by Josue Sanchez, co-Editor-in-Chief

The recent ceasefire in the region—as well as its collapse—has been a result of tensions simmering for several decades. How did these tensions begin, and how have they changed over time?

The escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict that began in October 2023 has been a significant affair in the realm of recent global events. Since October 7th of that year – when Hamas, the main Palestinian nationalist group operating in the Gaza Strip, sent a barrage of attacks against Israel – about 72,000 people have been reported missing or dead due to the conflict, with the vast majority on the Palestinian side.

Most recently, on January 19th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the nations of Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

This ceasefire lasted approximately two months before, on March 18th, Israel resumed ground and air campaigns against the military forces in the Gaza Strip, escalating the conflict further.

This recent situation—as well as the broader conflict—can be understood best by diving into the history of the region, and how these conflicts have evolved over time.

The conflict over the region begins with culture—the nation of Israel is a predominantly Jewish state, which has claimed the region as its own for several decades, citing its historic links to the land under Jewish belief.

For centuries before that, however, there had been a large Arab majority in the area. This region had been mainly Arab, even through its occupation by the Ottoman Empire in the early twentieth century. By 1915, both populations had some representation in the area.

The situation escalated, however, upon the arrival of the First World War in Europe and the Levant. The Ottoman Empire now found itself as an enemy of the Entente powers, including the United Kingdom. As such, the territory was occupied by the UK. In order to gain support during the war, the UK decided to issue the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which guaranteed the creation of a Jewish state in what was then known as Palestine.

This began tensions amongst the people who already lived there; however, the UK still promised that there would be an appropriate solution for both peoples.

After the end of the war, the territory was consolidated into the British Mandate for Palestine—the territory would be run by the United Kingdom, whilst adding parts of the Balfour Declaration.

Nearly 30 years after the Balfour Declaration, after the end of the Second World War, the status of the region was reorganized once more. Following the atrocities carried out by the Nazi German government against European Jews, many Jewish refugees had since migrated to Mandatory Palestine, leading to the resurgence of a Zionist movement—one advocating for the creation of an actual nation-state for the Jewish population.

In 1947, the United Nations (UN) drafted a plan to divide the nation. The plan would create both Jewish and Arab states, each having approximately half the land in the region. By 1948, the State of Israel was established, and conflict immediately began with the Arab-Israeli War that year.

By 1949, the newly founded state was able to control and defend its claimed territory.

From that point, the two peoples became pawns in the Cold War that emerged after 1945 between the United States and the Soviet Union. Specifically, the Six Day War in 1967 allowed the US-backed State of Israel to expand its territory, and the later Yom Kippur War put it in conflict with other neighboring Soviet-backed Arab states.

Throughout this time, the state also occupied formerly Arab (now Palestinian) territories. The two main tracts of land, the Gaza Strip in the west and the West Bank in the east, have been surrounded by the State of Israel.

The nation was also allegedly encroaching on Palestinian land within these tracts, which would be illegal under the 1947 decision by the UN.

During all of these conflicts, the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded, seeking to achieve the creation of a Palestinian state in the region. It used both diplomatic and military plans in order to achieve this goal. Hamas was also formed in the 1980s, as another military organization with a similar goal.

Conflict reached a high point in 1987, when a popular uprising sprung up against Israel, specifically in Palestinian territories. This happened after the increased occupation of Palestinian territories by Israeli forces and lasted six years. Organizations like Hamas, as well as various smaller groups, were heavily involved in the conflict, which was called the First Intifada (coming from Arabic “انتفاضة,” meaning “uprising.”)

The situation changed during the 1990s. Three years into the decade, the Oslo Accords were agreed upon, establishing a process of peace between the two sides and ending the First Intifada.

The Accords also agreed upon the creation of the Palestinian Authority, a government body that would control Palestinian territories for five years, after which official discussions would once again be held to decide the situation.

However, the Accords did not result in any long-lasting peace between the two sides, and the troubles continued. In 2000, the Second Intifada began, once again worsening tensions between both sides. The Intifada would continue on for five years before peace was made between Israel and the Palestinian factions.

By 2007, Hamas would occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip, wresting it from the Palestinian Authority which managed the West Bank.

The situation has remained tumultuous since then, with numerous peace deals proposed, yet never enacted. It is inaccurate to say that the conflict has a simple solution, and it is likely that we will see the impact of these recent escalations, as well as the larger conflict, for years to come.

by Andy Ortiz, Managing Editor, and Nicholas Valenzuela

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been sent throughout the country in a sweep of deportations started by President Donald Trump. In the city of Los Angeles, people have been feeling the effects of deportations, and protests have risen in response.

Nearly as soon as he took office, President Trump signed executive orders sending ICE officers throughout various cities in the United States with the goal of finding and arresting illegal immigrants to send them back to their countries.

