Watching the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I was filled with immense pride as I saw my beliefs reflected in every speech and every face. The diverse voices, from Vice President Kamala Harris to Senator Cory Booker, echoed the values of justice, equality, and opportunity that make me proud to be both a Democrat and an American.
New York, N.Y. — The Democratic National Convention in Chicago, I found myself overwhelmed with pride, not just in my party but in my identity as an American. The convention’s theme—“For the People, For Our Future”—echoed through every speech, every face, every moment, encapsulating the diverse and inclusive vision of America that I hold dear. Seeing my beliefs and values so eloquently articulated by a mosaic of voices representing every corner of our republic filled me with an immense sense of pride.
Throughout the convention, the speakers reflected the strength and diversity of our nation, embodying the ideals of equality, justice, and opportunity that make our country exceptional. From the electrifying words of Vice President Kamala Harris to the impassioned advocacy of Senator Tammy Duckworth, every speech reaffirmed the values that bind us as Democrats—and as Americans.
“We are not just fighting for our party; we are fighting for the soul of our nation,” declared former First Lady Michelle Obama, capturing the spirit of the convention. Her words resonated deeply with me, as did those of Senator Bernie Sanders, who reminded us, “The future of our democracy depends on our ability to unite and fight for the working people of this country.”
As the convention progressed, I was struck by the powerful remarks of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who emphasized, “Our diversity is not our weakness; it is our greatest strength. Together, we will build a future where every American, regardless of race, gender, or creed, has the opportunity to thrive.” These words reflected my own beliefs and reinforced my pride in being part of a movement that is dedicated to creating a fair and just society.
The convention also highlighted the importance of leadership rooted in empathy and compassion. President Joe Biden‘s address was a testament to this, as he spoke of “the power of hope and unity to overcome even the most daunting challenges.” His message was clear: the Democratic Party is committed to leading with a moral compass, ensuring that no one is left behind.
As the final night concluded with the rousing words of Senator Cory Booker, who said, “In the face of hate, we must choose love. In the face of division, we must choose unity,” I felt an overwhelming sense of pride—not just in my party, but in the America we are striving to build together. This convention was a celebration of the values that make our nation great, and I am honored to be part of a movement that champions these ideals.
As I reflect on the convention, I am filled with hope and determination. The Democratic Party‘s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and opportunity for all is a reflection of the America I believe in. This convention has reminded me of why I am so proud to be a Democrat—and why I will continue to fight for the values that make our country a beacon of hope for the world.
Project 2025 is a plan to give MAGA extremists control over your life.
New York, N.Y. —Donald Trump’s plans for a full government takeover have been exposed. It includes a plan hatched by people who used to work for Donald Trump that focuses on the first 180 days. His Project 2025 agenda would strip away our freedoms. See it here for yourself here — and tell your friends.
The plan begins with a sweeping takeover of the federal government to consolidate power under Donald Trump. Inside pages of dense policy proposals, their intentions become clear.
“Mr. Trump and his associates have a broader goal: to alter the balance of power by increasing the president’s authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House, according to a review of his campaign policy proposals and interviews with people close to him.” – New York Times, July 17, 2023
Reissue Trump’s schedule F executive order to permit discharge of nonperforming employees. (Project 2025, a Mandate for Leadership, p. 535)
Then, they’d replace them with politically appointed Trump Loyalists.
“The modern conservative President’s task is to limit, control, and direct the executive branch… The great challenge confronting a conservative President is the existential need for aggressive use of the vast powers of the executive branch. Success in meeting that challenge will require a rare combination of boldness and self-denial: boldness to bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will.” (p. 43-44)
They’d end the independence of the Department of Justice and FBI…
“Conservatives have long believed in either ending law enforcement activities of independent agencies or ending their independent status. (p. 873)
…and turn them into enforcement arms of the White House.
The next conservative Administration must make every effort to obtain the resources to support a vast expansion of the number of appointees in every office and component across the department—especially in the Civil Rights Division, the FBI, and the EOIR.” (p. 569)
“[This] would also place the FBI under a politically accountable leader.” (p. 549)
Some of Donald Trump’s allies are assembling proposals to curtail the Justice Department’s independence and turn the nation’s top law enforcement body into an attack dog for conservative causes, nine people involved in the effort told Reuters. – Reuters, May 17, 2024
All while Trump has immunity from crimes committed in office thanks to a ruling from his Supreme Court picks.
Project 2025 is a plan to give MAGA extremists control over your life.
Trump and his Project 2025 allies overturned Roe v. Wade and unleashed extreme abortion bans across the country. Now, they’ll go even further.
They’ll implement a 50-state “backdoor ban” on abortion — without Congress — and jail health care providers.
“Announcing a Campaign to Enforce the Criminal Prohibitions in 18 U.S. Code §§ 1461 and 1462.” (p. 562)
Project 2025 would resurrect a law from the 1800s called the Comstock Act to ban abortion nationwide and jail health care providers. (p. 459)
Don’t take our word for it. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation: A literal interpretation of the [Comstock] Act could potentially also apply to materials used to produce all abortions, not just medication abortions; would not have exceptions; and could affect other medical care, such as miscarriage management. – Kaiser Family Foundation, 4/15/24
And they’ll ban abortion medication, which is also used in a range of ways to protect women’s health.
“Abortion pills pose the single greatest threat to unborn children in a post-Roe world…. The FDA should reverse its approval of chemical abortion drugs.” (p. 457)
They’ll force states to report women’s miscarriages and abortions to Trump’s Federal Government.
Project 2025 would “use every available tool, including the cutting of funds” to force states to report miscarriages and “exactly how many abortions take place within its borders,” including the “reason” for every abortion. (p. 455)
They’ll put limits on contraception access.
The President should “[e]liminate the week-after-pill from the contraceptive mandate as a potential abortifacient.” (p. 485)
Allows employers to deny workers access to birth control coverage. (p. 483-85)
It also calls for defunding Planned Parenthood, which provides access to contraception for over 2 million women each year. (p. 471)
And then rip away President Biden’s protections for a woman’s right to life-saving medical care.
The President should “reverse distorted pro-abortion ‘interpretations’ added to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act. (p. 473)
They’ll enable discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans.
Rescind regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, and sex characteristics. The President should direct agencies to rescind regulations interpreting sex discrimination provisions as prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, sex characteristics, etc. (p. 584)
Project 2025 is a plan to make Trump and his rich friends even richer.
It will cut taxes for Trump and his rich friends and pad their profits.
“The corporate income tax should be reduced to 18 percent.” (p. 696)
And cut taxes for wealthy families — offset by tax hikes on middle class families.
Project 2025 would restructure the tax code to benefit wealthy families. (p. 696)
Millions of low- and middle-class households would likely face significantly higher taxes under the Project 2025’s proposals. [Center for American Progress senior director for economic policy Brendan Duke] estimated that a middle-class family with two children and an annual income of $100,000 would pay $2,600 in additional federal income tax if they faced a 15% flat tax on their income due to the loss of the 10% and 12% tax brackets.
If the Child Tax Credit were also eliminated, they would pay an additional $6,600 compared with today’s tax system, Duke said. By comparison, a married couple with two children and earnings of $5 million a year would enjoy a $325,000 tax cut, he estimated. – CBS News, 7/12/24
They’d line Big Pharma’s pockets by ending prescription drug price caps for seniors, and banning Medicare from negotiating for lower drug prices.
“Repeal harmful health policies enacted under the Obama and Biden Administrations such as… the Inflation Reduction Act.” (p. 465)
“This ‘negotiation’ program should be repealed.” (p. 465)
All while Trump’s administration guts Medicare and Social Security.
When asked about cuts to entitlements like Medicare and Social Security, Trump said: “Oh we’ll be cutting,” and later doubled down, saying, “There’s a lot you can do…in terms of cutting.”
Trump has also called Social Security a “Ponzi Scheme,” supported raising the age for eligibility, and has been open to privatizing it.
They’d let employers drastically cut overtime — or eliminate it outright.
Return to Trump’s overtime rule, meaning 4 million middle class workers will lose overtime protections because of the salary they make.
Make remote employees work 10, instead of 8, hours in a day before they can earn overtime.
Prevent benefits from counting as part of workers’ overtime calculations
Allow employers to calculate overtime over four weeks instead of one. (pp. 587, 589, 592)
And they’d reinstate crippling student debt payments.
“The new Administration must end abuses in the loan forgiveness programs. Borrowers should be expected to repay their loans” (p. 322).
“The Secretary should phase out all existing [income-driven repayment] plans by making new loans (including consolidation loans) ineligible…. If new legislation is possible, there should be no loan forgiveness, but if not, existing law would require forgiving any remaining balance after 25 years.” (pp. 337-38).
Former First Lady Michelle Obama took to the Democratic National Convention stage in Chicago on Tuesday night, calling on supporters to “do something” to ensure Kamala Harris wins the November election against Donald Trump.
Chicago — “Thank you guys. OK. We got a big night ahead. Thank you all so much. Thank you. Hello, Chicago!
Something, something wonderfully magical is in the air, isn’t it? Yeah.
You know, we’re feeling it here in this arena, but it’s spreading all across this country we love. A familiar feeling that’s been buried too deep for far too long. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the contagious power of hope, the anticipation, the energy, the exhilaration of once again being on the cusp of a brighter day.
The chance to vanquish the demons of fear, division, and hate that have consumed us and continue pursuing the unfinished promise of this great nation. The dream that our parents and grandparents fought and died and sacrificed for. America, hope is making a comeback.
But, to be honest, I am realizing that until recently, I have mourned the dimming of that hope. And maybe you’ve experienced the same feelings—it’s that deep pit in my stomach, a palpable sense of dread about the future. And for me, that mourning has also been mixed with my own personal grief.
The last time I was here in my hometown was to memorialize my mother, the woman who showed me the meaning of hard work and humility and decency. The woman who set my moral compass high and showed me the power of my own voice. Folks, I still feel her loss so profoundly. I wasn’t even sure if I’d be steady enough to stand before you tonight, but my heart compelled me to be here because of the sense of duty that I feel to honor her memory and to remind us all not to squander the sacrifices our elders made to give us a better future.
You see, my mom in her steady quiet way, lived out that striving sense of hope every single day of her life. She believed that all children, all people have value. That anyone can succeed if given the opportunity. She and my father didn’t aspire to be wealthy—in fact, they were suspicious of folks who took more than they needed. They understood that it wasn’t enough for their kids to thrive if everyone else around us was drowning.
So my mother volunteered at the local school. She always looked out for the other kids on the block. She was glad to do the thankless, unglamorous work that, for generations, has strengthened the fabric of this nation. The belief that if you do unto others, if you love thy neighbor, if you work and scrape and sacrifice, it will pay off—if not for you, then maybe for your children or your grandchildren.
You see, those values have been passed on through family farms and factory towns, through tree-lined streets and crowded tenements, through prayer groups and national guard units and social studies classrooms. Those were the values my mother poured into me until her very last breath.
Kamala Harris and I built our lives on those same foundational values. Even though our mothers grew up an ocean apart, they shared the same belief in the promise of this country. That’s why her mother moved here from India at 19. It’s why she taught Kamala about justice, about the obligation to lift others up, about our responsibility to give more than we take. She’d often tell her daughter: “Don’t sit around and complain about things. Do something.”
So, with that voice in her head, Kamala went out and she worked hard in school, graduating from an HBCU, earning her law degree at a state school. And then she went on to work for the people fighting to hold law breakers accountable, strengthening the rule of law, fighting to get folks better wages, cheaper prescription drugs, a good education, decent healthcare, childcare, elder care. From a middle class household, Kamala worked her way up to become Vice President of the United States of America.
