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Adulting 101: Preparing for Your Post-grad Life

Adulting 101: Preparing for Your Post-grad Life

The days leading up to your college graduation are equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. On the one hand, you are thrilled about the idea of using the knowledge that you gained during your schooling in a new career that can help you become the professional you desire to be. On the other hand, after several years of having room and board and only needing to focus on your studies, it can be scary to realize that you will soon be out in the real world.

While it seems daunting at first, you can live a happy and productive life after college if you make the right preparations and get your mind in the right space. Consider these tips for staying healthy, finding a job, and relocating to a great place to live post-graduation.

Start Taking Care of Your Health

While some students watch their weight and exercise throughout their college years, others may not have had the time. That’s normal, but you might be feeling as though you need to present your best self to accomplish your goals. You can get into the habit of exercising every day by waking up early before your first class and getting 20 minutes of cardio or light weights. Not only will you start a healthy routine and feel better, but exercise can help to clear your mind so you can finish your final classes with ease.

Many students also live a more sedentary lifestyle during their college years, and they don’t always have the healthiest diet. It is also not uncommon for many young people to drink a lot of alcohol during this time. It’s a good idea to wean yourself off of beer and binge drinking. If you continue to drink after college, you can experience health problems, including increasing your chance of liver disease, stroke, and malnutrition.

Excessive drinking affects your body in other ways, such as weakening your immune system. Sick days are few and far between after you graduate college, so stay ahead of the game. Alcohol can also lead to weight gain, thwarting your efforts to stay physically fit.

Leaving college can be a bit stressful, so you also need to ensure that you protect your mental health. Take walks and breathe fresh air whenever possible. Get plenty of sunlight because vitamin D can put you at ease. If you are especially worried about graduating then you should talk to a professional therapist. This can be virtually or even through your school, but don’t be afraid to seek the support you need to feel better about your future.

Start Your Job Search

Even if you have not yet graduated, it is still a good idea to start your job search or at least look at the opportunities that may be out there. This way, you’ll have a good jumping-off point once you leave school. You can take little steps today, including starting a LinkedIn page where you mention your college major. While you are there, start to find connections at your school and introduce yourself. You may be able to reconnect with those individuals when it is time to find a job after graduation.

This is also a good time to start building your resume. Since you likely have not yet had a job that connects to your college major, you can instead focus on listing the current skills that you can bring to an organization post-graduation. Try to focus on leadership skills, organizational skills, and soft skills. For example, your sense of empathy will help you better understand the needs and desires of future clients.

You can also take this time to get your foot in the door of a company you would like to work for after college. Start by researching career fairs in your neighborhood. Research the businesses that will be there so you are knowledgeable when you introduce yourself. You can also contact companies and ask about potential internship opportunities. You may not be paid in these positions, but if you impress the management, then you could get hired down the road. There are many online letter templates available that can help you stand out when contacting these companies.

Look at Potential Places To Live

Since you will need to leave the dorms when you graduate college, you will want to start looking for a place to live. If the only option is to live with your parents, then that’s okay. Living at home allows you to have the services that you require and to save money for when you eventually move out on your own. Plus, with the safety net afforded by your parents, you could even try to start your own business and take bigger risks in your search for success.

If living with your parents is not an option, then you will need to look at other options for yourself. If you have a potential job lined up, then you should look for apartments that are nearby, so you don’t have a long commute. Even if you cannot live in your childhood home, you should live close so you can stop by when necessary to have a family meal or do some laundry.

When looking at potential neighborhoods, you should also research important factors such as the economy and crime statistics. If you are a member of a specific community, then you will want to do this and other research that lets you know the atmosphere of the potential locale. Some of the best cities for LGBTQIA+ folks, for example, include West Hollywood, CA., Austin, TX., and Providence, RI. These places don’t have as many issues with housing discrimination, and there is a higher presence of queer-owned and queer-friendly businesses. If you want to move to a welcoming neighborhood, look for similar signs that you are choosing the right place.

