The tik tok ban: More than meets the eye

By Luca O.

On August 6, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order that would ban the popular app Tik Tok from operating in the United States unless it is sold by its mother company, ByteDance by September 15. This comes after allegations surfaced that the app may be used by China as a method to spy on U.S. citizens.

The app has gained massive popularity over the past two years, garnering 750 million users and a net worth of $75 billion. It has gone from a small Chinese app to a global sensation. Famous dancers such as Charli D'Amelio and Chase Hudson have quickly gained internet stardom posting unique dances on the app. 

After a failed bid by Microsoft, tech company Oracle has just recently agreed on a joint collaboration with ByteDance, providing it with U.S. made technology, thus making it now "safer to operate." This partnership should now minimize the supposed "danger" of the app.

However, some believe there might be something deeper to this deal. While experts believe that Microsoft is a more experienced company, Oracle clinched the merger because of its relationship with Trump. Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO, is a Trump supporter, so there is speculation this may bolster its final approval. 

By Ben O. 

On Monday, September 15 the popular rapper known as Travis Scott signed a partnership with Mcdonald's and released an advertisement  for the new quarter pounder meal known as the Travis Scott Meal.

The Travis Scott Meal consists of a quarter pound burger topped with lettuce, pickles, ketchup, mustard, sliced onion, and bacon.  The meal also consists of fries and barbecue sauce, and a large Sprite. The $6 meal is only available in the U.S. Ever since the meal was released it has become a viral trend on social media app Tik Tok. 

A week after the meal debuted nationwide, some of the locations started running short on ingredients. McDonald's eventually ran out of some of the key ingredients needed to make the burger such as beef, bacon, onions, and shredded lettuce. Eventually, McDonald's only made the meal available on their website. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, McDonald's fears that the high demand for the meal will shorten the world's supply of basic burger ingredients.

By Arden P. 

September 16, 2020

Chadwick Boseman, otherwise known as the Black Panther from the popular superhero franchise and movies such as the “Avengers” and “The Black Panther” died of cancer on August 28th, 2020. He was 43. 

Chadwick Boseman had been in an over 5 year long battle against colon cancer. He kept his battle hidden from his fans and many in the acting field. In several movies he was featured in, including ”The Black Panther,” he had already been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. He died surrounded by his loved ones, his wife and his family.

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the large intestine, or the colon. Colon cancer usually affects older adults, but it can be diagnosed at any age.

Chadwick Boseman was strong and held a straight face for his fans and his family, but it wasn't enough. The death of Chadwick Boseman also raises awareness about the dangers of colon cancer and cancer in general.

Many fans are and will be sad about this. Some even wonder what will happen to the character of the Black Panther. Will another actor take on the role? And if so, who?

Wildfires Ravage Mid-western States

Avik G.

The Governor of Oregon, one of the hardest-hit wildfire states, requested a presidential disaster situation when he met with President Trump on Monday, agreeing that forest management could be better and that the wildfires were a top priority. 

Mid-western states have already reached last year’s total number of acres burned by fires. Last year, the total number of acres burned by fires was 4.7 million. This year they've already surpassed that number. 

The amount of wildlife and property burned by fires had been slowly declining for the past few years, but this year everything has changed. The number of acres burned by fires is estimated to be around 8 million acres, almost double last year. Experts think that the fires this year have been fueled by climate change. Last year, lightning strikes caused only two major wildfires. This year, 15 major wildfires have already occurred because of lightning strikes. 

The wildfires are causing huge economic losses in an economy already devastated by Covid-19. In 2018, $25.6 billion were lost to wildfires This year, the amount of money lost to the fires is estimated to double. 

Zayden R.

California has been subject to various wildfires over the past month. Both presidental candidates are using this crisis to further their own agenda. 

Trump has blamed Californian state officials for the fires, stating that poor forest management and lack of care have caused the increase in the intensity of these fires. For some suburban voters, however, the threat of their homes going up in flames seems more immediate than the “social unrest” Trump claims in his advertisements is the true problem.

Biden, however, has taken this opportunity to try to unite a ravaged populace, casting climate change as the main antagonist on this occasion. Trump has continued to downplay the effects of climate change, stating “I don’t think science knows, actually."

