News on the Week [Reading Log]

Day 1 Monday Date : 8 April 2024
Time	05.30 – 06.05 AM
Title	1. Officials say FAFSA fixes are coming. For many students, it’s too late. 2. Kansas considers fining public universities for diversity programs 3. This Georgia charter school focuses on teaching the 'whole child' with a modern approach
Sources	NBC News https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/fafsa-chaos-college-applicants-are-navigating-financial-uncertainty-rcna145367 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/kansas-considers-fining-public-universities-diversity-programs-rcna144506 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/miles-ahead-charter-school-georgia-rcna140811
Newsworthy event (Main event)	1.   Millions of people are waiting for extended college financial aid, but some are already facing difficult decisions to secure housing on campus, positions on sports teams, and household budgets. Six months was not how Bricelyn Harrelson intended to spend applying to colleges.
	2.  The fact that state lawmakers are unable to agree on a definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the bill's deliberations could jeopardize certain campus services should the legislation succeed.
	3.  Kolt Bloxson's school with unique classrooms, flexibility for teachers and a cleverly named bus aims to be a model for other schools.
Background event (Elaboration)	1.   Millions of college students are experiencing delays in their application process due to the botched overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The bureaucratic process has caused many students to make tough choices to secure campus housing, sports teams, and household budgets. The Department of Education has been clearing a backlog since mid-March, but many universities have pushed back accepted students' decision deadlines. Some college athletes' families have begun planning for financial fallout rather than waiting for aid information. Olivia Maynard Payne, an Advanced Placement student, has applied to Mercer University, the University of Rochester, and Massachusetts' Wellesley College, but all are out of budget.
	2.   Kansas lawmakers are attempting to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but cannot agree on how to define these terms. The Kansas House is set to vote on a bill preventing universities from basing student admission or employee hiring on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity, or inclusion. The Senate approved a $25 billion state budget with provisions to force universities to eliminate requirements and mandatory DEI training. Over 30 states have introduced bills banning or limiting DEI initiatives.
	3.  Miles Ahead, a tuition-free charter school for kindergarten through eighth grade, opened on Aug. 2, 2023, with 14 teachers, eight staff members, and 195 students. The school aims to teach students the High Five Habits, which include kindness, integrity, determination, compassion, and wonder. Students can also take STEAM courses during "Instructional Day," taught by specialists. Effective teachers must have a love and advocacy for kids, making a connection with their homes and interests in their needs as people.
New Vocabularies found	Tough Snags Eyeing Tuition Backlog Disrupted Shelving Sophomore	Loans Grants Equity Pledge Enacted Hew Attorney Adhere Wrestled	Refurbished Zeal Underserved Dwindling Feasible Antiquated Acumen Relentless
Comments	School is the most important place that supports the development and growth of the young generation. Development in infrastructure and internally needs to be encouraged through the support of all parties: people's aspirations, government efforts and structured funds.

Day 2 Tuesday Date : 16 April 2024
Time	04.05 – 04.32 PM
Title	1. The next generation of influencers are here. And they’re less than 10 years old. 2. Child Marriage: Far Cry from Happily Ever After 3. Israel-Iran Conflict: See analysts predictions on potential retaliation and Middle East fallout
Sources	https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-media/gen-alpha-influencers-parents-face-backlash-rcna136650 https://www.ourbetterworld.org/series/women-empowerment/story/child-marriage-far-cry-from-happily-after https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-attack-israel-israel-war-gaza-hamas-drone-missile-rcna147784
Newsworthy event (Main event)	1.    A new wave of influencers from Gen Alpha — kids born between 2010 and 2024 — are building followings online for videos posted on their parent-run accounts.
	2.   Over 100 million girls at risk of child marriage over the next ten years. For non-governmental organization, Aangan Trust, this is the adage that guides their work in building communities which protect children from trafficking, child marriage, hazardous work, violence, and exploitation.
	3.   Analysts have warned that if Israel decides to hit back hard, it could plunge the wider Middle East into war.
Background event (Elaboration)	1.    Kansas lawmakers are attempting to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but cannot agree on how to define these terms. The Kansas House is set to vote on a bill preventing universities from basing student admission or employee hiring on any statement or pledge about diversity, equity, or inclusion. The Senate approved a $25 billion state budget with provisions to force universities to eliminate requirements and mandatory DEI training. Over 30 states have introduced bills banning or limiting DEI initiatives.
	2.   NGO Aangan Trust’s mission is to keep India’s children safe. Amongst many threats that jeopardise children’s safety, one of the issues they work on is preventing child marriages. Together with a collaborative network of schools, the police and village heads, the organisation empowers women volunteers to lead this movement. By training women to engage with their communities, Aangan Trust has created a strong foundation of trust within the network. These skilled and steadfast women help to protect these children and also inspire hope within their communities.
	3.   The conflict between Israel and Iran, a long-standing rivalry since the Islamic Revolution, has been exposed through Tehran's retaliatory drone and missile strikes. Israel accuses Iran of funding terrorist organizations and proxies in the Middle East, and Iran targets Israel through its "Axis of Resistance." The war in Gaza and Israeli strike on Tehran have further escalated tensions.
New Vocabularies found	Scrutiny Gig Enshrine Adage Hazardous Helming	Retaliation Audacious Imminent Foes Thwarted Regime
Comments	The world develops like humans. These changes need to be responded to wisely because sometimes they occur beyond human common sense. How innovation occurs as a positive transition in each generation and how conflict arises in generating critical attitudes and public decisions. Efforts to handle the above conflicts are certainly not easy. Even though we are far away and not involved, is it possible for our souls to understand knowing that? Boycott and donate, whatever small effort you can make. Also take the time to give your greatest help, with prayer.

