Given this contention with BRICS nations at a moment in which the US is taking an increasingly aggressive, so-called “America First,” foreign policy stance, some see Rasool’s expulsion and the aid freeze executive order as part of a series of punitive measures exercised by the Trump administration against South Africa for its role in BRICS and continued efforts toward economic self-determination.
Read MoreJudge Boasberg explicitly told the Department of Justice (DOJ) that “any plane…that is in the air needs to be returned to the United States.” Yet, this order was defied, and the Trump administration pushed back, arguing that Judge Boasberg’s written order was not filed until 7:26 p.m. On Saturday, the two planes deported over 260 immigrants, 137 of whom were removed under the Alien Enemies Act, passed in 1798.
Read MoreThe Senate is the clearest path forward for Cooper, but his political prospects are wide open. Whether he runs for a third term as governor, the Senate, or the presidency, he will likely find widespread support among North Carolina Democrats, who remember his defense of public education and efforts to expand Medicaid as governor fondly.
Read MoreWhile the details of the case remain ambiguous, a series of Associated Press interviews, court order reviews, and online posts show how a group of young, intelligent people met online, shared radical beliefs, and became increasingly violent — eventually culminating in six deaths across three states all believed to be tied to their group, the “Zizians.”
Read MoreThe Islamic month of Ramadan is one that is traditionally marked by festivity, spiritual unity, and holiness for nearly 2 billion Muslims. However, for the 600,000 Palestinians returning to Northern Gaza, the vibrant laughter and contagious joy felt through eagerly breaking fasts and faithful practices have been drowned out by devastation and despair.
Read MoreNorth Carolina public schools lost tens of millions in federal grant funding in February and March due to the Trump Administration’s ban on programs suspected of engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Read MoreOn February 24, the U.S. House of Representatives successfully passed a budget resolution calling for significant cuts, reflecting the ambitious goals of the newly elected Trump administration. Thanks to a narrow Republican majority in the House, the resolution passed by a margin of 2 votes. This is only one part of the long process, as it is now up to the individual House committees to determine the specifics of how the new budget goals will be implemented. While the budget process has historically been long and difficult, this one has the potential to be more divisive since the goals of the Trump administration are creating divides within the Republican party.
Read MoreBeneficially, nuclear technology offers a plethora of benefits in the realm of clean energy. Acting as a low cost carbon energy source, nuclear power is attractive, with some countries such as France relying on such energy sources for over 50% of overall consumption.
Read MoreOn March 3, a bill that proposed to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports by redefining Title IX failed to pass through a split Senate. This bill aimed to rescind federal funding from schools who would not comply with the new Title IX criteria, which sought to protect individuals based exclusively on their “reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”
Read MorePresident Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on European Union imports is not just an economic gamble–it is a deliberate act of alienation. At a time when global alliances are more crucial than ever, these tariffs send a clear message: America is willing to sacrifice its closest partnerships in the name of isolationist politics, no matter the cost.
Read MoreFederal workers make the U.S. remarkable. The federal workforce that Trump labeled full of “people that are unnecessary” ensures that people get the services they need every day, from responding to natural disasters like Hurricane Helene to searching for cancer cures.
Read MoreHistorically, the United States’ allies, such as the European Union, have continuously supported and aided the U.S. economically and politically. However, this dynamic has begun to shift. As Trump’s conflict with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has continued to create tensions between the two countries, there is concern that it could lead to a decline in America's economic dominance and political stability, potentially ending the geopolitical prosperity it has enjoyed since World War II.
Read MoreFoushee, who assumed office on January 3rd, 2024, acts as Chapel Hill’s current voice in Washington, representing North Carolina’s 4th congressional district. Compared to other nearby cities, Chapel Hill voters tend to lean more liberal, aligning with Foushee’s role as a Democratic House Representative. As a woman of color and Chapel Hill native, Foushee is best known for championing and amplifying causes such as protecting minority rights and education reform, among many others. When it comes to her vision for the future of Chapel Hill and Carrboro, there are a few key legislative issues she seeks to prioritize through the remainder of her term.
Read MoreOn March 7, 2025, the Trump administration arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure for pro-Palestinian demonstrators during last year's unrest at Columbia University. The arrest came amidst Trump’s promises to deport foreign nationals who had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on American college campuses. However, the Trump administration faces several legal hurdles, one of them being the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. Can Mahmoud Khalil be punished, through deportation, for his speech during last year’s demonstrations?
Read MoreIn 2023, the USDA’s Wildlife Services killed over 68,000 coyotes. Private hunters kill an average of another 500,000 per year, out of a population of between 2.8 and 4.7 million.
Read MoreDescending upon Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with his Slovak counterpart, Robert Fico, following a series of intense accusations from Bratislava, igniting a bitter animus between the former cultural compatriots.
Read MoreFollowing the meeting between Trump and Macron, observers were left hopeful at the prospect of a peace deal that both Trump and Macron indicated could happen soon. However, the disagreements between the two leaders appear discouraging for leading a united front in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. No matter the impact of this meeting between Trump and Macron, one thing is for sure: it has shown that diplomacy for the United States looks starkly different in the new Trump era.
Read MoreShocked is one word to describe the congregation of European diplomats in attendance at the Munich Security Conference last week, as American Vice President JD Vance delivered harsh ideological criticisms on the current state of the European Union (EU) and that of the continent as a whole. In what was expected to be a harrowing speech on American defense assistance helping to bring an end to the Ukraine-Russian conflict, instead what followed was a complete reversal. Standing on the podium, Vance barreled down unto his European counterparts with a long list of criticisms, all centered around this idea that for too long, the EU has deviated from the democratic values it preaches.
Read MoreTrump’s MAGA movement is united by a single thing: some form of skepticism toward who they perceive as “the establishment”. However, this shared view manifests itself in numerous and incompatible ways that set the Trump 2.0 presidency on a road to disaster.
Read MoreThe representative government of South Korea was thrown into imbalance and chaos on December 3rd, 2023, for the first time since the country’s democratization in 1987. The sitting president, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law and decried the involvement of “foreign agents” in the National Assembly, pointing to the “mammoth opposition” as the main culprits. This unprecedented move, which lasted approximately six hours before being rescinded, has led to widespread political turmoil, legal battles, and public protests, casting a shadow over the nation's democratic institutions.
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