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José Antonio Kast, a far-right conservative politician, took home the win in Chile's presidential election amid a slew of concerns regarding safety and immigration. Kast won the election with a staggering 58.2% of the vote, while his communist opponent Jeanette Jara received the other 41.8% Kast is expected to take a similar stance on issues to US President Donald Trump, who has initiated major crackdowns on drugs and illegal immigration. He has established ideas to build a wall along Chile's northern border and deport illegal immigrants, and many of his supporters have adopted the slogan 'Make Chile Great Again.' He also plans to construct more maximum-security prisons to hold more criminals and ramp up arrests. He has also promised to revive Chile's economy, which has maintained stability and remains high-income but has seen minimal growth in recent years. Using his connections to Trump, he is expected to re-establish a strong relationship with the US that could allow him to revitalize Chile's economic sector. Nevertheless, Kast does not have a majority in either house of the Chilean Congress, requiring him to make agreements with other parties to pass new laws. This will likely force him to shift his policies closer to those of a centrist, but with the right strategy, he could significantly advance the situation in Chile. His election comes during the term of incumbent President Gabriel Boric, whose left-wing, more liberal administration has caused discontent and anger among the Chilean people. Homicides increased over 50% in 2024 when compared to 2018, and over 63% of Chileans consider violence and crime as their primary concern, according to a report by IPSOS . Meanwhile, the drug trade and illegal immigration are also major issues, with many refugees from other countries like Venezuela arriving in Chile for safety. Kast, though, has instructed all illegal immigrants to leave the country before March– once he assumes office, deportations will begin, and they will not be allowed to bring any belongings. However, this has created a tense situation at the Chilean border with Peru, where an influx of illegal immigrants has triggered a state of emergency. Local police are already reporting drops in numbers of immigrants crossing the border. As a whole, Chile's shift is yet another example of a Latin American country moving towards the right, with many presidents hoping to echo the policies of Donald Trump. Argentina and Bolivia have already elected far-right presidents with close ties and similar stances to Trump, and all three presidents hope to address the same issues: safety, immigration, and bolstering their respective economies. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In Bruges, Belgium, there is an underground pipeline that runs 2 miles to transfer beer from a brewery to the bottling plant. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. (Peter Marshall ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Multitudinous (adj, mul-tuh-TOO-duh-nus) - Multitudinous is a formal word with meanings that relate to multitudes. It can mean “existing in a great multitude”—that is, “very many”; or “including a multitude of individuals”; or “existing in or consisting of innumerable elements or aspects.” In a Sentence: The two old friends reminisced about the multitudinous ways in which their lives had changed. Image credit to AFP

Belarus has freed 123 prisoners after the United States agreed to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash, one of their most important exports. The agreement was part of wider negotiations between US President Donald Trump and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to attempt to pull Belarus out of their heavy Russian influence, according to American officials. Putin and the Russian government have always maintained a strong grip on Belarusian stances and politics since it broke away from the Soviet Union in 1991, preventing the country from building ties with the Western world. The country also maintains a heavily authoritarian government, as Lukashenko has held power for over 30 years and continues to bear a tight grip over Belarus' political state. Belarus has faced heavy sanctions from both the United States and the European Union ever since a serious crackdown on political opponents and protests during a controversial election in 2020, and those sanctions were increased two years later after Belarus allowed Russia to use its land in their fight against Ukraine. After several days of negotiations, Trump decided to lift the sanctions on Belarusian potash, one of their largest exports, in exchange for the release of 123 American prisoners. Among the prisoners were Ales Bialiatski, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Maria Kalesnikava, one of the leaders of the opposition movement against the Belarus' authoritarian government. Multiple other members of major opposition parties were among those freed in the deal, which could allow for greater movements to transition towards a more democratic state in the future. However, Lukashenko continues to hold over 1,200 political prisoners in jail, and many of the opposition leaders freed in the recent agreement have been deported to Ukraine. Many of them were charged for various crimes that have been accused of being "politically motivated" by citizens, while others were originally arrested for protesting or rallying people. Due to this, opposition leaders have called for the EU to maintain their sanctions on Belarus, keeping some sort of leverage to force a democratic transition in the future. Additionally, while the US does not import very many goods from Belarus, the EU is a much closer, more available market to the eastern European country, and opening up to that market could provide them with immense economic benefits. Nevertheless, they continue to experience significant influence from Russia, which is unlikely to change. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The logo on the Red Bull cans are not cattle, but a type of Southeast Asian bovine called a “gaur.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Loyalty is not blind. It sees but doesn’t judge. It knows, but doesn’t question. It understands, but doesn’t criticize. (Unknown ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Alleviate (adj, uh-LEE-vee-ayt) - To alleviate something is to make it less painful, difficult, or severe. Alleviate can also mean "to partially remove or correct." In a Sentence: There's no cure for the common cold, but there are various treatments that may alleviate some of the symptoms. Image credit to AFP

