After an eventful number of weeks and 14 failed votes, Kevin McCarthy (R) of CA’s 20th district was elected Speaker of the House on Saturday, Jan. 7. Normally, the House successfully elects their speaker in an almost ceremonial way, swearing in new members on the same day as it elects a leader. In fact, this […]
Politics
U.S. Hits Debt Ceiling; Treasury Works to Prevent Default
As of Jan. 19, the United States has hit the debt ceiling. The limit on the U.S. debt has been met at $31.4 trillion and may only be surpassed in the future. To define the issue, the debt ceiling is the restriction of the amount of debt that the U.S. can possess, established by Congress, […]
As Republicans Take the House, Internal Party Divides Show Face
Former President Donald Trump recently announced his third presidential campaign for the 2024 election, leaving many voters unsettled. Although it’s unsurprising for Democrats to be wary of another potential Trump campaign and potential presidency, even Republican voters are faced with a difficult decision as they are tasked with choosing between the divisiveness of another Trump […]
Unrest in China over Zero-COVID Policy
Protests have erupted in multiple cities across China over the Zero-COVID policies of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. The unprecedented demonstrations, reminiscent of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, have presented Chinese President Xi Jinping with a rare challenge of his authority. Many parts of the country, like the cities of Shanghai and Zhengzhou, have been […]
Iranian Protests Continue
On Sept. 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, was killed after being arrested by Iranian morality police for not wearing a hijab, or head scarf, which is strictly prohibited in Iran. It is alleged that she was beaten to death by police with a baton. However, Iranian police claimed that she died of […]
Headlines You May Have Missed This Week
In China, Protests Over Zero Covid and Political Freedoms Over the weekend, protests began in China over the country’s Zero Covid Policy. The Zero Covid Policy is the strategy adopted by the Communist Party of China in its efforts to contain COVID-19. The strategy includes large scale lockdowns, mass testing, surveillance, among other factors. With […]
Nancy Pelosi Steps Down as Leader of House Democrats
Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2007 until 2011, and again from 2019 to 2022, has officially stepped down from her congressional role as the House Speaker. On Nov. 14, Pelosi delivered a 14-minute address covering the topic of future Democratic leadership and what is yet to come, saying, “with great […]
Missile Strikes Poland
DEVELOPING: A Russian-produced missile struck the Polish village of Przewodow, 15 miles from Ukraine’s border, killing two people working on a farm, according to a statement by the Polish Foreign Ministry. According to AP, a senior U.S. intelligence official stated that Russian missiles crossed into Poland. Speaking to CNN, a Polish official said that nothing […]
Russia Retreats from Kherson
Eight months ago, during the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia captured the strategic city of Kherson. The seizure of the important port and industrial city had been a symbolic prize of the invasion. In response to the capturing of Kherson, Ukraine launched a southern counteroffensive on Aug. 29 to expel Russian Forces occupying […]
What We Know So Far About the Results of the US Midterm Elections
Americans made their way to the polls this past Tuesday, Nov. 8 to cast their votes for the 2022 midterm election. While results from a number of states are still pending due to ballots being counted, it is understood so far that the Democrats have maintained their majority in the Senate, while Republicans appear to […]