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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

Australia has confirmed that they will begin enforcing a major social media ban for minors, and they have encouraged the rest of the world to do the same. The new law, which would legally force social media companies to shut down accounts of people under the age of 16, was passed around a year ago , but it is now finally set for implementation. The social media apps included are Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, X and YouTube, and live-streaming gaming platform Twitch was also added to the list later on. While the law is set to be enforced for the first time next week, apps like Facebook and Instagram have already begun shutting down accounts ahead of the check-in, according to Reuters. Others have sent users an email offering them the option of deleting their account or halting all activity until they reach the age of 16, when it can be reactivated. These emails also allow users to download any photos or contacts they may have before the possible deletion of their account. From December 11, Australia will begin requiring a monthly report from each social media company stating exactly how many accounts they removed, and corporations that fail to comply with the order could face fines of up to $33 million. Studies show that between 20% and 40% of children lie about their age online, but companies have confirmed that they will be using alternate methods to determine a child's age– Google, for example, will use signals and statistics found in data across its services to determine a user's age on YouTube. However, the law has still received mixed reactions from the public. Many lawmakers and adults have emphasized how social media can be a massive detriment to teens' mental health and can distract them from more productive tasks like schoolwork. Banning social media also largely eliminates the prospect of cyberbullying, slows the spread of misinformation or AI-generated content among kids, and builds real-life relationships with friends and family instead of online ones. Meanwhile, opposition to the ban has claimed that suddenly removing social media from the lives of teens could have a serious negative impact on the mental health of existing child users of social media, leaving them feeling disconnected or depressed and doing more harm than good. They have also pointed out the benefits of social media, which can give children new ideas or foster new forms of learning and creativity if it is used correctly. Nevertheless, Australia has already begun implementing the ban, and all users under 16 that can be identified will be signed out of their social media accounts beginning December 10. The law is set to have a massive impact on the children of Australia, as over 96% of Australian teens under 16 have at least one account on one of the social media services listed above. Australia is also encouraging other nations to take similar action, and the idea of an under-16 social media ban is already spreading. Malaysia confirmed last year that it will begin a similar ban from 2026, and according to AP, the European Commission, France, Denmark, Greece, Romania and New Zealand are also interested in a possible ban. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): While the US state of Colorado appears to have four straight sides, it actually has 697 sides because of minor errors made by surveyors in the 1800s because they used a magnetic compass. Because of this, technically, Colorado is not a four-sided rectangle, but a 697-sided hexahectaenneacontakaiheptagon. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): How you treat the one reveals how you regard the many, because everyone is ultimately a one. ( Stephen Covey) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Frowsy (adj, FROW-zee) - Something described as frowsy has a messy or dirty appearance. In a Sentence: The lamp, discovered in a neglected corner of a frowsy antique store, turned out to be quite valuable. Image credit to Politico