My girl, Kamala Harris, is more than ready for this moment. She is one of the most qualified people ever to seek the office of the presidency. And she is one of the most dignified—a tribute to her mother, to my mother, and to your mother too. The embodiment of the stories we tell ourselves about this country. Her story is your story. It’s my story. It’s the story of the vast majority of Americans trying to build a better life.
Look, Kamala knows, like we do, that regardless of where you come from, what you look like, who you love, how you worship, or what’s in your bank account, we all deserve the opportunity to build a decent life. All of our contributions deserve to be accepted and valued. Because no one has a monopoly on what it means to be an American. No one.
Kamala has shown her allegiance to this nation, not by spewing anger and bitterness, but by living a life of service and always pushing the doors of opportunity open to others. She understands that most of us will never be afforded the grace of failing forward. We will never benefit from the affirmative action of generational wealth.
If we bankrupt the business or choke in a crisis, we don’t get a second, third, or fourth chance. If things don’t go our way, we don’t have the luxury of whining or cheating others to get further ahead. No. We don’t get to change the rules, so we always win. If we see a mountain in front of us, we don’t expect there to be an escalator waiting to take us to the top. No. We put our heads down. We get to work. In America, we do something.
(Crowd chants: “Do something!”)
And throughout her entire life, that’s what we’ve seen from Kamala Harris, the steel of her spine, the steadiness of her upbringing, the honesty of her example, and yes, the joy of her laughter and her light.
It couldn’t be more obvious: Of the two major candidates in this race, only Kamala Harris truly understands the unseen labor and unwavering commitment that has always made America great.
Now, unfortunately, we know what comes next. We know folks are going to do everything they can to distort her truth. My husband and I, sadly, know a little something about this. For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.
Wait, I want to know: Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those “Black jobs”?
Look, it’s his same old con: doubling down on ugly, misogynistic, racist lies as a substitute for real ideas and solutions that will actually make people’s lives better. Look, because cutting our healthcare, taking away our freedom to control our bodies, the freedom to become a mother through IVF like I did—those things are not going to improve the health outcomes of our wives, mothers, and daughters.
Shutting down the Department of Education, banning our books—none of that will prepare our kids for the future. Demonizing our children for being who they are and loving who they love—look, that doesn’t make anybody’s life better.
Instead, it only makes us small. And let me tell you this: Going small is never the answer. Going small is the opposite of what we teach our kids. Going small is petty, it’s unhealthy, and quite frankly, it’s unpresidential.
So, why would any of us accept this from anyone seeking our highest office? Why would we normalize that type of backward leadership? Doing so only demeans and cheapens our politics. It only serves to further discourage good, big-hearted people from wanting to get involved at all. America, our parents taught us better than that, and we deserve so much better than that.
That’s why we must do everything in our power to elect two of those good, big-hearted people. There is no other choice than Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. No other choice.
But, as we embrace this renewed sense of hope, let us not forget the despair we have felt. Let us not forget what we are up against. Yes, Kamala and Tim are doing great now. We’re loving it. They’re packing arenas across the country. Folks are energized. We are feeling good.
But, remember there are still so many people who are desperate for a different outcome, who are ready to question and criticize every move Kamala makes, who are eager to spread those lies, who don’t want to vote for a woman, who will continue to prioritize building their wealth over ensuring that everyone has enough.
So no matter how good we feel tonight or tomorrow or the next day, this is going to be an uphill battle. So folks, we cannot be our own worst enemies. No. See, because the minute something goes wrong, the minute a lie takes hold, folks, we cannot start wringing our hands. We cannot get a Goldilocks complex about whether everything is just right. And we cannot indulge our anxieties about whether this country will elect someone like Kamala instead of doing everything we can to get someone like Kamala elected.
Kamala and Tim, they have lived amazing lives and I am confident that they will lead with compassion, inclusion, and grace. But they are still only human. They are not perfect. And like all of us, they will make mistakes. But luckily y’all, this is not just on them. No, uh-uh. This is up to us, all of us, to be the solution that we seek. It’s up to all of us to be the antidote to the darkness and division.
Look, I don’t care how you identify politically—whether you’re a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or none of the above. This is our time to stand up for what we know in our hearts is right. To stand up, not just for our basic freedoms but for decency and humanity; for basic respect, dignity, and empathy; for the values at the very foundation of this democracy.
It’s up to us to remember what Kamala’s mother told her: “Don’t just sit around and complain. Do something.” So if they lie about her—and they will—we’ve got to do something. If we see a bad poll—and we will—we’ve got to put down that phone and do something. If we start feeling tired, if we start feeling that dread creeping back in, we gotta pick ourselves up, throw water on our face, and what?
(Crowd chants: “Do something!”)
We only have two and a half months, y’all, to get this done. Only 11 weeks to make sure every single person we know is registered and has a voting plan. So we cannot afford for anyone, anyone, anyone, America, to sit on their hands and wait to be called. Don’t complain if no one from the campaign has specifically reached out to you to ask you for your support. There is simply no time for that kind of foolishness. You know what you need to do.
So, consider this to be your official ask: Michelle Obama is asking you—no, I’m telling y’all—to do something.
(Crowd chants: “Do something!”)
Because, y’all, this election is gonna be close. In some states, just a handful—listen to me—a handful of votes in every precinct could decide the winner. So we need to vote in numbers that erase any doubt. We need to overwhelm any effort to suppress us. Our fate is in our hands.
In 77 days, we have the power to turn our country away from the fear, division, and smallness of the past. We have the power to marry our hope with our action. We have the power to pay forward the love, sweat, and sacrifice of our mothers and fathers and all those who came before us.
We did it before, y’all, and we sure can do it again. Let us work like our lives depend on it, and let us keep moving our country forward and go higher—yes, always higher—than we’ve ever gone before, as we elect the next President and Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.
Thank you all. God bless.
Now, before I go, I have one more job tonight. Yeah, one more job. You all, thank you for all the love, but it is now my honor to introduce somebody who knows a whole lot about hope, someone who has spent his life strengthening our democracy—and let me tell you, as someone who lives with him, he wakes up every day, every day, and thinks about what’s best for this country. Please welcome America’s 44th President and the love of my life, Barack Obama.
Ms. Hassan has already earned a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in Peace and Conflict but wanted to further her understanding of global dynamics and cultural contexts. She believes that way, the world can create more effective and sustainable peacebuilding strategies.
“I began my academic journey in Nigeria, earning a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the National Open University of Nigeria. In 2021, I moved to the United States to further my education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), where I obtained a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies.
During my time at UNCG, I discovered a passion for community organizing and engagement. I gained valuable hands-on experience at North Carolina Peace Action, working with the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons on community organizing around nuclear disarmament.
After completing my master’s degree, I worked with Amnesty International on a project aimed at ending gun violence in Austin and its surrounding areas in Texas. In this role, I contributed to organizing and fundraising efforts, further honing my skills in advocacy and community outreach.
It is my privilege and honor to be a part of the global studies program at Oklahoma State University. I believe that global studies and peacebuilding are inherently interconnected fields that together address the complexities of international relations, conflicts, and cooperation.
By understanding global dynamics and cultural contexts, it is my belief that we can create more effective and sustainable peacebuilding strategies. My goal is to contribute to a holistic approach that bridges these fields, fostering a deeper understanding of global issues and promoting lasting peace.
Considering my background in Peace and Conflict Studies, I chose to pursue a master’s in Global Studies to broaden my perspective in addressing global challenges. My expertise in peace and conflict resolution will complement my studies in global dynamics, enabling me to develop comprehensive solutions that consider both local and international contexts.
I believe the knowledge gained from global studies will enrich my peacebuilding efforts by providing a wider lens through which to understand and address conflicts, ultimately leading to more impactful and sustainable outcomes.
I am very excited to join the Dambach Peacebuilders Fellowship, where I look forward to bringing my experience and voice to the forefront. I am eager to perform my duties in any capacity where my expertise is needed, contributing to meaningful change and peacebuilding efforts.”
Obama steps back into the spotlight — and absolutely skewers Trump. The former president eviscerated Trump as “a 78-year-old billionaire who hasn’t stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago.”
Chicago — Barack Obama was the keynote speaker of the second night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where the 63-year-old former President tapped into his renowned eloquence to honor his former vice president President Joe Biden, warn the party against complacency, and rally support for Kamala Harris against Donald Trump.
“It’s good to be home. It is good to be home. And I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling fired up. I am feeling ready to go even if I am the only person stupid enough to speak after Michelle Obama.
I am feeling hopeful because this convention has always been pretty good to kids with funny names who believe in a country where anything is possible; because we have a chance to elect someone who has spent her entire life trying to give people the same chances America gave her, someone who sees you and hears you and will get up every single day and fight for you, the next President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris.
It’s been 16 years since I had the honor of accepting this party’s nomination for President. And I know that’s hard to believe, because I have not aged a bit. But it’s true. And looking back, I can say, without question, that my first big decision as your nominee turned out to be one of my best. And that was asking Joe Biden to serve by my side as Vice President.
Other than some common Irish blood, Joe and I come from different backgrounds. But we became brothers. And as we worked together for eight—sometimes pretty tough—years, what I came to admire most about Joe wasn’t just his smarts, his experience; it was his empathy and his decency and his hard earned resilience, his unshakeable belief that everyone in this country deserves a fair shot. And over the last four years, those are the values America has needed most.
At a time when millions of our fellow citizens were sick and dying, we needed a leader with the character to put politics aside and do what was right. At a time when our economy was reeling, we needed a leader with the determination to drive what would become the world’s strongest recovery: 15 million jobs, higher wages, lower healthcare costs. At a time when the other party had turned into a cult of personality, we needed a leader who was steady and brought people together, and was selfless enough to do the rarest thing there is in politics: putting his own ambition aside for the sake of the country.
History will remember Joe Biden as an outstanding President who defended democracy at a moment of great danger. And I am proud to call him my President, but I am even prouder to call him my friend.
(Crowd chants: “Thank you, Joe!”)
Now, the torch has been passed. Now, it is up to all of us to fight for the America we believe in. And make no mistake, it will be a fight. For all the incredible energy we’ve been able to generate over the last few weeks, for all the rallies and the memes, this will still be a tight race in a closely divided country. A country where too many Americans are still struggling, where a lot of Americans don’t believe government can help. And as we gather here tonight, the people who will decide this election are asking a very simple question: Who will fight for me? Who’s thinking about my future, about my children’s future, about our future together?
One thing is for certain: Donald Trump is not losing sleep over that question. Here’s a 78-year-old billionaire who has not stopped whining about his problems since he rode down his golden escalator nine years ago. It has been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually been getting worse now that he is afraid of losing to Kamala. There’s the childish nicknames, the crazy conspiracy theories, this weird obsession with crowd sizes.
It’s been a constant stream of gripes and grievances that’s actually gotten worse now that Trump is afraid of losing to Kamala. The childish nicknames and crazy conspiracy theories and weird obsession with crowd sizes.
It just goes on and on and on. The other day, I heard someone compare Trump to the neighbor who keeps running his leaf blower outside your window every minute of every day. Now, from a neighbor, that’s exhausting. From a President, it’s just dangerous.
The truth is, Donald Trump sees power as nothing more than a means to his ends. He wants the middle class to pay the price for another huge tax cut that would mostly help him and his rich friends. He killed a bipartisan immigration deal written in part by one of the most conservative Republicans in Congress that would’ve helped secure our southern border, because he thought trying to actually solve the problem would hurt his campaign. He doesn’t—
(Crowd boos.) Do not boo. Vote.
