Vaccination Protesters Demand More Understanding
by Irina JiangImage: DJ Paine / Unsplash As COVID cases are trending down in Ontario, largely thanks to the mandatory vaccination policy to participate in activities, including restaurants, a new round of anti-vaccination protests has unfolded. It is intuitive for most people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from having the virus. However, even with… Continue reading Vaccination Protesters Demand More Understanding
After the Detention of Otoniel: the End of the Gulf Clan?
by Paul FloresImage: Daniel Stuben. / Unsplash On October 24th, 2021, the Gulf Clan’s leader, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David— also known as “Otoniel”—was detained by the police and the Colombian army. Frequently compared to Pablo Escobar, Otoniel is the most-searched drug dealer in the country and the leader of the Gulf Clan, a criminal group… Continue reading After the Detention of Otoniel: the End of the Gulf Clan?
A Dark Scar on Our Past — Residential Schools
by Yameen KhurshidImage: GoToVan / Flickr Earlier this year (June 24th), 715 unmarked graves of Indigenous children were found at a former Canadian residential school (Marieval Residential School) on the Cowessess First Nation, east of Regina — just weeks following the discovery of the remains of 215 more children at a former B.C. residential school.… Continue reading A Dark Scar on Our Past — Residential Schools
New Zealand: Pandemic Strategy Developments
by Annonymous Image: Karolina Grabowska / Pexels Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries have had widely different approaches to handling the pandemic. One country, in particular, New Zealand, took a cautious approach against the virus from the very beginning. New Zealand received its first Covid case early in 2020 and took swift action. The country… Continue reading New Zealand: Pandemic Strategy Developments
Why have we not improved our hate crime responses?
by Monique KasongaImage: Jason Leung / Unsplash Despite the growing awareness and fight against hate crimes, hate-fueled violence is still growing rapidly in Canada and the United States. Increases in racist rhetoric have coincided with increases in racist attacks. Particularly, since February 2020, Asians and people of Asian descent around the world have been subjected… Continue reading Why have we not improved our hate crime responses?
Afghan Allies Left Stranded: Inadequacies of the Special Immigrant Visa Program
by Karina MelencioImage: Ahmed akacha / Pexels The aftermath of the U.S. army’s complete withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover gave attention to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Program and how it can help evacuate the estimated 256,000 Afghan allies left stranded within the country. Numerous reports and reassessments of the program came through that showed the… Continue reading Afghan Allies Left Stranded: Inadequacies of the Special Immigrant Visa Program
America’s Policing of Women’s Reproductive Rights: The Anti Abortion Legislation in Texas
by Sofia FreitasImage: Gayatri Malhotra / Unsplash On September 1st, 2021, the Austin Texas Circut Court of Appeals issued a one-page statement allowing for the temporary re-establishment of heavy restrictions on abortions. This law prohibits the termination of pregnancy once cardiac activity is detected – after about six weeks – with no exceptions pertaining to… Continue reading America’s Policing of Women’s Reproductive Rights: The Anti Abortion Legislation in Texas
Jason Kenney & COVID-19: The Flaws of Democracy
by Shreya Viswanathan Image: Canada Club Toronto / Flickr Canada’s western province of Alberta had an enviable record of COVID-19 control until June 2021, but all this changed by early September. The province went from having a 7-day average COVID-19 case count of 63 to 20,000 in the span of three months. This rapid deterioration… Continue reading Jason Kenney & COVID-19: The Flaws of Democracy
Facebook’s Control of Communication
by Douaa QadadiaImage: Alexander Shatov / Unsplash A complete shutdown. That’s what occurred on October 4th, 2021, at 11:40 EST. Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram all went down simultaneously, causing utter chaos for people around the world. There are approximately 3.5 billion global users currently on Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram, so one can imagine the chaos… Continue reading Facebook’s Control of Communication
The Urgent Threat for Afghan Women
by Akina NanayakkaraImage: Akina Nanayakkara As of modern-day, Afghanistan’s major cities are now under Taliban control. Airports flooded with Afghans desperate to flee from the bleak and dangerous future fast approaching under Taliban control. Recent images of men and women clinging to airplane carriers illustrate the dire threat of remaining in the country. However, there… Continue reading The Urgent Threat for Afghan Women
Kabul Isn’t a Second Saigon – It’s Another Tehran
