1. THE GULF OF AMERICA

The Trump administration announced two major name changes. First, they officially renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” a move that only affects how it’s called in the U.S. – other countries don’t have to follow it. Florida’s governor has already started using the new name. Secondly, Trump ordered that North America’s tallest peak be renamed back to Mount McKinley, despite it being officially called Denali since 2015. The mountain was named Denali by Alaska Native groups, but Trump’s administration sees the name change as disrespectful to President McKinley, who had no connection to Alaska. Some Alaska senators disagree with the renaming. Look up the history of Mount McKinley and its naming and renaming. Then, write a summary of how place names come about and what these changes mean within the U.S. and internationally.

2. MEXICO’S EMBRACE

Mexico is preparing for thousands of its citizens to be deported from the U.S. with a plan called “Mexico Embraces You.” This includes building nine reception centers at the border with tents, kitchens, buses to transport people home, medical care, and job programs. Deportees will also get $100 cash cards and help enrolling in social programs. President Trump’s plan to deport a record number of undocumented immigrants has pushed Mexico to act, but some experts question if the government is ready. Many deportees fled their hometowns because of violence and poverty, and returning could affect their mental health. Shelters may struggle to handle the extra people, and Mexico’s long-term plans for helping deportees adjust aren’t clear. Mexico is also considering temporarily hosting non-Mexican deportees but plans to send them back to their home countries eventually. Critics warn that cuts in U.S. foreign aid could make it harder for Mexico to handle the influx of people. Choose one other country and research how they support or dissuade immigrants and refugees. Compare what you learn about their system to what you know about the U.S. and Mexico’s current states.

3. TESTING A.I.

Scientists are struggling to make tests hard enough for advanced AI systems because they’ve gotten so good at solving even the toughest problems, like PhD-level questions in math, science, and logic. To deal with this, researchers created a new test called “Humanity’s Last Exam,” which is supposed to be the hardest test ever for AI. It includes thousands of questions from different academic fields, submitted by experts like college professors. When top AI systems tried the test, they failed badly, with the best model scoring just 8.3%. But researchers believe AI will keep improving and might soon outperform human experts in many areas. This raises concerns about how to measure AI’s progress and what it could mean for humans if AI becomes better at solving problems than we are. Still, experts say that being smart on tests isn’t the same as being able to do real-world jobs, like researching or creating new ideas. Create your own mini version of “Humanity’s Last Exam.” Choose an academic subject and design 5 questions. Write a short paragraph explaining how each question requires either knowledge and problem-solving or real-world skills like creativity or emotional intelligence.

4. DEFENSE SECRETARY CONFRIMED

Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the U.S. Secretary of Defense after a tight Senate vote of 51 to 50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tiebreaking vote. Some Republicans, like Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitch McConnell, voted against him, citing concerns about his qualifications and personal conduct. Hegseth, a former Fox News host and military veteran, faced allegations of sexual assault and abusive behavior, which he denied. Despite these issues, he was confirmed with support from most Republicans, who liked his military vision. Some Democrats vowed to keep a close watch on him during his time in office. Using your newspaper or online, look up Pete Hesgeth’s background and qualifications to be Secretary of Defense. Then, write a summary of what you learned and how his confirmation played out in the Senate.

5. F.E.M.A. IN QUESTION

Former President Donald Trump visited disaster zones in California and North Carolina, where he suggested “getting rid of” FEMA, the agency that helps states handle disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. Trump said FEMA is slow and wants states to handle disasters with money coming directly from the federal government instead. In California, Trump toured areas destroyed by wildfires, met with officials, and pressured them to speed up rebuilding, even downplaying concerns about hazardous waste. In North Carolina, which is recovering from Hurricane Helene, Trump criticized the previous administration for its disaster response and promised to fix it. Trump’s idea to reduce FEMA’s role has faced criticism, with experts saying FEMA provides critical help when states can’t manage disasters alone. Both the hurricane and wildfires were worsened by climate change, but Trump has downplayed its role. Look up the history of FEMA in the United States and what it’s responsible for. Then, write a paragraph summarizing what you learned and how the elimination of FEMA could affect future disasters in the U.S.