Mass deportations have mostly been taking place in large sanctuary states such as California, New York and Arizona. The main cities being impacted by ICE raids have been Chicago, Dallas and most notably LA.

The amount of arrests and deportations have spiked under the new executive orders. The Associated Press reports that the average daily ICE arrests under former president Joe Biden were 311 in one year. In the first week of ICE raids, they have reported that the numbers have gone up to 710 daily immigration arrests.

The local LA community has felt the deportations most heavily because of the high immigrant population in the city. According to the California Community Foundation, immigrants make up about 35% of the whole city.

A clinical social worker, who works at a hospital in the L.A. area, has expressed very deep sadness for the distressed families that have been going through heaps of fear and confusion due to the public operations of ICE.

“We have definitely witnessed the fear and uncertainty in the lives of our patients,” said the social worker. “Our social workers are asked daily by patients about how this will impact the care of their children.”

The social worker says that more families have been coming to her expressing worry that they may be stopped and even arrested by immigration officers, scared over the frenzy being caused by the deportations.

“When I see the names and faces of the children, it brings profound anguish. I can only try to imagine how scary it must be,” said the social worker.

With the deportations greatly affecting the L.A. community, many people have expressed various opinions about whether they are justified or not. Bosco parent and police officer, Anthony Valenzuela, believes that the law should be followed when it comes to legal immigration.

“Those who are here illegally and that have been here some time have had ample opportunity to start the process of becoming a U.S. Citizen or apply for resident status,” said Mr. Valenzuela. “I have empathy for those who are here to work and live a better life, but the laws we have exist for a reason.”

Due to President Trump’s deportation policies following his inauguration, protests erupted across the country, most notably in Los Angeles where a protest took place on 101 Freeway.

According to The Associated Press, the protesters gathered on Olvera Street, a historic street showcasing Mexican culture, before marching to City Hall blocking the 101 Freeway for several hours.

Some of the rhetoric they used included chants like “nobody is illegal” and “immigrants make America great.” Bosco senior Luiz Azamas attended the protest.

“I went to fight for people like my parents who are hard working individuals who want nothing more than a better life for their family,” Luiz said.

There have been many different opinions expressed on the major protests happening in LA. Mr. Valenzuela believes that as long as protests remain peaceful, citizens should feel free to stand up for what they believe in.

“Once people who are protesting become violent and vandalize property, the laws that protect them protesting, now become laws that can incarcerate them,” said Mr. Valenzuela. “I support lawful protests; it’s part of what makes America great.” 

The clinical social worker also believes in the freedom to peacefully protest, but worries that people may use it as a shield to cause more chaos and violence.

“​​In the past, unrelated opportunistic groups hid in these protests and caused chaos and violence,” said the social worker. “Ultimately, the freedom of expression shouldn’t be silenced as long as it’s done in a safe manner.”

Despite protests, President Trump and his administration has not slowed down the deportations of illegal immigrants, and most likely will not back down anytime soon.

by Cuahutemoc Solorzano

What’s the point of daylight saving time (DST)? Will it still be here years from now, and when was it implemented?

At the start of daylight saving time, the clocks are sprung forward an hour. Then, at the end of DST, the clocks are moved back one hour – to their original position. 

The foundation of daylight saving time was created by George Hudson, a New Zealand entomologist. He argued to the Wellington Philosophical Society that more time in a day would allow individuals more time for activities. In Hudson’s case, he wanted to have more time to collect his insects, according to the BBC. 

Hudson was initially rejected, and it wouldn’t be until World War I that daylight saving time would be established in the US. Daylight saving time has a complicated past. It was implemented and repealed various times, and certain aspects of it have changed. 

Because of daylight saving time’s complicated past, many individuals are wondering why it is still implemented. However, there is debate whether or not daylight saving time should still be implemented within the US.

According to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine conducted in 2020, 63% of US citizens prefer daylight saving time to be abolished.

Initially, daylight saving time was implemented across the US in order to conserve energy and increase efficiency during war time, according to Newsweek. 

However, daylight saving time practices across the US have only saved 0.5% of energy usage, according to a 2008 report from the US Department of Energy.

A study in 2005 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology says there was a seven-percent decrease in crime with days with more natural light. 

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the US should abolish daylight saving time due to it disrupting sleep habits. A disruption in sleep will cause an individual to become prone to certain health risks. 

Many individuals don’t enjoy losing an hour of sleep, especially since most lives revolve around a schedule that may become disrupted due to daylight saving time. 

The Uniform Time Act states that while the US is required to use daylight saving time, states are given the option to not recognize it. Yet, the Uniform Time Act doesn’t allow states that want to implement daylight saving time year-long, as it only allows states to use standard time year-round.

In the past six years, 20 states have passed legislation to have daylight saving time year-round. The state of Arizona (save for the Navajo reservation within it) and Hawaii do not recognize daylight saving time, according to Forbes. 