Day 3 Thursday Date : 18 April 2024
Time	10.45 – 10.55 PM
Title	1. Mt Ruang eruption survivors need mats, blankets, tents: BNPB 2. Ministry devises road map for smart government system in Nusantara 3. Dengue fever deaths in Indonesia up 179 percent
Sources	ANTARA News https://en.antaranews.com/news/311085/mt-ruang-eruption-survivors-need-mats-blankets-tents-bnpb    https://en.antaranews.com/news/311091/ministry-devises-road-map-for-smart-government-system-in-nusantara https://en.antaranews.com/news/310833/dengue-fever-deaths-in-indonesia-up-179-percent
Newsworthy event (Main event)	1. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported on Wednesday that over 800 villagers displaced by the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district, North Sulawesi, need mats, blankets, cleaning materials, and tents. Mount Ruang erupted on Tuesday around 7:19 p.m. local time.
	2. Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan RB), Abdullah Azwar Anas, said on Wednesday that the road map for the "smart government" system in the new capital Nusantara (IKN) will run optimally.
	3. Dengue fever cases this year also saw a significant increase, reaching 62,001 as of week 15 – a 174.9 percent jump from the 22,551 cases reported during the same period in 2023.
Background event (Elaboration)	1. According to the BNPB, the increase in volcanic activity on the volcano may have been triggered by the tectonic earthquake that jolted Doi Island in North Maluku. Taking note of the increasing volcanic activity, the Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Center (PVMBG) raised its alert status to Level III at 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The eruption not only displaced locals but also disrupted the communication network in Laingpatehi village, according to the BNPB. The Sitaro district government has declared an emergency status from April 16 to 29 to assist in disaster mitigation efforts.
	2. In general, it has been adjusted to the transfer and placement of civil servants (ASNs) to IKN in the first five years of the transfer, or the 2024–2029 period. The ministry has prepared a recommendation for a plan to transfer ASNs to IKN. The Indonesian government is implementing a five-phase plan to improve government operations and support the president and vice president in Jakarta. The first phase involves moving work units, including Administrative Support Units (ASNs), to digital work patterns and flexible arrangements. The second phase involves implementing an office and service sharing system, with ASNs transferred into the second priority category. The final phase will focus on implementing smart government, with ASNs transferred into the third priority category. The government is also preparing for an agile smart government system.
	3. The number of deaths from dengue fever in Indonesia this year has surged by 179.4 percent to 475 as of the 15th week, compared to 170 deaths recorded in the same  period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In the previous week, the ministry recorded that 455 lives were lost to the fever, and 60,296 cases were recorded. Despite the rise in cases, health officials urged the public to remain calm and emphasized the importance of maintaining both personal and environmental cleanliness to prevent the disease.
New Vocabularies found	Vessels	Surged
Comments	Apart from national development, we cannot ignore the disasters and natural conditions that befall us. All of this is a reminder that economic attention must always be accompanied by social attention, psychologically and biologically. May we all always be protected and protected from negative things.