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The US News and World Report has released their annual list of the world's top 20 countries, taking various factors into account. Here are the highlights. The study, conducted in partnership with the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, studied 100 countries using eight categories: governance, culture and tourism, civic health, economic development, health, infrastructure, opportunity, and the natural environment. European countries, as usual, swept the lists of top nations to live in, primarily due to their large social safety net and strong focus on equality and civic health. As a whole, studies show that a large portion of Europeans are content with their nation due to these factors. While the United States consistently misses out on the top 10, it proves to be a top destination for those with ambition, drive, and the desire for innovation– one of the only nations in the world with a strong sense of individualism rather than collectivism. However, this comes at a steep cost– around 30% of Americans report being dissatisfied with their lives, compared to less than 15% across Europe. The US may maintain a massive economic output and the world's largest gross domestic product, but a staggering wealth gap also exists. Studies show that the top 1% of the American population holds around 32% of the nation's net worth, while the bottom 50% hold just 2.5% of the wealth. Other nations like Japan, Canada, and Singapore were also strong contenders for the top 10, but missed out. Here are this year's top 20 best countries: Switzerland Denmark Sweden Germany Netherlands Norway United Kingdom Finland Luxembourg Austria Belgium France Ireland Australia Iceland Singapore Japan United States Canada South Korea Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): January 17th is known as “Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day.” Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Temperance is the wisdom to know that not every constructive job requires a hammer. (Wes Fesler) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Tortuous (adj, TOR-chuh-wus) - Tortuous describes something that has many literal or figurative twists and turns. In a Sentence: The tortuous mountain path rewards climbers with a stunning view of the town below. Image credit to TIC Tours

Several Pentagon officials and even European allies have expressed concern and surprise over US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's abrupt, sudden decision-making in recent days. Two weeks ago, the United States suddenly withdrew 5,000 troops from Germany after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz claimed that the US had "no strategy" and had been "humiliated" by Iran throughout the war– a view many American citizens share, unfortunately. President Donald Trump balked at this comment and responded angrily, but Merz held his ground and refused to apologize– a stance that more and more leaders are beginning to take against Trump and his administration. After the relocation, many believed that the troops could move to Poland, which Trump has praised as a "model ally" and "friend of the United States." Trump is close with Polish President Karol Nawrocki, and Nawrocki is a strong supporter of his administration. Because of this, when Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced yesterday that the US would withdraw 4,000 troops from Poland, officials across the United States and Europe were left puzzled. Much of the equipment needed to support the troops had already arrived in Poland, making it even more costly to ship them back to the US or some other location. The troops were scheduled to stay in Poland for a nine-month rotation before returning to the US, collaborating with NATO allies and gaining experience in other parts of the world. Many questioned Hegseth's decision to stop the deployment, which featured no provocation or warning. Hegseth has been the Secretary of War since the beginning of Trump's term and has repeatedly taken action against senior generals and military officers. Hegseth served in the military for 18 years, but he was forced to leave in 2021 after he was reported by his peers as an extremist Christian nationalist. Throughout the past year, Hegseth has fired at least 24 high-ranking generals that had served in their positions for decades– with 60% being either Black or female. He has also blocked the promotions of four colonels – two Black, two women – to general. Hegseth stated that the moves were an attempt to remove "woke" ideologies from the military, deeming them unfit to serve. American officials have consistently raised concerns over his decision-making process, applying here as well. Europe remains a crucial strategic area for the United States, with over 80,000 active American troops. Defense officials have confirmed that military installations across Europe are instrumental in providing for operations across the Middle East and the rest of Asia, and weakening ties with Europe will only cause more harm. Officials across both the US and Europe fear that the withdrawal of troops could embolden Russia as well. Many of the American military installations in Europe are positioned as deterrence to Russia, but Trump has repeatedly asserted that Europe must fight for itself. If Trump were to follow through with these withdrawals, cutting deployments to Europe and weakening NATO, it could have major implications for Europe and the world. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Bookworms are actual insects that bore holes in books. A major book-feeding insect is a paper louse, which feeds on microscopic mold in poorly kept books. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Progress is man’s ability to complicate simplicity. (Thor Heyerdahl) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Imbroglio (noun, im-BROHL-yoh) - Imbroglio is a formal word that refers to a complex dispute or argument. In a Sentence: Much of the sisters’ text thread involves the latest imbroglios on their favorite reality show—who’s mad at who for what, and why. Image credit to the New York Times

