000 people have been killed. Unfortunately, the number is feared to be much greater than even that. Another 10,700 people are currently in Iranian custody, and they plan to impose the death penalty upon those arrested. Iranian authorities have blamed their attacks on the citizens, claiming that the people have aligned themselves with terrorists and the Western world. Internet has been shut down across the entire country, and while Elon Musk's Starlink previously served as a beacon of hope for the people to communicate with the outside world, the government has found a way to block their services as well. Additionally, various human rights groups and journalists are unable to enter the country or contact their Iranian correspondents, preventing the outside world from knowing the real situation inside Iran. However, several residents able to obtain Internet access or using landline phones have quickly utilized them to send videos and reports on the current situation– some of the country's worst violence in its 47-year history. Now, the United States is entering the mix, with President Donald Trump attempting to halt the conflict using talks with the Iranian government. Iran has confirmed that they are "prepared" for war, but Trump suggested that negotiations were going on behind the scenes. Trump also announced yesterday that all countries who continue to do business with Iran would take a 25% tariff from the US. This could have a massive impact on India, who is a crucial Iranian trade partner and is already suffering from a staggering 50% tariff due to their insistence on buying Russian oil. The latest announcement means that India could soon be facing a 75% tariff, which would severely impact the goods they export– the US receives various products from India, including pharmaceuticals, jewelry, textiles, agricultural products, and more. China will also take a hit from this new tariff, which would increase their current tariff from 20% to 45%. Nevertheless, China has maintained its support for Iran's economy, refusing to back away from trade with other countries. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In the Netherlands version of Sesame Street , known as Sesamstraat , they have a bluebird named Pino instead of Big Bird. He was later established as Big Bird’s cousin in a crossover feature. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): I believe you have to be willing to be misunderstood if you’re going to innovate. (Jeff Bezos) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Brackish (adj, BRACK-ish) - Brackish , meaning “somewhat salty,” usually describes water or bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, and estuaries. The word can also mean “not appealing to the taste” or “repulsive.” In a Sentence: The river becomes brackish as we approach the tidemark. Image credit to AFP

The 83rd annual Golden Globes Awards took place last night, hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser. The Golden Globes remain a renowned competition in the film and TV industry, encompassing 28 categories across multiple forms of entertainment. The competition takes place at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, just next door to Hollywood, and they are considered somewhat of a precursor to the Oscars, which are solely for films and take place in March. Last night's event was hosted by Nikki Glaser, a comedian known for her roasting skills on shows like Comedy Central. Glaser began the awards ceremony by blasting CBS for their halt of a "60 Minutes" story that denounced President Donald Trump, saying "The award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes, CBS News: America's newest place to see BS news." Ironically, the Golden Globes are aired on CBS and Paramount+. Glaser went on to intermittently roast several celebrities, but not at the same intensity which she usually does in other shows. Notably, Glaser also avoided mentioning ICE or Venezuela– she told reporters prior to the awards ceremony that she was considering covering the topic, but Glaser decided to avoid the topic due to recent events. Now, without further ado, the major awards given out at the 2026 Golden Globes: Motion picture, drama: "Hamnet" Motion picture, musical or comedy: "One Battle After Another" Male actor in a drama film: Wagner Moura in "The Secret Agent" Female actor in a drama film: Jessie Buckley in "Hamnet" Male actor in a musical or comedy film: Timothée Chalamet in "Marty Supreme" Female actor in a musical or comedy film: Rose Byrne in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” Male supporting actor in a film: Stellan Skarsgård in “Sentimental Value” Female supporting actor in a film: Teyana Taylor in “One Battle After Another” Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another” Drama series: “The Pitt” Comedy or musical series: “The Studio” Non-english movie: “The Secret Agent" from Brazil Animated movie: “KPop Demon Hunters” Podcast: Amy Poehler for “Good Hang”’ This category was new this year, marking the first time a major film and TV awards show has recognized podcasts as a form of entertainment. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Originally, bumper cars were not supposed to hit each other. Drivers were actually supposed to avoid crashing in spite of chaotic driving. The first company to patent a bumper car was in 1920 named Dodgem. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself. (Mark A. Cooper) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Paradox (noun, PAIR-uh-dahks) - Paradox refers to something (such as a situation) that is made up of two opposite things and that seems impossible but is actually true or possible. It can also refer to someone who does two seemingly opposite things or who has qualities that are opposite; to a statement that seems to say two opposite things but that nonetheless may be true; or to the use of such statements in writing or speech. In a Sentence: It is a paradox that computers need time-consuming updates so often, since they are meant to save people time. Image credit to AP

