THE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS Volume: 60 Issue: 1
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AUGUST 17, 2016
WHILE YOU WERE GONE
BLM DOMINATES SUMMER NEWS FEED
PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES END
RIO OLYMPICS: CHAOS & GLORY
In early July, jaws dropped across America as video of a man being shot several times at point-blank range by a Baton Rouge police officer circulated through social media. Known as the “CD man,” Alton Sterling was killed while selling CDs outside of a convenient store. While police claim his crime was reaching for a gun, many people feel his only crime was being black in a world where black lives don’t matter. Thousands joined in protest of his murder, with the names of every other innocent black life taken by police close in their minds, written on their poster boards, and forever in their hearts. As the list of names continues to grow, however, the patience of concerned citizens continues to shorten. In a popular chant it is made clear: “What do we want? Justice. When do we want it? Now.” Expanded story on pages 6-7
After a season defined by multiple Democratic email scandals, a hostile takeover of the Republican party, and a candidate thriving off of controversy, America’s most bizarre primary season in memory came to a close. The Republican party continues to eat crow as they back a candidate whom many of them initially refused to endorse. The Democrats try to unite their party after the unusually drawn-out primary season ended with Hillary Clinton struggling particularly among white males. With both candidates reaching record disapproval ratings from their own parties, this election is perceived as choosing between the lesser of two evils. Hillary Clinton is edging farther ahead in the polls in key swing states while the Trump campaign tries to convince the GOP establishment its cause is worth fighting for.
The months leading up to the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics painted a chaotic picture of the event; seemingly nothing was going right with the preparation of these games. There was speculation that the games might be cancelled due to concerns, including the Zika virus, waste-filled waters, security in the face of a police strike, terrorist threats, and body parts washing up onshore; all amid the biggest political crisis in Brazil’s history. Thankfully, the games appear to be going smoother than expected, with the United States currently leading the gold medal count by a wide margin. Viewership is still down from the games in London, but it’s starting to pick up as more people become intrigued by newcomers Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, along with tried and true Michael Phelps. The closing ceremony is set to take place on the 21st of August.
BRITAIN LEAVES EUROPEAN UNION
TERRORISM INSTILLS FEAR
POKÉMON GO INVADES
The world watched in amazement, this summer, as Britain decided to do the legislative equivalent of cutting off its nose to spite its face. Britain voted to leave the European Union, citing concerns over unregulated immigration of Syrian refugees as the major deciding factor. The young, urban, educated areas of Britain voted to stay in the Union, while uneducated voters in rural areas voted to leave. Britain’s economy immediately took a massive hit and continues to fluctuate, while the European Union’s economy has since stabilized. The insurgent party that lead the campaign to leave the European Union admitted it had no idea what to do next and handed the power it had won back over to the original party, then quickly disappeared.
MAY 7
Iraq – 160 dead – Remains of 160 people found in mass grave, killed by Islamic State
JUNE 12
Orlando – Lone wolf kills 49, injures 53 in Pulse Nightclub
JUNE 28
Turkey – 44 dead, 239 injured, Brussells Airport attack
JULY 3
Baghdad, Iraq – 340 dead
JULY 14
Nice, France – 85 dead at parade
Pokémon GO, released on July 6, took the world by storm; old fans and rookies alike quickly became obsessed with the app. Capturing the original game’s spirit of adventure and discovery, the game encourages players to get out of their homes and explore their cities. After a few days on the App Store, Nintendo’s stock soared, reaching its highest point of the last few years, as the game was downloaded millions of times. That is, until Wall Street realized the game was not created nor owned by Nintendo, but instead by a California software company, Niantic. Niantic merely acquired the rights to use the Pokémon creatures in their game; Nintendo had little to do with its creation. Nintendo’s shares plummeted, negating virtually all effect the game ever had.
Compiled by Leo Castell, Anjanae Crump, Nathan Nguyen and Christopher Walker
Democrats, Republicans blame each other for TOPS cut BY CHRISTOPHER WALKER Editor-in-Chief Students were in for a rude awakening when the press warned, as the Louisiana legislature went into session, that TOPS might either be cut altogether or drastically reduced for the upcoming year. When the session ended, TOPS funding for the spring 2017 semester was cut to 47 percent of what was originally promised students. “It’s a major inconvenience to so many
kids either planuation in which the ning on going state legislature to college or altook away someready in it. It’s a thing promised to deal-breaker for them. Democrats some. So many and Republicans - Conrad Appel, US Congress (R) students saw blame each other. TOPS as their But the primary opportunity for higher education and it’s cause is evidence to condemn both sides’ been cut in half,” said junior business major ability to cooperate and put the people they Brad Luquette. represent first. Students want to know what happened; Although Democrats and Republicans they want to understand why they’re in a sit- point to the current local recession brought
It’s politics, and it’s sad that students get hurt
on by low oil prices as a factor, both are in agreement that the majority of the problem comes from elsewhere. Democrats, as evidenced by statements made by the the governor, cite reckless tax cuts by the Jindal administration as a leading cause. “[Reckless] use of one-time money, excessive fund sweeps, tax exemptions and credits that are more generous than we can afford…bring us to the unfortunate situation that all of us will face in the coming year”.
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