by Daniel ZaboImage: Left (“North Vietnam”/ manhhai is licensed under CC BY 2.0) Center ( Viking Vehicles Open Fire on Taliban Positions in Afghanistan, by Defense Imagery) Right (“Imam Khomeini”/ kamshots is licensed under CC BY 2.0_ On April 23, 1975, United States President Gerald Ford announced that after twenty-one years, the war in Vietnam… Continue reading Kabul Isn’t a Second Saigon – It’s Another Tehran
The Future of Refugee Crises: A Discussion
by Akina NanayakkaraImage: Akina Nanayakkara Around the world, refugee crises are happening now, and more severe cases are yet to occur. Each situation faces its set challenges; however, they also share some common issues. Refugees are forced to flee their homes and are faced with countless challenges within their own borders and upon arrival in… Continue reading The Future of Refugee Crises: A Discussion
When your favourite Ice Cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s, stands up for Human Rights
by Sonia SaidImage: Hybrid Storytellers / Unsplash Recently, the atrocities perpetrated in Palestine have been well known by the users of social media platforms. Information being shared this way allowed for the killings, violence, and mass protests to be documented in real time. It meant that the inaction of powerful figures was highlighted as well.… Continue reading When your favourite Ice Cream brand, Ben & Jerry’s, stands up for Human Rights
China’s Dangerous Interpretation of America’s Withdrawal from Afghanistan
by Richard NghiemImage: Anthony Kwan/ Bloomberg. 2017, digital image. Available from: Flickr With the chaotic and bloody US withdrawal from Afghanistan receiving immense attention all around the world, Beijing has wasted no time in capitalizing on this unprecedented propaganda opportunity. Videos of desperate Afghans hanging onto the fuselage of a C-17 transport plane and the… Continue reading China’s Dangerous Interpretation of America’s Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Rebuilding After ISIS
by Danial ZaboImage: Levi Meir Clancy / Unsplash *DISCLAIMER: This interview has been slightly edited for length and clarity.* The rise of ISIS in the mid-2010s brought chaos and hardship to an already ailing region. At its height, the militant group held about forty percent of Iraq, including Mosul, the country’s second largest city. Among… Continue reading Rebuilding After ISIS
The Next Election in France: A Turning Point
by Sonia SaidImage: Ilnur Kalimullin / Unsplash France is a leading country in terms of cultural influence but its domestic issues are changing the country. In that perspective, the next elections will be key in understanding the views of the people. According to some experts, the two candidates expected to lead the pools are the… Continue reading The Next Election in France: A Turning Point
COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act: Hate Amid Pandemic
by Tatyana B.Image: Kareem Hayes / Unsplash It goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic is a momentous obstacle that the world has struggled to overcome. Case numbers have fluctuated, unemployment rates have risen, and government regulations have changed repeatedly. Emotions such as frustration, greif, anger, and hopelessness have been painfully unavoidable. These emotions can… Continue reading COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act: Hate Amid Pandemic
Denial, Disdain & Delusion : How PM Modi steered India into a COVID nightmare
by Heeya FirdausImage: Mufid Majnun / Unsplash As the first wave of COVID-19 ebbed towards the end of last year, India’s leaders prematurely declared “victory” over the disease and proceeded to mislead the public into living a dangerously care-free life. India’s Prime Minister Modi was at the helm of perpetuating this illusion. What followed was… Continue reading Denial, Disdain & Delusion : How PM Modi steered India into a COVID nightmare
India’s Pandemic is Bad, But Don’t Forget About the Farmer Protests
by Anonymous Image: Gayatri Malhotra / Unsplash The recent and current media fever about India is, rightly, related to the country’s vicious yet losing battle with the covid pandemic. Headlines continue to expose the grave health crisis and its disastrous handling by the Indian government. All for good reasons too, as India’s total COVID-19 caseload… Continue reading India’s Pandemic is Bad, But Don’t Forget About the Farmer Protests
Spain, The Real Colonialist: Ceuta, Melilla, and the Moroccan Sahara
by Douaa QadadiaImage: NormanEinstein / CreativeCommons Brief History of Ceuta and Melillia Ceuta and Melilla are geographically placed in very strategic locations. They are close to Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The story of these two Spanish enclaves is complex and goes back for centuries. The main inhabitants of the land were the Amazigh (indigenous… Continue reading Spain, The Real Colonialist: Ceuta, Melilla, and the Moroccan Sahara
Australia’s Shocking Pandemic
by AnonymousImage: Pexels Free Photos Australia’s Shocking Pandemic Another pandemic has hit Australia but this time it is not something that can be solved by washing your hands or wearing a mask. Rather, it has spread through schools, households and most notably, the Australian Government. The pandemic of discussion is one comprised of sexual assault… Continue reading Australia’s Shocking Pandemic
An Aging Population: What does that Mean?
