1. DEPARTMENT OF WAR

President Trump has announced that he wants to change the name of the U.S. Department of Defense back to its old name: the Department of War. He said it sounds stronger and reminds people of when the U.S. won World War I and World War II. The name Department of War was first used in 1789, but it was changed in 1949 by President Truman. After World War II, the government wanted to show that America was focused on protecting the country and keeping peace—not just fighting wars—so they renamed it the Department of Defense. Some experts say Trump may not have the power to make this change without Congress. Supporters think the new name sounds more patriotic, but others worry it could send the wrong message about how the U.S. uses its military. After learning about President Trump’s plan to rename the Department of Defense, write a paragraph sharing your opinion. Do you think calling it the Department of War is a good idea or not? Why? Use one fact from the article to support your answer, and explain how the name might affect how people in the U.S.—and around the world—see the country’s military.

2. A.I. COMPANY SETTLES WITH AUTHORS

Anthropic, a company that makes artificial intelligence tools like the chatbot Claude, has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to authors and publishers. This happened because the company used pirated (illegally downloaded) books to train its A.I. systems without permission. The judge said it was okay to use books that were bought legally, but it was not okay to use books from pirate websites. Each author involved will get $3,000 per book. This is the largest payment ever made in a U.S. copyright case and may lead other A.I. companies to follow the law more carefully. Some A.I. companies are now making deals with publishers to use books the right way. Experts say this case could change how A.I. tools are trained in the future. Artificial intelligence companies need lots of data, like books and articles, to help train their systems. Sometimes, this causes legal problems if the data is copyrighted and used without permission. In a short paragraph, explain why you think A.I. companies should or should not be allowed to use books without asking the author. Include at least two reasons to support your opinion. Then, describe one fair way you think A.I. companies could get the information they need without breaking the law.

3. CHICAGO BRACES FOR NATIONAL GUARD

The Trump administration is planning a large immigration crackdown in Chicago that could bring many more federal agents to the city. Officials say the goal is to arrest undocumented immigrants, but the plan has caused fear in Latino communities and strong opposition from local leaders. Over 150,000 people in Chicago are believed to be undocumented, and some families are afraid to leave home. Protests have already started, and events like the Mexican Independence Day parade and a large festival were canceled or postponed because of safety concerns. Chicago’s mayor and Illinois’s governor say they will fight back if the federal government sends in troops. Many teachers and community members are handing out information to help families understand their rights. Some people support the crackdown, but many worry it will unfairly target Hispanic neighborhoods and create more fear and confusion in the city. After reading about the planned immigration raids in Chicago, write a paragraph explaining how government decisions like this can affect people’s daily lives—especially students, families, and small business owners. Then, imagine you are part of a local youth group trying to support your community. Write 2 or 3 ideas for how young people like you could help classmates or neighbors feel safer and more informed during uncertain times.

4. WHISTLEBLOWERS FOR VACCINE RESEARCH

Two top scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) say they were removed from their jobs after speaking out against how the Trump administration is handling vaccine research. They filed official whistle-blower complaints, which means they reported what they believe is unfair or harmful behavior inside the government. The scientists said the new NIH leaders are not supporting vaccine studies and are canceling important research. They also say money is being given to projects without proper scientific review, and that politics are getting in the way of health decisions. One example involved a debate over whether a child should be vaccinated before getting a heart transplant. Another concern is that the NIH is not focusing enough on future vaccines that could protect people from new diseases. These scientists worry that without strong support for vaccine research, people could get sick from diseases that might otherwise be preventable. They believe ignoring science could be dangerous for everyone’s health. Create a cause-and-effect chart that shows how actions by the government (like firing scientists or canceling research) affected vaccine development and public health. Include at least three cause-and-effect pairs based on the article. Then, write a short reflection explaining why scientific research should or shouldn’t be influenced by politics.

5. FIRST MILLENNIAL SAINT

Pope Leo XIV has named Carlo Acutis the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint. Carlo was a teenager who loved computer science and used his tech skills to create a website that shared stories about miracles. Born in 1991, he lived a simple but deeply religious life, choosing to spend time in prayer instead of video games. He died of leukemia at just 15 years old, but many people—especially young Catholics—look up to him as a modern role model. The Vatican hopes his story will help young people connect with their faith in the digital age. At the canonization Mass, over 80,000 people came to St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Carlo and another young saint, Pier Giorgio Frassati. Write a short article explaining why Carlo Acutis was made a saint and how he used technology in a positive way. Then, think about how you could use your own interests or hobbies—like music, sports, or art—to help others or do good in your community. Write 2 or 3 sentences about what that might look like.