Furthermore, Trump also stated “It’ll start getting cooler, you just watch,” to Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of California's natural resources agency. Crowfoot had previously warned Trump of the “dangers of ignoring the science.”

These wildfires have helped to sculpt a vital difference in the philosophy of the Trump administration and a potential Biden White House. How both sides handle this crisis will surely be a pivotal factor in the race for the presidency.

California Wildfires: Apocalyptic Sky

Sandrene Sy 

September 16, 2020

Many people living on the USA’s West Coast have been staring, for the last week, through apocalyptically fired skies as wildfires rage around major cities from Seattle to San Francisco. These out-of-control conflagrations have destroyed hundreds of  homes and killed scores of people. According to forecasters and university scientists, recent long periods of hot dry weather, a consequence of global warming, is the cause of these fires spreading and growing so rapidly. 

With 3.2 million acres already burned, California firefighters are determined to make progress to contain the larger fires. As of Tuesday, it has been reported that 25 deaths have occurred while many people remain missing.

“The air outside right now is at historically polluted levels,” Washington State Government Official,  Jay Inslee declared. West Coast residents have suffered from the current torrents of smoke which have brought air-quality readings to hazardous levels. Officials have had to close some schools along with outdoor facilities such as parks and beaches. Local governments throughout the West Coast have been pleading for people to remain indoors and out of the increasingly polluted air.

Accused Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse charged with 1st degree intentional Homicide

By Ben O.

September 16, 2020

During the second night of protests following the shooting of  Jacob Blake, there was another shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse can be seen on video shooting three protesters, killing two and injuring one. From another camera angle, you can see Rittenhouse running towards police with his hands up, holding his  Ar-15. 

When police first saw Rittenhouse, instead of arresting him immediately they thanked him, offered him water, and allowed him to go home and sleep.  

A day after the shooting Rittenhouse was arrested. President Donald Trump defended Rittenhouse saying he acted in self-defense and he was leaving  the protest. Former Vice President Joe Biden criticized Trump for downplaying violence in American cities. 

Jacob Blake’s father  reacted to the video of Kyle Rittenhouse being offered water and said that it is a form of “white privilege." But one question still remains: why was Jacob Blake shot, even though he was unarmed while Kyle Rittenhouse was not shot when he was armed and dangerous?

Trump Reportedly Received Nobel Peace Prize Nomination

By Safwaan I. 

September 16, 2020

The 45th President of the United States, Donald Trump, has reportedly received a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, which will most likely be a highlight of his presidency.

His nomination is coming off the UAE-Israel deal, in which the US had a heavy influence on whether UAE would normalise ties with Israel.

The UAE-Israel deal states that the UAE would normalise ties with Israel, and that Israel would not annex the Palestinian areas that they were scheduled to. 

Many have criticized the deal in itself because Israel still annexed minimal areas in the Palestinian regions but nonetheless, his nomination was bound to stir up controversy.

The Middle-East and Israel feud has been ongoing. The Israeli government has exiled and neglected Palestinians, who were native Arabs, which enraged Arab countries. Israel’s annexation plans for Palestinian areas were supposedly stopped after the deal was made.

Chris Cilleza, CNN Editor-at-large, said this about those who supported Trump’s nomination: “The best way to get ahead in Donald Trump's White House is to say as many over-the-top nice things about Donald Trump as possible.”

JAPAN’S Prime Minister: Resigned

By Melvina C.

September 16, 2020

After nearly eight consecutive years of service, Japan’s 71 year-old Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, officially resigned from office on Friday, September 12, 2020, due to health concerns. 

Abe said that he was suffering from a recurrence of ulcerative colitis, and told the public that he could not let this illness “compromise his political decision makings” in a conference hours before he resigned. 

Following that, he said, “I have decided that I should no longer occupy the position of the Prime Minister,” which concluded his speech. 

Three days after Abe resigned from office, a new Prime Minister was elected on Monday. The Chef Cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, captured 70% of the votes and was titled the successor. 

Upon receiving the position of Prime Minister, Suga addressed his appreciation and hard work that Abe had put into this country, stating that he had the mission to “inherit and facilitate policies promoted by Prime Minister Abe” in order for them to overcome crises.