The European Union is considering a major plan that would take a loan from Russia's frozen assets in Belgium to allow them to fund Ukraine, in addition to an alternate idea for common borrowing. Over the last few months, Europe has worked on devising a plan that would give Ukraine a stronger position against Russia, hoping to have some sort of influence over the war after they were left out of peace talks by US President Donald Trump. Now, the EU is considering two plans that would help fund Ukraine, but both have raised concerns and remain controversial. The European Commission's primary plan utilizes frozen Russian assets in Belgium. Due to the war, over €210 billion ($244 billion) in Russian assets have been frozen in Belgium– and the EU's latest plan attempts to take a loan from these assets. The majority of frozen Russian assets belong to Euroclear, a global securities company headquartered in Belgium, allowing the EU to borrow from these assets to supply cash to Ukraine. Providing Ukraine with such a massive amount of money would allow the country to continue their war against Russia for several more years, at least, putting them in the perfect place for negotiation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose financial backing is beginning to falter. Meanwhile, the EU would give Euroclear zero-coupon bonds in exchange for the money– a zero-coupon bond does not accumulate interest, but maintains Russia's ownership of their assets. However, Belgium has expressed financial concerns over the reparations-backed nature of the loan. The intended final outcome of the plan is for Ukraine to use the money to rebuild and fight back against Russia, while Russia would eventually pay reparations to Ukraine for the war. The money from these reparations would then be given to the EU, who would be able to use it to pay back Euroclear, and therefore Russia, for the EU bonds if Russian assets were unfrozen. Basing the plan on reparations carries great risks, though. Belgium and other countries have pointed out that if Russia were to pay no reparations, Ukraine is not obligated to pay money to the EU. If this were to occur, the European Union would be forced to pay the entire sum from their budget, taking money from taxpayers and governments to repay Euroclear for the bonds. Due to these concerns, the EU have also drafted an alternate plan that would provide Ukraine with less funding but carries less risk. The alternate plan would see the EU borrow on international markets, which would place the burden on taxpayers but would delay the repayment of the borrowing. This plan carries much less risk, as it is an established policy that many countries use, but would also provide much less funding to Ukraine than the other plan. The European Union is set to vote on the matter later this month, where they will decide on which plan to execute– Ukraine is in desperate need of funding, and without the EU's help, Russia may ramp up their attacks and take more territory. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): After the release of the 1996 film Scream , which involved an anonymous killer calling and murdering his victims, Caller ID usage tripled in the United States. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop. ( Confucius) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Alchemy (noun, AL-kuh-mee) - Alchemy refers to a power or process that changes or transforms something in a mysterious or impressive way. In a Sentence: They practiced their alchemy in the kitchen, turning a pile of vegetables and legumes into an extravagant meal. Image credit to European Commission

India has revoked a mandate to download a cyber safety app on all smartphones after massive backlash and suspicions of government spying and other issues. Several days ago, India announced that they would be mandating the addition of Sanchar Saathi to all smartphones, new and existing. Sanchar Saathi, a state-owned cybersecurity application, had been growing in popularity, and the Indian government soon decided to mandate it to increase cyber safety among the people of India. Specifically, the government stated that they needed to handle the problem of tampering with the International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI. Each device contains its own unique IMEI, and Sanchar Saathi allows users to block or track a lost or stolen devices using the IMEI. The app also allows users to prevent other forms of fraud and cheating, like identifying the phone numbers of scammers and reporting any sort of fraudulent communication, along with verifying the authenticity of a used device before purchasing it. After seeing the app's success, the government told all smartphone companies – including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi – to pre-install the app on all future phones sold in India and disable its deletion. Meanwhile, on existing phones, the companies would need to download the app using a software update. However, the move sparked massive backlash, forcing them to revoke the mandate just days later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's opposition quickly denounced the mandate as a way to gain access to the country's 700 million smartphones, raising the potential for future spying on citizens. Additionally, before the mandate was taken back, Apple confirmed that they would not comply with the new order, as it would violate the privacy guarantees that they provide to each of their customers. The app's supporters in Parliament argued that the app can still be deleted – which remains true – despite their original mandate that instructed smartphone companies to disable any restrictions or the deletion of the application. Modi's side established that keeping the app is completely optional and it would only benefit the people, but much of the population still resisted the mandate. Following the backlash, the government decided to rescind the mandate, claiming that the installation of Sanchar Saathi was already on the rise. They confirmed that over 14 million users have already downloaded the app, and it is already seeing over 2,000 fraudulent claims per day. They have also reasserted that the app has no other purpose than to increase cyber safety for the citizens, and it does not function until a user registers after downloading it. While the mandate has been revoked, the heightened awareness for Sanchar Saathi could assist India in their fight against fraud and cyber threats, which are becoming more and more prevalent as devices gain traction across the country. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The longest unbroken alliance in world history is between England and Portugal. It has lasted since 1386, when the Treaty of Windsor was signed, and still stands today. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success . ( Dale Carnegie) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Cajole (verb, kuh-JOHL) - To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into . In a Sentence: She cajoled her partner into going to the party with her. Image credit to Sanchar Saathi