by Irina JiangImage: empty007 An Aging Population: What does that Mean? In November and December 2020, China conducted its seventh national census with early reports expected in April 2021. Though it is already May, the National Bureau of Statistics has not yet disclosed their data, and with rumours of a significant decline in working population percentage… Continue reading An Aging Population: What does that Mean?
Is a GOP Split Inevitable or Is Trump’s Grip on the Party Too Strong?
by AkinaImage: arizonaguardian / Flickr It is indisputable that the future of the Republican Party is uncertain after the end of Donald Trump’s presidency on the 20th of January this year. The exit of the former president left the Republican Party at a crossroads on whether Republicans should stay committed to Trump, or withdraw due… Continue reading Is a GOP Split Inevitable or Is Trump’s Grip on the Party Too Strong?
Is capitalism truly the “best” economic system? (Spoiler: It’s not)
by Douaa QadadiaImage: Kevin Doncaster / Flickr Is capitalism truly the “best” economic system? (Spoiler: It’s not) What is capitalism? We’ve all heard about the American Dream. It’s the belief that if you work hard, you are guaranteed financial success, however, we know that that’s far from the truth, and much too often, people work… Continue reading Is capitalism truly the “best” economic system? (Spoiler: It’s not)
Has Brexit Reawakened ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland?
by Chris PrattImage: Tovarisch14 / Flickr When the United Kingdom (UK) voted to leave the European Union (EU) in June 2016, it was not long before concerns were raised with regards to how Brexit would impact the Good Friday Agreement. The Good Friday Agreement helped to bring peace to Northern Ireland in 1998 after the… Continue reading Has Brexit Reawakened ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland?
Why the Indianapolis Shooting Reopened Old Wounds for the Sikh Community.
by Heeya FirdausImage: The American Bazaar Mere days after the cherished Sikh festival, “Vaisakhi”, four members of the Sikh community lost their lives to a shooting in Indianapolis that left eight dead and several others injured. The shooting occurred on April 15th when the gunman entered a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. The devastating incident was… Continue reading Why the Indianapolis Shooting Reopened Old Wounds for the Sikh Community.
The Biden Administration Must Push Harder for Navalny’s Release
by Yug YadavaImage: Liza Pooor / Unsplash On August 20, 2020, Alexei Navalny was hospitalized in Siberia, Russia after he reported pain when boarding a plane. This pain was later to be revealed as an effect of the nerve agent, Novichok—the same poison used by the Russian officials under Vladimir Putin to eliminate Navalny as… Continue reading The Biden Administration Must Push Harder for Navalny’s Release
Afro-Brazilian Women Run for Office: The Answer to Underrepresentation
by: AnonymousImage: PT na Câmara / Flickr Race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, and social standing are just some examples of what makes people different from one another. These differences, along with many others, are what make diversity possible in our world. Unfortunately, for all of those who believe that diversity is a source of beauty,… Continue reading Afro-Brazilian Women Run for Office: The Answer to Underrepresentation
Sanctions on Military Coup: To Do or Not to Do?
by Douaa QadadiaImage: The Foreign Photographer / FlickrWhat’s happening in Myanmar? On the night of February 1st, the Burmese military, under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing, seized control of the country. They then accused the landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi in the recent democratic election as a fraud. She was detained, among… Continue reading Sanctions on Military Coup: To Do or Not to Do?
