Following an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, on September 9, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss future collaboration. In a press conference, Rubio defended the Israeli airstrike and reaffirmed the U.S.’s interest in reaching a ceasefire and hostage release agreement. While the Trump administration has not condemned Israel for the attack, it does not support or back the decision.
Read MoreThe operation’s scope is immense, with Customs and Border Protection spokesman David Kim noting that DHS and ICE intend to use all resources at their disposal to investigate and apprehend what they describe as “illegal immigrants”...The Trump administration has also stated that it will be committing National Guard troops to Chicago if necessary. This rhetoric and implementation of resources mark an unprecedented shift in the executive’s approach to immigration enforcement…and has been met with major criticism from advocacy groups, elected officials, and everyday citizens concerned by the increasing militarization of their city’s streets.
Read MoreThe possible expiration of these Affordable Care Act subsidies would make healthcare more expensive for many seniors in North Carolina. This is a particularly significant issue in a state with many seniors, many of whom struggle with health issues.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, October 7th, Attorney General Pam Bondi gave a fiery testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The hearing was not only unproductive but counterproductive, utterly failing to execute its purpose of providing transparency.
Read MoreIf Medicaid funding is not provided by October 1st, access and coverage could be substantially cut. These debates have culminated in the latest Medicaid budget talks, and in many North Carolinians’ eyes, it is a prime example of lawmakers’ political infighting at the cost of constituents.
Read MorePresident Donald Trump’s recent claim that the common pain reliever acetaminophen “causes autism” has ignited a storm of controversy at the intersection of medicine and politics. Speaking at a White House event alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump urged pregnant women to avoid the drug, better known under the Tylenol brand. The controversy not only underscores the challenges of communicating uncertain science but also raises pressing questions about how political leaders shape public trust in health guidance.
Read MoreOn September 17, American President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were greeted by King Charles III and his consort, Queen Camilla, for an evening of spectacle seldom seen in modern Anglo-American relations. With the ceremonial trappings of royalty in full force, the visit also included a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed at projecting an image of stability within a recently unstable transatlantic partnership.
Read MoreCampaigns like this bring to light the concerning development of anti-democratic tactics used by fossil fuel companies, especially in the age of AI. This particular effort was a failure on the part of Williams Companies, but what happens when fossil fuel companies are able to use AI to effectively undermine public opinion and sway decision makers?
Read MoreSince President Trump took office in January, 15 migrants have died in detention centers, with 10 deaths occurring between January and June alone. Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, requesting more information about the recent surge. Now, both ICE’s failure to enforce its own regulations and the Department of Homeland Security’s lack of oversight raise serious concerns about how immigrants will continue to be treated in U.S. custody.
Read MoreDurham’s progressive city council backed its police chief after a controversial post on her private Facebook account following the death of Charlie Kirk. The incident demonstrates the power of social media to raise controversies in potentially nonrepresentative ways and how vague policies on public employees’ free speech leave much of the decision on how to respond to controversial speech up to city leaders.
Read MoreThe Oslo Accords stated that Palestine could have “5-year interim self-rule, to be followed by talks on permanent status issues.” Trump's deal stipulates, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.” In other words, a Palestinian state could, maybe, potentially, possibly be recognized soon, later, and sometime in the future. In other words, it’s highly unlikely.
Read MoreEnshrined in the Bill of Rights in 1791, the First Amendment guarantees fundamental freedoms—speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition—ensuring Americans can express opinions and challenge authority without fear of government retaliation. From Trump’s defamation suit against The New York Times to the cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, the president’s targeting of media figures signals a troubling attempt to erode press freedom and the First Amendment.
Read MorePresident Trump’s administration has escalated its anti-narcotics campaign by authorizing missile strikes against Venezuelan vessels allegedly tied to drug trafficking, invoking new executive powers that classify cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.” While officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio argue the strikes were justified under a declared national emergency, critics contend that the administration has blurred the line between law enforcement and military action, raising fears of unchecked executive authority. The operation signals a pivotal shift in U.S. foreign policy, redefining terrorism to include criminal networks and setting a precedent that could expand presidential war powers far beyond traditional threats.
Read More“The Point of No Return: The Disturbing Change in Earth's Oceans” warns that the world’s oceans are undergoing rapid and potentially irreversible change driven by overfishing, pollution, warming temperatures, and acidification. These pressures are collapsing ecosystems, threatening biodiversity, and putting coastal communities and economies at severe risk. Rising seas could displace millions, destroy property values, and strain government resources as entire neighborhoods become uninhabitable. The crisis extends beyond the environment, it's also a social and economic justice issue, as poorer nations will struggle the most to adapt without international aid. While some governments are beginning to respond with resilience and adaptation efforts, global cooperation and stronger policies are urgently needed. This article concludes that although we may be nearing ecological tipping points, humanity still has the chance to act.
Read MoreThe White House has announced a deal that will give tech company Oracle, led by an avid Trump supporter, Larry Ellison, control over TikTok’s algorithms and data. Many are concerned with Oracle’s previous history of mishandling user data, as well as the company’s close ties to the Trump administration. TikTok's possible further “Trumpification”, or the influx of pro-Trump media, could lead to further polarization on the app and in America’s youth.
Read MoreAn endorsement from Hochul, a powerful establishment figure, could help further solidify Mamdani’s lead in New York City’s mayoral race and reinforce his path to victory in November. However, it remains to be seen whether it represents a genuine shift towards unity or simply an outlier in a Democratic party defined by infighting.
Read MoreThe 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 MoreIn many ways, the United Nations remains humanity’s best-known experiment in collective responsibility. Its next decade will determine whether that experiment still has the power to inspire generations to come, or whether the world will let the scaffolding of cooperation crumble, just when it is needed most.
Read MoreOn Friday, September 26, the United States State Department announced it would cancel Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa. This decision came after Petro, who was in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly, participated in a protest against the war in Gaza.
Read MoreThe Trump administration’s hike in H-1B visa fees has ignited debate over America’s approach to foreign hiring and talent. Critics warn it could hurt U.S. competitiveness, while supporters argue it prioritizes domestic workers. The policy has also strained relations with India, highlighting the global stakes of immigration reform.
Read More
