As Syria’s new government consolidates power, retribution against those linked to the former Assad regime has intensified -- triggering new waves of bloodshed in an already fractured region. In the early months of its rule, the international community watched the new Syrian government with growing concern. After the swift capture of Damascus and the flight of former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a new government led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) emerged, raising serious q

Your guide to trans activism through individual support and everyday acts. January 20th, 2025, shortly after being sworn in to office, current U.S. President Donald Trump signed an order recognizing the existence of only two sexes—male and female—and declaring that a person could not legally present as a gender different from that declared at birth. Despite consistent attempts made to erase the transgender community, denying the existence of an entire body of people does no

How Trump’s foreign policy and Europe’s defense response could redefine NATO’s future. Since its founding in 1949 during the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has provided collective defense and security for most of Europe, Canada, and the United States. Now, the alliance’s spending and dynamics are becoming uncertain, as political tensions rise and leaders like President Donald Trump remain in power. Although NATO is considered one of the most powerful

As the new and controversial Deputy Director of the FBI assumes responsibility, his past experiences and statements, as well as future plans for the agency should be questioned. On February 23rd, 2025, President Trump appointed the MAGA loyalist, talk-show host, and former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino as Deputy Director of the FBI — an unprecedented and polarizing decision (however, it must be noted that unprecedented has become the norm for this administration). The pos

After 2020, standardized testing appeared to have been a thing of the past– until 2024, when it made its great comeback. Over the next few months, thousands of high school students will sit down to take the SAT. But, for many of them, they have been under the impression for several years that taking either the SAT or ACT would not be a requirement for them. However, as more colleges announce they are returning to a test-required policy, it is slowly becoming apparent that th

Investigating the lack of common knowledge and education surrounding mass atrocity crimes. Many genocides have happened throughout history, yet common knowledge and social studies classes only describe a few; what other genocides have we not heard about? And why haven’t we? Researchers and historians propose a variety of reasons why the Holocaust is the most –if only– widely remembered genocide, namely the scale, thorough documentation, and Eurocentric nature of the crime.

Rising global temperatures and a prolonged ‘dry season’ may have increased the likelihood and intensity of the California wildfires, study finds. In January 2025, a series of 14 devastating wildfires broke out in California. The fires lasted from January 7th to January 31st, destroying thousands of buildings, including schools, stores, and homes. Additionally, the fires tragically claimed the lives of at least 29 people, and families who lost their homes are still recovering

The tweens of today are robbed of their childhood—and it’s not their fault. Walking through the middle and elementary school recently, I was struck by how grown-up the students looked and acted. Stanleys lined the cubbies as girls wore clothing that wouldn’t look out of place in my high school hallways. Justice. Fidget spinners. Slime. Rainbow loom bracelets. Legos. All fads and hallmarks of my childhood seem so immature in comparison. Looking back as a high school sophomor

Cuba is at the epicenter of the battle between Trump’s “strength through power” ideology and striving towards greater economic dependence among states. No matter what side someone is on, it seems as though everyone can agree that the beginning of President Trump’s second term has been nothing short of overwhelming. On his first day, Trump rescinded 78 of Biden’s executive orders. Mind you, each of these executive orders could have its own article written about it—that’s how

The mistakes that Bassar Al Assad made that caused him to lose decades of rule in less than two weeks. As we close in on the fourteenth year of the Syrian Civil War the government of Bassar Al Assad, which had ruled Syria for almost 25 years was overthrown by a surprise ten-day offensive, spear-headed by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under the leadership of Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani. On November 27th, 2024, HTS rebels escalated the Syrian Civil War by attacking and capturing the

What went into the first playoff appearance, and first playoff victory, in New Roads Girls Tennis history? The 2024-25 Girls Varsity Tennis Team, via @nrsathletics on Instagram New Roads Athletics has not seen many deep playoff runs in the 2020s. However, the tennis program has emerged as one of the school's most successful sports, with the Boys Tennis team securing a CIF Division Championship in the spring of 2024, followed by the first-ever playoff appearance and quarterfin

A Brazilian Paradise in Culver City. When I need a pick-me-up, some sustenance, and a great bite to eat after a very, very long night, I recommend a therapeutic trip to Pampas Grill. Blast some soothing Carlos Jobim on the way there, before indulging in the act of Pampas grill-ing, which I have down to a science. Pampas is a wonderful Brazilian buffet, where you put on these little plastic gloves to serve yourself. More importantly, it’s one of those places where they slice m

The real deal.

Last November, researchers finally described a new nudibranch that had stumped them for over 20 years—and it’s like no other sea slug. In early 2000, researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) encountered a never-before-seen glowing animal. While remotely operating an underwater vehicle 8,576 feet beneath Monterey Bay, researchers were shocked to see what appeared to be a mollusk floating in the deep-water column—most mollusks inhabit shallow coastal envi

The Harvard Undergraduate Latina Empowerment & Development Conference inspired me to redefine leadership and challenge systemic barriers. Walking through Harvard's historic campus, I felt an immediate sense of anticipation. As a high school junior, I was keenly aware I would be one of the youngest attendees at the conference and that I was stepping into a space primarily designed for college students—some of whom were already shaping careers in law, policy, medicine, and bus

The impact of fast fashion is not as linear as you may think. Since when did we all collectively agree that $100 for a bikini is allowed? Ahem, a bikini top. But, oh! The bottoms are half off! These days, the fashion industry has become separated into two different categories: Fast fashion and the newly emerging, sustainable fashion. Throughout recent years, the unethical practices of companies like H&M, Shein, Zara, and the like—such as child labor, low wages, poor quality

A multicultural fever dream on steroids.

Addressing the need for condoms in high school.

New Roads Administration takes bold action to combat pressing issues on campus . The New Roads Administration has been keeping an open...

Who are Trump’s cabinet picks, what might their positions be, and what do they mean for the Trump Administration? After Donald Trump emerged as the victor of the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle a month ago, he quickly mobilized to put together his second presidential cabinet, roughly a month earlier than he did the first time in 2016. This second time around, Trump’s presidential cabinet picks have notably contrasted the first — not just in the speed at which they were