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The Daily Californian •

City Council approves rezoning to allow retail alcohol on Telegraph

It was all smiles and good feelings from council members at the conclusion of Berkeley’s regular City Council meeting Tuesday. Compared to the previous week's protests around Flock Safety and the earlier special council meeting on the city’s homelessness response, this City Council meeting was a mild affair that saw  council members sharing discretionary funds and enthusiasm with one another.
The Daily Californian •

Council reaffirms Berkeley’s sanctuary status, initiates task force supporting immigrant community

On January 21, City Council reaffirmed its status as a sanctuary city amid the Trump administration’s wave of immigration efforts.Following that, Mayor Adena Ishii created the Berkeley Sanctuary City Task Forceto assess threats facing immigrant communities and help codify local protections into law. In April, she proposed an ordinance reaffirming the city’s sanctuary policies.
Muslim Climate Watch •

The Islamic Charities Battling the LA Fires

On January 7th, a series of unrelenting wildfires erupted across Los Angeles. As the flames burned, a wave of compassion and action rose to meet the challenge—led by organizations like Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).


Entire communities were engulfed, homes reduced to ashes, and over 150,000 residents were told to evacuate. In just one week, the estimated damage was 12,000 structures. IRUSA’s Di...
Build a Water Project •

AI Water Consumption & What You Can Do

Who doesn’t love AI? In today’s world, artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool, assisting in everything from free math tutoring and comprehensive document summaries to even generating grocery lists. Over the last quarter century, we have grown increasingly reliant on machines for support. As a result, AI has seamlessly woven itself into nearly every aspect of our lives—so much so that imagining a world without it feels impossible.But where does AI receive its intelligence? The a...
The Borgen Project •

Tackling Poverty Through Education in the Middle East

Education is a key determinant of economic stability and growth. In the Middle East, where poverty levels are high, access to education can significantly affect an individual’s economic prospects. According to Maher Hamoud, a professor of political economy at the University of Leuven, Belgium, “People tend to be easily manipulated when the level of education is low.” However, the relationship between education and poverty is not merely about individual empowerment; it also affects broader sociop...
The Borgen Project •

Singapore’s Social Safety Net: A Blueprint for Reducing Poverty

Singapore, often hailed as an economic miracle, boasts a diverse economy that has propelled the nation to high-income status. Additionally, the country’s financial landscape is distinguished by a blend of globally leading industries, including manufacturing, services and emerging sectors. Manufacturing, a cornerstone of Singapore’s economy, spans electronics, chemicals and biomedical sciences. Furthermore, it contributes significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) and employment.
Meanwhile, th...
The Borgen Project •

The Palestinian Education Crisis: Scholasticide

Palestine, composed of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, is a region enduring prolonged conflict and political instability. The West Bank (bordered by Israel and Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (bordered by Israel and Egypt) are home to a combined population of more than 5 million Palestinians. The geopolitical conflict with Israel has led to severe socioeconomic challenges, including high mortality rates, restricted access to resources and continuous warfare.
The ongoing conflict has inflicted devas...
The Borgen Project •

Uyghur Health Care Disparities in Xinjiang

The Uyghur population in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) faces numerous health care challenges. These challenges contribute to the overall hardships experienced by this ethnic minority. These plights stem from systemic discrimination, inadequate health care infrastructure and human rights violations, all of which exacerbate poverty.
The distribution of health care services in Xinjiang is highly unequal. Approximately 80% of the region’s health care infrastructure is concentrated...
The Borgen Project •

The World Bank’s Education Reform in Africa

Education is a critical area of investment for poverty alleviation and sustainable growth. The World Bank has enabled education reform in Africa by focusing on creating equitable and quality schooling systems. This article highlights successes in three countries: Rwanda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), showcasing the World Bank’s impactful mission throughout the region.
Rwanda has made substantial strides in education reform through the Quality Basic Education for Human Capital...
The Borgen Project •

Fighting Diseases in Palestine

Palestine includes two non-contiguous territories located in the Middle East: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The West Bank is home to 3.2 million people and Gaza to 2.1 million. Since Oct. 7, 2023, continuous warfare between Israel and the resistance of Palestine has resulted in a severe health crisis, highlighted by a rapid spread of infectious diseases and the collapse of essential health care services.
Political and economic instability–worsened by the blockade and fighting– has left the h...