International - The Signal

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court held a hearing on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that would cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for borrowers with limited earnings (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Text - Student loans on paper piece with a pile us dollar bills” by Marco Verch Professional Photographer. May, 25, 2021).

Supreme Court Justices holds a hearing on Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan

By Gauri Patel | Mar. 7

The Supreme Court held a hearing on President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that would cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for borrowers with limited earnings, according to NPR. If the program is implemented, 43 million student loan borrowers will benefit, and nearly 45%, or 20 million people, can have their remaining student debt fully canceled. About 1.12 million New Jersey residents have applied for federal student loan forgiveness, according to data from Politico.

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved an at-home test for flu and COVID-19 (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Making a Covid 19 home self test” by Jernej Furman. September 29, 2021).

FDA approves dual at-home test for flu and Covid-19

By Aneri Upadhyay | Mar. 3

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently approved an at-home test for flu and Covid-19 on Feb. 24. This test would allow the general public to be able to determine if they have the flu or Covid-19, an important distinction due to the similar symptoms from both illnesses. The emergence of at-home tests to distinguish influenza from Covid-19 is especially important with the removal of on campus testing at the College.

The question of who is responsible for the content we see online, the user or the platform, is being raised as the Supreme Court reexamines Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act in two recent cases (Photo courtesy of Flickr/ “US Supreme Court” by Kjetil Ree. March 8, 2007).

The Supreme Court's reexamination of Section 230 may lead to the reform of the Internet

By Nicole Trinkl | Mar. 3

The question of who is responsible for the content we see online, either the user or the platform, is being raised as the Supreme Court reexamines Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act in two cases: Gonzales v. Google LLC and Twitter Inc. v. Taamneh. Section 230 focuses on big tech companies' information distribution practices and policies.

The United States’ Food and Drug Administration unanimously supported the production of Narcan, a nasal spray containing naloxone, to be sold without a prescription required (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Opioids” by K-State Research and Extension. April 5, 2018).

Narcan supported by FDA as over-the-counter medicine for opioid overdoses

By Aneri Upadhyay | Feb. 27

Opioid overdose medication may now be offered over the counter after support from the Food and Drug Administration. The United States’ FDA unanimously supported the production of Narcan, a nasal spray containing naloxone, to be sold without a prescription required.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in his state of the nation address that Moscow is suspending participation in New START, a nuclear arms control treaty with the United States (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Vladimir Putin” by Global Panorama. July 8, 2014).

Russia suspends nuclear arms treaty after Biden’s visit to Ukraine

By Gauri Patel | Feb. 24

On Feb. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in his state of the nation address that Moscow is suspending participation in New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty with the United States, according to Reuters. Putin cited the U.S.’ support for Ukraine and the accusation that the U.S. and NATO are supposedly working for Russia’s destruction as the reason behind the announcement.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Members of the UK's International Search & Rescue team at work in Hatay, Turkey, looking for survivors of the devastating earthquakes” by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. February 8, 2023).

Earthquake kills over 46,000 and leaves Turkey and Syria in crisis

By Amber Nodes | Feb. 23

In the early morning of Feb. 6, a level 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and north-west Syria, killing many in the strongest earthquake recorded for Turkey in almost 85 years, OCHA reported on the day of the catastrophe. Another earthquake of a 6.3 magnitude devastated the Turkey and Syria border on Feb. 20, killing six people and injuring more.

On Feb. 13, a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University, killing three students and injuring five more, before fatally shooting himself (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Michigan State University in September” by VasenkaPhotography. January 28, 2012).

Three killed and five in critical condition after Michigan State shooting

By Gauri Patel | Feb. 23

On Feb. 13, a gunman opened fire on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU), killing three students and injuring five more, before fatally shooting himself, according to NPR.

An approximately 150-car Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed and caught fire on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a massive chemical spill. (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Ohio National Guard” by The National Guard. February 7, 2023).

Ohio train derailment results in massive chemical spill devastating local communities

By Nicole Trinkl | Feb. 22

An approximately 150-car Norfolk Southern freight train heading to Illinois from Pennsylvania carrying hazardous chemicals derailed and caught fire on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, causing a massive chemical spill. Not only have people’s health been at risk, but the environment has suffered too.

Scientists have recently discovered a dwarf planet with rings when theoretically there should not be any, changing the way that researchers examine planetary rings (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Neptune” by Judy Schmidt. December 2, 2017).

Quaoar’s Ring: Astronomers question theory after discovering rings

By Aneri Upadhyay | Feb. 21

Planetary rings are common among our solar system. All gas giant planets have them, although Saturn’s rings are the most famous for being the largest. There are certain factors that need to be present in order for a planet to maintain its rings. Scientists have recently discovered a dwarf planet with rings when theoretically there should not be any, changing the way that researchers examine planetary rings.

The details and released footage of the Tyre Nichols incident have sparked conversations across the United States about responses of potential police reform (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“IMG_6119” by Becker1999. January 30, 2023).

The impact of the death of Tyre Nichols on the push for police reform

By Ben Gallanter | Feb. 20

Millions of Americans have watched the recently-released police body camera videos of Tyre Nichols laying in the street in handcuffs after being beaten by police officers in dread, appall and disbelief. The shocking footage has stirred up controversy across the United States and has drawn widespread attention back to a contested subject that is considered continuously, immensely prevalent for discussion in today’s society: police reform.

