EDITORIAL
BY DHIREN SHAH
Hello Readers,
The entire Local Talk team and I wish you all a happy, peaceful, healthy, and prosperous New Year 2024. Is the world changing for good? I don’t think so. Money, Power, and Politics are taking over and very few think about the benefits of the people.
Harvard University President Claudine Gay has resigned after testimony she gave at a congressional hearing on campus antisemitism. Also, there were allegations of plagiarism in her academic work. Until the Israel-Hamas war, there was no accusation on any of her work. However, groups of students gathered and complained about their security and threats from Gaza-supporting students and groups.
In December 2023, University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill stepped down after her remarks sparked outrage at the same congressional hearing. After months of tension on campus, she was forced to resign. This is not a good direction our educational institutions are headed.
In well-developed countries, United States stands #16 for school education in the world. However, when it comes to college degrees, the United States has a well-deserved ranking due to many top-rated universities in the world. The United States has improved, but when it comes to spending money, the United States spends the most per student in the world. On this, the US is far behind many countries.
When it comes to elementary schools, the United States is way behind. They are ranked first in spending money per student, but not in the top 10 for elementary schools in the world for quality. As I heard from some sources, the United States stands 30th in the world.
Hamas deputy head Saleh al-Arouri has been killed by an Israeli drone attack in Beirut. Beirut is the largest and capital city of Lebanon and is not in Palestine. Israel targeted an office building hat belonged to Hamas and coincidently, Saleh al-Arouri was killed in the strike.
A Japan airlines passenger flight collided with a coast guard flight while landing. All 379 passengers on the Japan Airlines flight JAL-516 got out safely before the Airbus A350 was fully engulfed in flames, Transport Minister Tetsuo Saito confirmed. However, 5 crew members lost their lives. This is totally unusual that the flight landing at the airport collided on the ground. There is a huge mistake by someone at the control center or by the ground crew. The coast guard flight was en route to provide aid after a huge earthquake took lives and threatened a tsunami.
The Russia-Ukraine war has made some turns. Ukraine attacked the Russian city of Belgorod on Dec. 30, killing at least 25 people and injuring over 100. Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered a strike on Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv. About eight drones impacted the city, and several areas were left with no electricity or water. According to Ukrainian news, it was hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles.
As you all know from January 1, 2024, the minimum wage has increased to $15.13 in New Jersey. However, California has raised their minimum wage to $16.00, which is the highest in the United States. The lowest rate of $7.25 in the US are: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Most states have not changed their minimum wage since 2014. This will attract more business for those states, as everything will be cheaper there.
Sen. Bob Menendez is facing more charges. He is being accused of making positive remarks about Qatar in exchange for expensive watches.
Finally, the big anticipated event this year has to be the 2024 Presidential Election. So far, leading candidate and former President Donald Trump has been blocked from appearing on Colorado and Maine’s ballots. However, the Supreme Court will likely have something to say about it. Time will tell where the country goes…
Have a wonderful week. I’ll talk to you next week.
