World, Politics, Music and More News...

Draft Woes?

by H. Douglass

Fear looms around as students fear what a potential war will bring to disrupt their lives. Our peers have never lived through a draft or war before and we don't know what to expect next. So what is a draft anyway?

What Is the Draft?

The military draft, also called conscription, is when the government requires people to serve in the armed forces. The U.S. has not used a draft since the Vietnam War era, and today the military operates as an all-volunteer force. However, the government maintains a registration system in case a national emergency requires more troops.

Who Must Register?

Under current federal law, almost all males between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service.

This includes:

U.S. citizens (born or naturalized)
Dual citizens
Immigrants (including permanent residents and undocumented individuals)
Refugees and asylum seekers
Individuals assigned male at birth, including transgender women

Registration must typically occur within 30 days of turning 18, and individuals can register up until age 26.

Who Is Not Required to Register?

Some groups are generally exempt, including:

Females (under current law)
Non-immigrant visa holders (such as international students or diplomats)
Individuals over age 26 who were not previously required

What Law Requires Registration?

The requirement comes from the Military Selective Service Act, a federal law that mandates registration for potential military conscription.

Key legal points:

Registration has been required since it was reinstated in 1980
Failing to register can result in penalties, including loss of federal benefits such as financial aid or government jobs
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the draft and registration requirements in cases like Rostker v. Goldberg

Is There a Draft Right Now?

No. There is no active draft in the United States today. For a draft to begin:

Congress must pass new legislation
The president must authorize it during a national emergency

Future Changes to the Law

Recent legislation, including provisions in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, may change how registration works. Beginning in 2026, eligible individuals may be automatically registered using government data instead of signing up manually.

Why It Matters

Even though there is no draft, registration is still required by law. It ensures the government can respond quickly if military service is needed. It also affects access to important benefits like college financial aid and federal employment.

What's Going On In Iran?

by K. Dantzler

What started as long-standing conflict has now escalated into direct military action, with the United States and Israel launching strikes against Iran and Iran responding with missiles and drones across the region. The situation has quickly grown beyond one country, impacting surrounding nations, global travel, and even oil supply, showing just how connected the world is to what happens in one place.

As tensions continue to build, there is still uncertainty about what will happen next. Iran has rejected ceasefire proposals and continues to stand firm on its demands, while other countries are calling for peace and negotiation. At the same time, rising conflict is already affecting everyday life, including higher gas prices and economic instability.

Students were interviewed on their thoughts about the war.

Q: How do you feel about the rising tensions between countries right now?
One student shared, “It’s honestly scary because it feels like something bigger could happen at any moment, and we don’t really have control over it.” Another student said, “I try not to think about it too much, but seeing it on social media all the time makes it hard to ignore.”

Q: Do you think this conflict affects students here in the U.S.? Why or why not?
A student responded, “Yes, because even if it’s far away, it affects things like gas prices and the economy, which impacts our families.” Another added, “It also affects people mentally because it creates anxiety and fear about the future.”

Q: What do you hope happens moving forward?
One student stated, “I just hope leaders can come to an agreement before more people get hurt.” Another said, “I hope they choose peace because war just keeps creating more problems instead of solving them.”

These responses show that even from a distance, global conflicts are not disconnected from students’ lives. Many are paying attention, forming opinions, and hoping for peaceful solutions in a situation that continues to unfold.

Tarifs and The Growing Tension
by R. Hamilton

Tariffs have become a growing point of tension in March 2026 as the United States continues to adjust its trade policies, and the impact is starting to hit closer to home than everyone expected.

What may seem like a distant problem is showing up in real time through the rising prices on everyday goods, from electronics to groceries. As tariffs increase on imported products, companies often pass those costs down to consumers, which means families are paying more at the register.

While some leaders argue that tariffs protect American industries and jobs, others are questioning whether the long-term effects are doing more harm than good, especially for working-class communities already feeling financial pressure.

As the conversation around tariffs continues, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what comes next and who will be most affected. Small businesses, in particular, are feeling the strain as they try to keep prices competitive while managing higher supply costs. At the same time, there are concerns about how other countries may respond, potentially leading to trade conflicts that could impact exports and job stability here in the U.S.

For many Americans, the issue is no longer just political or economic, it’s personal. As prices rise and tensions grow, people are paying closer attention, trying to understand how these decisions are shaping their everyday lives and what it means for the future of the economy.

The Government Shut Down - What’s going to happen?
by Thuy-nhi Nguyen

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. government shut down in Washington, D.C. at 12:00AM when Congress and President Trump failed to agree on a new budget. This shutdown happened because lawmakers were divided over spending priorities, leaving many federal workers without pay and many services closed. It will only end when both sides reach a compromise and pass funding legislation.

