Information:

Hurricane Milton did not reach the level of flooding that it could have reached but there is still serious flooding in areas such as Tampa, there was a sinkhole that opened in a main road and disconnected a community. Tornadoes caused many fatalities.

People: -

Statistics: There was more than 18 inches of

rain on St Petersburg alone, about 3

months of the city's rainfall in just

one day.

Potential argumentative question: Should they force people to evacuate areas of extreme risk?

Information: SpaceX has developed a rocker which can come back and be caught with robotic arms called "chopsticks". This will help make it easier to send cargo to space because they will be able to quickly reuse rocket parts.

People: SpaceX scientists and engineers.

• This will allow parts to be reused so it is more conscious toward the environment.

• It also makes the process of building faster, allowing for efficient cargo exportation to space.

• It contributes to sustainable space exploration.

Potential argumentative question: Is space exploration worth the damage it may cause to the environment?

Information: China ran day-long military drills around Taiwan, surrounding the island with their coast guard, in intimidation efforts. The Taiwan president promised to build 7 new coast guard ships over the next few years.

People: Taiwan President.

• This problem has the potential to trigger larger conflicts.

Potential argumentative question: Should other countries intervene? Is it acceptable for China to use this form of intimidation?

People: Kamala and Trump.

Statistitics: There was a year were one party won by only .10%, and the following years the division was very close, like less than 10%.

• This is what makes Florida a battleground state.

• It is likely one wins by only a few hundred people difference.

Potential argumentative question: Should there be limits into what candidates or parties can spend on presidential campaigns?

Information: The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, is undergoing renovation. They are removing a decade's worth of grime and buildup for the Vatican Jubilee. Tourists have to throw coins in the small bathtub they put infront of the fountain for people to throw their coins in.

People: Tourists and the government.

Statistics: It cost around 2 million euros.

Potential Argumentative question: How do renovation efforts for important landmarks affect tourism and businesses that rely on it?

Information: World's tallest animal, the giraffe, may soon be added to the endangered and threatened species list draft. Populations are in fast decline

according to the US fish and wildlife services.

Reasons are habitat loss, urbanization,

increasing droughts, as well as poaching by hunters.

People: -

Statistics: Since 1985, the populations of

three subspecies of Northern giraffes

have decreased from almost 26,000 to

just under 6,000 today, that's a 77%

decline in the last 39 years.

Potential argumentative questions: Should giraffes be classified as endangered? How could this impact conservation efforts?

Information: The restoration of the Notre Dam was finished after 5 years of work post fire. Important objects were saved, like Jesus' wreath and the rooster, which was replaced by a phoenix after the restoration.

People: President Macron of France talked about to the press.

Statistics: It cost around $738.5 million to rebuild.

Potential Argumentative question: Could the money for the restoration be used for a better cause than fixing an old building? Is it worth the cost to maintain buildings such as these?

Information: There is a team doing coral gardening to restore reefs, in the French Polynesia. They are taking hurt corals and hanging them in their "gardens" in order to help them go back to a healthy stage to replant them in the actual coral reefs. It is a full time job for them and they have to collect samples, build the nurseries, and monitor the corals for growth.

Statistics: They take no more than 10% of the hurt coral in order to not hurt the healthy part as well.

Potential argumentative question: Is coral gardening a truly sustainable solution for protecting ocean life long term, or is it just a temporary delay?

Information: The 2025 Jubilee starts December 24, 2024, and ends January 6, 2026. It’s a Catholic tradition held every 25 years. Massive infrastructure projects like upgrading the metros, new pedestrian zones, and renovations of landmarks like the Trevi Fountain.

Statistics: 35 million tourists expected in Rome for the Jubilee.

People: Local guide in Rome

Potential argumentative question: Should cities prioritize local needs over tourism for massive events like the Jubilee?

Information: West Coast of the U.S. and British Columbia experiencing a bomb cyclone, which is the rapid intensification of a cyclone. There is also an atmospheric river. This all causes hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, major flooding, feet of snow, and power outages.

Bomb cyclones are "a large storm that undergoes rapid strengthening over a 24-hour period" , making them extremely dangerous.

Potential Argumentative question: How can the impact of the bomb cyclone be reduced/diminshed? Should places be forced to be better prepared?

Information: China's largest airshow displayed military aircraft from both China and Russia, signaling closer ties. A new chinese plane was displayed for the first time. Vladimir Putin wants the new world order to focus less on the US.

Statistics: Over 10,000 North Korean troops reportedly fighting in Ukraine.

People: Vladimir Putin Russian President, and Xi Jinping Chinese President.

Potential Argumentative question: How should the US respond to efforts by Russia and China to shift global power dynamics?

Information: President Trump imposed steep tariffs on America's three largest trading partners. There are 25% tariff on

goods from Canada and Mexico and another

10% tariff on all imports from China.

People: President of Mexico, Prime Minister of Canada, President of the USA.

The tariffs increase the cost of imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, which could lead to higher prices for American consumers. It could also strain the relationships with the countries.

