Information: Its been 24 years since 9/11. The phrase, "Never Forget" remains a heartfelt plea for those affected by the attack. Donald Trump attended a memorial, the first and second lady traveled to where the twin towers once stood. For some context on what occured on 9/11 , nearly 3000 people were killed by a terrorist attack, carried out by the al-Qaeda terror group led by Osama Bin Laden. They crashed commercial airplanes into the Twin Towers, The Pentagon, and a field in pennsylvania.

Important People: Donald Trump, JD Vance, Usha Vance (Second Lady), Osama Bin Landen.

Important Statistics: Each year in NYC, the names of all 2977 victims are read aloud at the national september 11th memorial and museum.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Is the Trump's Presidency putting the U.S on the mark for a 9/11 2.0?

Information: School buses have been reinvented by a company called "ZUM" to better accommodate all types of students, improve productivity, improve route choices, improve energy reneuability, and, as said, "School bus by day, powerplant by night."

Important People: Ritu Narayan (CEO), Bill Weir (CNN Chief Climate Correspondent), Kimberly Ran (Executive Director of Transportation, Oakland Unified School District)

Important Statistics: 27 million kids commute twice daily on a school bus.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should schools be supplied with free access to the new, expensive, all-inclusive school buses?

Information: President Trump and Melania Trump were invited for a state visit by King Charles III and Camilla. This is President Trump's second state visit to the UK. Residents protested the event. Several people were interviewed and gave very different points of view on the visit. The president would also meet with the British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, the two were set to discuss US-British trade relations, a nuclear energy deal, and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Important People: President Trump, Melania Trump, King Charles III, Camilla (Queen of the UK), Keir Starmer (Prime Minister).

Important Statistics: Took place in the United Kingdom, President Trump's first state visit came in 2019 when he met with Queen Elizabeth III.

Potential Arguments: Was Donald Trump's visit to the UK necessary?

Information: The WNBA is breaking records with attendance and winnings. The league has increased in value by over 180 percent, their gain hasn't only been financial but also with recognition. They have a tv rights deal that has been signed that will pay them 200 million dollars a season. However, the players are complaining, since they are only recieving 9.3 percent of those earnings. Players are aasking for a better salary.

Important People: Caitlin Clark, Nafeesa Collier, WNBA.

Important Statistics: Players recieve only 9.3 percent of the financial gains. The WNBA has increased in value by 180 percent.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should WNBA players be paid the same percentage as NBA players in their respective leagues?

Information- Conservationsts are busy implementing an enormous restoration plan for the everglades. It the largest tropical wetland in the U.S. Decades of human development drained the everglades, and unbalanced its delicate ecosystem. In the year 2000, the U.S Gov established the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration plan to bring back the everglades natural flow. 68 projects were put into action, one of them was a reservouir being built out of natural materials. Nature is our path to our sustainability in our future for all of our communities.

Important People- The U.S Government, Natalie Aguirre (a scientist from the Everglades Foundation), Everglades Foundation

Important Statistics- Over 2000 species live in the Everglades. The Everglades provides drinking water for nine million floridians.

Potential Argumentatitve Essay- Should the United States Government be investing as much as they are into the Everglades?

Information: A famous celebrity, made an incredible, potentially life-saving donation: Jesse Eisenberg decided to donate one of his kidneys next month. Its known as an altruistic or non directed donation. (not destined for a family member but a stranger)

Important People: Jesse Eisenberg

Statistics: In the U.S more than 100,000 are people are in need of transplants and of that, 93,000 need a kidney.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Are some celebrities using their fortunes more generously than others?

Information: The 2026 Winter Olympic games will be taking place in northern Italy. Curling, bobsledding, and Luge will take place in the famous Cortina Ski Resort. The athletes are excited to try out the new track that got built these past years for the event.

Important People: Summer Britcher and Emily Fischnaller

Important Statistics: The games will be spread acorss 8 different locations in Italy.

Potential argument: Should investments in new Olympic infrastructure, like the Cortina sliding track for the Winter Games, be prioritized for its long-term benefits to athletes and local communities despite the high costs?

Information: Over 300,000 New Yorkers are unhoused. At least 17 people have already died due to the cold temperatures and the government and mayor are working hard to provide more shelters for the ones in need. The city is working hard to find more way to combat this crisis.

Important Statistics: 80,000+ homesless people in City shelters, 4500 on the street.

Important People: Zohran Mamdani, Molly Wasow Park (NYC social services).