As you can see, there are many steps that you can take to make the transition from college to the real world as easy and comfortable as possible. Consider these tips and tactics, and you’ll feel better in the years to come.

SEE ALSO: 3 Tips for Realistically Starting a Business in College

Biden Pledges to do ‘whatever it takes’ to Support Tornado Victims

Biden Pledges to do ‘whatever it takes’ to Support Tornado Victims

President Joe Biden has assured to do “whatever it takes, as long as it takes” to aid those who suffered from the tornadoes that tore through the state of Kentucky as well as neighbouring states over the weekend, killing 88 people.

The storm, constructing of over 30 tornadoes, hit Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee and was described by Biden as “one of the largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history” and left many communities within the four states without power and others homeless.

Biden visited the city of Mayfield in Kentucky, which houses approximately 10,000 residents and was one of the worst hit areas. He witnessed the devastation caused by the tornadoes. The president walked past piles of debris, roofs detached from homes and fragmented bits of furniture. After the tour around the area, he stated that destruction caused was some of the worst he had ever seen and pledged to residents that he would “make sure the federal government does what’s needed.”

“I intend to do whatever it takes as long as it takes to support your state, your local leaders, as you recover and rebuild – and you will recover and rebuild.”

The president was alongside Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Maryorkas and federal disaster agency head, Deanne Criswell.

There was an immediate response following the strom as The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) immediately sent out response teams to Kentucky to help those in need of assistance. In addition, the agency sent out 135,000 gallons of water, 74,000 meals and thousands of bits of clothing.

Not for the first time

This is the not the only time there has been an extreme weather event since his inauguration. There have been a number of occurrences which scientists claim has been mainly down to climate change.

Only a month into his term, Biden affirmed a major disaster in Texas due to the winter storms which caused freeing temperatures. During the summer, Biden visited Idaho, Colorado and California to witness damage caused by the vigorous wildfires. It does not end there as he also went to Louisiana to view the destruction caused by Hurricane Ida as well as New York and New Jersey.

These events have indicated why the president is extremely focused on battling against the challenge of climate change.

Last month, Biden signed off a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill  that aims to build stronger defences against similar extreme weather events and natural disasters.

SEE ALSO: U.S. Announce Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics

How College Students can Save Money

How College Students can Save Money

Every penny matters when you are in college. Even if you have a part-time job, you’ll still likely find it difficult to make ends meet while in college. Instead of living like an ascetic, shift your focus to strategies that will help you maximize your savings.

Take Advantage of Free Offers

Check out campus bulletin boards, Facebook and other social media accounts related to your college or university and you are sure to find plenty of free offerings. From free food and drinks at social events to no-cost entertainment on campus and beyond, there are plenty of freebies available to college students. Restaurants, bars and other businesses near campus are also likely to provide students with specials and discounts that make it easy to have fun without zapping your savings.

Borrow Money From the Right People 

A short-term loan that helps you enjoy a decent quality of life in college is beneficial in that it bridges the gap between paychecks yet it can also backfire. Instead of taking out a loan from a payday loan provider, seek out a loan from a family member, a trusted friend or another institution unlikely to take legal action against you.

If you take out a payday loan and can’t repay the debt, it is in your interest to consider the merits of a payday loan debt settlement. Such a settlement reduces the debt you accrued through a payday loan by negotiating with the lender. A lower payoff amount is agreed to and paid, ultimately liberating you from the debt.

Rent or Borrow Items Instead of Buying Them

College students should borrow or rent items rather than spending large sums of money to buy them. There is no sense buying movies, video games and other expensive items when they are available for short-term rentals or even no-cost borrowing. Visit the local library, take out books, movies and music at no cost, return them on time and you won’t pay a penny.

Don’t buy Textbooks

College textbooks are egregiously expensive. It doesn’t make sense to pay an exorbitant sum of money for those books when you can access them online for free. Opt for e-books or used books and you’ll save a bundle of money.