India’s flash floods: an Inevitable Consequence of the Government’s Ignorant Environmental Practices
by Heeya FirdausImage: Uttarakhand Information Department Eight years after the devastating Kedarnath floods, the North Indian state of Uttarakhand once again finds itself battling turbulent natural disasters that are tearing through populated villages, reducing all that comes before it to rubble. On February 7th, a violent flash flood swept through the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.… Continue reading India’s flash floods: an Inevitable Consequence of the Government’s Ignorant Environmental Practices
The Democratic Decline in Southeast Asia
by Lindsay Wong Image: Ah Nyie / Flickr Though democracy has been heavily promoted and adopted by the majority of Western countries as well as former Western colonies, Asia’s relationship with this system of government is much more complicated. While some countries have always been hostile towards democracy, Southeast Asia has more or less made… Continue reading The Democratic Decline in Southeast Asia
Indo-Pakistani Conflict: the Underlying History of Border Armed Conflicts
by Jessie Jin Image: Tor Lundgren/Flickr In November 2020, a major exchange of gunfire occurred in the disputed region of Kashmir, marking the latest development in an ongoing series of armed clashes between India and Pakistan known as the India-Pakistan border skirmishes. The November border skirmishes have left at least 22 dead, including 11 civilians.… Continue reading Indo-Pakistani Conflict: the Underlying History of Border Armed Conflicts
Doubts in Leadership: Uganda Election
by Tatyana Baldwin Image: Element5 Digital/Pexels Governance and leadership are instrumental to the success or failure of a nation. Whether the successor of the previous leader is chosen by hereditary means or elected into office by the people, it is crucial that this person is willing to take actions that will benefit the nation as… Continue reading Doubts in Leadership: Uganda Election
Alt-Right, Northward
by Lara ChoyImage credit: Jerk IX / Flickr As terrible stories seem to spill out from the United States into Canadian news cycles, we console ourselves with “at least we’re not the States.” We seem to be saying that even more recently, but the smug tone and sense of cultural superiority remains the same. Sure,… Continue reading Alt-Right, Northward
Climate Migration: Is the World Doing Enough?
by Akina Nanayakkara Image Credit: Evangelos Petratos / Flickr Climate change has become an increasing threat as the level of CO2 in the atmosphere reached an all-time high as of January 2021. It’s been estimated that carbon dioxide values have increased by 20% over the last 40 years due to more frequent amounts of human… Continue reading Climate Migration: Is the World Doing Enough?
Boko Haram: A Menace to Society
By Anonymous Image Credit: The Global Panorama / Creative Commons Boko Haram is an Islamist terrorist organization, which is ironic because most of their victims and territories are Muslims, and in Muslim dominated areas. Considering the fact that Islam means peace, there is nothing Islamic about the destruction they have caused for more than a… Continue reading Boko Haram: A Menace to Society
Owe It to the Country: How the Philippine National Police has Forsaken the Filipino
by Phylicia Abary Image: Brandon Fike/Flickr We serve and protect. Bold words with such heavy weight and significance, used as the motto of individuals who swore oaths to serve the Filipino. All men and women serving under the Philippine National Police (PNP) have one obligation: to ensure the safety of the masses. If anything, their… Continue reading Owe It to the Country: How the Philippine National Police has Forsaken the Filipino
The Hawaii Scandal: Canadian Politicians Travelling Abroad During COVID-19
by Chris Pratt Image: Edward Maurer/Flickr When the number of Alberta’s COVID-19 cases rose in the fall, the United Conservative Party (UCP) government emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in both combating the virus spread and flattening the curve. Hospitalization and ICU rates mounted, nevertheless. This eventually led to the enactment of mandatory restrictions, though… Continue reading The Hawaii Scandal: Canadian Politicians Travelling Abroad During COVID-19
Unnoticed: India is Snowballing Towards Authoritarianism
by Heeya Firdaus Image: Indian Cop/Flickr Since the BJP government came to power in 2014, India has seen an exponential increase in the arrest of dissenters. Be it comedians, authors, activists, journalists or simply students, the government has not hesitated to pursue a brutal campaign against anyone who even approaches a narrative that is remotely… Continue reading Unnoticed: India is Snowballing Towards Authoritarianism
ICAN do it: Nuclear Weapons Ban Made Official with a 50th UN Signatory!
by: Raihan Woodhouse Picture Credit: UN Photo/Manuel Elias On January 22, 2021, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons [TPNW] will be in effect. The UN has come closer than ever before to ensure peace and security across the globe regarding nuclear weapons. In August, the 75th anniversary of the atoming of Hiroshima and… Continue reading ICAN do it: Nuclear Weapons Ban Made Official with a 50th UN Signatory!