He doesn’t seem to care if more women lose their reproductive freedom, since it won’t affect his life. And most of all, Donald Trump wants us to think that this country is hopelessly divided: between us and them, between the real Americans who—of course—support him and the outsiders who don’t. And he wants you to think that you’ll be richer and safer if you will just give him the power to put those other people back in their place. It is one of the oldest tricks in politics, from a guy whose act has—let’s face it—gotten pretty stale.
We do not need four more years of bluster and bumbling and chaos. We have seen that movie before, and we all know that the sequel is usually worse.
America’s ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.
And Kamala Harris is ready for the job. This is a person who has spent her life fighting on behalf of people who need a voice and a champion. As you heard from Michelle, Kamala was not born into privilege. She had to work for what she’s got. And she actually cares about what other people are going through. She’s not the neighbor running the leaf blower. She’s the neighbor rushing over to help when you need a hand.
As a prosecutor, Kamala stood up for children who had been victims of sexual abuse. As an Attorney General of the most populous state in the country, she fought big banks and for-profit colleges, securing billions of dollars for the people they had scammed. After the whole mortgage crisis, she pushed me and my Administration hard to make sure homeowners got a fair settlement. It didn’t matter that I was a Democrat, didn’t matter that she had knocked on doors for my campaign in Iowa—she was going to fight to get as much relief as possible for the families who deserved it.
As Vice President, she helped take on the drug companies to cap the cost of insulin, lower the cost of healthcare, give families with kids a tax cut. And she is running for President with real plans to lower costs even more and protect Medicare and Medicaid and sign a law to guarantee every woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.
In other words, Kamala Harris won’t be focused on her problems, she’ll be focused on yours. As President, she won’t just cater to her own supporters and punish those who refuse to kiss the ring or bend the knee. She’ll work on behalf of every American. That’s who Kamala is.
And in the White House, she will have an outstanding partner in Governor Tim Walz. Let me tell you something. Let me tell you something. I love this guy. Tim is the kind of person who should be in politics: born in a small town, served his country, taught kids, coached football, took care of his neighbors. He knows who he is, and he knows what’s important. You can tell those flannel shirts he wears don’t come from some political consultant; they come from his closet, and they have been through some stuff. They have been through some stuff. That’s right.
Together, Kamala and Tim have kept faith with America’s central story: a story that says, “We are all created equal.” All of us endowed with certain inalienable rights. That everyone deserves a chance. That even when we don’t agree with each other, we can find a way to live with each other. That’s Kamala’s vision. That’s Tim’s vision. That’s the Democratic Party’s vision. And our job over the next 11 weeks is to convince as many people as possible to vote for that vision.
Now, it won’t be easy. The other side knows it’s easier to play on people’s fears and cynicism. It always has been. They will tell you that government is inherently corrupt, that sacrifice and generosity are for suckers, and since the game is rigged it’s okay to take what you want and just look after your own. That’s the easy path.
We have a different task. Our job is to convince people that democracy can actually deliver. And, and in doing that, we can’t just point to what we’ve already accomplished. We can’t just rely on the ideas of the past. We need to chart a new way forward to meet the challenges of today. And Kamala understands this. She knows, for example, that if we want to make it easier for more young people to buy a home, we need to build more units and clear away some of the outdated laws and regulations that made it harder to build homes for working people in this country. That is a priority. And she’s put out a bold new plan to do just that.
On healthcare, we should all be proud of the enormous progress that we’ve made through the Affordable Care Act, providing millions of people access to affordable coverage, protecting millions more from unscrupulous insurance practices. And I’d noticed, by the way, that since it’s become popular, they don’t call it Obamacare no more.
But Kamala knows we can’t stop there, which is why she’ll keep working to limit out-of-pocket costs. Kamala knows that if we want to help people get ahead, we need to put a college degree within reach of more Americans. But she also knows college shouldn’t be the only ticket to the middle class. We need to follow the lead of governors like Tim Walz, who said, if you’ve got the skills and the drive, you shouldn’t need a degree to work for state government.
And in this new economy, we need a President who actually cares about the millions of people all across this country, who wake up every single day to do the essential, often thankless work: to care for our sick, to clean our streets, to deliver our packages. We need a President who will stand up for their right to bargain for better wages and working conditions. And Kamala will be that President.
Yes, she can.
(Crowd chants: “Yes, she can!”) Yes, she can.
A Harris-Walz administration can help us move past some of the tired, old debates that keep stifling progress. Because at their core, Kamala and Tim understand that when everybody gets a fair shot, we are all better off. They understand that when every child gets a good education, the whole economy gets stronger. When women are paid the same as men for doing the same job, all families benefit. They understand that we can secure our borders without tearing kids away from their parents. Just like we can keep our streets safe while also building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve and eliminating bias that will make it better for everybody.
Donald Trump and his well-heeled donors, they don’t see the world that way. For them, one group’s gains is necessarily another group’s loss. For them, freedom means that the powerful can do pretty much what they please, whether it’s fire workers trying to organize a union or put poison in our rivers or avoid paying taxes like everybody else has to do.
Well, we have a broader idea of freedom. We believe in the freedom to provide for your family if you’re willing to work hard. The freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water and send your kids to school without worrying if they’ll come home. We believe that true freedom gives each of us the right to make decisions about our own life, how we worship, what our family looks like, how many kids we have, who we marry. And we believe that freedom requires us to recognize that other people have the freedom to make choices that are different than ours. That’s okay.
That’s the America Kamala Harris and Tim Walz believe in: an America where “we, the people” includes everyone. Because that’s the only way this American experiment works. And despite what our politics might suggest, I think most Americans understand that. Democracy isn’t just a bunch of abstract principles and dusty laws in some book somewhere. It’s the values we live by. It’s the way we treat each other, including those who don’t look like us or pray like us or see the world exactly like we do.
That sense of mutual respect has to be part of our message. Our politics have become so polarized these days that all of us across the political spectrum seem so quick to assume the worst in others unless they agree with us on every single issue. We start thinking that the only way to win is to scold and shame and out-yell the other side. And after a while, regular folks just tune out, or they don’t bother to vote.
Now that approach may work for the politicians who just want attention and thrive on division, but it won’t work for us. To make progress on the things we care about, the things that really affect people’s lives, we need to remember that we’ve all got our blind spots and contradictions and prejudices. And that if we want to win over those who aren’t yet ready to support our candidates, we need to listen to their concerns and maybe learn something in the process.
After all, if a parent or grandparent occasionally says something that makes us cringe, we don’t automatically assume they’re bad people. We recognize that the world is moving fast, that they need time and maybe a little encouragement to catch up. Our fellow citizens deserve the same grace we hope they’ll extend to us. That’s how we can build a true Democratic majority, one that can get things done.
And by the way, that does not just matter to the people in this country. The rest of the world is watching to see if we can actually pull this off. No nation, no society has ever tried to build a democracy as big and as diverse as ours before. One that includes people that, over decades, have come from every corner of the globe. One where our allegiances and our community are defined not by race or blood but by a common creed. And that’s why when we uphold our values, the world’s a little brighter. When we don’t, the world’s a little dimmer—and dictators and autocrats feel emboldened, and over time, we become less safe.
We shouldn’t be the world’s policeman and we can’t eradicate every cruelty and injustice in the world. But America can be and must be a force for good: discouraging conflict, fighting disease, promoting human rights, protecting the planet from climate change, defending freedom, brokering peace. That’s what Kamala Harris believes and so do most Americans.
(Crowd chants: “Yes, we can!”)
I know these ideas can feel pretty naive right now. We live in a time of such confusion and rancor, with a culture that puts a premium on things that don’t last: money, fame, status, likes. We chase the approval of strangers on our phones. We build all manner of walls and fences around ourselves, and then we wonder why we feel so alone. We don’t trust each other as much because we don’t take the time to know each other. And in that space between us, politicians and algorithms teach us to caricature each other and troll each other and fear each other.
But here’s the good news, Chicago: All across America, in big cities and small towns, away from all the noise, the ties that bind us together are still there. We still coach Little League and look out for our elderly neighbors. We still feed the hungry in churches and mosques and synagogues and temples. We share the same pride when our Olympic athletes compete for the gold. Because the vast majority of us do not want to live in a country that’s bitter and divided. We want something better. We want to be better. And the joy and the excitement that we’re seeing around this campaign tells us we’re not alone.
You know, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this these past few months because, as Michelle mentioned, this summer we lost her mom, Ms. Marian Robinson. And I don’t know that anybody has ever loved their mother-in-law any more than I love mine. Mostly it’s because she was funny and wise and the least pretentious person I knew. That and she always defended me with Michelle when I messed up. (Crowd laughs.) I’d hide behind her.
But I also think one of the reasons Marian and I became so close was she reminded me of my grandmother, the woman who helped raise me as a child. And on the surface, the two of them did not have a lot in common. One was a Black woman from right here, south side of Chicago, right down the way—(Crowd cheers.)—went to Englewood High School. The other was a little old white lady born in a tiny town called Peru, Kansas. (Crowd cheers.) Now I know there aren’t that many people from Peru. (Crowd laughs.)
And yet they shared a basic outlook on life. They were strong, smart, resourceful women, full of common sense, who, regardless of the barriers they encountered—and women growing up in the ’40s and ’50s and ’60s, they encountered barriers—they still went about their business without fuss or complaint and provided an unshakeable foundation of love for their children and their grandchildren. In that sense, they both represented an entire generation of working people, who through war and depression, discrimination, and limited opportunity, helped build this country. A lot of them toiled every day at jobs that were often too small for them and didn’t pay a lot. They willingly went without just to keep a roof over their family’s heads, just to give their children something better.
But they knew what was true. They knew what mattered: things like honesty and integrity, kindness, and hard work. They weren’t impressed with braggarts or bullies. They didn’t think putting other people down lifted you up or made you strong. They didn’t spend a lot of time obsessing about what they didn’t have. Instead, they appreciated what they did. They found pleasure in simple things: a card game with friends, a good meal and laughter around the kitchen table, helping others, and, most of all, seeing their children do things and go places that they would’ve never imagined for themselves.
Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican or somewhere in between, we have all had people like that in our lives. People like Kamala’s parents, who crossed oceans because they believed in the promise of America. People like Tim’s parents, who taught him about the importance of service. Good, hardworking people, who weren’t famous or powerful but who managed in countless ways to leave this country just a little bit better than they found it.
As much as any policy or program, I believe that’s what we yearn for: a return to an America where we work together and look out for each other. A restoration of, what Lincoln called on the eve of civil war, our “bonds of affection.” An America that taps what he called “the better angels of our nature.”
That is what this election is about. And I believe that’s why, if we each do our part over the next 77 days, if we knock on doors, if we make phone calls, if we talk to our friends, if we listen to our neighbors, if we work like we’ve never worked before, if we hold firm to our convictions, we will elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States and Tim Walz as the next Vice President of the United States. We will elect leaders up and down the ballot who will fight for the hopeful, forward-looking America we all believe in. And together, we too will build a country that is more secure and more just, more equal, and more free. So let’s get to work.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
The sanctity of borders is paramount, and when breached, the consequences must be met with decisive action.
New York, N.Y. — We believe in peace, but we are not pacifists. Our commitment to peace is rooted in the belief that international laws and borders must be respected. When one nation invades another, it is our duty, as citizens of the world, to ensure that the aggressor is stopped. The sanctity of borders is paramount, and when breached, the consequences must be met with decisive action.
History has shown us time and again that when a nation faces overwhelming odds, it often resorts to creative, unexpected tactics.
These actions, though desperate, were necessary and ultimately justified by the cause they served.
Today, we see a parallel in Ukraine’s bold actions against Russia. Ukraine, outgunned and outnumbered, has taken the fight to the very heart of Russia by destroying or damaging all three bridges over Russia’s Seym River.
