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Back to Articles News Back to Sections NATO’s Internal Strife By Everton Prospere Volume 3 Issue 3 February 24, 2023 Image provided by Reuters On the 24th of February, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, interrupting the balance of power in Europe. In response, several countries that have maintained policies of neutrality for decades, particularly Sweden and Finland, shortly applied to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Formed at the end of the Cold War, NATO ensured an alliance between the United States, Canada, and Western Europe to prevent the spread of communism by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and its respective alliance in Eastern Europe, the Warsaw Pact. Although the USSR has dissolved completely, NATO, and its members which comprise of the world’s strongest militaries, still plays a critical role in preserving peace throughout Europe. While Sweden and Finland have attempted to establish a foothold in this alliance to counteract the invasion of Ukraine, the most powerful remnant of the USSR, Russia, continues to threaten this course of action. According to an official press document from the government of Russia, the country will take “retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and other nature, in order to neutralize the threats to its national security that arise from this [Sweden and Finland’s membership to NATO].” Thus, despite the concerns of national security from Sweden and Finland, fearing possible invasions, the Russian government continues to bully these countries on the world stage to prevent an expansion of NATO close to the borders of Russia. Furthermore, Sweden and Finland also faced difficulty in the application process due to Turkey. Although part of NATO, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has prevented the two countries from joining. NATO, comprising 30 states, requires a unanimous vote to accept another state into the alliance. However, Erdoğan has threatened to block this vote due to claimed “terrorist groups,” such as Kurdistan’s Workers Party, that reside within the borders of Sweden. In addition, as per the Associated Press, Erdoğan has further refused to confirm the two countries due to anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, which resulted in burnings of the Quran. Thus, in order for the two Scandinavian countries to join NATO jointly, Sweden must currently appease Erdoğan by taking decisive action against the designated terrorist groups and banning the burning of the Quran. As the Russo-Ukrainian war rages on, diplomatic fights simultaneously occur. Sweden, unlikely to bend the knee for Erdoğan due to concerns of constitutional freedoms of the public, will continue to struggle to join NATO. Finland, in response, will attempt to circumvent the situation by re-applying to NATO alone. As Turkey continues to develop seemingly closer ties to Russia, the world watches as devastating battles happen in Ukraine. Refrences: Заявление МИД России о членстве Финляндии в НАТО - Министерство иностранных дел Российской Федерации (mid.ru) Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move - BBC News The world looks on as Erdogan jockeys for a third decade of power in Turkey | CNN Erdogan: Sweden can't join NATO if Quran-burning is allowed | AP News BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Written Prophecy Prologue By Catherine Duong Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Katie Drummond “It’s all going too fast...” Amber says as she looks at the city of Araevia. She is now ruler of the main city, after the city of Gahenna, better known as “Hell,” has attacked once again days ago. The previous king, King Lucas, offered her and little friend group Flare, Darlene, Joaquin, and Pink, some currency worth a fortune until he noticed a strange mark Amber’s face at the right-hand side. Astonished, he claimed to make her the next ruler after when he retires, which made a huge turning point of the city’s next generation. But that wasn’t his decision, it was the god/goddess who made the decision using a special book made by the first three gods/goddess (Irae, Sune, and Phaedra) called the book of prophecy. Once written down of the event, it cannot be erased and everyone from the myth realm will be affected whether it will be good or bad, but this event causing Amber to be next ruler was a mistake since a god named of Kalen wrote it down for himself and it wasn’t approved of by his partner, Selene, another goddess. The two of them always argue about their ideas for the living and mostly about Kalen’s ideas. As Selene always says, “Your ideas aren't going to impact the living as much as mine.” Enraged, Kalen went to the book of prophecy and edited the event without Selene’s permission. Once Selene figured out that Kalen edited the event, she was in a rage, but she knows that now it’s already been done, and Kalen says to her, “All we can do is observe.” Now once the event was finished, Amber’s job is to keep the city safe with the help of her friends alongside her journey. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Don't act, just be. By Alain Deen Volume 1 Issue 5 February 12, 2021 Image provided by Alpha Inclusion Emotion. It is something we simply cannot hide from. Whether you like it or not, emotion amasses a large part of everyday life. Take this experience for example. You probably are reading this, thinking: “Yeah I knew that already”, OR: “Really? Tell me more!” Two contrasting emotions at its finest. Arguably the most important human asset, emotion not only connects us with others, but also ourselves. If you know me, you will know I love to act. With that said, there happens to be a lot of life coaching that comes with the craft. The best piece of advice I have ever heard stems from my coach and mentor: “Don’t act, just be”. On the surface, this quote sounds straightforward. For instance, someone might simply interpret it as sounding more natural while spurring out lines instead of minutes of mindless dialogue. However, it goes much deeper than that. Although what I stated earlier is true, there is a lot more to it then just “sounding more natural”. Instead, there is no such thing as “sounding more natural”. It is growing a deep connection with yourself as a human being and becoming comfortable in your own skin. As unrelated to acting as it sounds, it is completely necessary in character build up and story development. You cannot pretend to be someone else until you are capable of playing yourself. If you tend to mask your true and purest form of personality…you are acting. Besides the title, acting doesn’t actually involve acting. It’s being able to approach various situations with a sense of open-mindedness. And yes, you’re probably concerned about reciting every single line correctly, down to the punctuation. But in reality, the best conversations stem from pure emotion. Therefore, it isn’t necessary to recite every line correctly. What matters is the emotion you communicate to the audience. Audiences are looking for stories told through a multitude of lenses, which then connect to them on a personal level. As humans, we approach every conversation with a desire. This could range from the desire to get rid of boredom, to even the desire to hurt someone. Having said that, a conversation never starts and ends in the same note. Someone might walk away feeling happy, disgruntled, uncomfortable, and so much more. This concept encapsulates the importance of your intentions while acting. Ask yourself this question: “What do I want from the other person”. While being aware of this, there is no room for melodrama. “Human connections are deeply nurtured in the field of a shared story.” -Jean Houstan BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Heart By Nora Chery Volume 2 Issue 3 January 14, 2022 Image provided by CNN I remembered our Wedding Day and how wonderful it was. It was indeed the lantern of my adulthood. I remembered how in awe I was when I saw your beauty; your gown only served as a compliment. I knew you felt the same way when we locked eyes, brown meeting brown; I hoped no one found a key. When we both honored our vows without hesitation, your hands slipped out of my grasp and used your beringed hand to sink into your chest. You pulled out your heart for me. Your stained cupped hands extended towards me; it throbbed wildly for me, so I took it. The seat was warm and lively; I could only stare at the striking red color and functioning veins. I peered over to you, and you only stood there, still looking fabulous as ever, even with a gaping hole in your chest. You covered the hole with your hand and gave me the most loving smile. I felt as though I, to show my love, was obliged. That was ten years ago, and we now live together in a clean, modest house. It was a Saturday morning, and I was in the living room; it was about an hour since you left. It was only an hour, yet I already missed your presence, despite having your heart with me. As an hour turned into almost several, I kept your heart close to me, it being warm filled with your blood and love for me. But this was when I found something odd; I looked down to realize the heart wasn’t beating anymore. BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork The Memory Project Back to Sections Mustapha By Gilana Etame March 28, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 5

Back to Articles Sports Back to Sections Sports Around the World By Aleeza Dhillon Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by WLZR-AM In honor of culture week, let’s celebrate with haikus about popular sports all over the world: America Ten seconds remain The ball soars across the field “Touchdown!” yells the crowd Mexico The ball comes to me Looking for an open pass What a perfect pass Japan “Bam!” I hear a hit The ball glides high in the sky My teammate runs home India I hear the loud chants The joy of scoring a run Physical pain gone Canada As my sharp blade glides I focus on the black puck Shooting with great force BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections 1984 Book Review Leah Ally Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by The Guardian War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. World war, civil struggle, and revolution wrecked civilization in 1984. Oceania’s Airstrip One , previously known as Great Britain, is one of three totalitarian super-states. It is dominated by “The Party,” which controls every aspect of Oceania. The Party watches every civilian in Oceania through devices known as telescreens, transferring sound and motion to the Party’s ominous figure known as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, from the language spoken, to the people’s history, brainwashing