Gunshots rang out in the Philippine Senate yesterday as authorities attempted to arrest Ronald dela Rosa, a key ally of now-jailed former President Rodrigo Duterte. Rodrigo Duterte was elected to the presidency in 2016, set to serve a six-year term where he planned to focus on eliminating drugs and violence. Duterte was the first-ever Philippine president to come from Mindanao, a large island that covers much of the southern side of the archipelago. Unfortunately, Mindanao is also the most unsafe island in the nation, with certain areas posing a high risk of terrorism, drug trafficking, and violence, particularly during nighttime. Regions like Siargao, Camiguin, and Dinagat are considered safe due to high tourist flow, but the rest of the island simply has a high police presence to protect the people. As a response to this, Duterte launched a massive "war on drugs" campaign upon entering office, targeting drug traffickers all over Mindanao and other islands. However, his approach proved to be brutal. His officers only targeted the poor, rather than taking out high-level drug lords, and he encouraged violence from the very beginning. Duterte described drug users as "vermin" and allowed police officers to kill victims without trial, falsifying evidence and planting drugs or weapons to justify their actions. The reckless operations also killed thousands of uninvolved bystanders, further impacting poorer areas. Children were left orphaned without their parents to support them, and communities were torn apart by the violence. In total, estimates place the total death toll of Duterte's war on drugs to be somewhere between 7,000 and 30,000 people. Years later, the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigated the operations and found that Duterte had, in fact, committed crimes against humanity with the systematic, unjust killings. He was arrested by the ICC in March 2025 and remains there to this day– his trial date has not been set, but he could very well face the rest of his life in a Dutch prison. Meanwhile, the ICC has begun to come after his allies as well. This week, the court issued an arrest warrant for Ronald dela Rosa, one of Duterte's key allies during his presidency. He fled his home, seeking safety from some of his close friends in the Philippine Senate. After evading the agents, dela Rosa sprinted into the chamber and stayed there for two nights, as the government agents attempting to apprehend him had no jurisdiction over the chamber. At approximately 7:30 in the evening, shots rang out, sparking chaos in the chamber. By 2:30 am, police reported that dela Rosa had fled the Senate and was evading officers in a vehicle with fellow Senator Robin Padilla. Government officers are still chasing after him, though– if he is able to escape, he will likely have to go into hiding or flee to a nation without an extradition treaty with the ICC. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When double rainbows occur, the colors of the second arc are always reversed. This happens because the second arc is actually a reflection of the first, inverting the colors. Due to this effect, the third arc of a triple rainbow contains the colors in the same order as the first, with the second inverted. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Pride yourself in being someone to whom others can turn. Reliability is a quality to be admired. (Bauvard) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Rectify (verb, REK-tuh-fye) - Rectify is a formal word meaning “to correct (something that is wrong).” In a Sentence: We were given the wrong room key, but the hotel management quickly rectified the situation. Image credit to AFP

Hantavirus cases are rising across the world after a recent outbreak on a cruise ship traveling through the South Atlantic. The virus is originally found in rodents on all six continents where they preside, in different strains depending on the location. Most strains only see the virus transmit from rodents to humans, with humans contracting the virus through direct contact or breathing airborne particles from infected rodents, their droppings, saliva, or urine. However, the Andes strain of the virus transmits from human to human, allowing the virus to spread between people. Hantavirus also has several adverse health effects that can occur as a result of the virus, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Because of these dangers, reports of a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship, the MV Hondius, quickly sparked alarm among health officials and organizations. At least three people were killed by the outbreak, and an additional eight around the world have been confirmed positive for hantavirus after coming into contact with several passengers who contracted the virus during their time aboard. In the United States, one passenger is in a biocontainment unit at the University of Nebraska, while 15 others are at the university's quarantine unit. Two others are currently quarantining at Atlanta's Emory University. However, the World Health Organization has warned that there may be more cases than initially reported, due to the contact between passengers prior to taking measures to prevent against infection. While the impact of the outbreak is spreading, officials say it is unlikely to pose a major threat to the wider public. All passengers from the ship are being quarantined for the next six to eight weeks in an attempt to curb the spread of the virus, and individuals who came into contact with passengers are being monitored in case of infection. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Overall spending on Halloween costumes in the United States is projected to reach $4 billion this year. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The only journey is the journey within. (Raina Maria Rilke) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Catercorner (adv/adj, KAT-ee-kor-ner) - Catercorner is used to describe two things that are located across from each other on opposite corners. It is a less common variant of kitty-corner. In a Sentence: The store is catercorner from the park, making it the perfect location to grab snacks for our picnic. Image credit to the Science Photo Library

