U.S. Election: Kamala Harris

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 24 July 2024 > In the News

Kamala Harris has transformed rapidly from Vice-President to presidential candidate since Joe Biden withdrew from the race to the White House on 28 July. Harris, 59, was born in California in 1964. Her parents both came to the U.S.A. to continue their studies. (Her father is from Jamaica and her mother from India.) They divorced … Continue reading “U.S. Election: Kamala Harris”

U.S Election: J.D. Vance

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 19 July 2024 > In the News

On 15 July, Donald Trump announced his running mate for the 5 November presidential election: Senator J.D. Vance. The new Republican candidate for Vice-President is a conservative serving his first term in the Senate and a former critic of Trump. James David Vance grew up poor in the mid-west, in Ohio, although his family roots … Continue reading “U.S Election: J.D. Vance”

The UK Goes to the Polls

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 27 June 2024 > In the News

On 4 July, British citizens will vote in a general election. It is widely expected that the Conservative Party, which has been in power for 14 years, will be defeated. British voters knew they would be called to the polls for a general election at some point in 2024 but Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprised … Continue reading “The UK Goes to the Polls”

Biden and Trump Debate

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 25 June 2024 > In the News

The two main candidates for the 2024 U.S. Presidential election will participate in a TV debate on 27 June, months earlier than in usual campaign years. Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren’t even officially the Republican and Democratic candidates yet: that will happen when their parties hold their national conventions, from 15 July for the … Continue reading “Biden and Trump Debate”

Cannes 2024: Americans’ Rush for Awards

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 29 May 2024 > In the News

The 77th Cannes Film Festival, held from May 16 to 27, 2024, was marked by a strong presence of American cinema, both in the official selection and in the awards given. Despite the disruptions caused by the actors’ strike in 2023, independent and established American filmmakers managed to distinguish themselves on the Croisette.  Palme d’Or … Continue reading “Cannes 2024: Americans’ Rush for Awards”

If Girls Were in Charge

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 06 May 2024 > In the News

A new documentary, Girls State, looks at a social experiment where 500 girls from Missouri try to form a government, running for positions like Governor and Supreme Court Justices. It makes a fascinating contrast with the award-winning 2020 documentary by the same team following 1000 boys in Texas participating in the same national project. Both … Continue reading “If Girls Were in Charge”

100 Million Trees

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 09 April 2024 > In the News Shine Bright Lycée

The Kenyan government wants its people to plant 100 million trees to regreen the country. They even have a new tree-planting holiday. And the ultimate goal is much bigger: to plant 15 billion trees in 10 years. The JazaMiti initiative, which means “fill with trees” in Swahili,  aims to help tackle climate change. As in … Continue reading “100 Million Trees”

Irish Referendum on Women’s Role in Society

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 08 March 2024 > In the News

On International Women’s Day 2024, France is including the freedom to have an abortion in its constitution while Ireland is holding a referendum to remove clauses from its constitution which promise the Irish state will do everything it can to allow women to stay in the home. The Irish constitution was adopted in 1937, in … Continue reading “Irish Referendum on Women’s Role in Society”