1. ELECTION ANNULLED

A Romanian court recently canceled the results of the presidential election, which had been held in November. The decision came just before a planned runoff vote. The court said the election was unfair because of digital manipulation, including the use of TikTok videos that supported one of the candidates, Calin Georgescu, who is a nationalist. There were also concerns about possible Russian interference, though there was no direct evidence of this. Georgescu, who had been leading, criticized the court’s decision, calling it a “coup,” and argued that it was an attack on democracy. The government also mentioned that Russian influence may have been behind the online campaign, as Georgescu had voiced support for Russia’s president and opposed European aid to Ukraine. The decision to cancel the election and have a new one has caused a lot of political turmoil in Romania, especially because it raises concerns about the country’s security and foreign influence. Some people think the government waited too long to act against outside interference. If you were in charge of making sure an election is fair, what are some of the things you would look out for? What rules would you put in place ahead of the election and what would you do if those rules were broken? Write your own “fair election plan” with ideas of how you’d handle this task.

2. CALIFORNIA CONCERN

On Thursday, a tsunami warning went out in Northern California after a big earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean. The warning was issued to millions of people, telling them to head to higher ground because of the risk of giant waves. This caused a lot of panic and confusion, since tsunamis are much less common than earthquakes, and many people weren’t sure what to do. While Californians are used to earthquake drills, like taking cover under desks, they don’t often prepare for tsunamis. Some cities told people to leave low-lying areas, while others just advised staying away from the water. In San Francisco, the emergency sirens that usually go off in these situations didn’t work, which made the situation even more stressful. Luckily, no tsunami came, and the warning was canceled after about an hour. This situation made it clear that California needs to improve its warning system, like fixing the sirens or using new tech to warn people faster. Officials are now figuring out better ways to keep everyone safe in case this happens again. How could the city of San Francisco and other coastal California communities handle this kind of situation better in the future? Write a statement as if you’re the mayor of one of these cities and explain what went wrong and how your administration will handle emergencies like this one in the future, using specific examples from this story in your statement.

3. TIKTOK BAN APPROACHES

The U.S. government is still considering banning TikTok because people are worried that its Chinese owner, ByteDance, could share American users’ data with the Chinese government. A new law says TikTok will be banned in the U.S. unless ByteDance sells the app to a non-Chinese company. TikTok lost its first legal challenge to stop this law and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The ban could start in January 2025, but it’s not guaranteed yet. If the ban happens, app stores like Apple and Google won’t be allowed to update or distribute TikTok, which means the app could stop working over time. Some schools and states have already blocked TikTok on government devices or Wi-Fi networks. TikTok denies sharing user data and says the ban violates free speech. It also says selling the app might not be possible because the Chinese government could block the sale. For now, TikTok suggests users be cautious about what personal data they share on the app. Create a pro/con list of reasons the government should consider keeping or banning TikTok, both from your perspective as a potential user and the government’s perspective of protecting its citizens’ data from a foreign government.

4. BIRD FLU IN… MILK?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced new rules to test milk for the bird flu virus, known as H5N1. The testing will focus on raw, unpasteurized milk from dairy farms, especially in large storage tanks. This is because the virus can spread easily in cows, and raw milk from infected cows can have high levels of the virus. While pasteurized milk is safe, there have been concerns about the risk of raw milk spreading the virus, especially to farm workers. The new rules will help track and control the outbreak, which has been spreading across the country for nearly a year. Dairy farms will now be required to provide milk samples if asked by the government. Testing will start on December 16, and it will first be done in six states, including California, Colorado, and Michigan. The goal is to prevent the virus from spreading further and to keep farm workers safe. However, it’s unclear if the incoming government will continue these rules. Write an article about the bird flu that shares important information about what we know about it right now without creating unnecessary alarm. Consider what information people need to know and any actions you want them to take from reading your article.

5. 99 YEARS YOUNG

Dick Van Dyke, who’s about to turn 99, stars in Coldplay’s new music video, “All My Love.” Filmed at his home in Malibu, California, Van Dyke dances barefoot, shows off his classic moves, and reflects on life, family, and aging. The video was directed by Spike Jonze and Mary Wigmore and features Coldplay’s Chris Martin playing piano. It also includes photos from Van Dyke’s long career, like moments with Mary Tyler Moore from The Dick Van Dyke Show and scenes from Mary Poppins. His wife and family appear in the video, adding a personal touch. Van Dyke jokes about his age in the video, saying, “I could go any day now,” but shares he’s not afraid and feels at peace. Chris Martin, who’s a neighbor and friend of Van Dyke, called the project one of the most fun things he’s ever done. The full video is out now, and a shorter version will release on Van Dyke’s 99th birthday, December 13. Dick Van Dyke was a household name for decades in the entertainment industry; using the internet, look up his background and career accomplishments. Then, write a short biography that explains who he is for young readers who aren’t familiar with him.