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Hundreds of thousands of people gathered in protests across the globe yesterday, advocating for a change in the authoritarian Iranian regime tightening their grip over the Middle Eastern nation. Some of the most significant protests took place in Munich, Germany, where over 250,000 people took part in demonstrations against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's ongoing regime. People carried signs with images of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, a prominent opposition figure against Khamenei, alongside an Iranian flag with a lion and a sun at the center– a symbol used to represent the Shah of Iran who was overthrown in 1979. Others carried hats with the labels "Make Iran Great Again," an adaptation of US President Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again." The protests took place outside the Munich Security Conference, where many world leaders are currently meeting to discuss certain topics regarding the prevention of conflict and the strengthening of allyships like the US-EU partnership. Pahlavi called for citizens across the globe to protest on February 14, motivating hundreds of thousands to take to the streets for a "Global Day of Action" in cities like Melbourne, Tokyo, Athens, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London, in addition to the demonstrations in Munich. At least 350,000 protesters joined the demonstrations in Toronto, and thousands more took to the streets of Los Angeles, which maintains the world's largest Iranian population outside of Iran. The backlash comes just one month after a series of brutal killings during a crackdown on Khamenei's opposition in January. Over 7,000 fatalities were confirmed, and over 10,000 others were arrested after massive demonstrations protesting Khamenei's regime. Those taken into custody were set to face the death penalty until international intervention, putting further pressure on Khamenei. Now, the US appears to be preparing for a potential conflict with Iran, as Khamenei is refusing to step down, but US President Donald Trump is attempting to work out a nuclear deal with the Middle Eastern nations before possible escalation of tensions. Nuclear talks will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, but Trump has released statements encouraging protesters to keep going as negotiations continue. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Eminem’s mother filed an $11 million defamation lawsuit against him because of his lyrics about her. She settled for $25,000, and $23,354.25 of that went to her lawyer. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking. (George S. Patton) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Canoodle (verb, kuh-NOO-dul) - To canoodle with someone is to hug and kiss them in a romantic way. In a Sentence: Two lovers were canoodling on a park bench. Image credit to EPA

Tarique Rahman, the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, won the Bangladeshi people's support in this week's election, marking the nation's first election since the Gen Z uprising of 2024. In 2024, following the reinstitution of Bangladesh's job quota system, protests broke out among younger generations, who felt that their opportunities were disproportionately impacted by the new system. The demonstrations began in July and quickly became violent, killing hundreds of people, and many protesters were subjected to police brutality amid the conflict. Eventually, the protesters made their way to the private residence of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's prime minister at the time, and stormed her home, forcing her to flee the country. She remains in New Delhi, India, to protect herself from the Bangladeshi violence, but the nation's lack of a leader left them without a strong institutional structure to build the country back up. Finally, after over a year of indecision, Bangladesh was successfully able to hold an election last week, permitting the selection of a new leader. In the end, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) took victory, securing the 151-seat margin needed for a majority in Bangladesh's 350-seat Parliament. The BNP has held power for significant periods of time in the past, but it remains a core representation of Bangladesh's highly dynastic leadership structure– the BNP's current leader, Tarique Rahman, happens to be the son of former Bangladeshi President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who also led the BNP during her three terms. Nevertheless, Rahman will aim to restore peace and economic growth to Bangladesh, alongside the implementation of stronger restrictions on executive power and term limits for prime ministers, as requested by the younger generation. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): In the 1700s, a mason in Jerusalem left his wooden ladder behind after doing some work on a church. Now, it can’t be moved without the agreement and permission of six different Christian leaders due to the fact that the church is split between six different sects of Christianity, with each sect playing a role in each and every decision made at the church. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Good business leaders create a vision , articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion. (Jack Welch) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Rapscallion (noun, rap-SKAL-yun) - The word rapscallion refers to someone who causes trouble, often in a mischievous way. It appears in the same sorts of contexts as rascal and scamp . In a Sentence: The movie follows the story of a rambunctious young rapscallion who can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Image credit to CNN

