1. FACT CHECK

Vice President Kamala Harris gave a powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention, where she accepted the party's nomination for president. She criticized former President Donald Trump, calling him a serious threat to democracy, global stability, and women’s rights. Harris emphasized that Trump’s policies could lead to significant problems, including restrictions on reproductive rights and tougher immigration laws. She positioned herself as a unifying figure who could lead the country forward and tackle issues like housing affordability and foreign policy. Harris also highlighted her unique candidacy, noting that if elected, she would be the first female president and the first person of South Asian descent to hold the office. Read or watch Harris’ whole speech, then read coverage of the event from at least 3 media sources. Write a paragraph that summarizes what was said in her speech and a second paragraph that compares the coverage from the sources you used, highlighting key differences.

2. LANDLORD SCANDAL

The U.S. Justice Department has filed an antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a company that makes real estate software, accusing it of helping landlords illegally fix rent prices across the country. The lawsuit, which includes support from several states, claims that RealPage's software allowed landlords to share confidential information and set higher rents than would occur in a competitive market. RealPage's software, YieldStar, is at the center of the controversy for suggesting rent prices based on shared data, which the government argues led to price increases. The lawsuit marks a significant step in regulating how technology is used in pricing and follows other high-profile antitrust actions against tech giants like Google and Amazon. RealPage denies the allegations, asserting that its software is designed to comply with the law and that it does not force landlords to use its pricing suggestions. The case also highlights growing concerns about the impact of algorithms and data on pricing across various industries. Using research online or in your newspaper, write an article that summarizes this new lawsuit and draws connections to the housing and rent pricing crises that some cities and states in the US are experiencing.

3. FINGER BEND

"Phone pinky" is a term trending on TikTok, referring to a dent or bend in your pinky finger caused by holding your phone too much. When you grip your phone with your pinky supporting the bottom, it can put pressure on the middle joint, leading to this physical change. Many people, especially those with long screen times, are noticing this dent. Physical therapists say phone pinky isn't dangerous, but it signals you might need to change how you hold your phone or reduce your screen time. You can prevent or reduce phone pinky by adjusting your grip, using a phone grip or stand, or limiting your phone usage to shorter periods. If the dent is severe or persistent, talking to a physical therapist for exercises and advice might help. Write a short PSA or create a visual aid that shares this information with people and what they should do to adjust their behavior.

4. INTERNET SLOW-DOWN

Recent internet slowdowns in Pakistan have sparked concerns that the government is secretly testing a new system to monitor and control the country’s digital space. Many believe these disruptions are part of a broader effort to suppress dissent, especially as the government cracks down on supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Freelancers and businesses have been hit hard by the slowdown, with some reporting significant financial losses. While the government claims the issues are due to system upgrades and blames VPN usage, digital rights groups argue that the authorities are deploying advanced technology to censor and surveil online activities. Critics warn that this could severely limit free speech and civil liberties in Pakistan. How would you feel if you knew your government was monitoring and suppressing content online? In what situations would this cause problems? Write an opinion article that details how you think this would affect citizens and whether you think it’s right for a country’s government to oversee what its citizens have access to online.

5. ALIEN LIFE

In 1924, as Earth and Mars came unusually close, there was a surge of interest in detecting alien life on Mars. Scientists and the public were fascinated by the possibility of Martian civilizations. To aid in this quest, the U.S. Navy enforced radio silence across the country to listen for any signals from Mars. During this period, a strange radio signal was detected by an old World War I radio receiver. The signal appeared to show a face, sparking widespread excitement and speculation that it was a message from Martians. However, despite the media frenzy, the source of the signal remains a mystery to this day. The event highlighted humanity's deep desire to find extraterrestrial life and the lengths we are willing to go to search for it. Although the technology used then was primitive compared to today's advanced tools, the 1924 Mars opposition remains a significant moment in the history of the search for alien life. The enthusiasm and curiosity from that time have persisted, driving ongoing efforts to explore the cosmos for signs of life beyond Earth. Research developments we’ve made in understanding life elsewhere in the universe from the past 100 years. Write an article about the topic and what the scientific data of the last century suggests.