US President Donald Trump is considering pausing the federal gas tax as gas prices soar across the United States due to the Iran war. Several states, like Georgia, Indiana, and Utah, have already implemented suspensions of the state gas tax, with the measure allowing residents to save 33, 36, and 39 cents per gallon in each state, respectively. Meanwhile, the federal gas tax stands at an additional 18.4 cents per gallon, but that could soon change. In recent weeks, gas prices have soared amid the ongoing war with Iran, particularly due to growing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and a fragile ceasefire that Trump described as "on life support." Many citizens are blaming this problem on the war with Iran, but others have grown frustrated with gas companies. Gas corporations like Shell and BP have reported massive spikes in profits since the beginning of the war, largely due to windfall profits. When market prices for oil and gas spike, the price goes up, but the actual cost to extract the oil and refine it stays exactly the same– prices are simply determined by the global market. Because of this, in a world without the war, a gas company can extract oil for $30 per barrel and sell it for $50 per barrel. However, when the war hits, the market price spikes to $100 per barrel, while the corporation is still paying $30 per barrel for extraction. This leads to massive profit spikes during geopolitical conflicts– for example, Shell reported more than $7 billion in additional profits due to the war, while BP's profits doubled to $3.2 billion. According to AAA, the national average gas price is now hovering around $4.50 after stabilizing around $4.00 a month ago– though these are both significantly higher than the $2.98 national average from before the war. Trump's proposed measure to suspend the gas tax could bring prices down, but the bill will need to be passed by Congress before it can happen. Meanwhile, the problem is being exacerbated by Iran's ability to counter Trump's threats, and neither side is willing to give way in terms of negotiations. As a whole, the Trump administration considers the war a success, but many American citizens believe the opposite. Their primary goal was to wipe out Iran's authoritarian regime and obliterate their ability to produce a nuclear weapon with their uranium stockpiles; stockpiles that Iran would not even possess if the US had not pulled out of a major nuclear deal with Iran during the first Trump term, a move that came after heavy Israeli lobbying. Now, the US is attempting to back out of the war, but the regime is still in power. Iran still possesses underground stockpiles of enriched uranium. And, most importantly, they have gained control over the Strait of Hormuz– control that they are not willing to give up. On a wider scale, more and more Americans are becoming frustrated with Trump's strategies, which do not appear to have paid off. His tariffs – many of which have been deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court – secured several major economic deals but strained ties with various US allies and brought higher prices to the entire market. His administration promised to bring down Iran's regime with the war, but their government is holding strong– some believe that it is even more powerful than before. Gas prices have skyrocketed, fertilizer is in shortage across the world, and the remainder of the Middle East is still reeling from Iranian attacks and the Strait of Hormuz closure. And throughout the process, Trump has continued to profit– his net worth recently reached a staggering $6.5 billion– almost triple the $2.3 billion from before his second presidency. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Rick Astley has his own brand of beer. It was a collaboration between him and the Danish microbrewery Mikkeller– a red lager with “a hint of ginger”. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Don’t go through life, grow through life. (Eric Butterworth) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Paragon (noun, PAIR-uh-gahn) - Paragon is a formal word that refers to a person or thing that is perfect or excellent in some way and should be considered a model or example to be copied. In a Sentence: In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad is depicted as a paragon of virtue. Image credit to Getty Images

North Korea has changed their constitution to require a nuclear missile strike if dictator Kim Jong Un is killed by a foreign power. The new law requires the North Korean government to launch a retaliatory nuclear missile if "the command-and-control system over the state's nuclear forces is placed in danger by hostile forces." Kim already has absolute power over the nation's growing nuclear arsenal– experts estimate that they have already produced 50-60 warheads and are manufacturing an additional six to seven warheads each year. Meanwhile, on the ballistic missile front, North Korea has developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that can reach the United States– weapons that very few countries have. Meanwhile, several months ago, North Korea revealed the first-ever images of the nation's newly-developed nuclear submarine, which uses rare technology that very few countries possess. Standard submarines run on diesel, requiring them to come up for air, but nuclear submarines possess a near-limitless supply of energy onboard. Given that the vessel has enough supplies for its crew, nuclear submarines can stay underwater for years, making it an incredible asset for any country's military. Currently, just six countries have a nuclear submarine: the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, India, China, and France. The change to the constitution was spurred by the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this year, which was executed by US and Israeli forces. As a whole, the war with Iran raised vigilance across the North Korean government, as shown by the recent constitution revisions– the revisions also included reassertions of their territory and its boundaries with Russia, China, and US ally South Korea, marking the first time North Korea has confirmed such a fact in its constitution. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The first world leader to create a YouTube channel was the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who made his account in 2007. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Leave the roads; take the trails. (Pythagoras) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Halcyon (adj, HAL-see-un) - Halcyon is most often used to describe a happy and successful time in the past that is remembered as being better than today. It can also mean “calm, peaceful” or “prosperous, affluent.” In a Sentence: She does not regret retiring, but looks back fondly on the halcyon years of her career. Image credit to AP