Why Hate Crimes Have Been Rising in the U.S. in 2020
by Kristin Cho Photo Credit: Michael Veltman Although hate crimes are not a new concept in society, they have become more prominent through the use of media. As many people know, hate crimes—motivated by biases like preconceived negative stigma—are offenses that affect the security of individuals, communities and societies though threats, assault and sometimes even… Continue reading Why Hate Crimes Have Been Rising in the U.S. in 2020
What it Means to Have a Voice: Thailand Protests
by: Anonymous Photo Credit: The Foreign Photographer All throughout history, conflicts between the ruler and the ruled have existed. Even if citizens are largely happy with policies put into place by leaders, there is almost always a percentage that is not satisfied. Oftentimes, this results in protest and civil unrest. The countries that make up… Continue reading What it Means to Have a Voice: Thailand Protests
YuZhang Academy: the Reform Schools of Exacerbation
by Jessie Jin Image Source: CGTN Trigger Warning: r*pe, abuse, self-harm. Viewer discretion is advised. “The room I was imprisoned in was dark, the only source of light was from a crack in the wall. The walls are covered in mildew, and there are often rats and cockroaches on the floor. The room has an… Continue reading YuZhang Academy: the Reform Schools of Exacerbation
Dividing States
Gerrymandering in South Carolina, where, in 2010, the Republican state legislature created 13 bizarrely shaped Congressional districts to maximize their electoral success by Lara Choy Photo Credit: Dominique5340 In March 1812, Elbridge Gerry, the Governor of Massachusetts, reluctantly signed a modest proposal that would fundamentally change the American electoral system. His fellow Democratic-Republican politicians, seeking… Continue reading Dividing States
India: Farmer Protests 2020
by Heeya Firdaus Image Source: Aniruddha Guha Sarkar Braving the harsh Delhi winter, impoverished Indian farmers are marching towards the capital in hopes of registering their protests against the oppressive Farm-Bills passed by the Narendra Modi Government in September, 2020. The Government claims that the bills make it easier for farmers to sell their produce… Continue reading India: Farmer Protests 2020
Understanding The 2020 Ivorian Presidential Elections
by: Anonymous Image Source: https://www.dailysabah.com/world/africa/violence-surrounding-ivory-coast-election-may-have-killed-32-people-so-far Politics across different African countries is complex and like most democratic countries such as the USA, India and UK, elections are a highly important part of independent countries’ democratic process. Unfortunately, due to the presence of incompetent and corrupt leaders, some African countries don’t get to experience the joys of… Continue reading Understanding The 2020 Ivorian Presidential Elections
In Biden’s Lead: Filipino Immigrants and Overseas Workers in the Next Four Years
by Phylicia Abary Image Source: The Atlantic Relationship Status Updated: the Philippines and the United States of America Throughout history, the Philippines has been interlaced with foreign influence and relations, but no other country’s impact has come close to the United States’ over the past few decades. Such an affiliation and partnership only becomes more… Continue reading In Biden’s Lead: Filipino Immigrants and Overseas Workers in the Next Four Years
Biden Presidency: A New Age for Climate Change?
By Akina Nanayakkara Image Credit: REUTERS/Susana Vera Cutting carbon emissions, investing in renewables, and moving away from fossil fuels are a few examples from a long list of actions that the US needs to secure for it to have a chance at winning the fight against climate change. During Donald Trump’s presidency, there has been… Continue reading Biden Presidency: A New Age for Climate Change?
