In 1882, Thomas Edison opened the world’s first commercial power plant, introducing electric energy to the masses. Fast forward to the present day, where electric networks have evolved beyond the local blocks and expanded into transcontinental networks, providing a common resource but unintentionally turning technological advancement into a 21st-century geopolitical imperative. In 2001, for example, former Soviet Union countries Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania synchronized their power systems under Moscow’s control to create the BRELL energy grid, relying on Soviet-era infrastructure to unify regional energy transmission; however, only three years after the establishment of the grid, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU), a final step towards European integration. As the only remaining link to Russia, the three Baltic states viewed energy centralization as a vulnerability. Plans for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to decouple from the Russian power grid gained momentum following Crimea’s annexation in 2014, accelerating with Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The three Baltic countries joined the EU power grid with a full disconnect from Russian-controlled power in February 2025. Reflecting an overall decrease in dependence on Russian energy, the state’s international influence has diminished while NATO’s sphere of influence has expanded into Eastern Europe. The Baltic’s disconnect is not only a technical transition but also a pivotal moment in the struggle over governance of a common resource—energy.
Diana Zhang
November 28, 2025
Since January 1, 2025, the UK government has imposed a 20 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on private school fees, while abolishing their charitable tax relief (HM Revenue & Customs 2024). This move aims to raise approximately £1.6 billion annually to invest in public education, with a particular focus on improving resources for disadvantaged students (Sibieta 2023). This policy stems from growing concerns about persistent educational inequalities in the UK, where private schools—attended by only 7 percent of students—have historically dominated access to elite universities and high-status careers (Sibieta 2023).
Nicolas Fu
October 29, 2025
“The Philippines, as an independent sovereign nation, must not be treated as trash by a foreign nation,” said President Duerte’s spokesman in 2019, responding to years of the country being a dumping ground for Canada. For decades, Southeast Asians were widely treated as “dirty workers,” exposed to degraded environments, toxic chemicals, and even blamed for 60 percent of ocean waste.
Mohan Sun
October 29, 2025
Still visibly shocked at the local Greyhound bus station’s sudden disappearance, one Edmonton community member admitted, “I don’t know where everybody is.” In 2017, the station, which had been well known as the hottest local hangout spot for people to gather, share resources, and build relationships, was demolished in front of their very eyes. Despite its cherished status, the location had been long eyed by property developers looking for the best place to build their new sports stadium. To them, the Rogers Place would put Edmonton on the world map as a vibrant urban centre with contemporary cultural amenities.
Hanwen Lin
October 29, 2025
In today’s world, cities face escalating threats from climate change, including heatwaves, floods, and rising CO2 emissions. Many of these threats are caused by rapid urbanization and unsustainable architectural practices that disrupt entire ecosystems. In fact, skyscrapers alone, such as the ones in Dubai that prioritize aesthetics over ecological function, can generate about 140 percent more greenhouse gases than shorter buildings of equivalent occupancy.
Jiangli Wang
October 29, 2025
Just a few weeks ago, my grandpa’s brother, or my great uncle, passed away from cancer at the ripe age of sixty-nine. To be honest, I didn’t feel as sorrowful as the rest of my family. We had only met three to four times a year and had even less opportunities to talk with each other. Still, his seemingly normal death made me think deeply about his journey starting from the day he was diagnosed. Did he intentionally choose his destiny?
Zirui Li
October 29, 2025
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