Can young voters make a difference? Just look around the world
Also: Should we learn to code anymore? Does AI give better advice than your boss? And Olivia Rodrigo fights for reproductive rights
The unstoppable rise of young voters around the globe
This year alone, more than half the world’s population are eligible to vote in 70 countries and youth are making their presence felt around the world.
Iran: Legislative elections are being held this Friday, though a low turnout is expected as many people believe elections aren’t fair and their vote doesn’t matter. Despite a bloody crackdown on protests in 2022 and internet blackouts, young people are finding creative ways to express dissent. Gen Z Iranian women risk arrest by uncovering their hair in public, and youth conduct night protests, where they cover walls near government buildings in freedom posters, then gather in secret to sing and dance without wearing scarves.
Pakistan: Former cricket-star and Prime Minister Imran Khan gained huge support from young people by using social media to fight against government censorship and the military's control. Despite being jailed, his party's recent election this February success shows a growing demand for change among Pakistan's youth, challenging the country's traditional power dynamics.
Taiwan: January’s election of President-elect Lai Ching-te, backed by the youth vote, represents a commitment to democracy and a rejection of China’s relentless disinformation campaigns and attempts to sway public opinions, further showcasing the youth's capacity to influence national policy.
India: Amid widespread discontent over inflation and unemployment, young voters are poised to play a pivotal role in India’s upcoming spring elections, signaling their growing influence in shaping economic reforms. Still, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party, the BJP, is on track for a third term.
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McConnell stepping down signals big changes for the GOP
On Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced his decision to step down as the Republican party's leader after November’s elections. This move marks the end of an era for a man whose career has been characterized by a blend of legislative skill and a commitment to a strong American role in the world, often putting him at odds with members of his party loyal to former President Donald Trump, with whom McConnell had a rocky relationship.
Throughout his 39-year tenure in the Senate, McConnell has been a formidable force in American politics, known for blocking of Democratic initiatives and playing a crucial role in shaping the Supreme Court's conservative bent. His leadership has been important in moments of national crisis, advocating for bipartisan cooperation on issues like COVID relief and the certification of the 2020 presidential election results.
His strong support for Ukraine, in particular, highlights his belief in the importance of America's global leadership, a stance that has increasingly set him apart from the isolationist attitude emerging within the Republican party.
McConnell, the longest serving Senate leader, celebrated his 82nd birthday last week. His announcement wasn’t really a surprise, given his recent health problems and the growing divide within the Republican party over issues like military assistance to Ukraine and his willingness to cooperate with Democrats. His departure as leader will likely mean a big change within the Republican Party, away from the principles of international engagement that McConnell championed.
Dig deeper:
Hear what McConnell said after his announcement (CNN)
Who could replace him? (POLITICO)
More News and Politics:
🗳️ Around one in eight Democrats voted “uncommitted” in Michigan’s Democratic primary
What does it mean for 2024? (New York Times)
🌎 What would a new Palestinian government in the West Bank mean for the war in Gaza?
The Palestinian Authority’s prime minister is resigning, which is seen as a first step in a plan urged by the U.S. to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But big obstacles still remain if the Palestinian Authority wants to govern a post-war Gaza. (AP)
About that bread
🎓 Half of college grads are working jobs that don’t use their degrees.
Choice of major, internships and getting the right first job after graduation are critical to career paths, new data show. (via WSJ)
👩💻 To code or not to code?
In the last decade, kids have been urged to learn to code. But now, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says kids don’t need to learn this skill anymore because AI will do all the work. Instead, he says children should should study farming, biology, manufacturing and education. (TechRadar)
💰 $1 billion medical school donation means students can go for free
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York, is calling Ruth Gottesman’s gift “transformational.” Watch students react to hearing the news. (Zivvy News)
Gen Z Spotlight
⭐ “Gen Z Historian” wants young people to interview their elders for black history month
“One of the most important things that you can do is preserve Black stories on the ground in your community” — This Gen Z influencer is encouraging young people to interview their elders for Black History Month. (NowThis News)
⭐ Olivia Rodrigo launches Fund 4 Good, a new reproductive rights initiative.
Just before the start of her world tour, the singer announced a project to support young people seeking abortion access in the US (Dazed)
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On the radar
🧠 ADHD may have had an evolutionary advantage
Traits associated with the neurodevelopmental disorder could have helped early humans when foraging for food (Guardian)
📱 A marketplace of girl influencers managed by moms and stalked by men.
Seeking social media stardom for their underage daughters, mothers post images of them on Instagram. The accounts draw men sexually attracted to children, and they sometimes pay to see more. (via NYT)
🏘️ The people buying houses with their friends
“I think it was always in the back of our minds that this could get messy.” (via Vice)
🍭 Willy Wonka-scam sparks outrage, police and online mockery (don’t love this if we need to cut)
For $44 a ticket, families expecting “optical marvels” and “extraordinary props” found a sparsely decorated warehouse and were offered a quarter cup of lemonade and 2 jellybeans. People were so angry, police were called, the event was canceled, and story went viral on social media (CNN)
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