Investigations have turned up with major evidence after the deadly fire that struck a bar at the Crans-Montana alpine resort in Switzerland on New Year's Day. On January 1, a fire erupted inside the underground Le Constellation bar at Switzerland's renowned Crans-Montana resort , rapidly engulfing the room – and eventually the building – in flames. 40 people were killed, and 115 others were injured while trying to escape. Many of the victims were unable to get out before suffocating due to smoke inhalation, while others remained trapped until they were overtaken by the fire. After thorough investigations, authorities are relatively sure that the fire began when lit sparklers on glasses of wine came into contact with foam on the wall, meant to prevent sound inside the nightclub from echoing into the bar above. A service door that could have been used to escape was also discovered to be locked from the inside, preventing trapped victims from getting out of the building during the fire. In addition, 20 of the 40 people killed were minors– technically, the bar's age limit was 16, but reports suggest that many children of even younger could have been present at the time. Local police have taken the co-owner of the Le Constellation bar, along with his wife, into custody under the charges of negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson. According to reports, the building had not received a safety inspection in over five years, and they are currently looking into whether fire extinguishers were present in the bar. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In Alabama, it used to be illegal to participate in shooting, hunting, gaming, card playing, or racing on Sundays until 2015. The fine ranged from $10 to $100. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the spring who reaps a harvest in the autumn. (B. C. Forbes) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Collude (verb, kuh-LOOD) - To collude is to work with others secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest. Collude is used as a synonym of conspire and plot . In a Sentence: She is accused of colluding with known criminals. Image credit to AFP

We apologize that this article was released late due to a scheduling issue. Protests in Iran continued into their second straight week amid a massive internet outage and threats of a looming crackdown. The demonstrations initially began back in December after a spike in inflation, leading to widespread discontent among the people. Over the last two weeks, the protests escalated into a wider expression of anger and unhappiness over the country's current social, political, and economic state, quickly turning violent in some areas. Many of the demonstrations included chants like "death to the dictator," referring to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but authorities were forced to intervene. Local reports mentioned hearing gunfire and sound bombs, designed to scare others away, while others saw buildings like homes and mosques, along with various vehicles, bombed and set ablaze. The protests are due to a wider, changing sentiment against the Iranian government, which many believe has failed to provide their citizens with adequate necessities and resources to help the country thrive. Because of this, people have begun to revolt against Khamenei's regime, sending the nation into chaos. Pro-government protests have also taken place, though– in some areas, people began to host demonstrations supporting Khamenei, leading to clashes between pro- and anti-government citizens on the streets. As a response, all state-affiliated news channels have been shut down, and internet has been blacked out for days across Iran. Authorities have also prevented calls and messages from coming into the country while blocking intra-country communications, stopping protesters from organizing further demonstrations via technological means. However, several organizations were able to communicate with Iranians through Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, which continued to provide services despite the outages. Several countries, particularly members of the European Union, have spoken out against authorities' violence against protesters and condemned Khamenei's response, and US President Donald Trump also asserted that the United States is watching the situation. Trump also hinted at a future US intervention if the violence continues, mentioning that "we'll start shooting, too" and that he plans to "hit them very, very hard where it hurts." According to human rights groups, at least 45 people have been killed in the police response to the protests, and they are predicted to continue for quite some time. Nevertheless, a change in the Iranian government still seems unlikely, as Khamenei continues to hold an iron grip over local politics, but Iran's future is still unknown. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): During the World War II, German tank drivers would drive their vehicles over camel droppings, thinking it would bring them good luck. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The real workout starts when you want to stop. (Ronnie Coleman) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Innocuous (adj, ih-NAH-kyuh-wus) - Innocuous describes either something that is not likely to bother or offend anyone (as in “an innocuous comment”), or something that causes no injury, or is otherwise considered harmless (as in “an innocuous prank”). In a Sentence: The reporter asked what seemed like an innocuous question, but it prompted the candidate to storm off, abruptly ending the press conference. Image credit to Getty Images