Daylight saving time began yesterday on March 9th, moving from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. It will end on November 2nd, thrusted back an hour from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., according to the Time and Date website.

by Josue Sanchez, co-Editor-in-Chief

The first quarter of the century concluded with the arrival of January earlier this year; however, it seems like there hasn’t been a single week without the emergence of some unusual event.

On January 1st, like every year, millions of people from both major cities and rural communities celebrated the arrival of the New Year. Many traditions were kept; fireworks lit up the skies of major cities including Auckland, Dubai, London and, of course, across cities in the United States.

Soon after the initial celebrations, however, the year has been beset with a barrage of notable (if for all the wrong reasons) events spanning across the first two months.

Many of these events have had a direct impact on the United States, and within the confines of Los Angeles county as well. Perhaps most notable in this regard was the outbreak of wildfires that sprang up throughout the county in early January.

The first of these was the Palisades Fire, which began shortly before noon on January 7th in the Pacific Palisades community in the west of Los Angeles. By the end of the day, the fire had spread across many of the region’s notable parks and landscapes, including Santa Ynez Canyon and Topanga State Parks.

Fueled by the power of strong katabatic winds, other fires began to pop up across the county. The Eaton Fire, named for its origin, the Eaton Canyon Natural Area near Pasadena, ended up consuming about 14,000 acres of land north of Pasadena, including the community of Altadena in the north of Los Angeles.

Several other fires began, the causes of which varied depending on the incident in question. By the end of January, most of the fires were placed under control, with the largest Palisades and Eaton fires finally being placed under 100% containment on January 31st.

Weather occurrences haven’t been limited to California, however. January was both a month of fire and ice, as shown by the snowstorms that swept the South in the latter half of January. On the 21st, the historic snowstorm engulfed much of the region, particularly affecting the states of Texas, Louisiana and Georgia, among others.

Major cities in the region, including New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL were severely affected, halting road traffic across the cities, and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, this particular snowstorm broke snowfall records that had been kept for approximately 130 years.

Some speculate that this could be a sign of more drastic weather and climate events due to the impact of climate change.

2025’s unusual events haven’t been limited to the weather, however. Things began to occur since the very first day of the new year, as shown by the two vehicular attacks that occurred on New Years’ Day.

The first happened in the city of New Orleans, following New Years’ celebrations occurring in the very center of the city. Three hours after midnight (Central Standard Time,) a Ford truck rented by American-born Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar was driven into the city’s Bourbon Street, one of the most crowded parts of the city. There, 57 people were injured, with 15 additional people killed, including the perpetrator, who was killed after a shootout.

The second attack occurred approximately eight hours later across the country in the metropolitan area of Las Vegas, Nevada. At that time, a Tesla Cybertruck driven by Matthew Alan Livelsberger arrived at the main entrance of the Trump International Hotel. Shortly after it arrived, it suddenly exploded, killing Livelsberger and injuring seven others. 

Due to the timing of the two events, as well as some similarities in how they were conducted (involving the same car rental platform, Turo), initial reports proposed the idea that the two attacks were linked. 

However, more recent information seems to confirm that these two incidents were unrelated; the former was reported as a case of domestic terrorism while the latter was seen as a provocative political message, as it came mere weeks before the inauguration of the 47th President of the United States.

One of the more widespread trends, notable in the first few months of this new year, has been the rise of aviation incidents beginning in January. On the 29th, American Airlines flight 5342 collided with a Black Hawk helicopter operated by the United States Army near Washington D.C’s Ronald Reagan Washington International Airport. 

The collision happened in the skies over the Potomac River, likely due to a lack of proper communication between the two aircraft. As of March 2nd, it seems that both aircraft were aware of each other upon arrival in Washington; however, the aircraft did not maintain distance from each other, leading to a collision approximately 100 meters off the surface of the Potomac.

Unfortunately, all 67 passengers in both the helicopter and the American Airlines flight were killed.

While this was the first notable aviation incident seen across national news broadcasts in 2025, others have followed. As January turned into February, crashes occurred in both the city of Philadelphia (January 31st) and in northern Alaska (February 6th.)

Perhaps the most notable of these incidents happened on February 17th. On that day, Delta Connections Flight 4819, flying from Minneapolis, MN to Toronto, Canada, was flipped upside down upon its arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This particular incident was likely caused by unfavorable weather conditions, although the incident is still under investigation. The incident had no casualties.

Many have linked these recent incidents to one of the actions taken against the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Shortly after the inauguration of President Donald Trump on January 20th, several hundred employees were fired from the FAA.

This year has already brought on a variety of unusual events within its first two months, and more is bound to come. If anything, the variety of odd events showcases how weird the start of this year has been — as well as how much weirder it could potentially become.