This move, while audacious, strikes at the core of President Vladimir Putin’s sense of invincibility. It is a reminder that no matter the size of the army, the will of a people determined to defend their homeland cannot be underestimated.
While Ukraine may not be able to sustain or expand these incursions, the message is clear: Russia’s actions will not go unchallenged. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his military commanders have shown the world that Ukraine will not be intimidated. Their strategic brilliance deserves recognition. They have made a significant statement, not just to Russia, but to the entire international community.
The Democrats kicked off the 2024 Democratic National Convention with a bang, unveiling a biting Law & Order parody that highlighted Donald Trump’s alleged criminal conduct. The two-minute video used the iconic show’s style to lay out the former president’s extensive rap sheet, blending humor with a sobering message about the seriousness of the accusations.
Tags: Donald Trump, Democratic National Convention, Law & Order parody, political satire, 2024 election, Trump criminal conduct, Chicago, DNC video, Trump allegations, DNC opening night
Beyond his immediate success at the Asian Games, Takahashi is a young leader with immense potential. Born in 2003, to an Iranian father and a Japanese mother, he represents a blend of cultures, bringing a unique perspective to his sport. Currently an undergraduate at the prestigious Hosei University in Tokyo, Takahashi is not only focused on his athletic career but also on his academic pursuits, reflecting a well-rounded and disciplined approach to life.
Tokyo, Japan — At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the volleyball courts have become a focal point of excitement, with fans cheering passionately for their teams.
Among the standout athletes, one young player has captured the attention and admiration of audiences not only for his athletic prowess but also for his striking appearance—19-year-old Keihan Takahashi, a rising star on the Japanese men’s volleyball team.
Making his debut on the global stage, Takahashi played a crucial role in helping Japan secure a bronze medal, defeating Qatar 3-1 on September 26.
Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, his performance was nothing short of impressive. However, it wasn’t just his skills that won over fans; it was also his good looks that had many spectators completely captivated.
Comments online echoed sentiments such as, “He’s so handsome that it’s scary!” and others admitting that they “couldn’t concentrate on watching the game at all” due to Takahashi’s distracting charm.
Beyond his immediate success at the Asian Games, Takahashi is a young leader with immense potential. Born on October 13, 2003, to an Iranian father and a Japanese mother, he represents a blend of cultures, bringing a unique perspective to his sport.
Currently an undergraduate at the prestigious Hosei University in Tokyo, Takahashi is not only focused on his athletic career but also on his academic pursuits, reflecting a well-rounded and disciplined approach to life.
Takahashi’s future in volleyball is bright. He has already qualified to compete in the upcoming World Volleyball Championship, Volleyball World Cup, and the Olympics, promising that Hangzhou is just the beginning of what will likely be a remarkable career. As he continues to grow and excel, Takahashi is sure to become a significant figure not just in sports, but as a role model for young athletes worldwide.
Born in London in 1989 to Pakistani parents, Lina Khan moved to the United States at the age of 11. She grew up in New York City, where her experiences as an immigrant and exposure to the complexities of the American economic system likely shaped her future perspectives. Khan attended Williams College, where she studied political science, and later Yale Law School, where her groundbreaking scholarship on antitrust law began to take shape.
New York, N.Y. In the landscape of American governance, few figures have garnered as much attention in recent years as Lina Khan, the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Appointed by President Joe Biden in June 2021, Khan’s rise to one of the most powerful regulatory positions in the United States has been nothing short of meteoric. At just 34 years old, she has become a central figure in the battle to redefine antitrust enforcement in the digital age, challenging the dominance of tech giants and pushing for more aggressive regulation to protect competition and consumers.
A Revolutionary Legal Mind
Khan first gained national prominence while still a law student, with the publication of her seminal paper, “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox,” in the Yale Law Journal in 2017. In this article, she argued that the traditional antitrust framework, which focused primarily on consumer prices as the metric for competition, was ill-equipped to handle the complexities of modern tech giants like Amazon. She posited that these companies could harm competition even if they offered lower prices, by using their market power to stifle innovation, create barriers to entry, and exert undue influence over entire industries.
Khan’s argument was a direct challenge to the prevailing antitrust philosophy, which had dominated American legal thought for decades. Her work quickly gained traction among academics, policymakers, and activists who were concerned about the growing power of Big Tech. It also positioned her as a leading voice in the movement to rethink antitrust enforcement for the 21st century.
Chair of the FTC: A Bold New Direction
In 2021, Lina Khan was nominated by President Biden to serve as a Commissioner of the FTC, and shortly after her confirmation, she was appointed Chair, making her the youngest person ever to hold the position. Her appointment signaled a dramatic shift in the federal government’s approach to antitrust enforcement and consumer protection.
Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC has taken a more aggressive stance on regulating big corporations, particularly in the technology sector. She has focused on addressing the ways in which dominant firms may be using their market power to suppress competition and exploit consumers. This includes scrutinizing mergers and acquisitions that might have previously been approved under a more lenient antitrust regime.
Khan has also pushed the FTC to consider the broader impacts of corporate behavior, including its effects on innovation, worker rights, and privacy. This holistic approach marks a significant departure from the narrower, price-focused analysis that has traditionally guided antitrust enforcement.
Challenges and Controversies
Lina Khan’s tenure at the FTC has not been without controversy. Critics, particularly from the business community and some conservative lawmakers, argue that her approach to antitrust enforcement is overly aggressive and could stifle economic growth and innovation. They contend that the regulatory uncertainty created by the FTC’s new direction could have a chilling effect on business investment and expansion.
Moreover, some have questioned whether the FTC under Khan is overstepping its legal authority, pushing the boundaries of what the agency is empowered to do. This has led to legal battles, with several high-profile companies challenging the FTC’s actions in court.
However, Khan has remained steadfast in her belief that robust antitrust enforcement is essential to maintaining a competitive, fair, and innovative economy. She argues that the concentration of economic power in the hands of a few dominant firms poses significant risks to both the economy and democracy.
The Future of Antitrust
As Chair of the FTC, Lina Khan is at the forefront of a broader movement to modernize antitrust enforcement in the United States. Her leadership represents a generational shift in how regulators think about competition, consumer protection, and the role of government in overseeing the economy.
Khan’s influence extends beyond the FTC, as her ideas have resonated with lawmakers, academics, and activists around the world. She has helped to spur a global conversation about the need for stronger antitrust enforcement in the digital age, and her work is likely to have a lasting impact on how governments regulate big corporations.
Lina Khan’s tenure as FTC Chair is still in its early stages, but it is already clear that she is shaping the future of antitrust enforcement in profound ways. Her willingness to challenge long-standing legal doctrines and take on some of the most powerful corporations in the world has made her a transformative figure in American law and governance.
Whether or not one agrees with her approach, there is no denying that Khan has brought a new level of energy and urgency to the fight against monopolistic practices. Her work will likely define the trajectory of antitrust law for years to come, making her one of the most influential legal minds of her generation.
Tags: Lina Khan, Federal Trade Commission, antitrust law, Big Tech, digital regulation, Pakistani American, U.S. government, Yale Law School, Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox
Review of ‘The Accident’: A Breakthrough in Mexican TV Drama through universal themes of justice, love, and moral dilemmas
Mexico City, Mexico —The Accident is a masterful addition to the growing roster of Mexican television that is redefining the global stage. This gripping drama blends intense storytelling with complex character development, raising the bar for Mexican series and pushing the country’s television industry to the same league as India and Indonesia‘s flourishing entertainment scenes.
At the core of The Accident is a narrative of human fragility and resilience.
The plot, centered around a tragic event that irrevocably changes the lives of its characters, delves into themes of loss, guilt, redemption, and justice.
With meticulous attention to detail, the show weaves together personal struggles and larger societal issues, such as corruption, class divide, and the pursuit of truth in an increasingly polarized world.
The accident itself serves as both a literal and symbolic breaking point, unraveling secrets and forcing characters to confront their past.
What truly sets The Accident apart is its ensemble cast. Each actor delivers powerful performances that bring emotional depth and realism to their roles, creating characters that are not only relatable but unforgettable. The writing is sharp, the pacing relentless, and the direction skillful, maintaining a sense of tension and suspense throughout the series.
Visually, the show boasts stunning cinematography, capturing both the beauty and harshness of its settings, adding a layer of raw authenticity.
Unlike many traditional telenovelas,The Accident refrains from melodrama, instead offering nuanced storytelling that resonates with a global audience.
Its appeal transcends borders, with universal themes of justice, love, and moral dilemmas, making it one of the best Mexican TV dramas to date.
By embracing contemporary issues and presenting them through the lens of compelling drama, The Accident firmly places Mexican television as a formidable force in the international arena.
Scapegoating and Mass Deportation: The Grim Reality of Trump’s Immigration Pledge Echoing Germany in the 1930’s. It can’t happen here?
New York, N.Y. — Donald Trump’s pledge to deport one million undocumented immigrants if re-elected has reignited a fierce debate about immigration in the United States. His rhetoric often portrays these individuals as threats to national security, public safety, or the economy, echoing the dangerous precedent of scapegoating seen in history.
Defining the “Enemies of Society”
Trump’s speeches and policies have consistently targeted specific groups, including those from Latin American countries, Middle Eastern nations, and others deemed “undesirable” under his administration’s criteria. By broadly defining “enemies of society” as anyone without legal permission to be in the country, Trump aims to galvanize support from his base by appealing to fears of job loss, crime, and cultural change.
The Feasibility of Mass Deportation
Deporting one million people is not just a logistical nightmare; it’s nearly impossible without violating fundamental human rights. The process would require massive coordination between federal agencies, local law enforcement, and even military involvement. It would likely involve large-scale raids, detentions, and the use of private contractors to manage deportations.The cost, both financial and humanitarian, would be staggering. Housing detainees, legal challenges, and international relations all present significant obstacles.
The Echoes of History
The rhetoric Trump employs bears a chilling resemblance to tactics used by authoritarian regimes, most notably Adolf Hitler’s demonization of the Jewish people in the 1930s. By creating a scapegoat, Trump shifts blame for societal problems onto a vulnerable population, diverting attention from more complex issues like economic inequality or systemic failures.
Contradicting American Values
This approach is antithetical to the core American values of liberty, equality, and justice. The United States has long been a beacon of hope for immigrants seeking a better life. Mass deportation, especially when driven by xenophobia, threatens to undermine the nation’s identity as a land of opportunity and refuge.
Could It Really Happen?
While Trump could initiate efforts to ramp up deportations, the scale he proposes is unprecedented and would likely face immense legal and public resistance. The courts, human rights organizations, and potentially even Congress would be significant barriers. Moreover, the moral and ethical implications of such an operation would provoke widespread dissent, both domestically and internationally.
Calls for mass deportation under the guise of protecting American values are, in fact, a betrayal of those very principles. Just as in the past, targeting a specific group as a societal enemy serves only to divide and weaken the nation. In reality, the feasibility of deporting one million people is highly questionable, and the consequences could be catastrophic for America’s social fabric and international standing.
High school journalism serves as a cornerstone of democratic engagement, equipping students with the skills necessary to critically analyze information, articulate their thoughts, and engage with their communities.
New York, N.Y. — When I was in high school during the 1970’s, my role as the editor of our local high school newspaper provided me with invaluable experiences. I was not only able to develop my journalistic skills but also became a member of the Quill and Scroll Honor Society, an organization dedicated to recognizing and nurturing high school journalists. Additionally, I attended journalism camps and media workshops across the Midwest, which played a significant role in shaping my future career and even helped me secure a place in college.
My experience with student journalism led me to become Editor-and-chief of this publication, write for The New York Times, Huffington Post, and Daily Kos, and teach students from California to Jamaica to India about young global leadership, development – and journalism.