Frequent the Dollar Store and Garage Sales

Shop at the local thrift stores, keep an eye out for yard sales and always buy second hand items. Avoid paying a premium for prescription drugs, textbooks, clothes and other items and you’ll save hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year. As an example, generic medicine that is over-the-counter is oftentimes half the price of regular medicine.

So don’t fall into the trap of shopping at high-end stores or even grocery stores that charge a premium for items that you can find at bargain basement stores. Make an effort to go out of your way to snag the best deals with the lowest prices at thrift stores and you’ll save plenty of money.

Establish a Budget and Stick to It

Fail to set a budget and you’ll end up taking on debt including a payday loan. Though a payday loan debt settlement is available to get you out of the debt trap, it is better not to get into that financial hole in the first place. Create a budget, stick to the budget’s parameters and you’ll have some money left over at the end of each month for saving or investing.

Buy Used Furniture

You’ll save a ton of money buying used furniture as opposed to new furniture. If you haven’t bought furniture in the past, you should know a living room chair has the potential to cost $1,000. Some couches and loveseats cost several thousand dollars.

Opt for secondhand furniture and you’ll spend 25% or even less of the cost of new furniture. You can find used furniture on social media such as Facebook’s Marketplace and websites like Craigslist. Used furniture is also available at Goodwill stores and other second hand stores.

Buy in Bulk

When was the last time you bought economy-sized groceries? If you are like most college students, you rarely, if ever, buy items in bulk as you probably don’t have a family. Opt to buy large quantities of items sold in economy-size packaging and you’ll spend significantly less than you would have if you bought smaller portions. Keep in mind, you can always store the excess in a fridge, freezer or storage space for use in the semesters ahead.

Don’t pay for a Car

The average college student desperately wants a car as it provides an opportunity to experience life to the fullest off campus. However, cars are expensive as they require a monthly loan payment, auto insurance, repairs, maintenance and more. Add in the cost of gas and it is difficult to justify spending your limited discretionary income on an automobile. 

Instead, opt for a rideshare service such as Lyft or Uber. Keep in mind, you can always walk, ride a bike or take public transportation for free or a fraction of what it would cost to take a cab or drive your own vehicle.

Author Bio: 

Catherine Burke is a financial writer for online payday loan consolidation. She provides information on successful cash loans and payday loan consolidation to help people get over a difficult patch. She lives in Kansas and has earned a frame in the matter of payday loans.

SEE ALSO: The Importance of Saying Yes

 

Rapper Young Dolph Shot Dead in Memphis

Rapper Young Dolph Shot Dead in Memphis

U.S. Rapper Young Dolph has been shot and killed at a cookie store in his hometown of Memphis, law enforcement has confirmed. He was 36.

Young Dolph, whose real named was Adolph Robert Thornton Jr, was shot outside Makeda’s Butter Cookies nearby Memphis International Airport at approximately 1pm, when a gunman drove up and opened fire, shooting through the window.

“The tragic shooting death of rap artist Young Dolph serves as another reminder of the pain that violent crime brings with it,” Memphis mayor Jim Strickland tweeted. “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Memphis police have stated that no information has been made available on the potential shooter, however a search was commenced.

The rapper’s talent agency, APA, said they were saddened by the news.

“The world has lost an icon, a great man and beloved artist who has been taken too soon,” the agency said in a statement.

“His dedication, drive, hard work and loyalty to all those around him always came first and he will be deeply missed.”

Young Dolph, was a popular rapper within the U.S., racking up 4.4 million followers on Instagram. He was known for his raw rap which depicted the life in the streets of Memphis. He released his debut album in 2016 titled ‘King of Memphis’, which reached number 49 on the Billboard charts. In total, Young Dolph had three top 10 albums with ‘Rich Slave’, released in 2020, peaking at number four. He has collaborated with many well-renowned US artists including Megan Thee Stallion, TI, Key Glock, Gucci Man, 2 Chain and many others.

