Shumita Basu

She spoke in 2024 at the UN's International Day of Sport and Peace.

And finally, a few other stories we're following.

The Supreme Court has given the green light for California to use a new congressional map for this year's midterm election.

The decision delivered a major victory for Democrats and could help the party gain up to five seats as Democrats and Republicans fight for control of a narrowly divided House.

The redistricting effort, which was led by Governor Gavin Newsom and approved by California voters last year, was a response to a new map drawn in Texas at President Trump's urging.

Similarly, Texas's map boosts the GOP's chances of winning up to five additional House seats.

In response to an emergency request by Republicans to block California's redistricting plan, the Supreme Court decision delivered a one-sentence order concluding the lines were drawn on a partisan but ultimately legal basis and not a racial one, as Republicans had alleged.

Mass layoffs have hit the Washington Post.

About one third of the staff are reportedly losing their jobs.

According to the AP, the paper's entire sports desk, its book section and several foreign bureaus are being eliminated, including the entire Middle East staff.

Citing financial hardships, the Post's executive editor, Matt Murray, told employees the cuts were, quote, a strategic reset and were not a reflection of the work being produced.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos purchased the paper back in 2013 for $250 million at a time when many newspapers were shuttering or getting bought by larger chains.

But the paper's leadership has struggled to make the product consistently profitable.

And finally, a group of Buddhist monks is in the final stretch of a 2,300-mile peace walk that began in Fort Worth, Texas and will soon end in Washington, D.C.

The group of 19 monks started walking on October 26th, and they recently arrived in Richmond, Virginia, as they make their way to the Capitol.

Their mission, they say, is to raise awareness of inner peace and mindfulness across the U.S.

and the rest of the world.

Here is the Venerable Bhikkhu Panyakara speaking to a crowd gathered in Richmond earlier this week.

The monks have gained widespread and positive attention as they've made their way from Texas through harsh cold conditions on the East Coast.

Fast Company reports that across social media, the group has amassed 5 million followers with their message of peace.