ISM

May 16 2026CRIME

Ugly act at NYU stirs anger and fear

A purple flag with a swastika fluttered over NYU’s Steinhardt School this week, sparking shock and anger. The symbol was paired with NYU’s name and a Star of David, making even the family whose name graces the building call the display “horrifying. ” The Steinhardts, known for big donations and supp

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May 16 2026OPINION

How a Civil Rights Leader’s Fight Still Matters Today

Jesse Jackson spent decades pushing America to live up to its promises. In the 1960s and 70s, while most leaders avoided the topic, he loudly supported LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage. Back then, even many Black churches rejected these ideas. His famous phrase “I am somebody” wasn’t just a chant

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May 15 2026POLITICS

The Phone‑Evidence Showdown Between a Congressman and an Ohio Doctor

A U. S. Representative is battling a former physician over claims that he spread false antisemitic allegations, but the congressman insists that cell‑phone data proves his innocence. The Ohio doctor, a first‑generation Palestinian American, filed a defamation suit in February after the representativ

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May 15 2026RELIGION

Buddhism’s Path Across Asia

Siddhartha Gautama, who would later be known as the Buddha, was born in a small village called Lumbini. Historians agree that this happened sometime around the middle of the sixth century B. C. , though some count it a little earlier. When he was about thirty‑five, the man who would become a teacher

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May 15 2026RELIGION

Taiwan: Where Old‑World Buddhism Finds a New Home

In the bustling streets of Taipei, amid neon signs and old colonial facades, a quiet religious tradition quietly thrives. The island’s Buddhist temples are not just places of prayer; they are living museums where Chinese folk beliefs, Taoist myths, and the original teachings of Siddhartha Gautama in

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May 15 2026SPORTS

Texas Coach Sparks Debate Over Ole Miss Education

The rivalry between Texas and Ole Miss is heating up even before the teams meet on the field. In a recent press conference, Texas’ head coach said that a student at Ole Miss could earn a degree by taking “basket weaving. ” The comment drew sharp criticism from fans who felt it belittled the un

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May 15 2026CRIME

Flag mix-up at NYU sparks investigation into hate crime

A confusing scene played out at NYU last week during graduation events when a flag with disturbing symbols appeared on a building near Washington Square Park. Instead of the usual NYU flag, someone replaced it with a modified version featuring two swastikas and a Star of David, mimicking Israel's na

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May 15 2026RELIGION

Buddhism and Power: How Thailand Blends Faith and Authority

Thailand stands out as a unique case where Buddhism isn't just a religion—it’s deeply tied to the country's political structure. The connection goes back centuries, starting when Indian monks first introduced the teachings of the Buddha to the region. Unlike Christianity or Islam, Buddhism doesn’t r

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May 15 2026POLITICS

South Carolina’s Public Health Chief Steps Down After Rough Ride

South Carolina just wrapped up its 2026 legislative session, and with it, the state’s top public health official is packing up his desk. Dr. Ed Simmer, who took charge of the Department of Public Health during the pandemic, left the building on May 14 when the legislature refused to give him a perma

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May 14 2026CRIME

Three Men Charged with Assault After Santana Row Attack

A group of three men were brought before a judge on Wednesday for an assault that happened outside a restaurant in Santana Row. The incident took place on March 8 and involved two Israeli‑American men who were speaking Hebrew on a patio. The three suspects—Bruneil Henry Chamaki, Roma Akoyans and

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