Just one day after the deadly Minneapolis shooting of a local driver by an ICE agent, two people were shot in Portland yesterday by members of the Border Patrol, and protests have erupted across the United States. On Wednesday, a woman – identified as Renee Nicole Good – was shot in her car in Minneapolis, drawing fury from the surrounding neighborhood. The White House quickly responded that the officer, identified as Jonathan Ross, was acting in self-defense, claiming that the woman was trying to run him over after impeding an ongoing ICE operation. Local bystanders recorded videos of the incident, though, which quickly circulated through news channels and social media. After analyzing the footage, the widespread consensus is that the Trump administration is now attempting to cover up a case of excessive force and violence. In the video, the woman appears to be blocking ICE agents and allowing nearby cars to continue through, until several ICE officers exit an unmarked vehicle and approach her car. Then, they give her conflicting instructions– one man tells her to move her car out of the way, one man attempts to yank her door open and sticks his hand in through the window, and a third man – Jonathan Ross – walks in front of her car. Then, as the woman attempts to turn, Ross pulls out his gun and fires into the windshield, delivering a shot to her head before firing twice more through the open driver's side window. Video analysis shows that the woman's wheels were clearly pointed to the right, not at the ICE agent. Additionally, as the gunshots ring out, Ross is no longer in front of the car– he actually jumps out of the way, with his feet on the side of the car. While video taken from across the street appears to show the car hitting the ICE officer, these two videos together actually prove that the officer was able to move out of the way and the use of force was not required at all. Additionally, after the situation had unfolded, civilians flocked to the area to try to help. Good sat in her car, unconscious, and one physician nearby attempted to help. However, he was stopped by ICE officers, who denied him access to the site of the shooting despite his claims of his physician status. Good was taken to the hospital and died later on. This directly violates the code of conduct for most police departments, but ICE maintains a slew of untrained officers who are not aware of these characteristics. As law enforcement, all officers must hold civilian lives above their own, and the use of excessive force or violence on an unarmed woman goes directly against that. Nevertheless, the Trump administration continues to claim that the woman is the culprit in the situation– Vice President JD Vance proclaimed that her death was "a tragedy of her own making," and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the woman's manipulation of the ICE operation is, in itself, "an act of domestic terrorism." Local officials have disagreed with the administration, though, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz calling the White House a "propaganda machine" and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey labeling Noem's accusations as "bull****." Most local protests have taken place at the Whipple Building, which serves as the headquarters for ICE in Minneapolis. Thousands of protesters have gathered at the building over the past two days, with federal agents spraying them with chemical agents and tear gas. Some demonstrations turned violent, with civilians and authorities clashing, and several people were also taken into custody. Furthermore, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MBCA) confirmed yesterday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken them off the case. According to officials, the FBI will now be the sole investigation agency handling the case, and the MBCA will no longer have access to any of the materials from the site. This drew suspicion from Democrats that the Trump administration is attempting to interfere in the investigation– usually, state agencies are allowed to investigate alongside federal agents in major crimes. Walz backed this up, expressing doubt that the findings will be any sort of "fair outcome" if local investigations are not allowed to continue. Meanwhile, another shooting struck, this time in Portland, Oregon. According to local reports, federal agents belonging to the US Border Patrol shot two people at an alleged traffic stop before driving away, and the victims were forced to wait until local police arrived to call for help. Both people were sent to the hospital, one of which required a tourniquet, but their current condition is unknown. Oregon officials are still investigating the situation, but the Department of Homeland Security claims that the two victims were members of a gang known as Tren de Aragua and attempted to run over the officers, who fired defensive shots before fleeing the scene out of fear. Nevertheless, this second shooting has worsened protests against Homeland Security and ICE that are already taking place in numerous cities across the country. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Despite being landlocked, Mongolia has a small navy consisting of seven men and one tugboat, the “ Sukhbaatar III ,” stationed on Lake Khövsgöl. The boat's patrols are primarily for tourism and transport, though. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things. (Peter F. Drucker) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Gumbo (noun, GUM-boh) - Gumbo refers to a soup thickened with okra pods or filé and containing meat or seafoods and usually vegetables. The word is also used figuratively to refer to a mixture or blend of something. In a Sentence: The reputation of the family’s gumbo guaranteed them an invitation to any and all neighborhood potlucks. Image credit to KPR