On October 1, 2025, the U.S. government shut down after Congress and the President failed to agree on a budget, highlighting deep divisions over spending priorities. Some federal workers are still required to work, especially those in “essential” or “critical” roles, while services like Social Security and national defense continue. The majority of federal workers were either furloughed or forced to work without pay, leaving many concerns on families across the country. Previous shutdowns have caused delays in applications, inspections on hold, and disrupted many public programs, showing how political conflicts directly affect citizens. Local businesses and federal contractors also faced financial setbacks due to the pause in government operations. The shutdown will remain in effect until lawmakers reach an agreement and approve the necessary funding.

Many federal workers expressed frustration as the shutdown began. Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of the National Institutes of Health, told Axios, “I really don’t want the government to shut down, but we’re experiencing the biggest crisis in government in our lifetimes.” While on the other hand, Chris Wright, the Energy Secretary, stated that his department only had days of funding left, saying to Politico, “Eight more days of funding, and then we have to go into some emergency shutdown procedures, putting our country at risk.” These quotes show how deeply the shutdown affects both federal leaders and everyday workers, which is highlighting the growing concern across government agencies. After the shutdown, President Trump suggested that federal workers and programs favored by Democrats could face cuts, saying, “There could be firings, and that's their fault.” Additionally, he also posted videos mocking Democratic leaders and threatening cuts to certain agencies, which he received many criticism from Democrats.

Daily life for many Americans is disrupted by the government shutdown. Many citizens face delays in receiving passports, visas, and other federal applications, which can disrupt travel plans and important paperwork. Programs that help with housing, small business loans, and healthcare subsidies will also slow down, leaving families and businesses uncertain. Even services like food inspections and public safety programs may be temporarily limited, which can affect community well-being. Overall, the shutdown shows how political disagreements in Washington can create real challenges for people across the country.

The 2025 government shutdown demonstrated how political conflict in Washington can have serious consequences across the country. From federal workers missing paychecks to citizens facing delays in important services, the shutdown’s impact reached far beyond politics. It disrupted daily work routines, placed financial strain on families, and slowed economic growth. Many Americans are calling lawmakers to set aside their differences and reach a lasting agreement to avoid future shutdowns. This event serves as a clear reminder that cooperation and compromise are important to keep the nation functioning smoothly.

Moldova 2025 Election: A Decisive Move away from Russia

by:Rachael Whittler

On September 28, 2025 Moldova held a parliamentary election that was widely seen as one of the most consequential in post-soviet history. Since the country's trajectory between European integration and the influence the Russians had was at stake, the outcome had some important implications for both politics and stability. The election took place between the East and West because of the tension they had. Moldova has been having a difficult time between aligning more fully with the EU. Until 1991 Moldova was a Soviet Republic.

Since then Moldova has been caught between Russian influence and dreams of closer ties with Europe. In 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moldova wanted European membership for candidate status. Now comes 2025, the Elections were framed by Moldovan authorities and many observers as a choice, the choice was to continue westward reforms or move back into Russia’s influence. Moldova authorities have looked into the interference tactics attributed to Russia in the election. Which was aimed at persuading the results to favor pro-Russian parties or to make the European government weak. Maia Sandu, President of Moldova stated “Moldova is our home and our home is not for sale.”

The allegations thrown towards Russia involve Cyberattacks on government infrastructure, spreading disinformation, buying votes, and using threats. Even after all these allegations Russia has denied involvement, dismissing any allegations that are thrown their way. Though after everything, Moldova remains a frontline in the battle between Russian influence and European democratic norms and this election marks a significant turning point for the country's pro-European path under the President Maia Sandu’s leadership. Even despite the challenges that they faced with Russia’s interference, Moldova delivered a crystal clear vote in favor of still moving toward European integration and reform.

On September 28, 2025, Moldova held a parliamentary election that was widely seen as one of the most consequential in post-Soviet history. Since the country’s trajectory between European integration and Russian influence was at stake, the outcome had important implications for both politics and stability. The election took place amid tensions between the East and West. Moldova has been struggling to align more fully with the EU. Until 1991, Moldova was a Soviet Republic.

Since then, Moldova has been caught between Russian influence and dreams of closer ties with Europe. In 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Moldova applied for European Union candidate status. By 2025, the elections were framed by Moldovan authorities and many observers as a choice: to continue westward reforms or to move back under Russia’s influence. Moldovan authorities also investigated interference tactics attributed to Russia, which were aimed at persuading the results to favor pro-Russian parties or to weaken the pro-European government. President Maia Sandu stated, “Moldova is our home, and our home is not for sale.”

The allegations against Russia involved cyberattacks on government infrastructure, spreading disinformation, buying votes, and making threats. Despite all these allegations, Russia has denied involvement, dismissing any accusations directed at them. Even after everything, Moldova remains a frontline in the battle between Russian influence and European democratic norms, and this election marks a significant turning point for the country’s pro-European path under President Maia Sandu’s leadership. Despite the challenges posed by Russia’s interference, Moldova delivered a clear vote in favor of continuing toward European integration and reform.