Speaking of America

Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington led a Mass for Migrants and told worshippers the public cannot 'pass by' the suffering of immigrants. The message, reported by America Magazine, frames immigration as a moral issue demanding public attention and response, as the Catholic Church in the United States continues to speak out on migration policy.

Author John Green is speaking out about the wave of book bans in the United States, saying his novel — reportedly the country's most banned book — has made everyday life awkward for him. In remarks reported by The Independent, Green said 'it's uncomfortable to be at the grocery store,' reflecting on the personal toll of the censorship campaigns. The comments add to an ongoing national debate over school and library book removals.

Japan defeated Ecuador in an international friendly at Yokohama as part of the Kirin Cup, sending La Tri into the third-place match. Ecuador, with Alan Franco speaking before the game about aiming high against strong opposition, fielded a confirmed lineup and even prepared a special edition shirt featuring the condor and the crane for the Asian tour. Fans across Japan, Latin America, Europe, the US and India are following the result and Ecuador's next steps in the tournament.

Duke University Press has published 'Speaking of America,' a new book collecting conversations from the Congressional Dialogues series hosted by the Library of Congress. The volume brings together discussions with members of Congress, offering insight into American political life and lawmaking. The Library of Congress announced the release, highlighting the project as a way to share candid congressional conversations with a wider public audience.

Musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra have ended their strike and are speaking publicly about the resolution. The labor stoppage had disrupted performances by one of America's leading orchestras. Details of the agreement and the musicians' remarks have not been disclosed beyond confirmation that the strike is over.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, speaking in New York, said there was once a narrative in America that it disliked India having too many options, and that Washington wanted New Delhi to focus on its relationship with the US even as America kept its own options open. He said that pretence has now dropped. The remarks fuel debate in India over shifting US-India ties and American pressure on New Delhi's strategic autonomy.

Iran has stated it will hold no negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, according to a Hindi-language news update referencing Donald Trump. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, and Indian audiences are closely following developments, with the story drawing heavy engagement on Hindi news channels covering the standoff.

Television host and skilled-work advocate Mike Rowe is speaking out about the United States' widening shortage of tradespeople, arguing that the gap between job openings and available workers is a practical problem, not a partisan one. He says political debates over work and education miss the simple arithmetic behind unfilled jobs in plumbing, electrical and other skilled trades.

The chief executive of an electric vehicle charging company is speaking out about the poor state of America's EV charging infrastructure. He argues the network is unreliable, fragmented and poorly maintained, leaving drivers frustrated as electric vehicle sales grow. The interview sets out what he believes must change to make charging dependable for mainstream drivers.