1. CABINET FILLING

President-elect Donald Trump is quickly assembling his cabinet for his second term, with some key figures already announced. Marco Rubio, the Florida senator and former presidential rival of Trump, will serve as Secretary of State. Matt Gaetz, a Florida congressman and Trump ally despite past controversies, has been named Attorney General. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host and military veteran, will take on the role of Defense Secretary. Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota and a loyal Trump supporter, has been chosen as Homeland Security Secretary. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and vaccine skeptic with a famous political family, will serve as Health Secretary. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been appointed to oversee government efficiency efforts, while Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, will join Musk in this role as a strong Trump supporter. Additionally, JD Vance has been named vice president, and Susie Wiles will serve as chief of staff. This team signals Trump’s focus on building a pro-business, conservative administration for his second term. Choose a position in President Trump’s upcoming cabinet to research. Then, write a summary about what that position does and how Trump’s pick compares to the current position-holder in the Biden administration.

2. OFFICE OF EFFICIENCY

President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead a new initiative called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reform and downsize the federal government. The project aims to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget, reduce bureaucracy, and significantly shrink the federal workforce by July 4, 2026, in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. However, many details about how these goals will be achieved remain unclear. Elon Musk’s involvement raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, as his companies, such as SpaceX and Tesla, heavily rely on government contracts and are currently under multiple federal investigations. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy, a former presidential candidate who has become a strong Trump supporter, has proposed eliminating major agencies like the FBI, IRS, and Department of Education, as well as cutting 75% of federal jobs. This plan echoes similar past efforts, such as Bill Clinton’s 1993 initiative to streamline government operations, which achieved limited success. Critics question whether Trump’s ambitious project will succeed where previous attempts have fallen short, but it reflects his ongoing promise to "drain the swamp" in Washington. Read more about Trump’s goals for the new department. Then, write a summary of what you’ve learned and how the federal government could be affected in both the coming years and longterm.

3. THE ONION’S ACQUISITION

The Onion, a satirical news outlet, won the bid to buy Alex Jones' Infowars at a bankruptcy auction, with the help of families of Sandy Hook victims. Jones, who owes over $1 billion in defamation judgments for calling the Sandy Hook shooting a hoax, declared bankruptcy in 2022. The Onion’s bid, although lower than another bid from a Jones-affiliated company, was chosen because it promised more money for Jones' creditors. However, the auction process is being reviewed by a judge after Jones’ team raised concerns about how it was conducted. The Onion plans to reopen Infowars as a parody of Jones and conspiracy theories, aiming to make it "the funniest and dumbest website that exists." A court hearing next week will determine whether the sale process was done properly. Write a summary of the background of the Sandy Hook victims’ lawsuit against Jones and what this latest step means for Jones.

4. NEW RULES FOR DRUG ADS

New FDA rules for TV drug ads, starting November 20, aim to make advertisements clearer and more straightforward. These rules require drug companies to use simple language and avoid distracting visuals or sound effects when discussing risks and side effects. The goal is to provide a balanced picture of both the benefits and risks of medications, without downplaying important information. Companies will now need to show text on screen while talking about risks, but they can choose how much detail to include, which might lead to some risks being overlooked. While the new rules target TV and radio ads, there’s growing concern over social media influencers promoting drugs, sometimes without proper oversight. These influencers often appear more trustworthy to the public, and drug companies are increasingly partnering with them as a cheaper alternative to traditional ads. Congress is considering a bill to require influencers to also disclose drug risks and side effects, and to make companies publicly report payments to influencers. Overall, while the FDA’s new rules are a step toward clearer drug ads, there’s still debate about whether they go far enough, especially in light of growing online marketing by drug companies. Write an article that summarizes the new regulations and how they will affect consumers.

5. MOVIE BAN

Russia is trying to boost its birthrate by banning what it calls "propaganda" that promotes choosing not to have kids. A new law will fine individuals and companies that create or share materials encouraging a child-free lifestyle. This is part of a larger effort to push traditional family values and oppose Western ideas that Russian leaders view as harmful. Russia's population has been shrinking for years because fewer women are having children, and deaths outnumber births. Problems like the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and fewer migrant workers are making things worse. Despite this, experts say banning child-free content likely won’t change the birthrate. The move fits with Russia’s focus on promoting traditional values, contrasting them with what leaders see as the "immoral" West. This law follows other measures, like banning adoption by citizens of countries where gender transition is legal. Critics argue these actions are more about politics than solving real demographic issues. Do you think this move will help solve the problem of a declining birth rate in Russia? Why or why not? Write an opinion article defending your stance.