Category: World News

U.N General Debate Re-Cap

By Sarah Elmasry

Staff Writer

The 80th General Assembly of the United Nations began on September 9, 2025, with the general debate beginning on September 23, and ending on September 29. The theme of the general debate being; “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human rights.” The annual UN General Assembly or UNGA in New York City serves as an important time of discussion for each of the 193 member states. The event begins in September every year, with the Assembly meeting at regular intervals until December. 

U.S President Donald Trump critiqued the United Nations in his speech during the first day of the debate. The 47th President stated that “[He] ended seven wars, dealt with leaders of each and every one of these countries and never even received a phone call from the United Nations offering to help”. In the lead up to the General Assembly, many of the U.S’s allies formally recognized the sovereignty of a Palestinian State, a move that the Trump Admin does not seem happy with. However, no major uproar on the issue of Palestinian sovereignty took place. This year’s General Assembly was laden with technical difficulties, many of which were at the expense of the American President. Some of these malfunctions include a non-functional escalator, and teleprompter. Trump expressed his frustration in saying that “These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter”. These difficulties led to a flurry of conspiracy theories about supposed attempts to sabotage the President, however there is no evidence supporting these claims. Discussions throughout the UNGA so far, have included debates over Russia and Ukraine, as well as Israel and Palestine.

The recent General Debate came, and went without any major developments in global politics, or conflicts. However, it is notable to mention that the effort to recognize a formal Palestinian state was ultimately blocked by the U.S. Furthermore, many world leaders seem to be concerned with the U.N’s lack of involvement in global affairs. We shall see if this tone of frustration continues in the coming weeks. That was the UNGA General Debate, in conclusion.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/28/trump-un-general-assembly-00583499

https://www.un.org/en/ga/
Image Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_the_United_Nations.svg

Ma’khia Bryant’s Death

BY BELLA TRINKO AND ALAINA INOUYE

STAFF WRITERS

Only twenty minutes before Derek Chauvin was announced guilty, Ma’khia Bryant was shot four times in the chest and killed by police officer Nicholas Reardon. Earlier that afternoon, Ma’khia Bryant had called the police, stating that someone was trying to stab her and her younger sister. When the police arrived, they saw that Bryant was holding a knife and charging at a woman. Police officer Nicholas Reardon responded to the scene by fatally shooting Ma’khia Bryant. Some people say that although it was a tragedy, the killing of the sixteen-year-old child was necessary because she was armed. However, crisis response experts say that through de-escalating the situation, there was a way to resolve the situation and keep everyone alive.

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Asexuality Myths

BY ALAINA INOUYE

COMMUNICATIONS EDITOR-IN-TRAINING

In honor of the first International Asexuality Day, which took place on April 6th, this article will bust some of the myths about asexuality. Asexuality is a commonly misunderstood sexuality, and there is a lot of misinformation about it in the media and online. This article aims to help people understand acespec identities more and be a better ally. 

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Vaccines Being Administered

BY XUYING LEE

STAFF WRITER

With all of the downhearted news and current events that have been going on, one positive is the administration of vaccines against Covid-19. Since being in office, President Biden has set a goal of over 100 million vaccines to be administered within his first 100 days as president, in which his goal was met on the 59th day of his administration. His new goal is to have administered 200 million vaccines within his first 100 days in office. As of right now, there are three main types of vaccines that are being administered. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the Pfizer, and Moderna. If you are to receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you will need two doses for the vaccine to work more effectively. With the new discovery of these vaccines, we hope for the spread of Covid- 19 to slowly decrease and become a thing of the past. For more information on doses and types of vaccines, go to cdc.gov.

April Pink Moon and Lyrid Meteor Shower

BY XUYING LEE

STAFF WRITER

In the month of April this year, we can expect many space phenomenons that only happen once in decades. On April 26th of 2021, we will be able to see a full pink moon, which will be the first of two supermoons happening this year. It will reach peak illumination, which is when it will be the brightest, at around 11 p.m. It is called a supermoon because supermoons are “bigger” and “brighter” than the average moon, too.

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Is It Ethical to Try Someone Under 18 As an Adult?

BY CREIGHTON LEWIS

STAFF WRITER

 During the adolescent years, the prefrontal cortex- the part of the brain that enables rational decision making, is not fully formed until the mid twenties. It makes legal scholars question whether, say, a seventeen year old raised by an abusive  parent should get a lifetime in jail, or lesser punishment. Flow Psychology.com details some pros and cons to sentencing children as adults: 

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Hmong New Year Isn’t Happening

BY XUYING LEE

STAFF WRITER

Minnesota’s Hmong New Year is one of the biggest events for the Hmong people of Minnesota. It is a time to get together with family and friends, as well as strangers, and gloss over the recent year.  It is a three day celebration that holds a pageant, dance competition, talent showcase, and many speeches from honorable elders. The whole of the Hmong community came together and felt a sense of belonging to one another. Not only that, but it was a time to honor your past family members and welcome on the new year with good luck and prosperity.

