1. TIKTOK COUNTDOWN

The Supreme Court recently ruled to uphold a law that could effectively ban TikTok in the U.S. because of concerns about national security. The law requires TikTok to either be sold or shut down due to its Chinese ownership. The government argued that China could use the app to gather sensitive data from U.S. users, which raised security concerns. TikTok challenged the law, claiming it violated free speech rights, but the court sided with the government. If TikTok is forced to shut down, it might return if it’s sold to a company outside China. The decision has significant cultural and financial impacts, especially for creators who rely on the app. Read more in your newspaper or online about the Supreme Court decision and their explanation of why they ruled the way they did. Write a summary of the Supreme Court opinion and how public opinion agrees or disagrees with the court.

2. FOOD DYE BANNED

The FDA has banned Red Dye No. 3 in food due to concerns that it may cause cancer in rats. Food manufacturers have until 2027 to remove it from their products, and drug companies have until 2028. Red Dye No. 3 has been used for over a century to create bright red colors in foods, but its safety has been questioned for years by scientists and public health groups. There’s also some evidence that the dye could contribute to hyperactivity in some children, although the studies on this are relatively small. You can still find Red Dye No. 3 in many products like candies, icings, vegan meats, cereals, and certain medications. If you’re worried about the potential risks, you can check product labels to avoid items with the dye until the ban is fully in place. Experts recommend limiting exposure by saving foods with Red Dye No. 3 for special occasions rather than everyday consumption. Some ingredients in food have long, complex sounding names while others with simple names (like Red Dye No. 3) are associated with health concerns. Consider whether the complexity of an ingredient name affects your perception of its safety, and why or why not? Share your thoughts as a class and discuss what resources you can use to accurately and reliably determine if an ingredient is harmful.

3. CANCER RISKS

A new report shows that more young women are getting cancer, even though cancer was once seen as a disease mostly affecting older people. While overall cancer survival rates are improving, Black and Native Americans are still dying from some cancers at much higher rates than white Americans. Cancers like breast, uterine, and colorectal are rising, especially in women under 50. There are also increases in cancers such as prostate, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer. Some factors, like lifestyle and environmental exposures, may be contributing to these trends. Public health experts suggest that small changes, like not smoking, staying active, and regular cancer screenings, can help reduce cancer risk. Write an article or create a visual aid that shares tips like these with young women to help them reduce their cancer risks.

4. CEASE FIRE DEAL FINALLY REACHED

The Israeli government approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas after a long war in Gaza. This agreement includes releasing dozens of hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The truce, set to last for six weeks, aims to pause the conflict and bring some peace to the area. Many Palestinians celebrated, hoping it would end the violence, while Israelis awaited the return of their kidnapped loved ones. The war started with a deadly attack by Hamas, leading to intense bombings by Israel, resulting in many deaths on both sides. The deal involves both sides stopping attacks and making moves to ease the tension. However, there’s uncertainty about what will happen after the six weeks, and not everyone in the Israeli government agrees with the plan. Meanwhile, people in Gaza are struggling with a lack of food, water, and safety. This cease-fire is seen as a chance to bring more aid to Gaza and possibly work toward a more lasting peace. However, challenges remain, and it’s unclear how long this truce will hold or what it will lead to in the future. If you were writing a news article about this update in the Israel-Hamas war, who would you talk to and what questions would you ask them? Write an outline of your story, including a list of sources and interview questions.

5. IMMIGRATION RAID THREAT

President-elect Donald Trump is said to be planning to start large-scale immigration raids in next week, targeting people living in the U.S. illegally. The operation, called “Operation Safeguard,” is rumored to be set to begin on Tuesday, the day after his inauguration, and last until the following Monday. Based on media leaks, the administrationed planned for raids in Chicago that will involve about 150 ICE agents and are part of Trump’s plan to carry out the largest deportation effort in U.S. history. This operation is seen as a way to send a strong message about cracking down on undocumented immigrants, especially in other sanctuary cities that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Trump has promised to deport millions of people, including parents with U.S.-born children, and plans to expand the number of agents involved. While Trump’s team is eager to start deportations, challenges related to funding and logistics remain. Past deportation efforts have faced mixed results, and it’s unclear how successful the raids will be. The idea of these raids has prompted discussion about the balance of national security and human rights. How do these policies affect the perception of the US as a “melting pot” or “nation of immigrants?” Do you think the ideals we learn through US history still stand today? Why or why not? Write your own opinion article about your thoughts on the topic.