Potential Argumentatitive Essay: Are the Homeless being excluded?

Information: Scientists are trying to find the gene switch in human to activate the capacity for hibernation. Apparently they are making many advancements and the purpose for their efforts is to be able to extend the period of time in which we could send astronauts to space.

Important People: Doctor Sanjay Gupta

Important Statistics: Squirrels have evolved over hundred of thousands of years in order for their bodies to hibernate so efficiently.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should there be limits to what scientists can explore?

Information: Pokemon Go's data and technology is being used to train next gen delivery robots. Due to all their saved images from users, their new founder, Niantech Spatial used them to create digital models of cities around the world. This new tech is reaching new heights in the digital world.

Important People: Shamana Cindy, Niantech

Potential Argumentative Essay: Are Robots Acceptable Workers in Hospitality?

Information: Norway is often ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world because of the way the country prioritizes balance and quality of life. People have access to free healthcare, free education, and strong social support systems, which helps reduce financial stress and inequality. A lot of people in Norway also value spending time outdoors and maintaining a healthy work-life balance instead of constantly focusing on work or money. Overall, the country’s approach to happiness is based on stability, security, and enjoying everyday life.

Important People: Jonas Gahr Støre, happiness researchers, Norwegian citizens.

Important Statistics: Norway consistently ranks near the top of the World Happiness Report because of its high quality of life, strong healthcare system, and low poverty rates.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Is happiness mainly created by a country’s government and social systems, or is it more dependent on individual mindset and culture?

Information: A medical teacher at Stanford University is helping train artificial intelligence systems to assist doctors and medical students. The AI is being developed to analyze medical information, answer questions, and help identify possible health conditions more quickly and accurately. Supporters believe this technology could improve healthcare by saving time and helping doctors make better decisions, especially in hospitals with limited staff. However, some people are also concerned about how much people should rely on AI in medicine and whether technology could ever fully replace human judgment and experience.

Important People: Stanford University medical teachers, AI developers, doctors, medical students.

Important Statistics: Artificial intelligence in healthcare is growing rapidly and is already being used in some hospitals to help detect diseases, organize patient information, and assist with medical research.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should artificial intelligence play a major role in healthcare, or should medical decisions remain mostly dependent on human doctors?

Information: A new train route connecting Russia and North Korea reopened, allowing travel and trade between the two countries to increase. The reopening was seen as important because North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world, with very limited international connections. Supporters believe the train could strengthen economic cooperation and tourism between the countries, while critics are concerned that closer ties could increase political tensions and help North Korea avoid international pressure and sanctions. The event also reflects how some countries continue building relationships with North Korea despite global concerns over its government and weapons programs.

Important People: Kim Jong Un, Russian officials, North Korean officials.

Important Statistics: North Korea has remained heavily isolated for years, especially after strict border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening of transportation routes marks a major step in restoring international movement and trade.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should countries continue strengthening economic and transportation ties with isolated nations like North Korea, or does this risk supporting harmful governments?

Information: Some high schools are starting to include actual bank branches or financial programs on campus to help students learn real-world money management skills. These programs teach students about saving, budgeting, credit, loans, and how banking systems work before they become adults. Supporters believe financial literacy is one of the most important life skills students can learn because many teenagers graduate without understanding how to manage money responsibly. Some schools also allow students to gain work experience by helping run parts of the student banking programs themselves.

Important People: students, teachers, school administrators, banking employees.

Important Statistics: Many studies show that a large number of young adults enter adulthood without basic financial literacy skills, including understanding credit cards, debt, and budgeting. Schools have increasingly started adding financial education programs to better prepare students for adult responsibilities.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Should financial literacy and banking education be required classes in all high schools?

Information: Companies are developing “air taxis,” which are small electric aircraft designed to transport people quickly through cities while avoiding traffic on the ground. These vehicles are meant to function almost like rideshare services in the air and could change the future of transportation if they become widely available. Supporters believe air taxis could reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times, and create a cleaner alternative to traditional transportation because many models are electric. However, others are concerned about safety, cost, noise, and whether this technology would realistically be affordable for most people.

Important People: aircraft engineers, transportation companies, technology developers, government aviation agencies.

Important Statistics: Many air taxi companies are testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOLs, which are designed to take off like helicopters but operate more efficiently and quietly.

Potential Argumentative Essay: Will air taxis realistically improve transportation for society, or will they mainly become expensive technology only available to wealthy people?