The significance of these experiences cannot be overstated. High school journalism is more than just an extracurricular activity; it is a training ground for the future leaders of our society.
It teaches students how to gather information, think critically, and present their findings in a clear and impactful way. These are skills that transcend the classroom and are essential in any career path, whether in journalism, law, politics, or business.
Colleges today are inundated with thousands of applicants boasting perfect GPAs.
To differentiate among these high-achieving students, admissions officers look closely at extracurricular activities, seeking evidence of leadership, initiative, and impact. Serving as the editor of a high school newspaper is a prime example of such leadership. It demonstrates not only academic excellence but also a commitment to civic engagement, a capacity for managing teams, and an ability to influence and inform public opinion.
Similarly, holding positions like student council president or student body president marks a student as someone who is prepared to lead, advocate for their peers, and handle significant responsibilities—qualities that move these applicants to the top of the admissions pile.
Many famous Americans launched their careers through their high school newspapers.
For example, Bob Woodward, who later became famous for his investigative reporting on the Watergate scandal, was the editor of his high school newspaper. Barbara Walters, a pioneering television journalist, also honed her skills as a high school journalist. These early experiences laid the foundation for their illustrious careers and their significant contributions to American society.
The Quill and Scroll Honor Society, of which I was a proud member, plays a crucial role in recognizing and fostering the talents of high school journalists. Founded in 1926 at the University of Iowa, Quill and Scroll encourages and rewards excellence in journalism and scholastic achievement.
Membership in this society is a mark of distinction and a testament to a student’s dedication to the craft of journalism. It also connects young journalists with a network of like-minded peers and professionals, providing them with opportunities to further develop their skills and make a lasting impact.
In today’s world, where misinformation and fake news are rampant, the role of high school journalism has never been more critical. As the New York City Council debates whether all high schools should be required to have a student newspaper, the answer is clear: yes. Journalism is a prerequisite for a free society and a thriving democracy. It is one of the strongest tools we have to combat authoritarianism and develop the next generation of global leaders.
Student newspapers serve as a platform for young people to express their views, challenge the status quo, and hold those in power accountable. By encouraging high school journalism, we are investing in the future of our democracy and ensuring that the voices of our youth are heard.
Photo: The author writing for the Huffington Post in the media tent at the Dalai Lama’s Kalachakra revival in Bodhgaya, India. Credit: The Stewardship Report.
Examples of Famous High School Newspaper Editors:
Bob Woodward: Investigative journalist who became famous for his work on the Watergate scandal.
Barbara Walters: Iconic television journalist known for her work on programs like 20/20 and The View.
Gwen Ifill: Renowned journalist and television newscaster, who was also involved in her high school newspaper.
George Stephanopoulos: Chief Anchor at ABC News and former White House Communications Director, who got his start in journalism as a high school newspaper editor.
John F. Kennedy: 35th President who was also involved in his high school newspaper, which helped him develop the communication skills that would later define his presidency.
We believe so firmly in Student Journalism that the J. Luce Foundation that promotes Young Global Leadership and publishes The Stewardship Report, is willing to award an e-Internship to deserving and promising student journalists in New York City and anywhere in the world who would like to spend five hours per week writing for The Stewardship Report, with a byline possible for outstanding stories.
Tags: High School Journalism, New York City Council, Student Newspapers, Quill and Scroll Honor Society, Democracy, Leadership Development, Bob Woodward, Barbara Walters, Journalism Education, Freedom of the Press, College Admissions, Extracurricular Activities
“On average, about 130 people have been killed every day in Gaza over the past 10 months.”
“The scale of the Israeli military’s destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship is deeply shocking.”
New York, N.Y. — As the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza passes the dark milestone of 40,000, U.N. rights chief Volker Türkcalled on Thursday for an end to the killing “once and for all” and the release of all hostages while negotiators prepared to meet in Qatar to renew efforts to halt the conflict and avert a wider war.
“Most of the dead are women and children. This unimaginable situation is overwhelmingly due to recurring failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to comply with the rules of war,” the High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a statement.
“On average, about 130 people have been killed every day in Gaza over the past 10 months,” Mr. Türk continued, citing estimates based on data from the enclave’s health authorities, before describing the “scale of the Israeli military’s destruction of homes, hospitals, schools and places of worship [as] deeply shocking.”
He noted that his Office had documented serious violations of international humanitarian law by the Israeli military and Palestinian armed groups, including Hamas fighters responsible for the 7 October terror attacks on multiple locations in southern Israel that left some 1,200 dead and more than 250 taken hostage.
Meanwhile in Gaza, a fortunate few in the devastated enclave enjoyed a little respite from the ongoing conflict, at a restored water pumping station in Khan Younis.
“The last time I visited this well was at the end of April, and it was destroyed, surrounded by shrapnel and potential unexploded ordinance,” said Louise Wateridge, spokesperson for UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestine refugees, which led repairs at the facility.
“I saw so many children not only collecting drinking water for their families, butalso enjoying cooling off and playing under the water, spilling over from filling the larger tanks…a basic joy that is available to so few here.”
The severe shortage of clean water throughout Gaza since the war began has compounded families’ efforts to stave off disease and malnutrition, highlighting the importance of the reopened facility in the southern city and beyond to tens of thousands of people.
It is the largest drinking water supply to families in Khan Younis and operates for eight hours a day, “pumping over 500 cubic metres of clean drinking water on a daily basis to around 100,000 displaced people,” Ms. Wateridge said in an online video post that showed children and adults filling up jerrycans and other youngsters playing happily under a leaky hose.
“There are so few water sources across the Gaza Strip that many families are forced to travel huge distances in sweltering temperatures,” she explained. “Others are not able to access [clean water] at all, forcing them to survive on dirty water.”
Despite the “relentless” bombing, the UNRWA official noted that in addition to those arriving at the water station in person, tankers were being filled continuously to serve those unable to go there themselves.
As humanitarians welcomed the development, media reports indicated that new evacuation orders had been issued by the Israeli military, impacting Al-Qarara and Al-Sathar in and around Khan Younis.
On Tuesday, communities in Makhta and Beni Suhaila in eastern Khan Younis received orders to move to the so-called “safe zone”. According to the U.N. aid coordination office, OCHA, the order impacted essential services, including eight water and sanitation facilities, along with two primary healthcare centers.
Mpox – previously monkeypox – outbreaks are cause for international concern
New York, N.Y. — The chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the rise in mpox casesconstitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), following advice from members at Wednesday’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee meeting.
A PHEIC is the highest level of alarm under international health law.
The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for the meeting last Wednesday to seek advice on whether the mpox – previously monkeypox – outbreaks are cause for international concern.
On Tuesday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared the situation a public health emergency.
“The Emergency Committee’s advice to me, and that of the [Africa CDC], which yesterday declared a public health emergency of regional security, are aligned,” Tedros said in a post on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
Clades and cases
Mpox cases have been spreading throughout many countries in Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The potential for further spread in Africa is worrying, said the WHO chief.
This year already saw over 14,000 reported cases of the virus with 524 deaths, a significant increase in reported cases from 2023.
Tedros previously mentioned that the mpox outbreaks have occurred due to different viruses called clades.
At Wednesday’s meeting, he said there was transmission of the so-called clade 1b virus in the DRC last year which was caused “mainly through sexual networks”. This clade is reportedly deadlier and more easily transmitted from person to person.
Clade 1 has been circulating in the DRC for years while clade 2 was responsible for the global outbreak of 2022 which was declared an international public health emergency.
Tedros said in the past month that around 90 cases of successor clade 1b were reported in countries neighbouring the DRC which had not reported mpox cases before.
“Stopping these outbreaks will require a tailored and comprehensive response, with communities at the centre, as always,” Tedros said.
Addressing outbreak drivers
The WHO chief said the UN agency is working with governments of the affected countries, the Africa CDC and other partners to “understand and address the drivers of these outbreaks”.
“For example, we are providing machines to analyse blood samples and confirm cases of mpo [and] supporting laboratories to sequence viral samples,” he said.
“WHO has developed a regional response plan, requiring an initial $15 million to support surveillance, preparedness and response activities,” Tedros said.
This response was funded by $1.45 million from the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies.
More funds will be released in the coming days and the WHO chief is also appealing for more donor support.
Emergency vaccines
Currently, two WHO-recommended and approved vaccines are being used to combat the mpox virus outbreak.
Under an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) call last week, Tedros also invited manufacturers of mpox vaccines to express interest in producing them to “accelerate vaccine access for lower-income countries which have not yet issued their own national regulatory approval”.
EUL will allow partners like the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to gather vaccines for distribution.
“We are working with all partners to facilitate equitable access to diagnostics, vaccines, supplies for clinical care and other tools,” Tedros said.
WHO recommendations
Last August, the WHO chief released standing recommendations under the IHR to monitor mpox cases.
These recommendations were set to expire in five days, on 20 August 2024, but will be extended for another year to “support countries to respond to the chronic risk of mpox”.
Some of the recommendations include enhancing community protection through adapting public health and social measures to local contexts, providing guidance and resources for delivering clinical mpox care and more.
Tedros said WHO is “committed in the days and weeks ahead to coordinate the global response, working closely with each of the affected countries and leveraging our on-the-ground presence to prevent transmission, treat those infected and save lives”.
New York, N.Y. — In a bold move to address the housing affordability crisis gripping the United States, Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her support for a federal rent cap that would limit rent increases across the country. The proposal, aimed at curbing the skyrocketing costs of housing in many urban areas, represents a significant shift in federal housing policy and has far-reaching implications, both economically and politically.
The Proposal: A Nationwide Rent Cap
Harris’s plan seeks to establish a federal standard that would limit annual rent increases to a fixed percentage, potentially tied to inflation or a similar economic indicator. The goal is to prevent landlords from imposing excessive rent hikes that have been a major contributor to the displacement of low- and middle-income families. By capping rent increases, Harris hopes to provide immediate relief to millions of renters facing financial strain due to the rising cost of living.
Economic Implications: A Double-Edged Sword
The economic impact of a nationwide rent cap is complex and could lead to both positive and negative outcomes. On one hand, capping rent increases could provide much-needed stability for renters, many of whom are struggling to keep up with escalating housing costs. This stability could, in turn, reduce homelessness, improve quality of life, and allow more people to allocate resources to other essential needs, such as healthcare, education, and savings.
On the other hand, critics argue that a rent cap could have unintended consequences on the housing market. Landlords might respond by reducing investment in property maintenance and development, leading to a deterioration in the quality of housing stock. Additionally, a rent cap could discourage new construction, exacerbating the housing shortage in the long run. Economists often caution that such price controls, if not carefully designed, could distort the market, leading to inefficiencies and reduced availability of rental properties.
Moreover, there is concern that a rent cap might incentivize landlords to raise rents preemptively or find ways to circumvent the regulations, such as through additional fees or other charges. The implementation and enforcement of such a policy would require robust oversight to ensure that the intended benefits reach the renters most in need.
Political Implications: A Bold Stance in a Divided Landscape
Politically, Harris’s proposal positions her as a champion of the working class and those most affected by the housing crisis. It could galvanize support among progressives and renters who feel left behind by current economic policies. The proposal aligns with the broader Democratic agenda of addressing income inequality and expanding access to affordable housing, making it a potential rallying point for the party in upcoming elections.
However, the proposal is likely to face significant opposition from Republicans, property owners, and real estate industry groups, who argue that government intervention in the rental market could lead to economic disruption and infringe on property rights. The debate over a federal rent cap could deepen the divide between urban and rural voters, with the policy being more popular in cities where rent increases have been most pronounced.
Harris’s announcement also signals her willingness to take on powerful interests in the real estate sector, a move that could elevate her standing among those advocating for stronger government intervention in the economy. However, it also risks alienating moderate voters and those concerned about government overreach.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Housing Policy?
