Posts in Editor's Picks
What the Zarutska Case Could Mean for the Future of Crime and Punishment in North Carolina
What the Zarutska Case Could Mean for the Future of Crime and Punishment in North Carolina

The recent murders of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte and popular political personality Charlie Kirk have resulted in heightened questions about the prioritization of public safety in America. These two stories have largely developed state and national politicians’ stances around how our nation needs to handle crime moving forward, resulting in fierce party-line attacks. In North Carolina specifically, politicians such as Governor Josh Stein and House Representative Tim Moore have clashed on the most effective ways to prevent and mitigate violent crime. These ideological confrontations can stifle legislative progress, and must be reconciled to the extent possible for any significant progress to be made.

Read More
Editor's Picks, LocalJaya NadellaZarutska, Ukraine, Crime, Death Penalty, Josh Stein, Roy CooperComment
The Precedent Set by Missouri’s Redistricting War
The Precedent Set by Missouri’s Redistricting War

On September 12th, Missouri became the latest state to redraw its voting patterns under the backing of President Trump. This plan, implemented by Republican lawmakers, aims to redistrict Missouri so that Republicans retain seven  of eight congressional districts, a small piece of the redistricting puzzle that strives to help Republicans hold the House amidst a presidency that has lost seats in the past.

Read More
Editor's Picks, NationalSerena RayGerrymandering, California, Missouri, US Supreme Court, SCOTUSComment
Drones Over Europe: Russia's Airspace Violations Test NATO’s Resolve
Drones Over Europe: Russia's Airspace Violations Test NATO’s Resolve

Over the last few weeks, European capitals have been grappling with drone intrusions from Russia. While government officials deliver strongly worded social media statements, Russia denies its deliberate involvement. In the absence of meaningful pushback from NATO, Russia's boldness is expanding.

Read More
Editor's Picks, GlobalNutsiko DzandzavaRussian Invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine, Russia, War, War crimesComment
Xi–Kim Meeting Signals Shift in China’s Role in the Asian Trio
Xi–Kim Meeting Signals Shift in China’s Role in the Asian Trio

China appears to be moving away from collaborating with the United States on Korean Peninsula stability, instead leveraging North Korea as a strategic buffer to counterbalance deepening ties with Russia and promote a multipolar world resisting U.S. hegemony. The China–North Korea alliance illustrates that economic ties, military developments, and diplomatic positioning are now deeply intertwined, raising the stakes for the U.S. and the international community at large.

Read More
Global, Editor's PicksCharlene WangXi, China, China-U.S. Relations, Global NewsComment
Donald Trump Wants to Make Broadcast Television Great Again- by Canceling Every Host Who Talks Bad About Him
Donald Trump Wants to Make Broadcast Television Great Again- by Canceling Every Host Who Talks Bad About Him

Jimmy Kimmel Live! became the latest target of Trump’s media suppression campaign after Kimmel’s September 15th monologue, where he associated Trump’s ‘MAGA’ movement with political violence. Many Americans wonder: how far will Trump go to suppress left-leaning media and is a president’s influence on the media constitutional?

Read More
Editor's Picks, Columns, OpinionHannah MerrittTrump, Free Speech, Gun Laws, Trump Administration, ColumnsComment
Bolsonaro's Conviction Forces Major Shifts Within the Current Brazilian Government
Bolsonaro's Conviction Forces Major Shifts Within the Current Brazilian Government

The decision made by the Brazilian Supreme Court will force Brazil to reassess its international alliances and confront the political discord domestically. Lula will need to figure out how to deal with the fallout by creating a new economic plan for Brazil and finding a way to slow the growing divide between Brazilian citizens. Lula has previously faced threats of violence in this politically volatile situation. If he wishes to avoid further violence, he must act decisively to establish new foreign relationships and to appease aggrieved right-leaning Brazilians.

Read More
Editor's Picks, GlobalDaniel ReyesBrazil, Brazil Elections, Trump, South AmericaComment
The State of the European Union: A Plea from Brussels
The State of the European Union: A Plea from Brussels

In her State of the European Union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, joined by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, set out a vision of solidarity for a continent under pressure. From current events in Ukraine and Gaza to the significance of energy and technology, the speech revealed both the EU’s determination and its deep divisions. With MEPs pressing tough questions, the speech underscored Europe’s priorities, highlighting the uncertain path ahead.