Disney's 'Zootopia 2' continued its impressive run of box office days with yet another successful one on Friday, putting it past the $1 billion mark. Zootopia was first released almost ten years ago back in 2016, quickly becoming a widely-loved animated movie that skyrocketed in popularity, particularly among family-friendly audiences. The movie's fun yet realistic animation made it a worldwide hit, grossing $341.3 million in the United States and Canada and over $682.5 million in other countries, with a total box office revenue of just over $1 billion. Now, the movie's sequel has crossed the same mark. Zootopia 2 follows the same characters as they travel on different adventures, expanding their fantastical world and building their friendship along the way. The long-anticipated sequel was finally released on November 26, with thousands of families waiting to head to the theaters to watch after its release. With the milestone, Zootopia 2 becomes the fastest-ever PG movie to reach the $1 billion mark at the box office, and it is only the third movie of 2025 to do so– Disney's live action remake of "Lilo & Stitch" and China's "Ne Zha 2" were the others. Zootopia 2 has been particularly popular in China, where American movies have often been restricted or are less seen. However, since the creation of a Zootopia Land at Shanghai's Disneyland park, the movie has seen its popularity skyrocket– in fact, Zootopia 2 earned over $430 million from the Chinese box office alone. The milestone comes at a time where Hollywood is struggling at the American box office, with many people simply refusing to go to theaters and watch movies. Crossing the $1 billion mark in the movie industry has become a rarity as the years have gone on, and unfortunately, the situation does not seem to be improving as streaming takes over more and more market share. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Ant queens can live for up to 30 years. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation, even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. (Leonardo da Vinci ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Waggish (adj, WAG-ish) - Waggish describes someone who is silly and playful, and especially someone who displays a mischievous sense of humor. The word can also describe things that such a person might do or possess. In a Sentence: He had a waggish disposition that could irk adults but typically delighted children. Image credit to Disney

Tensions between the United States and Venezuela continue to rise following the seizure of a suspicious Venezuelan oil tanker by American authorities, in addition to the fact that María Corina Machado was able to receive her award in Norway. On Wednesday, the US government seized an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan oil through the Caribbean. The ship, named the Skipper, has been suspected by the Trump administration for playing a part in oil smuggling, particularly to the Middle Eastern nation of Iran, which faces heavy sanctions from the US. Additionally, the ship had been flying the flag of Guyana despite not being registered to that country, and a New York Times report found that the tanker had most likely been cheating the system by moving its transponder to a different location when it was actually transporting oil between countries. According to the report, the ship has transported "nearly 13 million barrels of Iranian and Venezuelan oil" over the past four years. Furthermore, the ship had actually been restricted by the US Department of the Treasury in 2022 after being proven to play a part in an international oil smuggling network that helped rebel groups in the Middle East, like Lebanon's Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Venezuelan activist María Corina Machado was successfully able to receive her award in Oslo after the help of the United States. Machado, one of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro's most prominent opponents, won the Nobel Peace Prize in October for her incredible efforts, but ceremonies to hand out the award took place just this week. Machado was initially unable to escape her country to receive the award, which would be given out in Oslo, Norway. However, in the end, she was successfully able to make it out, which she credited to US President Donald Trump and his recent actions. While her daughter was forced to accept the award for her, as she did not arrive in time for the ceremony, she was later seen standing above massive crowds as they praised her efforts and sang Venezuela's national anthem. Machado has consistently maintained her stance that international intervention is required to solve the situation in Venezuela, as Maduro refuses to give up his position despite calls for him to step down. Trump has also asserted that Maduro – who he has accused of being a drug kingpin – must be ousted, and he continues to ramp up his war against oil smuggling and the drug trade in Venezuela. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The total weight of all air on Earth is around 11 quintillion pounds. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Regret is a tough but fair teacher. To live without regret is to believe you have nothing to learn , no amends to make, and no opportunity to be braver with your life. (Brené Brown ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Leviathan (noun, luh-VYE-uh-thun) - Leviathan is a word with literary flair that can refer broadly to something very large and powerful, or more narrowly to a large sea animal, or a totalitarian state having a vast bureaucracy. In a Sentence: Towering leviathans of the forest, giant sequoias often reach heights of more than 200 feet. Image credit to Planet Labs

Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from southeastern Thailand and northwestern Cambodia as border skirmishes and battles continue across the region. Back in July, tensions quickly rose between Thailand and Cambodia after several border skirmishes , which both countries blamed each other for. The two countries continue to battle over much of their border, which includes dozens of ancient Khmer temples that both countries wish to possess control of. The situation escalated into full-blown battles, requiring tanks and fighter jets, and at least 38 people were killed. Soon after, negotiations began in Malaysia, and the peace talks resulted in a shaky but successful ceasefire credited to US President Donald Trump. However, just after the deal was made, both countries claimed that the other had violated the agreement , sparking tensions once again. Thankfully, both countries dropped the argument after several additional border skirmishes, bringing temporary peace to the region and allowing evacuees to return. Now, the conflict has been re-initiated, with explosions and attacks rocking the border. Once again, both countries blame each other for beginning the battles, but the situation has rapidly become even worse than before. At least 15 people have been killed and over 500,000 locals have been evacuated from border provinces, where the majority of these historic Khmer temples are located. Cambodia claims that the Thai army fired directly into areas near the Ta Krabey temple, while Thailand claims Cambodia fired into a region near a hospital, injuring civilians. Many residents were forced to leave with no warning, leaving belongings behind, while others were evacuated by authorities and placed in shelters. US President Donald Trump has vowed to intervene again to try to stop the conflict, and he has confirmed that a call has been scheduled between him and the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia later today. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): A recently discovered deep-sea snail, the Scaly-Foot Gastropod, has an iron shell that is impressively developed– so much, in fact, that the U.S. military is trying to use its design to inspire defensive layers in military armor. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. (Albert Einstein ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Grift (verb, GRIFT) - To grift is to use dishonest tricks to illegally take money or property. In a Sentence: The email scammer shamelessly grifted thousands of dollars from unwitting victims. Image credit to Al Jazeera

The bidding war between Netflix and Paramount to take ownership of Warner Bros. Discovery has intensified, with both companies making major bids and an FTC decision looming in the distance. In June, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) confirmed that the company would split into two independent corporations , Warner Bros. and Discovery Global. Warner Bros. would encompass the studios and streaming portion of the company, including HBO, while Discovery Global would possess most of their live channels like CBS, TNT, and HGTV. However, soon after, Paramount offered a deal of $24 a share, or around $60 billion total, for the entire company. WBD rejected the deal, saying the offer was too low, but it began a bidding war after the company also piqued the interest of Netflix. Then, last Friday, Netflix gave WBD an offer of $82.7 billion for just the studios and streaming portion of the company– what would have become the new "Warner Bros." The boards of both companies agreed to the deal, and it was quickly finalized over the weekend. Nevertheless, Paramount came back with a sky-high, hostile bid on Monday, proposing to give them $30 a share– a staggering $108.4 billion for the entire company. Paramount's offer includes studios, streaming, and the cable channels, making it tempting to WBD, but the board has maintained their word with Netflix. They have confirmed that they will respond within 10 business days, but according to their agreement with Netflix, they have a damages clause that forces them to pay $2.8 billion to Netflix if they accept Paramount's deal. Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison has asserted that their offer is not their best and it is already backed by major investment authorities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar along with the wealthy Ellison family, making them the clear choice. On the other hand, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has argued that a full takeover by Paramount would lead to $6 billion in cost-saving, which would result in major firing and job cuts at the company. Despite these negotiations, many people believe that President Trump and his allegiances with both companies could likely come into play when determining which company will buy Warner. Each company will have their own antitrust concerns if they manage to score the deal– Netflix adding more streaming to their already-large portfolio is certain to draw scrutiny, and the merger of two multimedia giants like Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery would also require approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Additionally, Larry Ellison, the father of David Ellison and the CEO of cloud computing giant Oracle, happens to be a large donor to the Trump administration. After the smooth merger between Paramount and Skydance, two media giants, the public scrutinized the deal by claiming that the FTC had allowed it to go through because Ellison had convinced Trump to let it go. However, Republicans argued against this, claiming that the deal had never violated any antitrust laws in the first place. Affinity Partners, a private equity firm founded by Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has also confirmed that they are backing Paramount in their offer, raising additional suspicions. Meanwhile, Trump has spoken highly of Sarandos, but established that there are antitrust concerns in their deal to buy Warner. Hollywood unions have also spoken out against the Netflix deal, claiming that a Netflix takeover would further decrease the company's already-declining number of theatrical releases. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): So far, two diseases have successfully been eradicated: smallpox and rinderpest. The last case of smallpox was in 1977, and the last of rinderpest was in 2001. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. (Leonard Cohen ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Paltry (adj, PAWL-tree) - Paltry is a formal word that can describe something that is very small or too small in amount, or something that has little meaning, importance, or worth. In a Sentence: They're offering a paltry salary for the position. Image credit to Britannica