An ICE officer fatally shot an unarmed Minnesota woman in her car yesterday, sparking outrage across the country. The incident occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota's largest city, which is notably a heavily-Democratic city and has been the target for numerous operations involving Trump's immigration crackdown. Various analysts have attempted to decipher the exact course of events that took place in Minneapolis – one bystander managed to capture the entire incident on video – but there are several interpretations. Some experts agree that the woman, identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, was attempting to block the roadway during a nearby ICE operation. In the video, she can be seen waving people ahead of her while she positions her car horizontally across the road, until several ICE vehicles arrive. The officers quickly surround her car, but Good attempted to escape by quickly steering to the right. Another video angle does show the front of her car making contact with an ICE officer, but her wheels are angled to the right side. Then, the ICE officer in front of her quickly pulls out his gun and fires straight into the driver's side of the windshield, delivering a fatal shot to the head. Good's car – with her now incapacitated – continues down the street before plowing into a pole, where it comes to a stop. Hundreds of protesters could be seen swarming the site of the incident later in the day, chanting "Shame!" at ICE officers. As the video of the shooting circulated on social media, it quickly sparked an uproar among Democrats and citizens alike. Republicans were quick to defend the ICE officer, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accusing the woman of trying to run over the officer. Noem called the woman's actions an "act of domestic terrorism" and praised the officer for his defensive shot and quick response. However, the same accusations were not made by local politicians. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called Noem's description "garbage," "bull****," and "positively ridiculous," accusing ICE officers of "reckless" behavior that creates "chaos and distrust." Towards the end of his public announcement, he also told ICE to "get the **** out of Minneapolis." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz promised to investigate the tragedy and called the shooting a result of "the Trump administration's dangerous, sensationalized operations" that are "designed to generate fear, headlines, and conflict." Many Minneapolis residents felt that the nature of the killing was similar to that of George Floyd in 2020– a murder that took place just one mile away from the site of yesterday's shooting. Floyd was an African-American in Minneapolis who was arrested on suspicion of having used a counterfeit 20-dollar bill at a local shop. The white policeman who arrested Floyd, Derek Chauvin, pushed him to the ground and knelt on his neck for over nine minutes, slowly suffocating Floyd by blocking off his air supply. The murder sparked massive protests across the United States and had major implications for the future of police brutality against Black people– and some Minneapolis residents feel that yesterday's shooting contains a bit of familiarity to Floyd's murder, almost six years later. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Cold showers have more health benefits than hot or warm showers. These include improving circulation, stimulating weight loss, and easing depression– though hot showers still maintain the title of most relaxing. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in. (B.K.S. Iyengar) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Eminently (adverb, EM-uh-nunt-lee) - Eminently is used as a synonym of very and means "to a high degree." In a Sentence: Our team came up with an eminently sensible plan to reduce waste. Image credit to AP

The Trump administration has confirmed that they are considering different options to acquire Greenland from Denmark, and they have not ruled out the use of military to achieve their goal. The administration stated that acquiring Greenland is one of their most crucial priorities, particularly due to its location and natural resources. Due to environmental concerns, Denmark has not taken advantage of Greenland's treasure trove of materials, which includes rare earth elements, zinc, gold, iron ore, copper, uranium, and titanium, along with billions of barrels of oil and at least 148 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Meanwhile, Greenland's proximity to Russia via the Arctic Circle would give the United States a decisive advantage against their enemies in Asia. However, developing the massive, icy territory would require billions of dollars of investment due to the frigid temperatures and currently uninhabitable terrain. Nevertheless, Trump has asserted that he wants to acquire Greenland, whichever way possible. Greenland has long been a self-governing autonomous territory of Denmark, but they maintain a clause in their agreements with the European country that allows them to