1. REGISTRATION SPIKE

Taylor Swift recently encouraged her fans to vote, and it had a huge impact. After she posted on Instagram with a link to Vote.gov, over 400,000 people visited the site in just 24 hours. This was a big jump from the usual traffic, and two other voting websites, Vote411.org and Vote.org, saw similar increases. Many of the people who visited the sites were young, between 18 and 24 years old. Taylor Swift’s influence helped thousands of people register to vote and check their voter registration. Her message encouraged everyone, no matter who they support, to get involved in voting. Some people say that athletes or celebrities should stay out of political issues, but this story shows how it can have a positive impact on our political system. Write an opinion column on how you feel about celebrities chiming in on political issues.

2. S.T.E.M. BOT

OpenAI has released a new version of ChatGPT that can handle complex math and science problems better than before. This new chatbot uses a technology called OpenAI o1, which allows it to "reason" through tasks, like solving difficult puzzles or answering advanced questions in chemistry. Unlike older models, which sometimes made mistakes or gave incomplete answers, this new system can think through problems step-by-step, similar to how people do. It has been tested with tough problems and has shown improved results, such as scoring much higher on math tests. The new ChatGPT is designed to be more accurate and reliable, and it's available to users who subscribe to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Teams. It could be especially useful for programmers and students, although it's still not perfect and may not always provide the right help. Research how this version is different from ChatGPT’s previous products and using that information, brainstorm how it could be useful in real-world applications.

3. PRIVATE SPACEWALK

Tech billionaire Jared Isaacman became the first non-professional to perform a private spacewalk on Thursday. Teaming up with SpaceX, Isaacman exited a capsule hundreds of miles above Earth, testing new spacesuits designed by SpaceX. The spacewalk lasted less than two hours, much shorter than typical NASA spacewalks. Isaacman was the first to step out, followed by SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis. They stayed connected to the capsule as they moved around in space, ensuring the suits worked properly. This spacewalk was part of a five-day mission to test new technology for future space exploration. Isaacman, who funded the mission, called Polaris Dawn, has been working with SpaceX on multiple space missions, and this marks a big step forward for private space exploration. Consider what the future could look like if people who aren’t professionally trained astronauts can travel to space. Write a creative short story that includes specific details about how society might be different.

4. POLICING PROPAGANDA

The U.S. has placed new sanctions on Russian state media, accusing them of helping Russia’s military in the war against Ukraine. The news outlet RT, which was already punished for spreading Russian propaganda, is now accused of raising money to buy weapons and gear like sniper rifles and body armor for Russian soldiers. U.S. officials also say RT is involved in secretive intelligence activities and cyber operations that support Russia. These sanctions aim to weaken Russia's influence in spreading misinformation, especially before the U.S. elections. Russian media have been using hidden websites and social media to spread false news and divide Americans, especially to support former President Donald Trump, who has shown support for Russia in the past. Using research from your newspaper or online, write an article that briefly summarizes the major events of the war in Ukraine and the latest developments.

5. James Earl Jones

James Earl Jones, a famous actor known for his powerful voice as Darth Vader and Mufasa from *The Lion King*, has passed away at 93. He was celebrated for his work in film, theater, and voice acting. Despite a challenging start in life, including overcoming a severe stutter and racial prejudice, he became an iconic figure with numerous awards, including two Emmys and a Tony. Jones's career highlights include roles in *Field of Dreams*, *Roots*, and *The Great White Hope*. He also had a notable voice career with CNN and various movie characters. His legacy is honored by a Broadway theater named after him. Read more about Jones’ background, career, and accomplishments from at least 3 sources. Then, write your own article that highlights what you think is most important to share about his life and legacy.