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Japan yesterday, triggering tsunami warnings across the northern part of the country and forcing evacuations. The quake struck late at night, around 11:15 pm local time, at a depth of 33 miles, with an epicenter around 44 miles away from the Japanese coastline. The earthquake's depth and distance from Japan likely mitigated its impacts, but shaking was still felt as far as Tokyo– over 400 miles away. Soon after, a tsunami warning was issued along the northeastern coast of Japan, across the prefectures of Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate, which were closest to the epicenter. Over 114,000 people were evacuated from the region out of fear of a powerful tsunami, but the resulting tsunamis were relatively mild– the largest recorded wave was around 2.3 feet in Iwate prefecture. Nevertheless, at least 30 people were injured during the quake, which collapsed structures and knocked out electricity for many. Highways and railroads were also damaged, leading to the shutdowns of roads and train services. Nuclear power plants have confirmed that they have experienced minimal damage– a statement that brings sighs of relief to Japanese citizens after each quake. Back in 2011, the massive 9.0 magnitude Tōhoku earthquake, which was Japan's strongest earthquake in history, led to a huge tsunami after the land in a subduction zone was lifted during the shaking. The resulting tsunami, which reached over 133 feet high, devastated the Fukushima nuclear reactor, leading to reactor meltdowns and the spread of radioactive contamination across the city. Cleanup efforts are still going, but authorities are slowly making progress to make the area livable once again. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): By applying even pressure to an egg, it is nearly impossible to break the shell by squeezing it. The egg's unique, three-dimensional arched shape is a marvel of natural engineering, making it incredibly strong under even compression. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Harmony makes small things grow; lack of it makes great things decay. (Sallust ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Bravado (noun, bruh-VAH-doh) - Bravado refers to confident or brave talk or behavior that is intended to impress other people. In a Sentence: She tells the stories of her youthful exploits with enough bravado to invite suspicion that they're embellished a bit. Image credit to Reuters

In another incident at the Louvre recently, a pipe burst in the museum, damaging hundreds of books that must now undergo restoration. The leak occurred in the museum's Egyptian antiquities department, specifically inside one of the department's three library rooms. According to initial reports, at least 300 to 400 books were damaged, but a more accurate count is currently underway. Local officials say that some of the books were hundreds of years old, dating back to the late 19th and 20th centuries, but did not include any ancient texts from Egypt's history before then. Apparently, most of the books were Egyptology journals or scientific findings instead of original, ancient Egyptian texts. Because of this, Louvre employees are not extremely concerned about the books, as they were "useful" but not unique. They added that none of the books damaged are irreparable– all of them are simply books that can be dried page by page to try to restore it to its original form. However, the leak is yet another sign of the Louvre's failing, old infrastructure after a major jewel heist just two months ago. Four thieves were able to break into the Louvre in broad daylight, stealing various crown jewels from the famed museum's Apollo Gallery and escaping in just eight minutes. The thieves escaped with eight jewels that were collectively worth around $102 million, and while several arrests have been made, the jewels have still not been recovered. During the theft, the alarms did go off, but authorities did not have full surveillance of the exterior of the building, and the only camera on that side of the Louvre happened to be pointing in the opposite direction of the thieves. This lack of infrastructure, crucially, slowed police down, as they were not able to pinpoint where the robbers were conducting the heist. Museum officials have confirmed that the exact area of the ventilation and heating system that experienced the leak is set for a complete refurbishment in September 2026, and the entire Louvre will undergo a massive, $93 million renovation beginning next year as well. While this project will be majority-funded by the French government, the Louvre has already raised ticket prices by 45%, allowing them to generate some extra revenue to use for the improvements. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The military has used silly string to detect tripwires in Iraq. Before entering a room, they can squirt it inside. If it hangs in the air, it may have revealed a wire. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Don’t waste time putting forward arguments in good faith in the face of people of bad faith. (Moroccan Proverb ) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Enigmatic (adj, en-ig-MAT-ik) - Something or someone described as enigmatic is mysterious and difficult to understand. In a Sentence: The band’s lead singer has always been an enigmatic figure, refusing to use social media or even sit for interviews. Image credit to BBC