their thoughts to love Big Brother. Using the “Thought Police” and continual surveillance via telescreens, cameras, and hidden microphones, the Party violently removes anyone who does not fully go along with their dictatorship. Winston Smith is the main character of 1984 and is portrayed as a man who is disillusioned with the society he lives in. He works for the government’s propaganda department, yet secretly rebels. As daring as Winston appears to be in challenging government authority, he battles his own vulnerability and possible belief of Big Brother. Eric Authur Blair, also known as George Orwell, was an English novelist, essayist, poet, literary critic, screenwriter, and publicist. He wrote the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four or 1984 as a social science fiction novel and a warning. It was Orwell’s ninth and final book completed during his lifetime, published on June 8th, 1949, about a year before his death. He was a man of strong opinions who addressed some of the major political movements of his times, including imperialism, fascism, and communism. The chilling tale made an impression on readers; his ideas entered mainstream culture in a way achieved by very few books. The novel’s themes include totalitarianism (a government that asserts complete control of its citizens), mass surveillance, and coercive regimentation of people and behaviors in society. The novel was modeled after real-life occurrences with Russian ruler Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin and the leader of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler. Throughout the novel, George Orwell explores the ideas of truth and fact through politics, including the danger of propaganda. I enjoyed 1984 ; however, in my opinion, the novel was drawn out at times and lacked detailed information. Even so, George Orwell’s writing style entertained me, and so did the complexity of each character's dialogue. I recommend 1984 to readers who may have read and enjoyed novels such as The Giver or Animal Farm . Sources: Woodcock, George. "George Orwell". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Jan. 2022, https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Orwell . Accessed 7 June 2022. George Orwell Biograph, Biography.com Editors, The Biography.com website, https://www.biography.com/writer/george-orwell , accessed May 7th, 2022, A&E Television Networks, last edited May 3, 2021, Published April 2, 2014 BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles News Back to Sections A New Benefit for Poop By Cody Sung Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by Clevland Health Clinic Scientists have found a new benefit for poop. According to the New York Post, a company named Fitbiomics is making poop pills under the name Nella . According to their website, the pills focus on improving your gut’s microbiome, the bacteria that lives in your digestive tract. The pills contain bacteria from the guts of professional athletes that can improve performance. The bacteria is extracted from their poop. According to the New York Post, one person who tried it, a man named Steve Gallagher, was able to work out 40% longer and with more intensity. On Nella’s website, there are comments from other professional athletes praising the pills for improving their performance. Here is how the pill was created, and how science may not back it up at all. The CEO of Fitbiomics, Dr. Jonathan Scheiman, said he started off as a basketball player who had a dream of being in the NBA. He did not make it, and so turned to studying biomedicine and got a PHD in the subject area. He wanted to know how superstar athletes stood out, and Scheiman went down the path of gut microbes. In 2015 he started going around Boston, where he resided, and began collecting poop samples from 15 elite runners training for the Boston Marathon, as well as ordinary people. Scheiman found out that in the runners, there was more of the bacterium Veillonella atypica than in the ordinary people. To see if the bacteria made any difference, Scheiman put two groups of lab mice on treadmills. One group was given the bacteria while the other was not. The Veillonella-assisted group ran 13% longer than the group not given the bacteria. Scheiman though he had found it. So, does science say if it actually works? It’s not entirely clear. Despite the performance increase shown by Scheiman, according to the New York Times and NPR, there are other factors to consider involving this topic. Veillonella may work differently in people who are not physically active, including the possibility of dying instantly. The research also did not analyze whether the baseline levels of the bacteria made racers finish the marathon quicker or whether it was the effect of a higher concentration of lactate, which Veillonella eats. Finally, the 13% longer endurance benefit may not even end up scaling to humans. However, scientists are still not sure whether the factors mentioned before actually play a key role in whether these poop pills work or not. So, we will not know if these poop pills actually work until more evidence is found. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Advice Back to Sections Pride Advice By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 7 June 13, 2022 Image provided by CommonPRObiz Hello my dear readers,  Since June is Pride month, to celebrate it, I would like to answer a few questions related to the LGBTQ+ community.  "What do you do when your family doesn't support your transition?” Firstly, congratulations on getting to know yourself this well; that was tough and worth celebrating on its own. To answer your question, this would depend on how strict your family is. If they do not want to help you with your transition, try to take small steps, with the help of people who do support you, your friends and other family members. It is all about the small victories. It also may take some time for your family to process the fact that you are transitioning, so try to be patient, but not passive. If starting this process poses a danger to you, you will unfortunately have to wait until you can do so safely. “What do you do when someone in the gay community disrespects your identity?” I would address it directly. Since they are in the community, they are more likely to have the knowledge to understand their mistakes. Talk to them, explain which of their actions and opinions you find disrespectful and stand up for yourself. The fact that they are a part of the gay community does not excuse them and is not a protective shield from mistakes. Nobody is perfect, so do not be scared to point out their wrongdoings and speak up! “Where/how can I find local gay communities?” First, consider joining The Alliance club at North. This by itself will open many doors for you. Try to explore where other members are active and see if those places are of interest to you. Besides The Alliance, you can ask your other friends and see where that will lead you. You can also try to find a friendly community online, but that might be less local than you would like.  “What would you do if someone else was being cyber bullied for their sexuality/identity?” If it poses no harm to you, stand up for them! It is hard to be assertive while being the victim of cyberbullying and if you can help them, try your best to! Show the victim they are not alone, reassure them that they are valid in their identity and make your voice heard.  “How do you let a friend know you’re there for them when you suspect they want to come out?” Make sure they know you are their friend and that you will listen to their problems, in a general way. Just being there as a friend who supports them will give them the cushion of security they will need. If they decide to come out, they will come to you. They need to build enough confidence and they need to feel safe enough themselves, you cannot help them more than just ensuring you will listen. Don’t push them, they will come out when it is the right time. “What’s your opinion on Heartstopper ?” This isn’t really advice, but I will gladly chime in. I personally did not watch the Netflix series, but I have read Alice Oseman’s original comic. The warm story, the character development, and the representation drew me in, and I believe it could act as a tool for others to explore and to discover themselves further. Oseman created an inspiring depiction of the realities of being part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the struggles that come with mental illness. Even if I can’t recommend watching the show, since I haven’t watched it myself, the comic is definitely worth reading. I hope this helps, and enjoy Pride Month!! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Turkey the bird and Turkey the Nation By Kubra Beskardes Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Image provided by Boris Stroujko Turk - The word originally means “strength” though it’s not clear where it came from and it changed meaning during the time. To Persians it meant “barbarian,” but now it means “a person of Turkic origin,” so it does not only consist of “Turkish” people. In Turkey, we call ourselves just “Turks” because the direct translation of Turkish would be “Turkce” which is the language we speak, and a fun fact? It’s actually not Turkey, it’s Turkiye , the land of the Turks, so probably not many Turks would know that around the world, their country shares its name with a bird. Turkey the bird originated in the Americas and Turks originated in Central Asia and by the time the bird took this name, they were in Anatolia. This seems so irrelevant, but the story goes like this; Turkish merchants sold some wild fowls from either Africa or India to Europeans, and Europeans called the bird “Turkey (coq) Rooster” and Turkey for short. When they landed in the New World, they saw another bird of a totally different species and called it also turkey because they both looked similarly funny. So it remained “turkey.” Another fun fact? Turks call this bird “hindi” because we thought it originated from India. Eating turkey is not that common in Turkey. Not that we specifically don’t eat it, but because we are foreign to the bird or it’s foreign to us, Turks don’t want to eat something they don’t know. Personally, I only like turkey when it’s sliced and in between two breads; otherwise, I would not prefer it. But this whole story brings a question to the mind: when Europeans came to the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries, back then Turks were under the name “Ottomans” not Turkey, because Ottomans consisted of many ethnicities so I would be wrong to call it Turkey. Turkey was formed in 1923, and – well - maybe they just went with “Turks Rooster or Turkish Rooster,” then it became just “turkey” over time. BACK TO TOP