Weekly Update - Congress + More!

Weekly Update | August 4th, 2025 A.D. II

Authors: Auden Watts

Congressional Challenges

The passing of the Congressional Restructuring Act brought new challenges to the current Members of Congress, as there were only two elected Members of Congress at the time. While Congress was meant to hold a meeting to determine the Speaker of Congress, no such meeting was held. Therefore, the duty was delegated to President Faith Sedicum, who selected MC Aiden Jacob as the Speaker of Congress. A meeting was meant to vote on the remaining four Members of Congress, but no such meeting was held within five days' time. Therefore, as per the Congressional Restructuring Act, the power was delegated to President Sedicum, who then delegated it to Vice President Plog Pino. Plog selected Auden Watts, Kensington B., and Fiona S as congressional candidates. The Supreme Court voted to approve each of them. Auden and Kensington accepted the appointment, but Fiona declined, as she would have to abandon her gubernatorial position.

The position of Congress Speaker has been filled, and Congress has received a new member. However, with two vacant congressional seats, the struggle for a full Congress is not over. No bills can be voted on until Congress has at least five members.

Electoral Application Open

Citizens of the UFA can now register to become candidates in the upcoming 2025 Q4 election. For those who are interested, the application can be found here.

New National Flower

President Faith Sedicum has made the forsythia the official flower of the United Friends of America. The forsythia (not to be confused with goldenrod) is a perennial shrub whose branches bear beautiful 

International News

• On revolution anniversary, Bangladesh's Yunus announces national elections | via Al Jazeera
• Trump ceded leverage over Putin by pausing sanctions, Democratic report says | via The Washington Post
• "Lost" gecko species thought to be extinct rediscovered in South Africa | via Euronews

Sports

The UFA still does not have any sports programs. Please check back later.

Other News

Galileo Townsend, the renowned artist and former politician, has returned to the United States from his vacation in Italy.

Human Rights Resources

Amnesty International World Report

Palestinian Children's Relief Fund

UNICEF

Public Service Announcements

• Do not mix ammonia and bleach.
• Please note that when preparing croutons and soy sauce, motor oil is not a viable substitute for soy sauce. In fact, motor oil is entirely unfit for human consumption and should never be ingested.

Photo of the Week

Image credit: Faith Sedicum

Mountains, valleys, forests and rivers with a bright star in the sky above.

"Our democracy will never be perfect, but each of us can do something to make it better." - Auden Watts

Run for office.