Tibet Deserves Its Independence From China Once and For All
by Yug Yadava Image source: Graeme Bartlett Tibet was an independent country after the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 but abruptly became an “autonomous” region of China in 1951. While the Chinese say they treat Tibet with respect, there have been numerous reports of human rights violations within the region such as the… Continue reading Tibet Deserves Its Independence From China Once and For All
Ethiopia: Africa On Edge – Political Conflict in the Tigray Region
By Christopher Pratt Image source: voanews Fights between regional forces and the national army have been raging in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region since early November 2020. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, is accusing leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of treason and terrorism, after members of this regional political party allegedly attacked a… Continue reading Ethiopia: Africa On Edge – Political Conflict in the Tigray Region
Canada’s Double Standard in Military Exports: Turkey is Stuck, Saudi Arabia is in luck
by Anonymous Image Credit: Trending News “Hey, have you heard of the Canadian double -”“Of course, the Double Double from Tim Horton’s is Canada’s pride and joy, along with maple syrup and poutine!”“No, no. Not coffee. I was actually referring to the Canadian government’s double standard pertaining to military exports to Turkey versus military exports… Continue reading Canada’s Double Standard in Military Exports: Turkey is Stuck, Saudi Arabia is in luck
Omnibus Bill – Protests in Indonesia
By Raihan Woodhouse Image Credit: Bloomberg Chaos, the epitome of 2020, has engulfed the streets of every major Indonesian city across the vast archipelago. In response to economic and demographic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his administration implemented a 905-page omnibus legislative measure which amended more than 75 national… Continue reading Omnibus Bill – Protests in Indonesia
The United States Needs Iran like it needs Saudi Arabia
By Yug Yadava Image Credit: Lobe Log The United States’ relationship with the two dominant forces in the Middle East, Iran, and Saudi Arabia has seen its fair shares of highs and lows over the past fifty years. Iran and the United States had a working relationship with each other from 1953 to 1979 after… Continue reading The United States Needs Iran like it needs Saudi Arabia
Patriotic Education for Chinese High Schools
by Jessie Jin Image Source: The Conversation Bravery lies equidistant of cowardness and recklessness. Truthfulness lies equidistant of self-depreciation and boastfulness. People strive to reach a balancing point between these characteristics; it’s with the delicate point of balance that ultimate productivity can be achieved. Like everything else, there is a fine line between educating youth… Continue reading Patriotic Education for Chinese High Schools
Hungary: A Challenge to European Integration
By Christopher Pratt Image Credit: Independent UK The European Union (EU) is under threat. Although it has accomplished so much since its humble beginnings in 1951 as the European Coal and Steel Community, the international powerhouse of the EU is contending with a rising wave of populism sweeping across the continent. Brexit is an excellent… Continue reading Hungary: A Challenge to European Integration
QAnon: A Conspiracy Theory Gone Mainstream
By Lara ChoyImage Credit: NY Times It’s no surprise that certain conspiracy theories spread like wildfire on the more obscure parts of the Internet, but when anonymous forums and real life start to collide, things start to get more complicated and even dangerous. We often believe that such beliefs only exist on the fringes of… Continue reading QAnon: A Conspiracy Theory Gone Mainstream
#ENDSARS PROTESTS: HOW THESE PROTESTS REPRESENT A NEW BEGINNING FOR NIGERIA
By The Global Diplomat Writer Image Credit: BCC Since Nigeria gained independence, after a rigorous period of colonialism under Britain, never-ending struggles with corruption have plagued my country. Even after 60 years, the promise of true democracy has still not been fulfilled. The corruption has even spread to police units, the most corrupt of them… Continue reading #ENDSARS PROTESTS: HOW THESE PROTESTS REPRESENT A NEW BEGINNING FOR NIGERIA
Thailand Protests
By Akina Nanayakkara Image Credit: Aljazeera The first series of protests began on the 23rd of February 2020. Preconditions to the distrust in government are mostly rooted in Prime Minister Prayut’s five-year rule. Under the leadership of Prayut, there were substantial limitations put on citizens and their civil rights, as well as growing poverty and inequality.… Continue reading Thailand Protests
The Past and Present threat of opioids to the US
By Akina Nanayakkara Picture Credit: KVC Health Systems Opium was first introduced in the US during the 1770s as a form of pain relief medicine. In the 1860s, during the Civil War, the use of opium became much more common after nurses and medical professionals observed opium having much stronger pain-relieving attributes than other medications… Continue reading The Past and Present threat of opioids to the US
The Ongoing Japan-South Korea Political and Trade Dispute
By Lindsay Wong Image credit: The Lowy Institute Japan’s colonization of Korea in the early 20th century paved the way for decades of underlying conflict, which still has reverberations to this day. For decades, Japan and South Korea have disputed over controversial issues like comfort women, forced labor, territory, and more. Currently, the two countries… Continue reading The Ongoing Japan-South Korea Political and Trade Dispute
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: The Ongoing Canadian Genocide
By Monique Kasonga Image Credit: Amnesty Canada When discussing genocide, Canada is definitely not the first country that comes to mind. Indigenous people have been targeted from the beginning of colonial Canada, displaced and awfully treated by the Canadian government with the goal of assimilation. There are many systemic factors that play into the mistreatment… Continue reading Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women: The Ongoing Canadian Genocide
China-U.S. Relations: Where is it going?