Tributes have been flooding in from many influential figures within the music industry.

Chance the Rapper tweeted: “God bless Dolph. Real independent Memphis rapper born in chicago. loved by millions of ppl.”

Megan Thee Stallion posted: “I am sooo sick rn I am in disbelief! Praying for his family and friends ! Rest In Peace to my friend a true legend dolph”

Gucci Mane wrote: “R.I.P. to my friend Dolph this broke my heart”

Distinguished record producer, Omen, paid tribute saying: “we losing too many black men to poor health, racism, jail, etc. already. we gotta find a way to heal and not add to that with our own violence. prayers for young dolph family and friends. RIP.”

Dolph is survived by a son and a daughter.

SEE ALSO: Rapper Travis Scott Sued Following Concert Deaths

What is the US Education System?

What is the U.S. Education System?

The US higher education system is considered one of the best in the world, and offers flexible study opportunities at over 4,000 colleges and universities. US degrees are recognized worldwide for their academic excellence and enhanced learning experiences. Below we have detailed a few key aspects of the US education system that you will want to consider as an international student/

Types of Higher Education Institutes in the USA

State School/college/University

The US comprises 50 states, each state has at least one university or college that provides quality higher education to students at low rates. These universities are funded by the respective state governments and are usually equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. E.g. The University of California or Texas A&M University. Different schools have different selection criteria and students need to have a certain minimum percentage for admission to their colleges.

Private university/college

These institutions are run privately and are considered costly as compared to state schools.

Community Colleges

Community colleges offer two-year certifications or associate degrees which are transferable. Generally, Community college graduates transfer to universities or four-year colleges in order to complete their degree. They are allowed to transfer the credits which they have earned in the community college. Community colleges offer ESL (English as a Second Language) courses or other programs which prepare students for studying university-level courses.

Technology Institutes

These are the institutes that provide four-year courses related to science and technology.

Liberal Arts College

Students pursuing a liberal arts degree focus on a subject of their choice, a ‘major’ but they are also required to take ‘General Education’ courses in almost all of the other subjects offered. Liberal arts schools usually offer one expansive area of study whereas universities offer the same major in two or more degree areas. A student can major in Mathematics but can still choose an engineering career.

Grading

At U.S. colleges and universities, grades are given on a universal letter system of A through F; a student’s cumulative grade is indicated as a grade-point average, or GPA, which is measured on a scale from 0.0 (F) to 4.0 (A).

Majors, Minors and Concentrations

Another feature of the American education system is that universities emphasize breadth, which means students can take a wide range of courses and typically have nearly two years to decide on a major or choose a double major, a minor or concentration.

Experts encourage having a road map of classes to ensure prerequisite requirements are met to graduate in four years. Students should be aware that some schools have had to cut majors and minors due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on American higher education, experts say.

Assignments, Midterms and Finals

Prospective international students should be prepared for continuous assessment at U.S. universities as well as regular homework, such as reading and writing assignments.

Many international students are already accustomed to taking multiple quizzes and exams in order to regurgitate memorized material. Therefore, they often have to adjust to showing subject matter and skill mastery at the higher levels through other means – research papers, individual projects, group projects, capstone projects, and research.

Another area of adjustment for international students is that courses typically include discussions, class participation and oral presentations, as well as midterm and final exams that make up only a percentage of a student’s grade.

Extra Credit

In the American education system, some university professors may offer extra credit during a class; this is where students can participate in extra lectures, write papers or take quizzes, for example, for extra points to improve their overall grade.

English requirements

No matter where or what you study, degrees in the United States are almost exclusively taught in English, unless you’re studying another language. Therefore, strong English-language skills are highly recommended. If you’re not a native English speaker, you may also be required to prove your proficiency through a standardized test. That being said, studying abroad in the United States is a great chance to improve your English skills which will be helpful during your studies and when you’re looking for a job after graduation.