Potential Argumentative Question: Will the tariffs protect American industries or harm consumers and businesses?

Information: There is a signficant number of tourists heading to China for the Lunar New Years festival. People from all over the world head travel by train, car, and plane, to be present.

Statistics: There was a 200% rise in the number of tourists compared to the same time last year.

People: International Tourists

Potential Argumentative question: Does the rise in number of tourists negatively impact the environment, and should something be done about it?

Information: A uk-based company is working to launch a new mode of urban transport in

cities across the world by the year 2030.

They are hybrids between an airplane and a helicopter, they will be safe, low noise, zero emission and nimble enough to fly through city airspace. They won't cost much

more than traditional taxi fees. They are called VX4.

Numbers:

• the VX4 will have a range of

  100 miles and a top speed of 150 mph and it'll initially fly between airports and cities.

• vertical Aerospace planed

  to make and deliver 150 aircraft to

  clients across the world by 2030.

Potential argumentative question: Will people trust the research enough to use these? Will they become popular?

Information: Ukraine marks three years since Russia’s invasion, which was expected to be quick but continues. Despite Ukraine’s counterattacks with Western aid, Russia keeps gaining land. The war has caused mass displacement and destruction. Russia refuses to give up territory, while Ukraine wants its pre-2022 borders restored. Crimea remains key to Russia. Russia shows no signs of compromise, especially with Trump supporting Moscow.

People:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Leads Ukraine’s resistance.

• Vladimir Putin – Ordered the invasion.

• Donald Trump – Supports Russia.

Statistics:

• Over 10 million displaced, with 6 million settling in Europe.

• 11% of Ukraine’s land lost since 2022 (18% including Crimea and separatist areas).

• More than 40,000 civilians killed or injured.

Potential argumentative question: Is it better for Ukraine to accept territorial losses for peace to prevent more death?

Information: In Cuba, a power grid collapse

triggered a nationwide blackout. It went on for days until power was gradually restored

starting in Havana, Cuba's capital, on Sunday

night. The Nationwide power outage is the

fourth major loss of power in only six

months.

• People can't open their fridges because they are scared their food will go bad and they will have no more food.

• The streets are unlighted and dangerous.

• People are becoming more tense and rowdy.

People: More than 10 million people were without power for days.

Potential Argumentative question: Should other countries impose more severe sanctions on Cuba or would that only worsen the problems their population has?

Information: A UK startup called DEEP is aiming for permanent human residence on the bottom of the ocean in 2 years. The purpose is to facilitate scientific research aiming for people to live and work around 200m down for 28 days at a time.

• The company's developed a

  technique using welders on robotic arms the parts are built one layer of steel at a time.

• Air is thanks to oxygen produced by the ocean.

• Potential Argumentative Question: Is DEEP's plan for permanent human residence on the ocean floor a viable way of advancing scientific research, or does it pose too many risky challenges?

  
  

Information:

• Phone-free schools are becoming more common.

• Several U.S. states have implemented phone bans or restrictions.

• Over a dozen other states + Washington, D.C. are considering similar laws.

• This has become a rare bipartisan issue, with support from both political parties.

• The goal is to reduce distractions and protect student mental health.

• Schools like Wakefield High in Arlington, Virginia are piloting magnetic phone pouches to lock phones during the day.

People: Students at Wakefield high have mixed opinions but acknowledge that it has been good.

Statistics:

• 95% of teens (ages 13–17) use social media

• Teens with 3+ hours of daily screen time face nearly double the risk of depression and anxiety

• 50% of teens (ages 12–17) report 4+ hours of daily screen time

Potential argumentative question: Is banning cellphones during school time pointless? Does it fail to address the root causes of the mental health problems phones are related with?

Information: A US based biotech company has successfully created a hybrid species of the extinct direwolf using ancient DNA. Colossal Biosciences, based in Dallas, combined genetic material from a 13,000-year-old dire wolf tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull with the DNA of a modern gray wolf, it's closest living relative. The result was three hybrid wolf pups, with two males born in October and a female in January. These direwolves are part of a larger de-extinction effort, with projects also underway to revive species like the woolly mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger.

Statistics:

• DNA sourced from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull.

• 3 direwolf pups successfully born (2 male, 1 female).

Potential argumentative question: Should scientists bring back extinct species, or could this pose risks to today’s ecosystems?

Information: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a plan to gradually phase out several synthetic food dyes derived from petroleum because of health concerns. These dyes are found in cereals, candies, drinks, and some medicines. They are used primarily because they have brighter colors and more stability than natural dyes. While industry representatives claim the dyes are safe, studies on animals have shown links to cancer and behavioral issues in children.

Numbers: Red Dye 3 was linked to cancer in animal studies as early as 30 years ago and was recently banned in the US. The FDA now targets 9 other similar dyes for removal.

Potential Argumentative Question: Should the U.S. require companies to meet the same food safety standards for American consumers as they already do for children in Europe and Canada?