Switzerland is set to hold a vote to cap their population at 10 million, with supporters of the movement citing issues with strong population growth. Switzerland's current population stands at almost 9.1 million, but the European nation has experienced significant population growth within the last decade. In 2020, the Swiss population was around 8.6 million, and in 2010, it was just 7.8 million. Due to this track, Switzerland's most powerful political party, the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), has released a proposal that would cap Switzerland's population at 10 million until 2050. In particular, the SVP cited concerns over immigration and highlighted rising cost-of-living and stressed infrastructure. They also emphasized the importance of the environment in Switzerland, with higher populations putting more strain on natural resources. The nature of the proposal also forces the government to vote on it before the Swiss population reaches 10 million– following the current growth rate of between 0.5-1%, Switzerland would surpass that number within 10-20 years. To stop the nation from reaching 10 million, the proposal would begin taking restrictive measures, including the refusal of entry to asylum seekers, people looking for family reunification, and others looking for a residency permit. If the population were to hit 10 million, Switzerland would be forced to end their free-movement agreement with the European Union, which facilitates most economic relations between the two. The EU is also Switzerland's largest trading partner – though Switzerland is still not a part of the group – meaning that cutting themselves off from Europe could severely impact the nation's international relations. However, the SVP remains the only party supporting the deal, which is seen by others as extremely conservative. Other parties and opposing experts have highlighted Switzerland's dependency on immigrants for lower-level jobs, and over 30% of new citizens in recent years were immigrants. Furthermore, restrictions on migration could violate international laws that are already in place. Nevertheless, citizen polls suggest that there is widespread support for a population cap, and Switzerland's unique system of direct democracy could work in the SVP's favor. Swiss law allows parties to hold a national referendum for a proposal if the party in question is able to garner at least 100,000 signatures to petition for a public vote. Having already done this, the SVP will hold a referendum on June 14 to decide on the proposal, which could have a massive impact on the future of Switzerland. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The highest recorded fall without a parachute happened in 1972 at 33,333 ft after a plane explosion. The victim, 22-year-old flight attendant Vesna Vulović, was in the hospital for 16 months after the fall. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It isn’t enough to believe in something; you have to have the stamina to meet obstacles and overcome them, to struggle. (Golda Meir) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Endemic (adj, en-DEM-ik) - When used for a plant or animal species, endemic describes something that grows or exists in a certain place or area, and often specifically something restricted to a particular locality or region. Endemic is also used to describe diseases that persist over time in a particular region or population. It can also mean “common in a particular area or field.” In a Sentence: Our children were excited to finally see wild giant pandas— endemic to just three provinces in south-central China—during our family vacation. Image credit to iStock

A group of 19 Buddhist monks arrived in Washington D.C. yesterday having completed a 2,300-mile journey from Texas to the nation's capital. The monks, led by the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra , walked to promote peace, kindness, and compassion amid heightened geopolitical tensions. Their primary goal was to spread the message of spiritual mindfulness, helping people find inner peace within themselves, in addition to nonviolence and unity during a time of great division within the United States. Rather than projecting their goals as political, the walk served as a spiritual offering to the people of the United States, encouraging mindfulness and peace in people's everyday lives. However, the monks' 2,300-mile journey was not easy. After their departure from Texas' Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center on October 26, the group faced arduous conditions, particularly due to frigid temperatures across the southern United States. Despite ice accumulation, snowfall, and temperatures well below freezing, the monks never took a single day off, with three of them even walking barefoot. The monks also followed a strict schedule, beginning their walk at 7 am. They would continue until noon, stopping for their daily meal of alms, before walking until nightfall, where they would set up pitched tents in public areas to sleep in. The monks encountered another challenge when a truck hit the group's escort vehicle on November 19, causing an accident that injured two monks. One monk was treated by an ambulance on-site, while the other monk was airlifted to a nearby hospital and was forced to have his leg amputated. Nevertheless, the monks were supported by citizens all over the country, with thousands cheering them on in person and millions more following their progress on social media. The monks were also accompanied by a rescue dog, Aloka, who completed the entire journey by their side. Finally, the monks' journey came to a conclusion in the nation's capital of Washington D.C., with all 19 monks – including the injured monk, who arrived in a wheelchair – making their way across the Capitol and past the Lincoln Memorial. The trek lasted exactly 108 days– a sacred number in Buddhism, representing spiritual completion and cosmic order. Various political leaders arrived to meet them in Washington D.C., including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, alongside religious leaders across faiths. Several leaders spoke with the monks about the spirituality of mindfulness and peace, which transcend the boundaries of religion. Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra also gave some words of wisdom after completing the journey, calling mindfulness the "key to peace." He emphasized that spirituality is for people of all religions: "All you need to do is just practice mindfulness to unlock that box where you have kept peace and happiness inside and locked it up and then left it somewhere. Now it's your job. It's your duty, to find it and unlock it. You're the only one who can do this, not the venerable monks, not the reverends, nor anybody else, but you." "It might take seven days, seven months, or seven years to find inner peace," he said, "but each and every single one of us, we have our own path, and please remember, don't expect our path to be smooth and flat." Now, the monks will make their way back to Texas by bus, scheduled to return in two days. Their journey may be over, but the message they spread is sure to last in the minds of millions of people. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Walter Hunt, an American man, invented the safety pin back in 1849. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Someone who can hold on to his money is worth more than the one who earns it. (Yiddish Proverb) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tabula rasa (noun, TAB-yuh-luh RAH-zuh) - In general use, tabula rasa refers to something existing in an original pristine state. In philosophy, tabula rasa refers to the mind in its hypothetical primary blank or empty state before receiving outside impressions. In a Sentence: The apartment was only just renovated, and everything is clean and white; it's a tabula rasa , ready for a new occupant. Image credit to Reuters

Cuba is already beginning to enter a major shutdown across sectors after US President Donald Trump cut off a large portion of the island's oil supply, forcing airlines to reroute and strangling Cuba's economy. Just one month ago, Cuba was receiving oil from suppliers as usual– Venezuela is Cuba's largest supplier of crude oil, providing around 61% of their total. Next is Mexico, which supplies around 25%, along with Russia and Algeria at 10% and 4%. However, Trump had sharply criticized Cuba's communist government, labeling it a national security threat that supported terrorism and generated regional instability. Cuba also supported former dictator Nicolás Maduro's regime in Venezuela, forming a strong bilateral relationship. Nevertheless, in early January, the CIA captured Maduro from his home , collapsing Venezuela's authoritarian government. The US quickly took control of the Venezuelan government, particularly its oil supplies, and moved to cut off all exports to Cuba. Then, on January 29, Trump signed an executive order placing tariffs on any nation that supplied Cuba with oil, specifically targeting Mexico with the order. With 61% of Cuba's supply gone, Mexico's decision to halt oil shipments to the island nation last week have already proved to be crippling. According to the Trump administration, the cuts are all part of a plan to choke off Cuba's communist government, forcing its downfall. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum maintained, though, that Mexico will continue to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba amid this major crisis, and they could serve as an intermediary between the US and the Cuban government if need be. However, with almost no oil left, Cuba is already beginning to systematically shut down, with widespread power outages and zero fuel for airplanes and cars. Locals have stated that food and clean water are also becoming scarce across the island as electrical outages persist, with many people receiving a maximum of 30 minutes of power a day, if not less. Havana's José Martí International Airport has confirmed that they are almost out of jet fuel, forcing Canadian airlines like Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat to halt flights to the island. Amid the crisis, Canada is ferrying Canadian tourists off the island as well. American carriers like American and Delta are continuing operations, primarily to get any tourists or foreign nationals out of Cuba, but they are carrying extra fuel for return trips. The Trump administration stated yesterday that they have begun talks with the Cuban government, but made no specifications as to what sort of matters they are discussing. Cuban officials argued that they have not begun negotiations, but instead are open to dialogue. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The original name for Xbox was DirectXbox, designed to show how Microsoft’s Direct X graphics could improve the console market. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat. (Sylvester Stallone) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Besmirch (verb, bih-SMERCH) - To besmirch the reputation, name, honor, etc. of someone or something is to cause harm or damage to it. In a Sentence: The allegations have besmirched the company's reputation. Image credit to Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a supermajority in the latest parliamentary election, marking a landslide win to begin her tenure. Takaichi is the nation's first female prime minister, having been elected in October, and has jumped right into a strongly conservative agenda that focuses on empowering Japan's defense capabilities, boosting economic growth, increasing investments in digital infrastructure and AI, and strengthening Japan's relationship with the United States. As the country's first female leader, she quickly became a symbol of hope and renewal for Japan, which has been plagued with a rapidly aging population, high debt, and slow adoption of new technology. However, she did not have a majority in either house, preventing her party from passing new bills and agreements. Instead of forming a larger coalition, which would have impacted her agenda, Takaichi took a major risk by calling a snap parliamentary election in January, which can gain or lose seats for a particular party. Now, around one month later, her