Kamala Harris’s proposal to cap rent increases nationwide represents a significant moment in the ongoing debate over how to address America’s housing crisis. The policy has the potential to bring much-needed relief to millions of renters, but it also carries economic risks and faces a challenging political landscape. As the proposal moves forward, it will be crucial to balance the immediate needs of renters with the long-term health of the housing market, ensuring that the policy achieves its goals without creating new problems.
The success or failure of this initiative could have lasting implications not only for Harris’s political career but also for the broader trajectory of housing policy in the United States.Whether this bold move will lead to a more equitable housing market or create new economic challenges remains to be seen, but it is certain to be a key issue in the political discourse for years to come.
Netanyahu’s Leadership and the Crisis in the Middle East: A Path Towards World War III?
New York, N.Y. — The situation in the Middle East has become a tinderbox, teetering on the brink of disaster, driven largely by the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by many countries, has adopted a disturbing strategy of hiding among civilians—using schools, hospitals, and residential areas as shields. This tactic not only endangers innocent lives but also complicates Israel’s military operations aimed at eradicating Hamas from Gaza.
However, the heavy-handedness of Israel’s response has drawn significant criticism. The Israeli military, in its pursuit of Hamas, has been accused of indiscriminate attacks that have resulted in the deaths of many civilians, including women and children. Such actions have sparked international outrage and raised serious ethical questions about Israel’s conduct in the conflict. Critics argue that while Hamas’s tactics are indeed reprehensible, Israel’s failure to develop and implement more precise and humane methods to neutralize Hamas without causing widespread civilian casualties is equally troubling.
A particularly alarming development in the conflict was Netanyahu’s decision to authorize the assassination of Hamas’s chief negotiator in Iran. This move has been widely condemned as it not only disrupts any potential peace negotiations but also escalates tensions with Iran, a key player in the region.
The assassination has effectively ended any immediate hope for dialogue and has antagonized Iran, increasing the likelihood of broader regional conflict.
The consequences of Netanyahu’s military strategy have been devastating. Gaza lies in ruins, with its infrastructure decimated and its people suffering. Lebanon, too, is on edge, with Hezbollah preparing for potential strikes. Despite Israel’s efforts, Hamas retains its operational capabilities in Gaza, continuing to pose a significant threat. Now, with the specter of Iranian involvement looming large, the situation has the potential to spiral into a much larger and more destructive conflict.
Photo: Guided-missile Sub USS Georgia Going to CENTCOM. Marines conduct dive operations with Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729) while underway in the Mediterranean Sea July 31, 2024. Credit: U.S. Navy.Photo: Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln ordered to ‘Accelerate its Transit’ to Mideast. Refueling-at-sea with carrier on Aug. 11, 2024. Credit: U.S. Navy.
This escalation has also dragged the U.S. deeper into the fray. With billions of dollars in military aid and munitions already flowing to Israel, the U.S. is now compelled to deploy its navy to the region to support its ally. The potential for a larger military confrontation, possibly involving multiple nations, is a stark reminder of the fragile balance of power in the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s approach has not only endangered the lives of countless civilians but has also jeopardized Israel’s standing on the global stage. His actions have drawn accusations of war crimes from the International Criminal Court in The Hague, a significant blow to Israel’s international reputation.
If Israel is to reclaim the moral high ground, many argue that Netanyahu must be ousted from power. His leadership has led Israel down a path of destruction, and without a change in direction, the country risks losing its status as a beacon of democracy and liberation in the region.
The legacy of Benjamin Netanyahu may well be defined by the suffering he has inflicted—on both Israelis and Palestinians. The international community, and Israelis themselves, must decide whether they will continue to support a leader whose actions have brought the region to the brink of catastrophe.
If Netanyahu remains in power, his legacy may forever be tarnished as that of an authoritarian leader who led his people into an era of violence and despair, with devastating consequences for Israel and the broader Middle East.
Yunus accepted the interim role after being approached by student leaders who saw him as a reliable person for their cause.
New York, N.Y. — The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Nobel laureateMuhammad Yunus, said Monday that recent high-profile resignations in the country are legal.
Yunus, 83, a long-time critic of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, told reporters that all legal procedures were correctly followed in these resignations.
Yunus described the situation as a “student-led revolution,” saying that the resignations of key officials, including the chief justice, five Supreme Court justices and the central bank governor, were properly managed after weeks of protests.
The protests, initially triggered in June by concerns about a government job quota system, grew into a larger uprising.
Photo: Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India last week.
Yunus, who took over as interim leader on Thursday, emphasized that restoring judicial independence is a top priority.
He criticized former Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, calling him “just a hangman.”
Syed Refaat Ahmed was appointed as the new chief justice on Sunday, following a proposal from student leaders. These students aim to remove Hasina’s influence from the political system, which they have criticized as autocratic.
The recent violence has led to more than 300 deaths, including students and police officers.
Yunus accepted the interim role after being approached by student leaders who saw him as a reliable person for their cause.
“It’s not my dream, it’s their dream. So, I’m kind of helping them to make it come true,” Yunus said, according to The Associated Press.
Yunus, known for his microcredit work andNobel Peace Prize win in 2006, had previously clashed with Hasina’s government.
In 2008, he faced investigations and a 2013 trial over embezzlement allegations related to his Grameen Bank. Yunus denies these charges, and his supporters believe he was targeted due to his strained relationship with Hasina.
The interim government is expected to announce a new election soon, but Yunus did not provide a timeline.
As J.D. Vance continues to build his political career, the question remains: Will he acknowledge the contradictions in his past and present, or will he continue to champion positions that, at their core, are at odds with the freedom and self-expression he once participated in?
Photo: Born in 1960, RuPaul rose to fame with the song “Supermodel” in 1993. Since 2009, RuPaul has hosted “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” which helped expose drag to wider audiences. Vance attended Yale Law School in 2011 and may have been influenced by RuPaul.
New York, N.Y. — J.D. Vance, the author of Hillbilly Elegy and now a prominent Republicansenator, has captured national attention for his outspoken views on family values, conservative principles, and a hardline stance against what he describes as the excesses of modern liberalism.
Yet, an intriguing chapter from his past has recently resurfaced, raising questions about the authenticity of his professed beliefs and sparking discussions about the hypocrisy that often underpins political careers.
Vance, like many of his peers, engaged in an expression of creativity and self-exploration that is typical of college experiences.
There is nothing inherently controversial about participating in drag; it is a vibrant and celebrated form of expression that challenges traditionalgender norms and fosters a sense of community among those who participate.
However, Vance’s participation in this event stands in stark contrast to his current political rhetoric, which has increasingly leaned into the conservative culture wars.
In his political career, Vance has positioned himself as a staunch defender of traditional family values and has frequently criticized what he sees as the liberal agenda’s undermining of these values.
J.D. Vance models his “Hillbilly Elegy” drag look at Yale Law School, about 2012.
He has publicly aligned himself with right-wing figures who decry the LGBTQ+ community and denounce the very kind of inclusive, open-minded environments that once allowed him the freedom to explore different aspects of identity at Yale.
The issue at hand is not that Vance wore drag—there is no shame or wrongdoing in that. The problem lies in the hypocrisy of his current positions, which seem to betray the openness and acceptance he once embraced.
This dissonance between past and present raises important questions about the sincerity of Vance’s convictions and whether his current political stances are more about pandering to a particular base than genuine belief.
Vance’s participation in drag at Yale might have been a moment of exploration or simply a fun event with friends, but as a public figure, his past actions now serve as a mirror to the rhetoric he uses today.
The inconsistency between his earlier actions and his current political positions highlights a broader issue in politics: the tendency of individuals to adopt convenient stances that resonate with their desired electorate, even if it means abandoning or contradicting their past.
In the end, Vance’s history at Yale should be a reminder of the complexities of personal growth and the dangers of rigid, hypocritical political positions.
While there is nothing wrong with evolving views, the selective embrace or rejection of one’s past based on current political expediency is a form of deception that the public should not tolerate.
As J.D. Vance continues to build his political career, the question remains: Will he acknowledge the contradictions in his past and present, or will he continue to champion positions that, at their core, are at odds with the freedom and self-expression he once participated in?
The Paris 2024 Olympics set a new benchmark for how the Games can be hosted in the 21st century, balancing sustainability, security, and inclusivity. Amid global challenges like climate change and security threats, Paris delivered a spectacular event that avoided the pitfalls of over-commercialization and excessive spending. With a massive international audience and a record number of participants, the Games fostered a profound sense of global citizenship.
New York, N.Y. — The Paris 2024 Olympics were nothing short of a triumph, showcasing how the world’s most celebrated sporting event can be reimagined for the 21st century. In a time when global warming, environmental concerns, and security threats continue to pose significant challenges, Paris rose to the occasion, delivering a Games that were as sustainable as they were secure. This remarkable achievement not only set a new standard for future host cities but also underscored the Olympics’ enduring role in fostering global unity and citizenship.
A Green and Sustainable Olympics
From the outset, Paris committed to making the 2024 Olympics the greenest in history, and it delivered on that promise. The city’s iconic landmarks, from the Eiffel Tower to the Champs-Élysées, served as stunning backdrops for the events, but it was the innovative approach to sustainability that truly stood out.
The Paris Olympics prioritized the use of existing infrastructure, significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the Games. Temporary venues were constructed with recyclable materials, and the Olympic Village was designed with energy efficiency in mind, featuring green roofs, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems. The majority of the venues were accessible by public transportation, and a fleet of electric buses and bicycles was deployed to minimize carbon emissions.
Water conservation was another key focus, with Paris implementing advanced systems to reduce water usage in all venues. The Seine River, once heavily polluted, was revitalized and played a central role in the Games, hosting events like swimming and rowing in its now-clean waters. This transformation was a powerful symbol of how the Olympics can inspire environmental change.
Security and Inclusivity: Overcoming Global Challenges
In a world where terrorist threats and security concerns are ever-present, the Paris Olympics demonstrated how to host a safe and inclusive event without compromising the spirit of the Games. France’s security forces were on high alert, but their presence was discreet, allowing the Olympic atmosphere to remain open and welcoming. Cutting-edge technology, including drone surveillance and AI-driven threat detection, ensured that any potential risks were swiftly neutralized.
The Paris Olympics were also notable for their inclusivity. The city went to great lengths to ensure that the Games were accessible to all, from athletes with disabilities to spectators from diverse backgrounds. The Paralympics, held immediately after the main event, were seamlessly integrated into the overall Games, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in the Olympic movement.
Avoiding Over-Commercialization
One of the most refreshing aspects of the Paris Olympics was the restraint shown in avoiding the over-commercialization that has marred some previous Games. While sponsorship and branding were present, they were tastefully integrated, allowing the focus to remain on the athletes and the competitions. Paris emphasized the cultural and historical significance of the city, rather than turning the Olympics into a commercial spectacle.
The Opening and Closing Ceremonies, while grand and visually stunning, were also more modest in scale compared to some previous editions. This decision was widely praised, as it kept the attention on the athletes and the Olympic ideals rather than on flashy performances or excessive spending.
A Global Audience and Record Participation
The Paris Olympics attracted a massive international audience, both in person and through global broadcasts. Over 10 million tickets were sold, with visitors from every corner of the globe descending on the French capital to witness the historic event. The international audience was further expanded through cutting-edge digital platforms, allowing billions of people worldwide to experience the Games in real-time.
Paris welcomed a record number of participants, with over 11,000 athletes from 206 nations competing in 339 events across 33 sports. The city’s hospitality and organizational prowess were evident in the seamless logistics, from the smooth arrival of athletes and spectators to the efficient management of events across multiple venues. The Games were not only a celebration of athletic excellence but also a testament to the power of global cooperation.
