Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Santiago. Today’s edition travels from flood-hit streets to a photograph of Andromeda, then comes home for a very low-tech dinner.
🌍 World News in Clear English
Recent developments. Bangkok has declared a flood disaster after heavy rain submerged roads. Authorities say the rain has eased, but flooding is not over. That distinction matters: better weather does not immediately make streets safe or journeys possible. (BBC World, published September 27, 2026)
Three expressions to use: submerged = inundado, bajo el agua; has eased = ha disminuido; not over yet = aún no ha terminado. Try: “The rain has eased, but the flooding is not over yet.”
🇨🇱 Chile Today
For a Sunday in Santiago, make the city your English classroom rather than treating an unconfirmed event as a plan. Walk around a neighbourhood you know and practise describing what you can actually see: “The pavement is busy,” “The café is on the corner,” or “Shall we meet outside?” Pavement is British English for vereda; American English speakers usually say sidewalk. No booking or special venue is needed for this little spring-language outing.
For a science stop at home, compare a photograph before and after editing: NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day features Andromeda before and after Photoshop. Say what changed without assuming that an edited image is automatically misleading: “The second image makes the details easier to see.” (NASA, published September 27, 2026)
🤖 Trending AI
Recent developments. The Verge examines why a connected device can become a problem when the services behind it stop supporting it. A connected device is an appliance that uses software or an internet service for some functions. The useful question is not “Is it smart?” but “What can I still do if its connected features stop working?” The article discusses the growing smart-home ‘graveyard’ without promising that any particular appliance will fail. (The Verge, published September 27, 2026)
Learner tip: Practise a calm support request: “Does this oven still work without its connected features?” Still work means seguir funcionando. This is a question about software dependence, not a claim that an AI feature is involved.
🎵 Music, Concerts & Streaming in Chile
Recent developments. KATSEYE performed “Animal” and “Hootie Frutti” on Saturday Night Live; both tracks are from the group’s EP Wild. An EP, or extended play, is a music release typically shorter than an album. For a listening exercise, describe the two performances using upbeat (animado) or slower-paced (de ritmo más lento) only if those words match what you hear. (Rolling Stone, published September 27, 2026)
TV discovery, not a Chile streaming listing: BBC Culture previews the second season of Celebrity Traitors, a reality-TV game involving 21 stars competing for £100,000 for their chosen charity. A dark horse is someone whose chances are easy to underestimate. If a friend finds the programme on a service they use, ask: “Who’s your dark horse?” The source does not establish availability on Apple TV+, Netflix or Max in Chile, so check the local catalogue before making viewing plans. (BBC Culture, published September 26, 2026)
🍽️ British or American Recipe
American-style skillet cornbread. This is a home-cooking activity, not a claim about today’s food news. You’ll need 150 g fine cornmeal or finely ground harina de maíz, 125 g plain flour, 10 g baking powder, 3 g salt, 1 egg, 240 ml milk, 30 g sugar and 40 g melted butter or neutral oil. Look for unsweetened cornmeal rather than precooked flour for arepas; if the packet says precocida, the texture may differ.
- Heat the oven to 200°C. Lightly oil a 20 cm oven-safe pan or baking dish.
- Whisk (batir con batidor) the egg, milk and melted butter. In another bowl, combine (mezclar) the dry ingredients.
- Fold in (incorporar suavemente) the wet mixture until no dry flour remains; do not overmix.
- Pour into the pan and bake (hornear) for about 20–25 minutes, until the centre is set and a skewer comes out clean. Let it cool briefly before slicing.
😂 English with a Sense of Humor
The smart oven stopped recognizing food. Mum handed it a marraqueta; dinner proceeded without introductions.
In Chile, once is an evening meal; in English, once means one time.
🗣️ English for Real Life
- “The rain has eased.” — La lluvia ha disminuido. Example: “The rain has eased, but let’s check the route first.”
- “It’s not over yet.” — Aún no ha terminado. Example: “The storm has passed, but the disruption isn’t over yet.”
- “Does it still work offline?” — ¿Sigue funcionando sin conexión? Example: “Before buying the oven, ask whether it still works offline.”
- “Who’s your dark horse?” — ¿Quién crees que puede sorprender? Example: “We know the favourites, but who’s your dark horse?”
- “What changed between the images?” — ¿Qué cambió entre las imágenes? Example: “Look at Andromeda and tell me what changed between the images.”