risk has paid off– Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a supermajority in the lower house, allowing her to pass bills with ease. Alongside the LDP's coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, the group hold 352 of the lower house's 465 seats, with the two-thirds majority allowing them to overrule decisions made by the upper house, where Takaichi does not maintain a majority. Stocks were sent soaring across the globe, particularly across the Japanese market due to Takaichi's economic-growth mindset. Her administration already plans to temporarily cut sales taxes for the masses, allowing them to manage their finances more effectively, and they are considering the temporary suspension of an 8% food tax to further alleviate pressure on Japanese households, which are already struggling with cost-of-living and stagnant wages. Alongside her economic plans, Takaichi has also expressed great interest in bolstering Japan's defense capabilities. She has re-established ties with allies like the US, Australia, the UK, and even South Korea, despite their ongoing tension over the Japanese annexation of Korea in the early 1900s. She also plans to open a national intelligence agency to secure Japan's national security for the future. Takaichi has already removed a ban on weapons exports and will ramp up defense spending to 2% of national GDP by March– double the country's military spending in 2022. This move also follows the pledge made by Takaichi to US President Donald Trump, who is attempting to strengthen ally nations' militaries to reduce dependence on the US and ramp up pressure on China. Takaichi is scheduled to make a visit to the White House on March 19, with plans to discuss defense commitments, Chinese influence, and the details of the $550 billion investment deal established in October. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Nutella was invented during WWII when an Italian pastry maker mixed hazelnuts into chocolate to extend his chocolate ration. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes. (Eleanor Roosevelt) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Fortuitous (adj, for-TOO-uh-tus) - Fortuitous is a formal word that usually describes something that comes or happens by a lucky chance. It can also mean “happening by chance” and “fortunate, lucky.” In a Sentence: The fact that we were both there was a fortuitous coincidence. Image credit to the New York Times

The Seattle Seahawks crushed the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 60 last night, putting on a show for viewers. Going 14-3 in the regular season, the Seahawks were major favorites coming into the playoffs, taking the #1 seed in the NFC as well. After dominating the San Francisco 49ers 41-6 and squeezing out a 31-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams, the Seahawks secured a spot in the final, with strong odds for a win against any AFC team. The Patriots were major underdogs coming into this season, having just won four games all of last season. They made an incredible comeback, though, going 14-3, though many fans highlighted the Patriots' relatively easy schedule. Once reaching the playoffs, the Patriots beat the Los Angeles Chargers 16-3, crushed the Houston Texans 28-16, and barely defeated the ailing Denver Broncos 10-7, who were without star quarterback Bo Nix. This secured their spot in the Super Bowl, but the odds remained strongly against them, as they had all season. Finally, the 60th Super Bowl kicked off last night, with the Patriots winning the toss and choosing to defer to the second half. The game began with a strong drive from Seattle, but a stop from the Patriots' defense limited them to a field goal. Once the Patriots received the ball, they also began to get into a rhythm, completing several passes before a major sack from Seahawks LB Derick Hall, setting them back 10 yards. After the sack, they were unable to reach the first down marker, forcing them to punt. This sparked a series of strong drives from both defenses, limiting both teams to 10 yards or below for two straight drives. The next score came in the early second quarter, with Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III setting up a field goal with two runs of 30 and 29 yards. The Patriots were still unable to put a score on the board, though, stifled by the Seahawks' aggressive defense. Near the end of the quarter, the Seahawks entered a rhythm with a mix of pass and rush plays, getting down the field before being limited to a field goal by the Patriots, yet again. This put the score at 9-0 at halftime. The third quarter kicked off with yet another Patriots punt, allowing the Seahawks to take over. Seattle executed their best drive yet, with QB Sam Darnold completing passes of 16, 16, and 20 yards to WR Rashid Shaheed, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Walker along with a 11-yard scramble. However, they were still forced to hand the ball off to kicker Jason Myers, who added another three points to the scoreboard. After two additional three-and-outs from either team, the Patriots attempted to regain their rhythm, but QB Drake Maye was sacked by Hall for a second time– this time, with Hall stripping the ball and recovering the fumble. Then came the fourth quarter, which proved to be the most exciting for viewers. After the fumble, Darnold completed an 11-yard pass to TE A.J. Barner, setting the team up for four attempts at the end zone. Then, on a well-designed play, Barner slipped through the coverage, allowing Darnold to shoot a 16-yard pass to an open Barner in the end zone, extending Seattle's lead to 19-0. On the next drive, the Patriots made some big plays, with Maye completing a 24-yard pass to WR Mack Hollins before sending a 35-yard end zone shot in Hollins' direction. Hollins secured the catch, putting the Patriots' first points on the board. After a Seahawks' punt, the Patriots regained the ball and made several strong plays before an interception from safety Julian Love, giving the ball back to the Seahawks. With the ball, Seahawks' RB Walker ran even closer to the end zone but was unable to make his way in, forcing another Seahawks field goal. Then, the Patriots began to regain momentum once again, but a pick-six from LB Uchenna Nwosu practically sealed the game, with the Seahawks leading 29-7 with under four minutes left. The Patriots managed to score a touchdown on the next drive, with Maye completing a 7-yard pass to RB Rhamondre Stevenson, but the game quickly wound down to an end after reaching the 2-minute warning. Then, the Seahawks kneeled after recovering the onside kick, completing the game at 29-13 and sealing their place in Seattle history. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The United States Department of Agriculture says the official definition of a sandwich is “at least 35 percent cooked meat and no more than 50 percent bread”. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted . (Alfred Adler) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Meme (noun, MEEM) - Meme is used popularly to refer to an amusing or interesting picture, video, etc. that is spread widely online. It can also refer to an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture. In a Sentence: Though the two friends now live on opposite coasts, they still keep in touch constantly, texting and sending their favorite funny cat memes back and forth. Image credit to AP

At least 31 people were killed and 169 others were injured after a suicide bomber drove a car near a local mosque, resulting in a massive explosion. The bombing occurred on Friday in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, where prayers were taking place at a Shiite mosque. According to local police, the man drove onto the grounds in a vehicle before being stopped by security. The bomber exited the car and began firing at security guards before detonating his explosive vest. Hundreds of people were injured, with emergency response teams scrambling to reach the site, and the attack was condemned by major nations like the US and China. The bomber was later identified as Yasir Khan, a 26-year-old Pakistani native. ISIS, also known as the Islamic State, quickly claimed responsibility for the attack and warned that more violence would be on the way. Designated as an international terrorist group, ISIS stands as a radical Sunni jihadist group that attempts to impose extremely strict Islamic law on the world, aiming to achieve their goals through continued violence and attacks. Local authorities have arrested a total of four suspects, as well as the alleged "mastermind" behind the plan– an Afghani ISIS operative who managed the training and planning for the attack, which also took place in Afghanistan. However, ISIS continues to operate in small cells, making it virtually impossible to eliminate the entire organization. Over the last few months, the terrorist group has carried out several deadly attacks, including the Bondi Beach massacre in Sydney, Australia in December and the Pakistani Taliban executed a suicide bombing on a courthouse in Islamabad in November. Additionally, further violence from other groups, like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), continues to destabilize the nation, stopping Pakistan from revitalizing its dying economy. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The Young America Township in Minnesota has a population of under 600 but more than 20 zip codes. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): You can listen to what people say, sure. But you will be far more effective if you listen to what people do. (Seth Godin) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Imbue (verb, im-BYOO) - Imbue has two common meanings: "to permeate or influence as if by dyeing" and "to provide with something freely or naturally." In the second use it is usually used with with . In a Sentence: A deep sense of history imbues the artist's work. Image credit to Reuters

The United States Department of Energy has begun a search to find a dumping ground for nuclear waste, given the significant prospect of nuclear growth in the near future. Nuclear energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of renewable energy in the US and across the globe, with International Atomic Energy Administration (IAEA) estimates expecting nuclear capacity to double by 2050. Nuclear's reliable, constant energy production has quickly grown to make up a significant portion of domestic energy in the US, making up around 20% of the country's energy usage– more than all other renewable sources combined. However, with the production of nuclear energy comes the production of nuclear waste. By using unstable uranium to generate electricity on a large scale, reactors are left with small amounts of radioactive waste after the fission process, which are harmful to the surrounding environment. Until now, this waste has been appropriately managed, but the capacity for nuclear plants to store this radioactive material is running out, and the number of reactors in the nation simply continues to increase. Nevertheless, there is a solution: burying the waste. Low-level waste, which is less harmful and makes up around 90% of all radioactive waste, takes under 100 years to decay, while intermediate-level waste can take several thousand years to fully decay. High-level waste, though, can take hundreds of thousands to even millions of years to decay into a substance with radioactivity levels safe enough for humans, requiring it to be stored somewhere away from civilization. Now, as stockpiles of radioactive waste begin to pile up, the Trump administration has denounced renewables but continues to champion nuclear energy. To deal with this excess waste, which already stands at over 100,000 tons, the US Department of Energy is looking for states that would be willing to open major facilities for the management of this spent fuel, which would include on-site nuclear reactors for electricity generation, deep holes to bury the