At least 23 people are dead after a major fire at a nightclub near the Indian city of Panaji, located in the popular tourist state of Goa. The fire began at around midnight at a nightclub named Birch by Romeo Lane, located in the city of Arpora, around 15 miles away from Goa's capital of Panaji. According to officials, most victims were workers at the nightclub, who became trapped in the basement, but at least three to four tourists were also killed in the incident. Locals reported that the nightclub was extremely crowded at the time, with hundreds of people in the building, but a stampede ensued when flames began spreading in the building following a blast. However, as a result, many people ran in the wrong direction and became trapped in the basement along with the workers. Authorities confirmed that most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation and suffocation due to the building's suboptimal ventilation system. Meanwhile, narrow alleyways surrounding the building forced fire crews to park their trucks in another location, preventing them from responding effectively, and the building's single entry and exit stopped visitors from escaping the smoke. Furthermore, a construction area on the side was made up entirely of palm leaves, which quickly caught fire and contributed to the blaze. Initial findings found the cause to be a "cylinder blast," but they have established that a more thorough investigation is needed before they can come to any conclusions. Nevertheless, they have been able to confirm that the nightclub did not follow local fire safety regulations, and they have launched a separate investigation into why the rules were not enforced for the building. Unfortunately, such incidents are common in countries like India, where many popular places like nightclubs and event spots are not regulated properly and continue to violate building codes. Authorities claim that they will follow their investigations up with more frequent fire safety checks on places like Birch by Romeo Lane. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Mob boss Vincent Gigante used to wander around New York in his bathrobe to convince the police he was insane and avoid capture. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): What am I living for and what am I dying for are the same question. ( Margaret Atwood) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Sensibility (noun, sen-suh-BIL-uh-tee) - Sensibility is a formal word often used in its plural form to refer someone’s personal or cultural approach to what they encounter, as in “the speaker made sure to tailor his speech to the sensibilities of his audience.” Sensibility can also be used for the kind of feelings a person tends to have in general, as well as for the ability to feel and understand emotions. In a Sentence: Many older cartoons feel out of line with modern sensibilities . Image credit to NDTV

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin are currently meeting in New Delhi for the first time in years, hoping to strengthen ties. Modi's primary goal is to re-establish strong ties with Russia, which they have hesitated to do since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022. United States President Donald Trump has consistently asserted that India must sever ties with Russia, one of its longtime allies, but India has refused to move away from Russian oil– drawing ire from Trump. India attempted to ramp up their purchases of Russian oil, but those efforts were hindered by Trump's staggering 50% tariffs on the South Asian country. Putin has also promised an "uninterrupted" supply of fuel shipments for India, encouraging them to continue investing in Russian oil. Nevertheless, India has also been increasing their purchases of US-produced natural gas and oil, showing a commitment to neutrality. However, experts and politicians have warned that India faces a highly unpredictable future ahead if they continue to remain in the middle, avoiding making any solid allies. Indian officials have confirmed that their relationship with the US is highly unpredictable but carries more upside, and India conducts more joint exercises with the US than any other country. Meanwhile, Russia is a more stable ally that they have maintained for decades, but bolstering their ties with Russia could negatively impact their relationship with the western world. If they are able to maintain a stable allyship with both countries, though, it could be a major win for their economic and political situation. For now, India is focusing on strengthening ties with Putin and Russia, which is the purpose of Modi's invitation to Delhi. So far, both countries have already pledged to bring their total trade to at least $100 billion by 2030, and India plans to send more of their citizens to work in Russia in the coming years. Additionally, India has backed the idea of peace between Ukraine and Russia, but they have not specified exactly whose plans they plan to support. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Aeroflot Flight 593 crashed because the pilot let his kids enter the cockpit and play with the controls of the plane, who unknowingly disengaged the autopilot function. The crash killed all 75 people on board. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Arguing with a fool proves there are two. ( Doris M. Smith) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Inoculate (adj, ih-NAHK-yuh-layt) - To inoculate a person or animal is to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into them especially in order to treat or prevent a disease. Inoculate can also mean "to introduce (something, such as a microorganism) into a suitable situation for growth," and in figurative use, it can mean "to protect as if by inoculation" or "to introduce something into the mind of." In a Sentence: In 1796, the English physician Edward Jenner discovered that inoculating people with cowpox could provide immunity against smallpox. Image credit to Politico