Russia and Belarus was effectively banned from the Olympics, although its Individuals could compete
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, saying that the Olympic Truce had been breached and forbidding athletes from both Russia and Belarus from competing at the Paris Games. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) remains suspended from the IOC, however a pathway was created to give sports individual jurisdiction over whether Russian athletes who could compete as neutrals, subject to conditions such as not having direct links to the military and not being active supporters of the war: Athlète Individuel Neutre (AIN).
Countries listed by order of Gold Medals (plus medals total)
United States of America: 126
People’s Republic of China: 91
Japan: 45
Australia: 53
France: 64
Netherlands: 34
Great Britain: 65
Republic of Korea: 32
Italy: 40
Germany: 33
A Legacy of Global Citizenship
Perhaps the most enduring legacy of the Paris Olympics is the sense of global citizenship it fostered. In a world often divided by political and cultural differences, the Games served as a reminder of our shared humanity and the common values that unite us. The Olympic torch relay, which passed through countries around the world, symbolized the global reach of the Games and the enduring relevance of the Olympic spirit.
The Paris Olympics were not just about competition; they were about connection. Athletes, spectators, and viewers alike were inspired by the stories of perseverance, teamwork, and mutual respect that unfolded over the course of the Games. The Paris Olympics proved that, even in challenging times, the Olympics can bring the world together in a celebration of peace, friendship, and understanding.
As the Olympic flame was extinguished in Paris, the world was left with a powerful example of how the Games can be hosted in the modern era. The Paris 2024 Olympics will be remembered not only for the incredible athletic performances but also for the way they showcased the best of humanity, setting a new standard for the future.
The Chinese men’s diving and swimming teams showcased their dominance at the Paris Olympics, achieving remarkable success. With a combination of precision, strength, and years of dedicated training, they secured multiple gold medals in both diving and swimming, reinforcing China’s position as a powerhouse in aquatic sports
New York, N.Y. — The Paris Olympics proved to be yet another successful chapter for the Chinese men’s diving and swimming teams, as they delivered stellar performances that captivated audiences worldwide. With an impressive display of skill, discipline, and athleticism, the teams not only met but exceeded expectations, further solidifying China’s reputation as a global leader in aquatic sports.
Diving: Precision and Perfection
China’s dominance in diving has been well-documented over the years, and the Paris Olympics were no exception. The Chinese men’s diving team, known for their unparalleled precision and technical excellence, claimed gold in multiple events, including the 3-meter springboard, 10-meter platform, and synchronized diving.
Leading the charge was Cao Yuan, a veteran diver who once again proved his mettle on the world stage. Cao executed near-flawless dives in the 3-meter springboard, earning top scores from the judges and securing his third Olympic gold medal. His teammate, Wang Zongyuan, also delivered an exceptional performance, finishing with the silver medal in the same event, giving China a one-two finish that delighted fans back home.
In the 10-meter platform event, Yang Jian emerged as the star, executing complex dives with stunning accuracy. Yang’s performance was marked by a perfect dive that earned a rare perfect score from the judges, solidifying his position as one of the best divers in the world. The Chinese synchronized diving team, featuring the dynamic duo of Chen Aisen and Yang Hao, also claimed gold, demonstrating impeccable coordination and synchronization that left their competitors far behind.
Swimming: Rising to the Challenge
While China has historically been more dominant in diving than in swimming, the men’s swimming team has been steadily closing the gap. The Paris Olympics showcased the remarkable progress made by Chinese swimmers, as they delivered standout performances in multiple events.
In the 100-meter butterfly, Zhang Yufei made history by becoming the first Chinese male swimmer to win gold in this event. Zhang’s powerful strokes and exceptional technique allowed him to edge out competitors from the U.S. and Australia, marking a significant milestone for Chinese swimming.
Another highlight came in the 200-meter freestyle, where Sun Yang, returning from a controversial suspension, demonstrated that he remains a force to be reckoned with. Sun’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he powered through the water to claim the gold medal, adding to his already impressive Olympic legacy.
The Chinese men’s relay teams also delivered strong performances, particularly in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. The team, composed of Sun Yang, Zhang Yufei, and rising stars Wang Shun and Li Bingjie, secured a silver medal, narrowly missing out on gold to the U.S. Their effort, however, showcased the depth of talent within China’s swimming program and hinted at even greater successes in the future.
A Legacy of Excellence
The success of the Chinese men’s diving and swimming teams at the Paris Olympics is a testament to the country’s rigorous training programs, investment in sports development, and the dedication of its athletes. China’s ability to consistently produce world-class divers and swimmers speaks to the strength of its sports infrastructure and the emphasis placed on excellence from a young age.
For the diving team, the Paris Olympics was another chapter in a long history of dominance, with Chinese divers continuing to set the standard for precision and artistry in the sport. For the swimming team, the success in Paris marked a significant step forward, highlighting the progress made and the potential for even greater achievements in the future.
As the Paris Olympics come to a close, the Chinese men’s diving and swimming teams leave with their heads held high, having made their country proud. Their performances in Paris will be remembered as some of the finest in Olympic history, and they serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across China and beyond.
Congratulations to Sangkoo Yun: A Global Citizen Leading Rotary into the Future
New York, N.Y. — We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sangkoo Yun on his selection as Rotary International’s president for 2026-27. As members of a foundation that deeply values global leadership and service, we could not be more proud to celebrate this significant milestone in Sangkoo’s distinguished career. His upcoming tenure is a testament to his unwavering commitment to service and humanitarian work, values that align perfectly with Rotary’s mission.
Sangkoo Yun has been an exemplary figure in the Rotary community for decades, serving with dedication and a clear vision for a better world. His journey from being a charter member of the Rotary Club of Sae Hanyang in Seoul, Korea, to becoming the president-nominee for Rotary International is nothing short of inspiring.
Over the years, Sangkoo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, not only within the Rotary community but also in various civic organizations. His efforts in the preservation of cultural heritage and his dedication to environmental sustainability, especially through projects like the Keep Mongolia Green initiative, are commendable.
We are particularly pleased to note that Sangkoo Yun’s accomplishments are rooted in a legacy of educational excellence and a commitment to the public good. Sangkoo received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Syracuse University School of Architecture in the U.S. and an honorary doctoral degree from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
His academic background, coupled with his professional success as the founder and CEO of Dongsuh Corp. and president of Youngan Corp., has equipped him with the skills and insights necessary to lead Rotary into a new era of service and impact.
Sangkoo’s deep connection to Korea’s Presbyterians is a source of pride for us, especially as we reflect on the history of the Presbyterian Chapel at Yonsei University in Seoul, which is named after Henry Winters Luce. This connection serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring ties between our foundation’s mission and the broader global community. The chapel stands as a symbol of the
shared values of education, faith, and service that unite us across generations and borders.
As we celebrate Sangkoo Yun’s selection as Rotary International’s president-nominee, we are reminded of the profound impact that one individual can have on the world. Sangkoo’s leadership style is rooted in humility, a deep sense of responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. His work with Rotary International, particularly his involvement in the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign and his service on The Rotary Foundation’s Executive and Programs Committees, has already left a lasting legacy. We have no doubt that his tenure as president will further solidify Rotary’s role as a premier platform for global humanitarian services.
Sangkoo’s vision for Rotary is both ambitious and inspiring.
He envisions Rotary as the foremost clearinghouse and information hub for all matters related to humanitarian services, connecting individuals, institutions, and businesses in a seamless network of service and support. This vision is not just about expanding Rotary’s reach; it is about enhancing its adaptability and ensuring that the organization remains relevant and impactful in an ever-changing world.
As Sangkoo prepares to take on this monumental role, we are confident that his leadership will be marked by a commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and empowerment. He understands the importance of providing tangible value to Rotary members and prospective members alike, and he is dedicated to fostering a culture of service that is both welcoming and impactful. His emphasis on regional autonomy and the simplification of policies reflects his understanding of the need for flexibility and resilience in Rotary’s governance structure.
Moreover, Sangkoo’s commitment to ethical leadership and transparency is evident in his approach to governance and change management. He recognizes that Rotary’s governance structure must evolve to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and he is prepared to lead efforts to make the organization more agile, effective, and aligned with its core values. His focus on clear communication, accountability, and ethical behavior will undoubtedly strengthen Rotary’s reputation as a trusted and respected global organization.
As we look ahead to Sangkoo Yun’s presidency, we are filled with optimism and excitement for the future of Rotary. His leadership promises to bring new energy, ideas, and opportunities for service to the organization, and we are eager to support him in his efforts to make a lasting impact on the world. Sangkoo Yun embodies the very best of what it means to be a global citizen, and we are honored to celebrate this momentous achievement with him.
In conclusion, we salute Sangkoo Yun for his remarkable contributions to Rotary and to the broader global community. His selection as Rotary International’s president for 2026-27 is a recognition of his outstanding leadership, dedication to service, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. We are proud to stand with Sangkoo as he embarks on this new chapter in his Rotary journey, and we look forward to the many ways in which he will inspire and empower others to join him in the work of service and humanitarianism.
Tags: Rotary International, Sangkoo Yun, Rotary President 2026-27, Global Leadership, Humanitarian Service, Yonsei University, Henry Winters Luce, Seoul, Korea, Syracuse University, University of Edinburgh
Our American Military-Industrial Complex is Profiting from the Suffering of Women and Children in Gaza – Where Is Our Outrage?
New York, N.Y. — As we watch the devastation unfold in Gaza, it’s impossible not to be horrified by the images of women and children, entire families, buried under the rubble of what were once their homes. We see the mangled remains of a Boeing bomb, designed and manufactured thousands of miles away in the United States, lying amid the destruction. In moments like these, we must ask ourselves: Who is really to blame?
Certainly, the immediate perpetrators of the violence are those who drop the bombs and launch the missiles, but there is a larger, more insidious force at work—the American military-industrial complex. This complex is not just a collection of companies; it is a well-oiled machine that feeds off war, conflict, and human suffering. It is a machine that we, as Americans, have allowed to grow unchecked, and it is high time we start questioning our complicity in this system.
A Closer Look at the Culprits
When we talk about the military-industrial complex, we’re referring to a powerful network of defense contractors, lobbyists, and government officials who work in concert to ensure that war remains profitable.
Among the biggest players in this arena are companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman—names that should be familiar to anyone who has ever glanced at the news.
These companies don’t just build airplanes and bombs; they shape foreign policy, influence elections, and ensure that the U.S. remains in a perpetual state of readiness for war.
Boeing, for instance, is one of the largest aerospace and defense contractors in the world. They are responsible for manufacturing some of the most advanced weapons systems in existence, including the bombs that have been dropped on Gaza. But Boeing is not alone. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman also produce weapons that have been used in conflicts around the world, including in the Middle East.
Lockheed Martin, the largest defense contractor globally, is behind the F-35 fighter jet, a project so costly and over-budget that it has become a symbol of everything wrong with the military-industrial complex.
Meanwhile, Raytheon produces the Patriot missile defense system and Tomahawk cruise missiles, both of which have been deployed in countless conflicts. Northrop Grumman, another key player, builds drones and surveillance systems that have revolutionized modern warfare.
These companies, along with their subsidiaries and affiliates, have a vested interest in ensuring that conflicts like the one in Gaza continue. They pour millions of dollars into lobbying efforts and campaign contributions to ensure that U.S. foreign policy aligns with their bottom line. War is good for business, and these companies have mastered the art of turning human suffering into profit.
Why Aren’t We Protesting?