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Diwali – The Festival of Lights

BY VENKATA KARAVADI

Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month, Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. A Hindu festival of lights, held in the period October to November. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November). The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. The third day of Diwali is celebrated on Saturday, November 14, 2020. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Among Hindus, the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In Bengal, the goddess Kali is worshipped. In North India the festival also celebrates the royal homecoming of Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman[there are many Indian gods that Indian people worship. TONS]) to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, thus connecting the festival with the holiday of Dussehra. In South India, the festival marks Krishna’s defeat of the demon Narakasura. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while others observe it as the birthday of Lakshmi.

During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangoli, consisting of elaborate designs made of coloured rice, sand, or flower petals. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success.Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution). Gambling, especially in the form of card games, is encouraged as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year and in remembrance of the games of dice played by Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailasa or similar contests between Radha and Krishna. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. The time of Diwali is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. Diwali literally means a row of Lights. It is a time filled with light and love; a time when Indians all over the world rejoice. The meaning of Diwali, its symbols and rituals, and the reasons for celebration are innumerable. Diwali also celebrates Lord Rama’s glorious and long awaited return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after his fourteen years of exile in the forests. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakaasura who had kidnapped and terrorised the gopis of Vrindavan. It is also celebrated as the day Bhagwan Vishnu married Maha Lakshmi. Diwali is also associated with the story of the fall of Bali – a demon king who was defeated by Lord Vishnu.We decorate our homes with lanterns; but what is the symbolism behind that? Those lanterns signify God’s light, penetrating through the ignorance and sin of our daily lives. They signify the divine light, shining its way through this mundane world. A home bathed in light is a home in which anger, pain and ignorance are being dispelled; it is a home that is calling to God. However, too many people turn this into a domestic beauty contest, spending days and a great deal of money to purchase the newest diyas, the most beautiful candles. This is only the light of glamour. It is not the light of God.

The light of Diwali should be within us. It should symbolize the personal relationship between God and our families. Let the light penetrate inward, for only there will it have lasting benefit. A piece of cotton soaked in ghee, lit with a pure heart, a conscious mind, and a desire to be free from ignorance is far “brighter” than 100 expensive deepaks.

Protests in Nigeria

BY LYNNE INOUYE AND SYDNEY WESCHCKE

EDITOR-IN-CHEIF IN TRAINING AND STAFF WRITER

Over the past few weeks, tens of thousands of Nigerians have amassed to protest repeated instances of police brutality and terrible governance. The initial goal of these protests was to shut down the notorious Special Anti Robbery Squad, or SARS, which reports of officers violating numerous human rights. The call to end SARS is not a new thing either; protests have been happening on and off since 2017. That just leaves the question of what exactly is the Special Anti Robbery Squad? 

In 1992, SARS was set up as a way to combat armed robbery in Lagos, Nigeria, and its surrounding suburbs. It rapidly grew out of control, however, as the officers in it have no form of accountability. With many cases of police brutality, there has been more worldwide attention focusing on what SARS is doing. According to the Human Rights Organization, people in SARS custody were “subjected to a variety of methods of torture including hanging, mock execution, beating, punching and kicking, burning with cigarettes, waterboarding, near-asphyxiation with plastic bags…and sexual violence.”

SARS is also targeting many young people, especially those carrying laptops, smartphones, or other electronics. The government is very against such people as well, with the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, calling them lazy and unwilling to work. The starting point to the protests was when there were reports of SARS attacking a young man and driving off in his luxury jeep. This incident is what sparked the protests and the use of the hashtag #EndSARS.

Protests are still happening today, and it appears that they’ll only begin to get more violent, with the Lekki Massacre on October 20 being a prime example. In this incident, Nigerian soldiers fired upon peaceful protestors at Lekki Toll Gate, killing ten people. More reports of soldiers and police attacking and killing protesters are still coming in, as well. Nigerians, however, have not given up. Protestors, mostly made up of Nigerian youths, remain determined and continue to fight to have their voices heard and for a safe future in their country. 

Thanks for reading this article; stay safe and stay informed! 

Sources:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/25/africa/nigeria-end-sars-protests-analysis-intl/index.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/26/massive-protests-nigeria-explained/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/26/massive-protests-nigeria-explained/

https://www.gq.com/story/endsars-protests-police-brutality-nigeria

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