waste, and other management operations to ensure the safety and adequate processing of the radioactive material. According to Reuters, the states of Utah and Tennessee have already expressed interest in the deal, and Nevada remains an option– in 1987, the US government decided that Nevada's Yucca Mountain would be the next location for the storage of nuclear waste, but the program was halted by former President Barack Obama in 2010 amid safety concerns from Nevada politicians. After deciding on the location, though, building it takes time. Finland is still building a nuclear waste management facility of their own despite having begun in 1983. Other countries have taken similar initiatives: Sweden expects to complete their facility in the late 2030s, Canada will finish by the late 2040s, Switzerland and France expect to be done by 2050, and the United Kingdom has not chosen a location but aims to finish the project by the late 2050s. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Approximately 1 in every 2,000 babies already has a tooth when they are first born, known as natal teeth. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. (Confucius) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Sartorial (adj, sahr-TOR-ee-ul) - Sartorial broadly means “of or relating to clothes,” but it often more specifically means “of or relating to a tailor or tailored clothes.” In a Sentence: This particular English teacher is known both for engaging students deeply in literature and for her eccentric sartorial tastes. Image credit to Getty Images

The United Kingdom's deal with Mauritius to hand over the Chagos Islands is currently passing through Parliament, while US President Donald Trump has shifted his views on the agreement. Here's everything to know. The Chagos Islands, located in the central Indian Ocean, have been under British control since 1814, when they took the archipelago along with Mauritius under the Treaty of Paris. In 1965, Mauritius was split away from the Chagos Islands, which were re-labeled as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). This allowed the United States and the United Kingdom to construct a bilateral military base in the archipelago, now known as Diego Garcia. Built on a coral atoll, Diego Garcia contains a large airstrip and several military hangars, along with a separate military base and naval support center, with the center of the atoll serving as an area for ships to anchor. The base has been utilized for various American and British operations, specifically in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam during the late 20th century. Under the agreement, the UK was obligated to return the islands to Mauritius once they were no longer crucial to British defense, but Mauritius gained independence from Britain in 1968 and later shifted to a republic in 1992. Due to this, Mauritius began to find legal ways to challenge the UK's ownership of the islands, particularly in international courts like the International Court of Justice (ICJ). These efforts were led by native Chagossians, who have been campaigning to retake their ancestral lands since being forcefully relocated to Mauritius, the Seychelles, and the UK in the 1960s. Out of respect for international law, the UK began talks with Mauritius on returning the islands in 2022, and a deal was reached in 2024 after 11 rounds of negotiations. On May 22, 2025, the UK and Mauritius officially signed a treaty to return the islands, granting Mauritius full ownership of the Chagos archipelago. Meanwhile, the UK would begin to lease the land for the military base from Mauritius, costing them around £101 million per year ($136.8 million). The lease would last for 99 years, with the possibility of renewal in the future. However, the deal is still making its way through the British Parliament. The announcement of the treaty drew the ire of many British politicians, who highlighted the massive amount of money they would be pouring into the leasing of the base, while US President Donald Trump described the agreement as an "act of great stupidity" and added that the deal made it even more important for the US to annex Greenland. Others pointed out concerns over Mauritius' relationship with anti-Western nations like China, which maintain major investments into local infrastructure development and the Mauritian economy as a whole. Nevertheless, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer argued that Mauritius had the legal rights to the archipelago, and the UK would have faced possible restrictions or sanctions had they not finalized a deal before a ruling from the ICJ. He also pointed out that a lack of official control over the islands could allow other nations like China to establish bases on other atolls within the Chagos archipelago, further pushing them towards a deal. Then, this week, Trump pivoted, shifting his stance on the Chagos Islands agreement just two weeks after backing off his threats to forcefully capture Greenland from Denmark. After "very productive discussions" with Starmer over the Diego Garcia base, the US president labeled his deal as "the best he could make." Trump also reserved the right to "militarily secure and reinforce the American presence in Diego Garcia" if a breakdown of the deal or any other sort of threat towards local American operations were to take place in the future. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Before Apple purchased Siri in 2010, it was originally going to be released as an app for Android and BlackBerry devices. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): We live in a culture of blame. People will blame anyone or anything for their misery sooner than take the responsibility to own it and make it better. (Henry Cloud) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Adulation (noun, aj-uh-LAY-shun) - Adulation refers to extreme or excessive admiration, flattery, or praise. In a Sentence: The triumphant players were greeted with shouts of adulation . Image credit to AP