1. WALZ SUBPOENAED

House Republicans have issued a subpoena to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, as part of an investigation into a fraud scheme involving a nonprofit that stole $250 million from a pandemic-era child nutrition program. The move marks a shift in House Republicans' strategy from targeting President Biden to focusing on the new Democratic ticket ahead of the 2024 election. Representative Virginia Foxx, chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, is seeking records to determine Walz's involvement in addressing the fraud, which occurred during his time as governor. Minnesota’s Education Department, responsible for overseeing the program, has been cooperating with the investigation. The fraud was first reported in 2022, and the Justice Department has charged 70 people in connection with the case. The subpoena highlights Republicans’ efforts to scrutinize the Democratic ticket in the lead-up to the election. Walz’s spokesperson defended the state’s response, praising the Education Department's work to stop the fraud and the FBI's role in arresting those responsible. Research the fraud scheme that the House Republicans have subpoenaed Walz about and write an article that summarizes the scheme and how it could affect Walz, and therefore Harris, in the upcoming election.

2. WOMEN UNDER THE TALIBAN

The Taliban recently released a manifesto that formalizes harsh restrictions on women in Afghanistan. These laws, already in place for three years, now ban women's voices from being heard in public, adding to a long list of prohibitions such as preventing women from attending school beyond the sixth grade, working in most jobs, or going out in public spaces. Women also can't travel long distances without a male relative or leave home unless fully covered. For many Afghan women, these laws represent the loss of any remaining hope for regaining basic freedoms. Some had hoped schools might reopen for girls, but the new manifesto dashed those expectations. The ban on women's voices in public means even talking to taxi drivers or shopkeepers may now be impossible, leaving women even more isolated. Some women have resigned themselves to a life confined to their homes, with their ambitions, such as pursuing a career, now out of reach. This manifesto has strengthened the Taliban's vice and virtue police, who now have more power to enforce these laws, including property damage or detaining violators. The manifesto also seems aimed at erasing any remnants of Western influence in Afghanistan, replacing it with the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law. Women's presence in public life has already been erased in many ways. Female faces have been removed from advertisements, murals, and posters, and mannequins dressed in black have their heads covered. Even before the new laws, women faced increasing threats of punishment for entering public spaces. Some girls and women have turned to underground schools or online learning to continue their education in secret. However, these informal efforts are limited, and many women feel trapped in a society that no longer allows them to participate meaningfully. Widows and former professionals now struggle to provide for their families and are left feeling like their identities have been erased. Despite these grim circumstances, a few women still hold onto hope, finding ways to continue learning, expressing themselves through art, or practicing sports like taekwondo in secret. However, the future for women under Taliban rule remains bleak, with little sign of change. Using research, write an article that compares how the lives of women in Afghanistan have changed in the years since the Taliban returned to ruling power in the country.

3. MAYOR UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Federal investigators recently seized phones from New York City’s police commissioner and four top deputies to Mayor Eric Adams. This includes key officials like First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, Public Safety Deputy Mayor Philip Banks, and Police Commissioner Edward Caban. The FBI carried out these searches at the officials' homes as part of an ongoing investigation into Adams’ administration. Although neither Adams nor his staff have been accused of any crimes, the investigation has intensified, following previous raids and subpoenas tied to his campaign and administration. Mayor Adams, a retired police officer, has denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing his commitment to following the law. His lawyer stated that investigators haven’t identified the mayor or his team as targets of the probe. The focus of the investigation remains unclear, though it appears to involve multiple investigations. This scrutiny is the latest in a series of federal actions, including past searches of Adams’ associates. Several of those close to Adams, including Philip Banks, have previously been linked to other legal issues, raising questions about Adams' inner circle. Write an article that summarizes the previous inquiries into Adams’ campaign team and administration, including this recent phone seizure, and how it may have affected Adams’ approval ratings in the city.

4. ADVANCES IN PARKINSON’S RESEARCH

A new study suggests that Parkinson’s disease, traditionally thought to begin in the brain, may actually start in the gut. Researchers found that people with upper gastrointestinal issues, such as ulcers or damage to the stomach and esophagus lining, were significantly more likely to develop Parkinson’s later in life. This supports the "gut-first" hypothesis, which proposes that misfolded proteins in the gut travel to the brain through the vagus nerve, contributing to Parkinson’s disease. The study analyzed data from over 9,000 patients who had undergone upper endoscopies between 2000 and 2005. Patients with mucosal damage (erosions or ulcers in the gut lining) had a 76% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s over an average follow-up of 15 years. Many experienced gut problems long before any Parkinson’s motor symptoms appeared. This aligns with earlier research that found misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins, which are responsible for Parkinson’s, in the gastrointestinal tract. In some studies, cutting the vagus nerve, which connects the gut and brain, reduced the chances of developing Parkinson’s. Experts are calling for closer monitoring of patients with mucosal damage and further studies to determine if treating these gut issues early could reduce Parkinson’s risk. While the findings show a strong connection between gut health and Parkinson’s, the researchers emphasize that not everyone with gut problems will develop the disease. The next step is to understand how this increased risk can be minimized. If you were instructed to interview someone on this topic for an article, news show, or podcast, who would you reach out to and what questions would you ask them to convey the information about this research development to a general audience? Write at least a paragraph for your answer.

5. FOREIGN ADOPTIONS ON HOLD

China has decided to stop allowing foreign adoptions, leaving many American families uncertain about their pending adoption cases. The U.S. government is trying to get more details from China, as hundreds of American families are still waiting to complete their adoptions. China has said it will only allow adoptions by close relatives, such as stepchildren or blood relatives, and gave no further explanation for the decision. For decades, China was a top country for international adoptions, with over 82,000 children adopted by U.S. families. International adoptions were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic and only recently resumed for a few cases. The announcement also comes as China faces a declining birth rate, with fewer babies being born in recent years. Consider how this news could impact people in the US, like people looking to adoption to grow their families, as well as children in China that are hoping to be adopted by loving families. Research international adoption in the United States and what the process is like to adopt a child from overseas, then write an article that summarizes what families go through during this process and how this new halt from China will affect people.