By Irina Jiang Image Credit: Orissa Post Every year, 360,000 students from China pay to attend higher education in the United States in hopes of a better future. However, with the pandemic and lockdown restrictions, the concept of schooling has shifted. Now, international students from China are being asked to log onto Zoom at 2… Continue reading China-U.S. Relations: Where is it going?
Significance of the 2020 presidential election in the United States: How will the plebiscite affect political affairs with Germany?
By Yashaswi Bista Image Credit: BCC The 2020 U.S. election has been a large part of media coverage and has been debated significantly over the past few months. Americans believe that the U.S. election could change their daily lives and the rights they hold close to their hearts. Every day the election is a worry… Continue reading Significance of the 2020 presidential election in the United States: How will the plebiscite affect political affairs with Germany?
What It Takes to Decriminalize Criminals
By Jessie Jin Image credit: Rolling Stone The American justice system is in urgent need for reform. It is oppressive, unfair, and ineffective. Instead of being a place of nurturing and helping people get back to their regular lives, it creates a stigma that surrounds inmates for the rest of their lives. The purpose of… Continue reading What It Takes to Decriminalize Criminals
The Belarus Protests 2020
By Heeya Firdaus Image credit: Forbes Often called “Europe’s last dictatorship”, Belarus has recently erupted in protests, perhaps in hopes of disproving that alarming title. On August 9th, the nation’s electoral polls indicated a win for incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko with an overwhelming (and deeply unrealistic) majority of 80%, despite his clearly unpopular policies and… Continue reading The Belarus Protests 2020
Washington: journey to statehood
By Akina Nanayakkara Image credit: Fodors In June of 2020, a bill was passed by the House of Representatives to announce Washington DC as the 51st state. This was an unprecedented move by the House, and one that is still shrouded by controversy. The argument regarding Washington DC and its right to statehood is an… Continue reading Washington: journey to statehood
Cultural Appropriation
By Lindsay Wong Image credit: Bustle The onset of globalization has led to an increase in social awareness and consciousness. The issue of cultural appropriation has prompted debate and led to more people getting called out for toxic behavior. Cultural appropriation refers to members of a more dominant society inappropriately adopting the customs, practices, ideas,… Continue reading Cultural Appropriation
“What’s Wrong with Rehabilitation?”: How the Chinese Government is Denying a Cultural Genocide
By Joyce Li Image credit: ABC Net Currently, there are approximately a million Uighur Muslims being held in concentration camps in Xinjiang, an autonomous region located in northwest China. This is a fact backed up by satellite images, refugee testimonies, and several government data leaks, all of which prove not only the establishment of these… Continue reading “What’s Wrong with Rehabilitation?”: How the Chinese Government is Denying a Cultural Genocide
One Country, Two Systems: Hong Kong’s Challenge
By The Global Diplomat Writer It’s August 12. Our plane is due to leave for Hong Kong at nine. It’s eight-thirty now, still early, but the passengers are restless. My mom refreshes the Air Canada website every couple of seconds to check if our flight would be suddenly cancelled. Several people have gathered near the… Continue reading One Country, Two Systems: Hong Kong’s Challenge
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