How a student-led movement ousted Serbia's long-term president | October 28, 2026

Summary

• Statue of Liberty: The program marked the statue’s 140th anniversary, recalling its 1886 opening and its origins as a gift from France. Americans had to fund and build the pedestal, with publisher Joseph Pulitzer helping raise donations. The report also explored the statue’s engineering: a thin copper exterior supported by an iron framework. Over time, the statue became a symbol of welcome for immigrants arriving in New York.

• Serbia: The program reported that the student-led “Student List” had won a projected 135–140 seats in the 250-seat parliament, prompting President Aleksandar Vučić to concede defeat after 14 years in power. The movement grew out of protests sparked by a railway-station roof collapse and expanded into demands for action against corruption. The report characterized the result as a major political shift after years of increasingly centralized rule and restrictions on press and expression. The movement has no single, clearly designated leader, leaving questions about what comes next.

• Van Gogh and The Starry Night: Researchers combined astronomical models, historical weather records, geography, and Van Gogh’s letters to argue that the sky over Saint-Rémy on July 22, 1889, closely matches key elements in the painting. Their analysis raises the possibility that the famous sky was based more directly on what Van Gogh observed than previously thought.

• Super Bowl halftime show: The program announced Jay-Z as the reported headliner for Super Bowl 61 in Los Angeles. It noted his role as an NFL adviser and Roc Nation’s involvement in producing halftime shows. Performers generally receive a modest union allowance rather than a large NFL fee, while exposure from the broadcast can boost music streams and sales.

• Community tradition: A Minnesota community held a contest to find the straightest stick, a tradition started by siblings Suthon and Soren Mahoney. Entries were judged for qualities such as shape and natural features; twigs, sticks of butter, and a measuring ruler were disallowed. Preschooler Pepper won for the most interesting stick, while third-grader Lucy took first place.

• Word of the Week: The winning word was “parliament,” suggested by Mr. Bobrowski of Ainsley County High School in Booneville, Kentucky. The program explained its usual meaning as a legislative body and noted his playful use of it for a group of owls, the school mascot.

Presenters and Contributors

• Koy Waer — host
• Richard Quest — Statue of Liberty report
• Sebastian Shukla — Serbia report
• Mr. Bobrowski — Word of the Week suggestion
• Suthon and Soren Mahoney — inspired the straight-stick competition