As for how you actually study, it is the same as in most countries. It is a mix of lectures, readings and independent study. If you are studying a practical subject, like engineering or microbiology, then you will also spend time in a lab or workshop.

SEE ALSO: Preparation for your stay in the U.S.

Best Places to Study in the US

Best Places to Study in the U.S.

Want to study in the USA but you’re not sure where? If you’re looking for a satisfying and rewarding student experience, then look no further than America’s great cities. Below we have listed 10 of the best cities to study in the USA.

San Diego

With perfect sunny weather and sunsets to die for, as well as a relaxing laid-back surf vibe, San Diego has become one of the most desirable places to study in the US.  The city’s highest ranked university is the University of California, San Diego (UCSD. San Diego is also home to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, plenty of gorgeous beaches and the 1,200 acre Balboa Park – so there’s always something to entertain students.

Pittsburgh

When studying in nPittsburgh, you will notice very quickly that the city is very picturesque, with a beautiful skyline, and plenty of museums and theatres to choose from. Students regularly remark upon the culture, environment, and diversity of this post-industrial city. Pittsburg contains two excellent universities; Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh.

Washington DC

The capital of the US, and named after the nation’s first president and founding father George Washington, Washington DC is steeped in history. This famous city contains five top universities including the University of Maryland, College Park, and Georgetown University.

With its collection of monuments and landmarks, acclaimed theatres and historic towns, you will never be at a loss for things to do outside of your studies. If you’re looking for something to do in your free time, take a trip to the White House, go and see the Washington Monument or pay a visit to the impressive Lincoln memorial – the possibilities are endless.

Philadelphia

Next is Philadelphia, as you can see. The city contains three high-ranking universities, the highest being the University of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia has a great deal of history behind it – it is where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and also where the Liberty Bell is housed. Fans of cheese steaks, Will Smith, and Alway’s Sunny will find some joy here outside of the, perhaps, more influential historical artefacts.

Atlanta

The capital and most populated city in the state of Georgia, Atlanta is home to over five million people, including 63,000 students. Once you’ve graduated, it could be a good place to stick around as it is home to lots of successful companies, including Coca Cola, United Parcel Service (UPS) and Holiday Inn. There are, therefore, plenty of employment prospects for students at Atlanta’s universities. The city has three top ranking universities, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, and Georgia State University.

Chicago

Chicago, affectionately known as ‘The Windy City’, is a city with an outstanding reputation among graduate employers. Chicago is also home to an impressive five universities, including the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Whilst studying in Chicago, you should visit Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate, the Sears Tower, the Art Institute of Chicago, go and see the Red Bulls play, eat some deep dish pizza, and wrap up warm

San Francisco

San Francisco is home to three world-class universities. The two most prestigious SF universities are Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley. Its high caliber of institutions means that San Francisco is a good bet for your career prospects.

San Francisco is also home to Silicon Valley and therefore to a multitude of successful companies, including Apple, Facebook and IBM, so this too, may have a part to play in the city’s high score for employment activity.

Los Angeles 

‘The City of Angels,’ the ‘Creative Capital of the World’, Los Angeles goes by many names, but is undoubtedly most famous for being the home of Hollywood. The city contains three top universities, including California Institute of Technology (or Caltech) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

In LA, you have the beach, you have the mountains, and a never-ending sprawling modern megacity full of potential, glamour, and excitement. 

New York City

New York has the largest overall population of all the featured cities in this list, with 20,321,000 people. 1.5 percent of these (or 51,300) are students –  meaning you’re likely to make friends, explore the city, and attend a lot of student-oriented events. New York boasts no fewer than 10 world-class universities, including Ivy League university Columbia University, and New York University (NYU, to you and me).

Boston

Surprising no one, Boston is America’s best city to be a student in. The city is home to eight universities in total, including two of the top three universities in the world; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University. Cambridge is a student haven, and you will never be short of things to do in the city itself.