At least one hiker has been confirmed dead and another two are missing after Indonesia's Mount Dukono erupted yesterday. Mount Dukono, located on the northern side of the Indonesian island of Halmahera, has been almost constantly active since 1933, making it an incredibly dangerous volcano for hikers. Halmahera, a sparsely-inhabited island in eastern Indonesia, contains several active volcanoes, but Dukono is the most active on the island and one of the most active in the entire country. Because of this near-constant volcanic activity, the local government has set a 4-kilometer no-go zone around the mountain, though many hikers disregard the restrictions and climb the 4,445-foot volcano without consideration for their safety. Dukono is one of the rare sites in the world where hikers can witness live volcanic activity, and footage of the volcano's caldera and activity has become extremely popular on social media– this inspires other hikers to take the same risks. Yesterday, the volcano erupted once again, endangering several hikers near the summit. A group of 20 people had initially set out to complete the trek, but one woman was killed by the ensuing explosion as the volcano erupted. 17 of the hikers are safe after extensive evacuations, but at least 10 of them are suffering from minor burn injuries. Additionally, a search-and-rescue operation is still going as authorities search for two Singaporeans that went missing during the eruption. Locals and drones are currently sweeping the area despite ongoing eruptions, attempting to find the Singaporean tourists before it is too late. In the meantime, the government has asserted that Dukono is still producing significant eruptions that can pose serious danger to hikers, and all tourists and climbers should follow the law and avoid traveling past the 4-kilometer perimeter around the volcano. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Even though drugs are officially illegal in the Netherlands, it is legal to be under the influence of any drug, encouraging people to seek medical help. This rule is specifically designed to ensure that users do not fear police intervention when seeking medical assistance for health issues like overdoses or adverse reactions. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): When a man truly sees himself, he knows nobody can say anything about him that is too bad. (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Gallivant (verb, GAL-uh-vant) - To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling. In a Sentence: They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals. Image credit to BBC

As the war in Iran continues, US President Donald Trump confirmed yesterday that Russia and Ukraine will execute a three-day ceasefire to celebrate Victory Day and exchange prisoners. Russia and Ukraine have been battling since 2022 – a testament to how long, costly, and arduous a war can be – and have rarely paused the near-continuous fighting since then. Every day, the sides work to bombard each other with drone strikes and launch ballistic missiles at their highest-priority targets, while innocent soldiers die on the battlefield and more money is poured into manufacturing new weapons and defense systems. On the Russian side, at least 214,000 soldiers have been killed in combat, though estimates place the number closer to 325,000. On the Ukrainian side, between 100,000 and 140,000 militants have been killed, in addition to another 15,000 civilians as Russia continues to strike Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, despite this ongoing conflict, both sides have agreed to pause the conflict for three days to release tension, exchange prisoners, and celebrate a common holiday. Victory Day commemorates the day that the Allied forces defeated Hitler in Nazi Germany, marking the end to World War II after six years of fighting and more than 70-85 million deaths. It is observed across Europe on May 8, but Russia celebrates the holiday on May 9 due to the time difference when the treaty ending the war was signed. The Soviet Union's step-in to assist the Allied forces was one of the decisive moves that helped end the war, making Victory Day a huge event in Russia. Ukraine, as a former member of the Soviet Union, also commemorates their victory on the same day. This year, Russia and Ukraine will pause their conflict for May 9, 10, and 11, allowing for a three-day ceasefire. During this time, both sides will release 1,000 prisoners of war from the other, and the short ceasefire could make way for further talks down the road. However, the ceasefire remains extremely fragile, and the two countries are likely to return to the war as soon as the deal comes to an end. Trump continues to claim that successful talks are taking place and the war could wind down in the coming months, but both sides have denied progressing in negotiations and remain at an impasse over various key issues. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): When George Washington died, Napoleon Bonaparte of France gave a personal eulogy and ordered a 10-day mourning period for France. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. (William James) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Wistful (adj, WIST-ful) - To be wistful is to have sad thoughts and feelings about something that you want to have or do, and especially about something that made you happy in the past. Wistful can also describe something, such as a smile or sigh, that shows or communicates such feelings. In a Sentence: As the car pulled away, Lea cast one last wistful glance at the house where she'd spent so many happy years. Image credit to Reuters