hold a referendum for independence at any point in time. A lack of economic self-sufficiency has prevented them from taking this action, though, as Greenland does not have the infrastructure or governmental strength to be an independent country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced earlier in the week that the administration was contemplating the possibility of buying Greenland from Denmark, while press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed the United States' ability to use their military to take control as another option. Other Trump-appointed officials expressed questions over Denmark's true right to the territory and encouraged Trump to move forward with the idea, but maintained that any sort of invasion or military intervention is unlikely at this time. On the other hand, numerous Democrats – and even several Republicans – strongly opposed Trump's agenda, calling on Congress to "stop him before he invades another country" and telling Trump to "stop the 'we want Greenland BS.'" This was followed, though, by announcements from various European countries and Canada, who reiterated their support for Denmark and encouraged the United States to collaborate with Europe to ensure security of the Arctic Circle. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US attack on Greenland would end NATO, weakening the western world and making them all more vulnerable to attacks from powers like Russia and China. Additionally, reports have found that the people of Greenland have already expressed disinterest in joining the United States. When US Vice President JD Vance traveled to Greenland in March of last year, locals strongly resisted his arrival, labeling it as a completely unwelcome show of power– they did not invite the delegation, neither did they want them to be there. Vance and other officials attempted to meet local residents and take part in cultural activities, but most Greenlanders did not want to meet the delegation at all. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): During a conversation, each speaker’s “turn” averages 2 seconds, and the pause in between is only 200 milliseconds. That figure is nearly universal with almost all languages. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours. (Swedish Proverb) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Loll (verb, LAHL) - Loll most often means “to droop or hang loosely.” It can also mean “to act or move in a relaxed or lazy manner.” In a Sentence: We’re counting down the days until the weather will be warm enough again to laze and loll by the pool. Image credit to Guide to Greenland

The Harbin Ice Festival has begun in northeastern China, drawing millions of tourists to see the incredible ice sculptures. The festival takes place every year between late December and mid-February, with master sculptors shaping huge blocks of ice for the exhibition. It opens to the public towards the end of December, but the official opening ceremony takes place during the first week of January, where the competition winners are also announced. Despite taking place in the remote, frigid Chinese province of Heilongjiang, the event saw over 90 million visitors at the 2024-2025 festival, with up to 30,000 per day. However, these tourists are required to bring heavy gear– average temperatures in Harbin during the winter range between 14°F and -13°F (-10°C and -25°C). Additionally, ice sculptures aren't the only attraction at the festival. Harbin also hosts an art expo for snow sculptures and a full ice lantern art fair, and more– almost everything is made of ice, including bars and restaurants. In fact, some of these restaurants even serve their food and drinks using ice plates and ice cups, and guests are seated on ice furniture as well. The festival also offers winter swimming, where visitors can watch professionals swim through the freezing waters of the Songhua River. Visitors themselves are not allowed to take a dip because of the training required to handle such extreme temperatures, but they can observe others during morning hours when the events take place– usually between 10 am and 2 pm. Harbin also has other attractions outside the festival, including skiing, sledding, and snowboarding, and some tourism companies in the city can bring visitors outside the city for Siberian Tiger and Arctic animal watching. In addition to drawing tourists, the Harbin Ice Festival also hosts several competitions for sculptors, sparking international recognition and interest from creators around the world. These competitions typically take place at the center of the festival, known as the Harbin Ice-Snow World, and they are the only annually-held ice sculpture competitions in the world. This year, the 37th edition of the contest drew 76 sculptors from 12 different countries, with a Russian team taking home the win. Coming from the isolated Siberian town of Amursk, the team won the competition with their sculpture, Alone in the Forest . Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Studies have shown that feeding curry spices like coriander and turmeric to both sheep and cows reduces the amount of methane in their farts by up to 40%. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Art is not what you see, but what you make others see. (Edgar Degas) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Marginalia (noun, mahr-juh-NAY-lee-uh) - Marginalia is a plural noun that refers to notes or other marks written in the margins of a text, and also to nonessential matters or items. In a Sentence: I loved flipping through my literature textbooks to find the marginalia left behind by former students. Image credit to CNN