Nelson Bustamante, an award-winning animator, was invited by UF's Vensa, the Venezuelan Student Association, to speak to students about achieving their dreams. During his motivational speech, he emphasized the importance of having a clear objective and not being deterred by the fear of failure or others' opinions. Bustamante shared his personal journey, including his work on the show 'Atrévete a soñar' and his early desire to become an animator. Ricardo Remis, president of Vensa, highlighted Bustamante's ability to inspire students, especially during finals. Bustamante's core message was to 'dare to dream' and to persevere until those dreams are realized.

The Nicaraguan government under President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo has escalated its crackdown on the Catholic Church, arresting priests, expelling missionaries, shutting down Catholic radio stations, and banning religious processions. Despite public expressions of faith by the government, these actions have intensified the repression of any form of opposition. Pope Francis and Catholic bishops across Latin America have expressed concern, while the Organization of American States condemned the house arrest of Bishop Rolando José Álvarez. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have highlighted the severity of the situation, which has worsened since the political unrest of 2018. Nicaraguans are using social media to denounce the repression, and despite the government's efforts, the church continues to be a symbol of resistance. The article also touches on the historical context of Ortega's relationship with religion and the church's role in his rise to power.

Santa Fe College President Jackson Sasser and other faculty members met with around 50 international students to offer support in the wake of President Donald Trump's travel ban. The ban affects about 10 of the 300 international students at Santa Fe, including some from the seven targeted countries. A Syrian student shared her fears and experiences, including the impact on her family and her concerns about discrimination. Angelica Suarez, the International Student Service Coordinator, expressed her care for the students. The college offered students the option to sign a directory information exclusion request to protect their personal information. Fatao Ouedraogo, a student from Burkina Faso, raised concerns about financial support for international students, to which Sasser responded by explaining the tuition difference for in-state students.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, had a dream to have a rose named after her, which has now been realized 63 years after her death. Two Florida Southern College professors, Keith Huneycutt and Malcolm Manners, collaborated with Art Wade, a rose nursery owner, to create the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings rose. The dedication event took place at Rawlings' former home, now a Florida State Park, with more than 50 attendees. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the planting of three rosebushes, and a giveaway of rosebushes, with refreshments served from Rawlings' kitchen. Rawlings' legacy continues through her manuscripts housed at UF's Smathers Library and the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Hall on campus.

The article discusses the forced evictions in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, coinciding with the country's hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations. It highlights the government's efforts to modernize the city, often at the expense of displacing thousands of families without prior notice or adequate compensation. The narrative includes personal stories of affected individuals and criticism from NGOs and experts, emphasizing the social and economic challenges faced by the displaced populations.

The article discusses the emergence of a small Jewish community in Cote d'Ivoire, a West African country with a predominantly Muslim and Christian population. Fatimata Diallo, a Muslim who embraced Judaism, exemplifies the growing interest in Jewish practices in the region. With the support of Kulanu, a New York-based organization, Ivorian leader Yehouda Firmin has been teaching Torah and Jewish customs since 2001, leading to the establishment of at least four independent Jewish communities in Abidjan. Despite the low Jewish population in sub-Saharan Africa and the lack of recognition from Israel, these communities are growing. Kulanu has contributed by sending Torahs, books, and facilitating conversions and weddings. The article also touches on the political implications of religious affiliations in Cote d'Ivoire and the challenges new converts face, such as potential isolation and misconceptions about Judaism.

The article discusses the significant increase in the number of prisoners voting in the French presidential election due to the introduction of mail-in ballots in prisons. Previously, the process for prisoners to vote was cumbersome, resulting in low turnout. In 2017, only 2% of eligible prisoners voted. This year, over 13,600 prisoners have voted by mail, with more expected to vote by proxy or in person. The change follows President Emmanuel Macron's 2018 promise to simplify voting for prisoners, and the efforts of Francois Korber, co-founder of Robin des Lois, who has been advocating for prisoners' voting rights. Korber, who spent 25 years in prison, began his campaign in 2013 and has since worked to make prison voting a reality, with the system first trialed in the 2019 European elections. The article also touches on the challenges that remain, such as integrating prisoners' votes into their registered constituencies and raising awareness among prisoners about their voting rights.

Since the 1950s, the world's food needs have been largely met through the revolutionary discovery of synthesizing atmospheric nitrogen, which significantly boosts agricultural yields. However, the current excess of nitrogen in soil, air, and water poses numerous problems, threatening biodiversity, polluting the soil, and contributing to the formation of harmful fine particles. The article explores whether there is a viable alternative to chemical fertilizers at the scale of a country like France, Europe, or the world, referencing various sources and studies on population growth, agricultural land use, and the impact of synthetic fertilizers.

Thomas Pesquet, the former commander of the International Space Station (ISS), was a special guest on Le Monde for a live event on TikTok on December 3rd. He answered questions about his latest mission in orbit, his return to Earth, and his future adventures. The 43-year-old French astronaut, who was the first from France to command the ISS, arrived at the station on April 24th. During his stay, he participated in over two hundred experiments, including growing space peppers, before returning to Earth on November 9th. Upon his return, he underwent a fitness program, and his body was studied by researchers to understand the changes caused by his six months in space.

Historian Robert O. Paxton, known for his influential work on Vichy France's role in the Holocaust, responds to Eric Zemmour's controversial claims that the Vichy regime protected French Jews and only handed over foreign Jews. Paxton's research, based on previously unexamined French and German archives, has been pivotal in understanding the regime's responsibility in persecuting and deporting Jews. Despite being a target of Zemmour's criticism, Paxton rarely gives interviews but has agreed to speak with Le Monde from New York. The article also references additional books for further reading on the subject.