Today, the world is celebrating the 100th birthday of the renowned naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, known to many as the "Voice of the Earth." Sir David Attenborough began his career as a television broadcaster back in 1954 – when TV was still in black and white – after his application to become a radio broadcaster was rejected by the BBC. Since then, Attenborough has written, presented, or narrated more than 100 natural history documentaries and series, including Life on Earth, Our Planet, The Blue Planet, Frozen Planet, and Planet Earth. To this day, Attenborough still narrates documentaries, focusing on current issues like climate change and habitat loss. His films have been watched by billions of people, and they are known for their calming nature and well-timed humor. Many believe that it was Attenborough who popularized nature documentaries in the first place, bringing that same care and wonder to people all over the world. In 1985, Attenborough was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and he received a second, higher-ranking knighthood – the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George) from then-Prince Charles in 2022. He is also incredibly educated– Attenborough holds 32 honorary university degrees, more than anyone else in the United Kingdom. He is also believed to be one of the most traveled people on Earth, having visited every single continent and both the North and South Poles– for the Life on Earth series alone, he traveled more than 256,000 miles. Most estimates place his lifetime miles traveled at approximately 1.9 million miles, with Attenborough having filmed in 333 different locations across 83 countries. Today, the beloved nature broadcaster turns a staggering 100 years old, having worked at documentaries for more than 70 years. To commemorate Attenborough's incredible milestone, Britain's Natural History Museum has named a new species of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, after him– though, he already has more than 50 species, both living and extinct, named after him. The museum will also be running a special exhibit on Attenborough and his career through August. Meanwhile, BBC One will run a live event at London's Royal Albert Hall to celebrate his birthday, despite his requests for a peaceful, quiet celebration. Messages from all over the world flooded Attenborough with emails and texts, for which he thanked everyone "most sincerely." Watch his full birthday message here. Attenborough may be 100 now, but he is still advocating for life on Earth, and it remains essential that we protect the one, beautiful planet we have. He remains hopeful that our new generation can lead the planet to a "wonderful recovery." As he once said, "The final chapter is ours to write. What happens next is up to us." Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Sir David Attenborough is the only person to have ever won a BAFTA (British Academy Film and Television Award) for films in black and white, color, high-definition (HD), 3D, and 4K. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living. (Sir David Attenborough) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Dudgeon (noun, DUJ-un) - Dudgeon is typically used in the phrase “in high dudgeon” to describe someone who is angry and offended by something they perceive to be unfair or wrong. In a Sentence: The customer stormed out of the store in high dudgeon after the manager refused to give them a refund for their purchase. Image credit to the World Wildlife Fund

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has confirmed that there is a very significant chance that a Super El Niño will occur later this year, raising the probabilities for severe weather events in certain areas. El Niño and La Niña are two of the most prominent weather patterns on the planet, usually alternating every few years to create a constant shift in temperatures and climate. Both phenomenons take place in the east-central Pacific, typically occurring between island nations like Tuvalu in Oceania and the western coast of South America. La Niña signifies cooler-than-average temperatures, resulting in a global cooling effect that brings more snow to the northern United States while leaving the southern US dry and warm. La Niña also results in drier weather across Eastern Asia and brings warmth to South America but cools the Earth as a whole. Meanwhile, El Niño signifies that the region is warmer than usual, leading to much warmer temperatures globally. El Niño enhances the subtropical jet stream, bringing wetter and cooler temperatures to the southern United States, while South America receives much more rainfall than average. However, it also causes drought in Australia, Indonesia, and parts of Africa. This year, the world is set to experience a Super El Niño, which would exacerbate the conditions caused by El Niño. Typical El Niño phenomena result in a warming of approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius of the equatorial Pacific, but NOAA forecasts that this year's event could warm the region up to 3 °C more than usual. This Super El Niño will bode well for the southern United States, which will see a weakened hurricane season due to high wind shear, along with wetter and cooler temperatures. However, the globe as a whole is likely to experience extreme droughts and heavier-than-usual rains during this period, with the western United States being one of the most vulnerable areas for drought. Monsoon seasons across southern Asia will be much stronger than usual, resulting in increased flooding and damage. Scientists predict that the Super El Niño, coupled with ongoing climate change, could make 2027 the hottest year ever recorded. Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Queen Elizabeth II saved up post-war clothing ration coupons in order to pay for her wedding dress in 1947. Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Kindness is spreading sunshine into other people’s lives regardless of the weather. (Unknown) Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Flamboyant (adj, flam-BOY-ant) - Someone or something described as flamboyant has a very noticeable quality that attracts a lot of attention. Such a person or thing is often strikingly elaborate or colorful in their behavior or display. In a Sentence: Reality television attracts millions of viewers for its depictions of flamboyant, larger-than-life personalities living equally flamboyant lifestyles. Image credit to The Weather Network