Given the role that these companies play in perpetuating war and suffering, one would expect to see widespread protests against them. Yet, here in the United States, the outrage is notably absent. We protest wars, we protest against government policies, but rarely do we see protests directly targeting the companies that make these wars possible.
Why is that? Part of the reason may be the sheer power and influence these companies wield. They are among the largest employers in the country, providing jobs and economic stability to communities across the nation. Many Americans are directly or indirectly dependent on these companies for their livelihoods, making it difficult to rally opposition against them.
Another reason may be the carefully crafted narratives these companies and their allies in the government have spun. We are told that these weapons are necessary for our national defense, that they are protecting us from terrorists and rogue states. The complex has effectively linked the concept of patriotism with the production of weapons, making it un-American to question their activities.
Furthermore, the military-industrial complex has infiltrated every aspect of American society. From the media to academia, these companies have established a presence that makes it difficult to view them as anything other than a necessary part of our national fabric.
The media rarely covers the true extent of the damage these companies cause because they are often the ones sponsoring the news programs and publications we consume. In academia, defense contractors fund research and development, ensuring that the next generation of scientists and engineers are aligned with their goals.
The Human Cost of War
While these companies reap billions of dollars in profits, the human cost of their actions is staggering. The bombs and missiles they produce don’t just destroy buildings; they destroy lives.
In Gaza, thousands of civilians have been killed or maimed, their homes and livelihoods obliterated. The psychological toll on survivors, particularly children, is incalculable.
We must also consider the long-term consequences of these actions. Every time a bomb is dropped on Gaza, every time a missile is launched, it breeds more hatred and resentment. The cycle of violence continues, fueled by a military-industrial complex that has no interest in peace. For these companies, peace is bad for business.
Breaking the Cycle
Sign draped along fence near Raytheon building in Richardson, Texas. Credit: Sara Button
If we are serious about ending the suffering in Gaza and preventing future conflicts, we must start by addressing the root cause: the military-industrial complex. This will not be easy. These companies are deeply entrenched in our political system, and they will not go down without a fight. But we must try.
We can start by demanding greater transparency and accountability. We need to know exactly how much money is being spent on defense contracts, who is benefiting from these contracts, and what role these companies are playing in shaping our foreign policy.
We must also push for stricter regulations on lobbying and campaign contributions, to reduce the influence of defense contractors on our government.
Most importantly, we must challenge the narrative that war is necessary for our security. We need to promote alternative approaches to conflict resolution, such as diplomacy, economic development, and international cooperation. These approaches may not be as profitable as war, but they have a much better track record of creating lasting peace.
Video: RTX (Raytheon + United Technologies) – “Flying with confidence: Why pilots love the F-15 and F-16.”
A Call to Action
In the end, the blame for the devastation in Gaza lies not just with those who drop the bombs, but with those who profit from their manufacture.
The American military-industrial complex is complicit in every death, every injury, every act of destruction. And we, as Americans, are complicit as well, so long as we allow this system to continue unchecked.
It is time to hold these companies accountable. It is time to protest not just the wars, but the war profiteers. It is time to demand a new approach to foreign policy, one that prioritizes peace and human dignity over profit. We owe it to the people of Gaza, and to ourselves, to break the cycle of violence once and for all.
Tags: Military-Industrial Complex, Palestine-Israel Conflict, Boeing, War Crimes, Human Rights Violations, U.S. Defense Contractors, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman
The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken a firm stand against the recent wave of hate and violence that has gripped the U.K. His words have reverberated across the nation, addressing the troubling rise of unchristian behavior among ultra-Christian groups, which have been fueling racial tensions and targeting ethnic minorities, particularly Muslims and asylum seekers.
The Archbishop’s message is clear: the actions of these far-right groups, who often cloak themselves in Christian imagery, are fundamentally opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Welby denounced the exploitation of Christian iconography by these groups, declaring, “Let me say clearly now to Christians that they should not be associated with any far-right group – because those groups are unchristian.”
Welby’s intervention comes at a time when the country is grappling with the aftermath of violent riots that have left communities divided and fearful. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of defending free speech, freedom of worship, and the right to peaceful protest, while condemning the deliberate spread of lies and misinformation that have fueled these violent acts.
Photo: Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has taken a firm stand against the recent wave of hate and violence that has gripped the United Kingdom. Credit: Church of England.
Welby’s words are not just a rebuke but a call to action.
He highlighted the need for painstaking efforts to rebuild and reconcile, pointing to examples of civic virtue where people have crossed boundaries to defuse tensions. From the imam in Liverpool who fed rioters to the chaplain in Sunderland who protected a church and escorted Black nurses to safety, these acts of courage and kindness are the foundations upon which a more peaceful and just society can be built.
The Archbishop’s permanence and influence in the U.K.’s religious and social landscape stand in stark contrast to the more centralized and global role of the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church. While the Pope’s authority is far-reaching, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s leadership is deeply rooted in the local context, addressing the unique challenges of a multicultural and often divided society. His position allows him to speak directly to the heart of British society, offering guidance and a moral compass during times of crisis.
Welby’s message is a reminder of the core Christian values of love, compassion, and reconciliation. He calls on all citizens to engage in the difficult but necessary work of building a society that is united in its diversity. The Archbishop’s words serve as a beacon of hope, urging the nation to move beyond hatred and division, and to find a way to live together well, embracing the shared humanity that binds us all.
Tags: Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Far-Right, Hate and Violence, UK Riots, Religious Tolerance, Christianity, Reconciliation, Free Speech, Multiculturalism
Primed Minister Sheikh Hasina had been in power since January 2009, having earlier led the country from 1996 to 2001.
Dhaka, Bangladesh – The resignation and departure of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister after weeks of bloody protests has been met with “euphoria” alongside some concern over the government’s transition, the U.N.’s top official in Bangladesh said in an interview with UN Newson Tuesday.
“Young people and people from every range of life across Bangladesh, across the entire country, came out on the streets to celebrate,” UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis remarked.
Some of the celebrations following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation took a violent turn, leading to scenes of destruction, vandalism, attacks against police stations, and killings of police officers who were seen to be in alignment with the government.
Recent bloodshed
More than 300 civilians were killed and over 20,000 injured in student-led protests during the last weeks, making the bloodshed among the worst ever witnessed in Bangladesh.
The unrest began in July with protests by students against civil service job quotas. Though the scheme was withdrawn, protests erupted again last week, with the key demand for the Prime Minister to quit and for those responsible for the violent suppression of demonstrations to be held accountable.
Ms. Hasina had been in power since January 2009, having earlier led the country from 1996 to 2001.
On Tuesday morning, relative calm returned to the country but the situation remains uncertain until a transitional government is formed, according to the Resident Coordinator. Media reports suggest that Muhammad Yunus will head the interim government.
Photo: Protestors demonstrate in Bangladesh. Credit: U.N. Bangladesh/Mithu.
What sparked the protests?
When asked how the protests led to the demands for the Prime Minister to be removed, Ms. Lewis responded that “it is incumbent on all of us to remember that there were very controversial elections held [in January] and there was really a very strong sense in the country that those elections were not free and fair”.
This political frustration was exacerbated due to the increase in food and fuel prices, leading more marginalized Bangladeshis to fall further into poverty, said the Resident Coordinator.
Young people were especially impacted when the government announced a court order in June regarding civil service job quotas that favored those considered elite, making it harder for the two million young Bangladeshis who enter the workforce every year to find a job.
Though the scheme was withdrawn, the protests against it merged into calls for the resignation of the Prime Minister who was accused of not hearing their concerns.
Many civilians from different parts of society joined the protests “calling for change and that was the change that they haven’t been able to see during the elections in December,” Ms. Lewis stated.
Hope for the future
Despite the chaos of recent weeks, Ms. Lewis characterized the mood in the country as “one of hope”.
“If and when this transition Government is shaped and the voices of the young people in the country are heard, I think we can really shape and move forward to continue the trajectory of positive development,” she added, noting Bangladesh’s progress towards achieving its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“It’s really a moment of a crossroads for Bangladesh, and so we’re really hopeful that this will become something very positive that we can build on for our colleagues who are Bangladeshis and for the people of Bangladesh,” the UN Resident Coordinator concluded.
In many ways, this visit to MoMA felt like a full-circle moment—connecting the aspirations of my youth with the work I am privileged to do today. Through it all, the art remains a constant, a reminder of the power of creativity to transcend time, place, and culture.
Image: Marcel Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel. New York, 1951. Credit: MoMA, New York City.
New York, N.Y. – Forty-five years ago, fresh out of college and eager to immerse myself in the vibrant culture of New York City, I made my way to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It was one of my first stops in this city that I would come to love so deeply.
At MoMA, I stood in awe as I encountered, in person, the very pieces I had studied on slides in my art history courses—Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (the infamous urinal) and his iconic Bicycle Wheel perched atop a wooden stool. Seeing these masterpieces up close again was nothing short of incredible.
This week, I had the pleasure of revisiting MoMA, but this time, my experience was enriched by the company of a remarkable friend and collaborator, Mumtaz Hussain.
Mumtaz, a Pakistani Americanfilmmaker, playwright, and poet, possesses a unique artistic vision that never fails to inspire. He will be our foundation’s 2025 artist-in-residence, and this visit provided us with an opportunity to connect deeply with the art that has shaped our perspectives—and to dream of the future.
Walking through the halls of MoMA with Mumtaz was like seeing the museum anew.
His insights into the works we encountered—whether it was Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, or Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans—added layers of meaning to these already iconic pieces.
His perspectives as an artist and a global citizen, coupled with his deep understanding of both Eastern and Western art traditions, made our visit a truly transformative experience.
Our conversations meandered through the galleries, touching on the significance of these works and their relevance to the world today. We paused to admire Jackson Pollock’s energetic One: Number 31, 1950, and Frida Kahlo’s poignant Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair.
Image: Pablo Picasso‘s Les Mesdemoiselles d’Avignon, Paris, 1907. Credit: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City.
As we stood before Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel, a work that had so deeply impacted me decades ago, we found ourselves discussing the continuing influence of Dadaism on contemporary art and the importance of maintaining spaces where radical ideas can flourish.
Image: Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans, 1962. Credit: Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York City.
Our day at MoMA wasn’t just about admiring the past; it was also about planning for the future. As we moved between the exhibitions of Warhol and Dalí, we discussed the possibility of staging a full production of Mumtaz’s play next spring here in New York.
Photo: Mumtaz Hussain as our foundation’s artist-in-residence for 2025 with Dali sculpture.
Our ideas flowed as freely as the conversation, and by the time we took a break for refreshments—coffee for me, tea for him—we had fine-tuned many of the details.
Our dialogue shifted effortlessly from logistics to broader topics, including the role of community galleries and the critical importance of ensuring that art remains accessible to all, both locally and internationally.
Returning to the office, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. It is a privilege to live in a city like New York, where institutions like MoMA offer unparalleled cultural experiences.
Even more rewarding is knowing that our foundation is surrounded by such incredible expertise and artistic vision.
Image: Frida Kahlo’s Self-Portrait with Cropped Hair, 1940. Credit: MoMA, New York City.
With Mumtaz Hussain as our artist-in-residence for 2025, I am excited for the collaborations and projects that lie ahead. His artistry, combined with his global perspective, will undoubtedly enrich our work and inspire the next generation of young leaders.
In many ways, this visit to MoMA felt like a full-circle moment—connecting the aspirations of my youth with the work I am privileged to do today. Through it all, the art remains a constant, a reminder of the power of creativity to transcend time, place, and culture.
And with visionary leaders like Mumtaz, we continue to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and, most importantly, keep the spirit of innovation alive.
TAGS: MoMA, New York City, Art, Museum, Contemporary Art, Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Mumtaz Hussain, Cultural Institutions, Global Leadership, Young Leaders, Artistic Residency
