Conservative populist Laura Fernández won Costa Rica's presidential election on Sunday, February 2, 2026, securing a first-round victory and eliminating the need for a runoff, according to preliminary and partial results. Fernández, the handpicked successor of outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves, promised to continue the aggressive reorienting of the Central American nation's politics, according to the Associated Press.
The Supreme Electoral Tribunal confirmed Fernández's win after a crowded field of candidates vied for the presidency. Fernández addressed supporters in San José, Costa Rica, after polls closed, celebrating her resounding victory.
In other news, tensions rose in the Middle East as Iran's supreme leader warned that an attack by the U.S. would spark a "regional war." The warning came after President Trump hinted at a possible attack amid a continuing U.S. military buildup in the region, according to NPR.
Meanwhile, the documentary "Melania," focusing on former First Lady Melania Trump, exceeded box office expectations during its opening weekend, bringing in approximately $7 million domestically, according to Amazon MGM Studios. Audience demographics were largely white (75%), women (70%), and over 55 (72%), with top markets including Dallas, Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Houston, Atlanta, and West Palm Beach, according to data from Amazon MGM Studios. Amazon acquired the rights to the movie in early 2025 for $40 million and spent $35 million on marketing.
In science news, researchers are working to reduce subjectivity in landslide susceptibility mapping using data analysis, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The study, conducted by Rômulo Marques-Carvalho and Elton Vicente Escobar-Silva, highlighted the numerous landslides in urban and rural areas in recent years and the importance of understanding and predicting these events. The research utilizes spatial distribution of landslide samples over satellite images to improve mapping accuracy.
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