SEE ALSO: Best Sports Colleges in the US

Is Your State Splurge-y Or Stingy?

Is Your State Splurge-y Or Stingy?

What Do Your Spending Habits Say About You?

The things people spend money on can reveal their personality traits — as found in research undertaken at University College London. The study was based on over two million electronic spending transactions undertaken online or via credit or debit cards. The participants completed surveys that measured aspects such as neuroticism, conscientiousness, introversion/extraversion, and interest in experiencing new things. The researchers found that there was a clear connection between what people spent their money on and the personality traits they possessed.

Shopping Choices and Personality

The researchers found that spending on specific categories was linked to specific personality traits. For instance, people who save more are usually conscientious; people who are open-minded enjoy spending on travel, expenditure on dining out and drinking often is correlated to extraversion, and those who give less to charity (and spend more on jewelry and other luxuries) are often more materialistic. Moreover, people who have greater self-control tend to spend less on charges and those who are more neurotic spend less on mortgage payments.

Spending Can Vary from State to State

Although the study showed that there is an observable link between spending and personality, companies seeking to capitalize from these findings should also take other factors into account — including the fact that expenditure on some items can vary depending on the geographical area. For instance, research has shown that spending on wedding jewelry varies statewide, with states like Vermont, Washington, D.C., and Nevada having the highest expenditure, and Wyoming, Alaska, and Nebraska having the lowest. Spending can also be affected by trends, since the penchant for specific materials, styles, and stones can significantly affect the price of jewelry. Age is another relevant factor, with research by Engaging Data showing that people under 25 tend to spend a higher percentage of their income on everything from housing to fashion and jewelry, than those who are older.

Materialism, Depression, and Impulse Buying

Whether or not you shop in a planned or last-minute fashion can also tell plenty about you as a person. Studies have shown, for instance, that materialism is closely related to depression and impulse buying. People who work to improve their confidence, on the other hand, can curb both depression and impulse buying, thus improving their financial stability. Those who find that they shop impulsively without needing or using many of the items they buy can consider professional therapy as a way to curb their urges to shop. As found by Dittmar and colleagues, individuals who buy material items sometimes do so to make up for self-perceived ‘deficiencies’. Brands often capitalize on marketing campaigns that suggest that buying a specific product will raise someone’s status or re-establish a positive sense of self.

Research has shown that although there are always exceptions, what you spend your money on reveals your personality traits. The latter include materialism, extraversion, and openness. It also shows that impulse buying and depression and related — which suggests that people who cannot control their spending should seek professional aid to find positive ways to build their confidence without the need to buy material things.

SEE ALSO: Back To School Fashion

US Lifts Travel Ban For Vaccinated Travellers

US Lifts Travel Ban For Vaccinated Travellers

Travellers coming from the UK and EU, who have been fully vaccinated, will be able to enter the United States from November, culminating in the end of travel restrictions lasting for almost two years.

People who have had two jabs of a COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed to fly into the US but will have to provide proof of vaccination as well as proof of a negative COID-19 test taken three days prior to the flight. They will also need to provide their contact information to airlines however they will not be required to quarantine.

The new rules are part of a change in policy regarding international travel which had previously been put in place by previous President Donald Trump since the early months of last year.

This means that friends and families that have been separated from each other due to the restrictions will be able to reunite with one another.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his delight with the change saying: “it’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again.”

He also thanked President Biden for “reinstating transatlantic travel”.

Chairman and CEO of American Airlines, Doug Parker, said he agreed with the “science-based approach” to easing travel restrictions.

“With the shared goals of health and safety always at the forefront, we’re looking forward to welcoming more customers back to easy, seamless international trips for business, for leisure, and to reconnect with family and friends,” he said.

Jeff Zients, the White House COVID-19 co-ordinator declared the new rules on Monday stating: “This is based on individuals rather than a country-based approach, so it’s a stronger system.”

