World News

Fire at Shanghai Chemical Plant

There were multiple fires that erupted at a large chemical plant in Shanghai which broke out around 4 am on Saturday morning. The chemical plant was one of the largest refining and petrochemical plant in the country. The fires inevitably engulfed parts of the plant complex and spewed thick columns of black smoke. The company that operates the plant has stated that the driver of a transport vehicle has been killed, with a company employee injured as well, however, the cause of the fires is unknown.

Authorization for COVID-19 shots for children

On Friday, it was authorized by US regulators to having infants and pre-schoolers have their first COVID-19 shots. Children under the ages of 5, which is around 18 million children, are now eligible for the vaccines. The Unites States’ vaccination campaign began almost 2 years ago with the elderly and adults, during the biggest COVID wave. During a Senate hearing on Thursday, Dr Rochelle Walensky stated that there have been more pediatric deaths from COVID-19 than what is generally resulted from the flu annually. It was stated that, as well as protecting those with the vaccine, especially the elders as they are the most vulnerable, it is time to protect the younger children from the virus.

Uvalde Officer refused to shoot the gunman

During the Uvalde shooting in Texas, taken place almost a month prior, a police officer that held an AR-15-style rifle, hesitated when he had the opportunity to shoot the gunman that was, then, nearing a school in Uvalde. The officer claimed it was because he didn’t want to hit any of the children. But this was followed by another second opportunity of intercepting the gunman when he was still outside of the school, as if the officers had intervened while the shooter was outside, the massacre could’ve been avoided. But this was apparently due to the officers that had arrived earlier being unable to see the gunman as they drove past him. The police response to this school shooting is currently the subject of three different investigations by the Texas Rangers, the US Justice Department and a committee from the Texas Legislature.

- Written by Jenna Cho; Source BBC, AP News, NY Times

Political Commentary

The Pope's New Decree to Address Misconduct

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, has taken a new effort to limit new religious groups within the Catholic faith. Throughout his time as the Pope since he was elected in 2013, he has been adamant about addressing the long history of abuses that have taken place within the Catholic Church. The new decree requires that the Vatican review and approve all new religious associations within the faith, and moves power away from local Bishops and toward the Vatican with the aim of cracking down on sexual and religious misconduct.

The past 9 years have not been smooth sailing for Pope Francis, as he has had to grapple with a flood of revealed abuses, some within leadership, and fluctuating politics. In recent years the Pope has issued decrees to address similar issues, as he did in 2020 when requiring approval for diocese-level religious organizations and in 2021 when he instituted term limits on the leaders of lay movements.

Liberal Political Commentary 

Religion is a very tricky topic because it's central to so many individuals' ideologies across the world. What the Pope does to address one of the longest-running religious scandals in the modern world-- sexual misconduct within the church-- will have impacts on Catholicism that may not be seen immediately, but likely will down the line. Attendance at mass across the world has been slowly dropping, at that could certainly be attributed to an increasing sense of religious apathy, but may also have something to do with the abuses within the Catholic Church that have spread through the news. The Pope's current decree, if successful at significantly cutting abuse, may restore faith in the Catholic Church and bring more people into the faith.

It's Certainly admirable that Pope Francis is seeking to put an end to misconduct and ensure that offenders are exposed and punished, however, there is a concern that comes with his new decree: an accumulation of power. Many are somewhat wary of religious institutions and the power they hold, and few are as powerful as the Catholic Church. This Church is one that operates a large education and healthcare system with one man at the top-- the Pope. The decree shifts power back toward the top, which everyone should be mindful of-- but that is not to say it doesn't do more good than harm. When implemented, it's likely that abuses will decrease and that's something everyone, devout or atheist, can admire.

- Written by Ashlyn Hill

Conservative Political Commentary

The Pope has been taking steps to keep his flock safe. His recent order preventing individuals from abusing their power in the church is just the next step, under Pope Francis’ guide, to protect Catholics against abusers. It is so common for the church to be villainized for the sexual misconduct of the few when nearly every major religious organization has had their share of perverts as well. The Catholic Church stands as one of the largest religious organizations in the world with over 1.3 Billion members. By the sheer number of participants, the likelihood of abusers slipping through the cracks is a seemingly inevitable event. Yet Pope Francis is fighting the good fight and taking steps to prevent this kind of misconduct under his leadership. Rather than shying away from the problem and sweeping the miscreants under the rug, he is taking steps to eradicate misconduct as much as possible.

In addition to preventing abusers from gaining power and influence within the church, he is also consolidating power back into the hands of the Pope rather than the cardinals and bishops. It is clear that Pope Francis wants to protect Catholic followers by dissolving the previously utilized tools to power that lead to past abuses. The Pope has even banned clergy from accepting gifts over the worth of about $48 so as to stem the use of bribery. He has insured he is taken seriously by removing clergy members accused of misconduct or corruption from their positions and conducting numerous in-depth investigations of any clergy member accused of misconduct. Pope Francis has also codified the offence of grooming and sexual offences in a Code of Cannon law to ensure the punishment of abusers rather than leaving it solely to authorities. Given the depth of commitment, clergy have to the church punishment through it seems fitting and a more preventative a measure than just prosecuting them through the law. These laws even apply to administrative workers of the church further protecting individuals. Pope Francis is tackling head-on an issue that has harangued the church for 20 years since the scandal of pedophilic practices by some priests was exposed. For Catholics, censure by the Pope weighs heavily, as it is their personal belief in his sanctity and therefore it is with strong hope, that we can make these changes to the law as a step in the right direction.

- Written by Alexis Walker; Source ABC News, The Tablet, BBC,

Economy

The trade partnership between India and Bangladesh has received a new boost with their plans to collaborate on development of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The two nations have supported a healthy diplomatic relationship for decades, and are currently each other’s biggest trade partner in the region. Also mentioned at the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission meeting was a desire to partner in energy production and reducing trans-border crimes. (Source: India News Network)

The United States’ economy is still plagued with inflation, and a report detailed that it hit 8.6% in May, the highest point since 1981. As part of the inflation, gas prices have reached unimaginable levels in parts of the US, such as California where they are hovering near $7 a gallon, as they steadily rise elsewhere. The Federal Reserve Board has taken extra care recently to assure the public that they are working to combat inflation as some are starting to worry of an impending recession– which, granted, normally follow periods of inflation. The target inflation rate is currently set at 2%, and a member of the Fed estimated that it won’t fall to that point for another two years. (Source: NBC)

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