Blog

Feb
25
2025
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By Lily Chang
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All Eyes on Hollywood as Stars Announce Awards

Culture and Entertainment
The 97th Academy Awards will feature a star-studded lineup of presenters, as Hollywood’s biggest names take the stage to announce the winners of the most prestigious awards in the film industry.Among those set to present awards at this year’s Oscars ceremony are renowned actors Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, and Zoe Saldaña. The Academy has also confirmed the participation of Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Alba Rohrwacher, and Rachel Zegler, all of whom will play a key role in unveiling the night’s biggest winners.Zoe Saldaña: Both a Presenter and a NomineeOne of the standout presenters, Zoe Saldaña, is also…
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Feb
25
2025
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By Lily Chang
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The US-Ukraine Deal on Rare Minerals Hits a Roadblock

International
Ukraine and US Unable to Conclude Rare Earth Minerals DealOn Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Washington to sign an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth mineral deposits. However, the meeting took an unexpected turn, ending in a heated exchange between Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Following Zelensky’s early departure, the White House announced that no agreement had been signed.Zelensky had earlier conveyed hope that this "initial" agreement might lead to enhanced collaboration. Yet, he acknowledged that Ukraine still hadn't obtained any security assurances from the US—a crucial point…
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Feb
25
2025
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By Lily Chang
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Strategies for DEI’s Survival in an Evolving US Landscape

Economy
In Union County, South Carolina, the cotton mills that once supplied many jobs have vanished. Now, the county is labeled as a "food desert," indicating residents are often distant from grocery stores. Acknowledging this challenge, local non-profit leader Elise Ashby initiated a project in 2016, working with farmers to deliver affordable boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables across the area, where around 30% of the population is Black, and about 25% face poverty.Ms. Ashby originally financed the project using her own savings and minor grants. In 2023, her work saw a substantial advancement when the Walmart Foundation—the charitable arm of…
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Feb
04
2025
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By Lily Chang
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The end of the President’s cultural advisory group

Culture and Entertainment
In an action that has ignited discussions about state backing for cultural programs, ex-President Donald Trump has disbanded the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). This choice, executed discretely on the day of his inauguration, mirrors Trump’s overarching attempts to undo measures from the Biden administration and indicates an ongoing change in the federal approach to emphasizing the arts and humanities.In a move that has sparked debate over government support for cultural initiatives, former President Donald Trump has dissolved the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (PCAH). The decision, made quietly on Inauguration Day, reflects Trump’s broader…
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