1.DEBATE DONE

In the recent vice-presidential debate held in New York City, Republican candidate J.D. Vance and Democratic candidate Tim Walz discussed key issues but likely didn't change many people's opinions. Vance came off as polished and tried to present himself as more rational than former President Trump. However, there are questions about his true beliefs since he once criticized Trump but now supports him strongly. Some people saw Vance as focused, while others think he’s just adapting to what’s popular. On the other hand, Walz seemed nervous at the beginning, especially on foreign policy questions. He made a mistake by saying he was "friends with school shooters" instead of discussing the victims. However, he did better on domestic issues like climate change and immigration, criticizing Trump for not helping with immigration reform. Vance surprisingly suggested that people shouldn’t trust experts, reflecting a growing trend in American politics where many voters favor simple solutions over expert advice. This attitude can make it harder for people to agree on facts and find common ground. There were important issues that didn’t come up, like Vance's controversial remarks about “childless cat ladies” and Walz's military service timeline. Additionally, they didn’t discuss U.S. aid for Ukraine or Trump's handling of the COVID pandemic. Following Vance's praised performance, there’s speculation about whether Trump will want to debate again. Some wonder if he feels Vance could outshine him in future debates. Overall, the debate was interesting for many viewers, but it may not significantly affect the upcoming election. Read articles about the candidates’ debate performance from at least 3 different sources. Then, write a paragraph that details what similarities and differences you noticed between the articles and why you think those differences are present.

2. OFF-STAGE DRAMA

Pras Michel, a member of the hip-hop group the Fugees, has filed a lawsuit against Lauryn Hill and her touring company after their planned reunion tour was canceled. The lawsuit claims that Lauryn misled the group about the tour's finances and tried to take control of the group's business decisions. Pras accused her of rejecting a $5 million offer to perform at Coachella and keeping profits from the tour for herself. Lauryn responded, calling the lawsuit “baseless” and claiming that Pras has not repaid money she lent him to help with his financial troubles. Their history as a group has been rocky, and fans have long awaited a proper tour. Despite their reunion tour starting in 2023, it was cut short after only a few shows, with Lauryn citing vocal issues. Pras's lawsuit also alleges that Lauryn took 40 percent of the tour profits for herself, while he and Wyclef Jean received much less. Lauryn plans to tour in Europe soon but has confirmed that Pras will not be joining her for those shows. The drama highlights the ongoing struggles within the group as they navigate their complicated relationships and business decisions. If you were interviewing a member or members of the Fugees for a podcast or news show, what interview questions would you ask? Write a list of questions and a short paragraph explaining the approach you would take to the interview, like the angle you chose for your questions and who you would want to interview.

3. CYBERTRUCK TROUBLES

Tesla is recalling over 27,000 Cybertrucks because the rearview camera may take too long to turn on after drivers shift into reverse. This is the fifth recall for the Cybertruck since it went on sale in late 2023. Tesla is fixing the issue with a free software update, and owners will get official notification letters by November 25, 2024. In the past, Cybertrucks have had recalls for things like windshield wipers failing and accelerator pedals getting stuck. The latest problem causes the rearview screen to stay blank for up to 8 seconds, but the law says it needs to show the image within 2 seconds. Using your newspaper or online, look up news stories about the previous Cybertruck recalls. Then, write your own summary of this current recall that includes context of the past ones.

4. NON-SMOKING AID

A new medication called cytisine could soon help people quit smoking in the U.S. Many smokers find it hard to quit, with about half starting again after a year. Current methods like gum and patches don’t always work well, but cytisine has shown promise in helping smokers stop. It’s already being used in places like Canada and Britain. Cytisine comes from the laburnum tree and has been used for decades in Eastern Europe. Studies suggest it’s more effective than many existing quitting methods and can reduce cravings with fewer side effects. In clinical trials, about 20 percent of smokers using cytisine were smoke-free after six months, compared to only 5 percent using a placebo. However, cytisine is not available in the U.S. yet, as researchers are working to get it approved by the FDA. While it looks promising, quitting smoking still requires determination from the individual. Using research as needed for facts or statistics, create a flyer, social media campaign, or public service announcement that encourages people to quit smoking.

5. BRITAIN CLOSES THE DOOR ON COAL

This week, the United Kingdom became the first major economy to stop using coal power entirely. The last coal-fired power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, shut down after operating for 57 years. This is a significant change for a country that was the first to use coal to generate electricity in the nineteenth century, during the Industrial Revolution. In the past, coal provided about 96 percent of the U.K.’s electricity, but as concerns about climate change grew, the country began to switch to cleaner energy sources like natural gas, wind, and solar power. Their shift away from coal started after pollution from coal led to severe health problems, including the Great Smog of 1952, which caused thousands of deaths. Since then, the government has implemented clean air laws and invested in renewable energy, making it less economical to use coal. Now, with the last coal plant closed, the U.K. hopes to set an example for other countries as they strive to eliminate all carbon emissions by 2050. Using research in your newspaper or online, compare the United States’ and United Kingdom’s responses to climate change in words and in actions. Write a paragraph that summarizes your findings.