Read More
Editor's Picks, GlobalJacob DokulilEuropean Union, EU, Europe, Trump, Global NewsComment
An Eroding Democracy: How Trump’s Second Term Follows the Autocrat’s Handbook
An Eroding Democracy: How Trump’s Second Term Follows the Autocrat’s Handbook

Democracies have rarely collapsed overnight — instead, the process often unfolds gradually, through legal and political maneuvers that slowly chip away at institutional norms. The future of American democracy, therefore, hinges on whether institutions and civil society can resist these internal and external pressures.

Read More
National, Editor's PicksAakanksha SinhaNational, Editor's Pick Comments
Defunding Diversity: The Legal and Financial Consequences of a DEI Ban
Defunding Diversity: The Legal and Financial Consequences of a DEI Ban

The Education Department’s ultimatum has forced universities across the country into a rather precarious position where they must balance legal, financial, and ideological considerations, representing a larger cultural and political battle over race-conscious policies in education.

Read More
National, Editor's PicksAakanksha SinhaUNC DEI, DEI, Diversity, Racial Diversity in Admissions, National, Editor's Pick Comments
Coal-Country versus Climate Policy: The Rural-Urban Divide of Environmentalism in the Southern United States
Coal-Country versus Climate Policy: The Rural-Urban Divide of Environmentalism in the Southern United States

By continuing to prioritize inclusive policies and having open dialogue surrounding environmental policy, there is a strong possibility that progress may be made that benefits the planet with the people and communities that call her home.

Read More
Editor's Picks, NationalLily MeffordEditor's Pick, Coal, Climate Change, Climate Policy, Southern US, South, Environmentalism, NationalComment
Lula’s Diplomatic Gamble: Corruption Concerns Amid Strengthening China Ties
Lula’s Diplomatic Gamble: Corruption Concerns Amid Strengthening China Ties

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s renewed presidency in Brazil has reignited concerns about his political integrity, rooted in past corruption scandals. As Lula strengthens ties with China through trade and investment agreements, critics fear these moves could deepen Brazil’s dependence on Beijing while echoing the opaque dealings of his controversial past.

Read More
Editor's Picks, GlobalNicole MolinaGlobal, Lula, Brazil, Editor's PickComment
Pope Francis Condemns Immigration Measures as Partisan Fault Lines Widen in the Church
Pope Francis Condemns Immigration Measures as Partisan Fault Lines Widen in the Church

In a country that increasingly favors strict border policies, it is unlikely that the Pope’s letter will have any measurable influence on Trump’s immigration policy or his support amongst Catholics, which has only gone up following previous papal denunciations. While this suggests that any immediate policy impacts will be negligible, the letter is far from insignificant, underlining growing divisions within the Catholic Church around religious leaders participating in polarized U.S. policy issues like immigration.

Read More
Global, Editor's PicksJosie BlackmanGlobal, Pope, Immigration, Editor's PickComment
Legal Review: Examining the Necessity of Biden’s Jan. 6 Pardons
Legal Review: Examining the Necessity of Biden’s Jan. 6 Pardons

In the waning hours of his presidency, former President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons to members of the January 6 committee, fearing they would be targeted by the incoming Trump administration. A constitutional question was soon raised: Did the immunity granted to the members of the Committee by the Speech or Debate Clause eliminate the need for a pardon?

Read More
National, Editor's PicksAndy GongNational, January 6th, Biden Pardons, Biden Administration, Legal Review, Editor's Pick Comments
How the Lingering Ghost of Kevin McCarthy Killed Gaetz’s AG Run
How the Lingering Ghost of Kevin McCarthy Killed Gaetz’s AG Run

It was unclear if McCarthy’s confidants were willing to risk the wrath of an incitive Trump by crossing the aisle and voting with Democrats to force the report’s release. However, their public disapproval put the nail in Gaetz’s coffin before a vote on the report could even be held. On Thursday, November 21, the President-elect called Gaetz to deliver the tough news, he didn’t have the votes and the Senators weren’t budging.

Read More
National, Editor's PicksJulia HallinanNational, Attor, Attorney General, Gaetz, McCarthyComment
The Cost of Drowning Out Dissent: Why Arab Voters Turned Away from Kamala Harris
The Cost of Drowning Out Dissent: Why Arab Voters Turned Away from Kamala Harris

For Vice President Harris, invoking the horrors of a potential Trump presidency cannot mask the real, ongoing tragedies many of her Arab and Muslim constituents are already experiencing. For the Palestinian community, the conflict in Gaza has taken more than 43,000 lives, including over 16,000 children. Thousands remain buried under rubble, vulnerable to disease and starvation, with no end in sight.

Read More
Editor's Picks, Election 2024, NationalSalma MouradElection 2024, National, Editor's PickComment