“Most importantly, foreign nationals flying to the US will be required to be fully vaccinated,” he continued.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will determine the vaccines that will be acceptable under the new regulations and if those unapproved by the US can still be used.

During the same week, Biden also announced the extension of restrictions through its land borders with Canada and Mexico that prevent non-essential travel. These restrictions will continue for another month in spite of Canada authorizing fully vaccinated travellers from the US to into the country since August.

SEE ALSO: UC Berkeley Tops Forbes’ 2021 US College Rankings

The Weird and Wonderful from This Year’s Met Gala

The Weird and Wonderful From This Year’s Met Gala

One of the biggest and most iconic fashion shows, the Met Gala, returned on Monday night following a year’s absence, showcasing high-quality and flamboyant fashion on a night featuring a star-studded celebrity line-up.

This ball, which was cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and delayed this year due to more concerns about the virus, was co-hosted by singer-songwriter Billie Eilish, tennis star Naomi Osaka, actor Timothée Chalamet and poet Amanda Gorman among a number of worldwide stars.

Those attending including a number of internet influencers, YouTubers and TikTok stars as well as singers, actors and sportspeople. Some of the biggest stars who attended included Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Frank Ocean, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Serena Williams and Maisie Williams.

The Met Gala is held to promote and raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute based in New York City.

This year’s theme for the gala was “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” as we saw an array of outrageous and usual outfit designs on the red carpet.

When discussing the topic of American fashion, Andrew Bolton from the Costume Institute told Vogue that young American designers have focused on “diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability” as they have attempted to shape fashion more environmentally friendly in regard to the type of clothing they produce.

“The American fashion community has been supporting us for 75 years, really since the beginning of the Costume Institute, so I wanted to acknowledge its support, and also to celebrate and reflect upon American fashion,” Andrew Bolton said.

One of the most talked about costumes from the night unsurprisingly came from American personality, Kim Kardashian. She entered the ball in a look which could be seen from a horror movie. Dressed in all black, covered from head to toe. Her look was designed by the creative director of fashion house Balenciaga and was certainly one of the most bizarre costumes of the night which definitely had social media talking.

To view all of the costumes from each celebrity from the 2021 Met Gala, click here.

SEE ALSO: Back to School Fashion

US Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan Ending 20-Year War

US Troops Withdraw from Afghanistan Ending 20-Year War

The last evacuation flight from Kabul airport carrying US military personnel, marked the end of a 20-year presence in Afghanistan that began weeks following the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The departure signalled the final chapter in the controversial military effort within the country.

The C17 aircraft left Kabul airport carrying the US ambassador moments before midnight local time on Tuesday.

Despite there not being any official fanfare or handing over of flags, the Taliban did mark the departure of US troop by firing celebratory gunfire into the air.

A spokesman from the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated Afghanistan was now “completely liberated and independent”.

Another senior official from the group, Anas Haqqani, was quoted by AFP as saying he was “proud” to witness such “historic moments”.

This also stamped the end of the significant evacuation effort which began on 14th August with the aim of evacuating as many qualfying Afghans from the nation as soon as the Taliban gained control of the country.

Gen Kenneth McKenzie, America’s leading military official for the region, said that overall, US and coalition aircraft managed to evacuate in excess of 123,000 civilians – and average of more than 7,500 civilians a day during that time.

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinked hailed the evacuation operation, calling it a “massive, diplomatic and humanitarian undertaking” and one of the most demanding the nation has completed.

“A new chapter has begun” he stated. “The military mission is over. A new diplomatic mission had begun.”

He continued by declaring that the Taliban needed to earn its legitimacy and would be judged on the extent to which they fulfil commitments which they have promised previously, including protecting right of all Afghans including women, and preventing terrorist groups from making the nation a haven.

However, the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan has opened up more uncertainty for the nation with many fearing that more violence is likely to occur.

President Joe Biden has issued a brief statement thanking those involved in the evacuation process over the last 17 days and stating that he would address the whole nation later on Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: What’s Happening in Afghanistan?