President Joe Biden stood before Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to deliver the State of the Union address, in which he discussed political gains and called on Congress to pass certain legislation (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“IMG_7298” by Matt Johnson. July 17, 2019).

Biden called for Bipartisanship in State of the Union

By Mike Sherr | Feb. 17

President Joe Biden stood before Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to deliver the State of the Union address, in which he discussed political gains and called on Congress to pass certain legislation. Biden faced some backlash during his speech from some members of the Republican Party for comments he made about various topics.

A U.S. military fighter jet shot down a white balloon over South Carolina's coast on Feb. 4, following speculation that it may have been a Chinese spy balloon (Photo courtesy of Flickr/ “USA-China” by 李季霖. Feb 11, 2021).

China-US tensions rise following Chinese Spy Balloon being shot down

By Nicole Trinkl | Feb. 16

An American military fighter jet shot down a white balloon over South Carolina's coast on Feb. 4, under President Biden's orders following speculation that it may have been a Chinese spy balloon traveling across the United States. Tensions are mounting between the two great nations making people wonder what this potential territorial aggression will lead to during this unsettling time.

With the rise of the avian flu, a new pandemic could be upon us - and eggs might be at risk (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Bird Flu shop” by Kashif Mardani. March 27, 2006).

Eggflation: How Avian Flu has impacted the price of eggs

By Aneri Upadhyay | Feb. 15

You’ve probably noticed that egg prices have increased at your local grocery store. With inflation and the recent outbreak of avian flu, they’re on the rise and other animals may be at risk — including humans.

The College Board released a revised, official curriculum for its new Advanced Placement African American Studies course, stripped of many topics that concerned conservative politicians and commentators (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Ron DeSantis” by Gage Skidmore. August 14, 2022).

College Board revises AP African American Studies curriculum after criticism

By Gauri Patel | Feb. 14

On Feb. 1, the College Board released a revised, official curriculum for its new Advanced Placement African American Studies course, stripped of many topics that concerned conservative politicians and commentators, according to NPR. This revision comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida rejected a pilot version of the course for high school students in early January.

On the weekend of Jan. 23, 2023, it was announced that FBI agents discovered classified documents after searching President Biden’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“FBI” by J. July 16, 2012).

Amid classified documents fiasco, House eyes bipartisan reform

By Elias Hunt | Feb. 9

On the weekend of Jan. 23, it was announced that FBI agents discovered classified documents after searching President Joe Biden’s residence in Wilmington, Delaware. The event has been drawing comparisons to the seizure of classified documents from former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022. Former Vice President Mike Pence has also been implicated in a classified documents controversy.

NASA scientists announced a newly discovered planet with properties linked to habitability. It’s roughly Earth’s size, rocky and named TOI 700 e (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Chandra Sees Evidence for Possible Planet in Another Galaxy” by NASA Universe. July 15, 2010).

New planet discovered in a habitable zone, observatory on College campus

By Amber Nodes | Feb. 9

NASA scientists announced a newly discovered planet with properties linked to habitability. It’s roughly Earth’s size, rocky and named TOI 700 e, reports USA Today. NASA reports that finding planets with similar Earth-sized planets can help inform the history of the solar system and that there will be a follow-up study that may have more insights in the future.

Scientists recently created a robot designed to melt and reform, crediting sea cucumbers as their inspiration (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Sea Cucumber” by NOAA Ocean Exploration. March 12, 2017).

Study shows potential of a robot able to melt

By Amber Nodes | Feb. 6

Scientists recently created a robot designed to melt and reform, according to a new study published in Matter. The study credits some of the idea to their bioinspiration: sea cucumbers.

The Doomsday Clock has recently been set to 90 seconds from midnight and is the closest the hands have ever been to the end of the world (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“DSC_9022” by michael_swan. February 12, 2018).

Doomsday Clock strikes 90 seconds to midnight — what this means for the world

By Aneri Upadhyay | Feb. 2

The world on fire, the sun exploding, an asteroid hitting Earth — everyone has a different definition of total annihilation. Most people can agree, however, that it is not a desirable event. The Doomsday Clock symbolizes how close the world is to ending, and it just moved 10 seconds closer.

The year 2022 saw the highest number of school shooting incidents in four decades (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“National school walkout against gun violence” by Fibonacci Blue, April 20, 2018).

Security questions remain after six-year old boy shoots teacher

By Gauri Patel | Feb. 2

Last month, a six-year-old boy was taken into police custody after allegedly shooting his teacher with a handgun at a Virginia elementary school, according to The New York Times. This incident is one of the many school shootings that have occurred recently.

The Respect for Marriage Act, which would offer federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, passed the Senate on Nov. 29 when 12 Republicans joined all present Democrats in voting in favor of the bill (Photo courtesy of Flickr/“Obergefell v. Hodges Decision Announced” by Jay Popovich. June 26, 2015).

Respect for Marriage Act passes Senate in bipartisan vote

By Amber Nodes | Dec. 12

The Respect for Marriage Act, which would offer federal protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, passed the Senate on Nov. 29 when 12 Republicans joined all present Democrats in voting in favor of the bill, according to NBC. On Dec. 8, the bill also passed in the House, gaining bipartisan support in a 258-169-1 vote. Thirty nine Republicans voted to pass the bill, along with all Democrats, according to CNBC.