News organizations are using A.I. to search documents, analyze data, summarize hearings, suggest headlines, and speed up routine tasks. Some outlets have tested A.I.-written drafts, but all say a human editor must review before publishing. Still, high-profile errors and misquotes have slipped through, and unions worry about job loss, plagiarism, and copyright misuse. Supporters argue A.I. can handle tedious work so reporters can focus on interviews and accountability; critics warn it can amplify mistakes, bias, and legal risk. Companies are now writing guardrails, signing (or suing over) licensing deals, and debating how transparent to be with readers. Imagine you are a journalist or working for a student newspaper. Write a one-paragraph policy your newsroom would follow for A.I. use. State the purpose (what A.I. may do), three clear rules (for example: human review, source checking, disclosure), one red line (what A.I. may never do), and one plan for correcting A.I. errors quickly. End with one sentence explaining how your policy protects trust.

More countries and U.S. states are restricting phones at school to cut distractions and cyberbullying. Evidence is mixed: some places report fewer bullying incidents and higher scores, while other surveys show complicated or uneven results. Supporters say bans reduce constant notifications and filming of fights; critics say strict rules can punish students with jobs or family duties and may lead to harsh discipline. UNESCO urges caution: teach students to live with and without tech, use evidence, and avoid one-size-fits-all rules. Districts now test pouches, time-of-day limits, or teacher-approved academic use. Write a proposal for a one-semester pilot at your school. Set two rules (when/where phones are allowed), any exceptions you think are necessary (access needs, emergencies, academic use), and two measures of success (for example: tardies, off-task behavior, bullying reports, grades). Finish by explaining how your plan would collect feedback from students and teachers.

China is pouring money into anti-aging research, start-ups, and flashy “immortality” products, from cryotherapy booths to supplements that claim to clear “zombie cells.” Leaders talk boldly about living to 150, while top scientists caution that mouse results often fail in humans and many claims need large, careful trials. Some compounds show promise in labs, but journals have issued notes, and experts stress replication, safety, and regulation. The field is growing fast—and so is the risk of hype outpacing evidence. In 5–7 sentences, write a public-facing advisory that separates “promising research” from “marketing claims.” Include one rule of thumb for judging evidence, one risk of skipping clinical trials, one question to ask a company about its data, and one reason to stay curious but skeptical.

On St. Helena Island, the Penn Center Heritage Day Parade celebrates Gullah Geechee history with music, dancers, and church floats. After traffic complaints on Highway 21, officials shortened and rerouted the parade to keep one lane open, which residents say shrank the event and felt like cultural erasure amid gentrification and rising costs. Supporters of the change cite safety and growth; community leaders argue the route is part of the tradition and identity. Many want a solution that protects both heritage and public safety. In a well-developed paragraph, write a statement you would deliver at a county meeting proposing a compromise. Describe one culturally essential element to preserve (for example, starting at the school), one traffic plan (detours, timed closure, shuttle), one safety measure (barriers, marshals, medics), and one data step (collecting counts and incident reports). Conclude with how you will review results for next year.

An interstellar comet named 3I/ATLAS is passing through the solar system, sparking viral guesses that it’s an alien craft. A few scientists highlight unusual details—chemistry, brightness changes, and tiny non-gravitational pushes—while most astronomers say those fit natural comet behavior and known physics. Public figures amplified the mystery, but space agencies report no threat and no evidence of control. Better telescope data in the coming weeks should sharpen the picture. In 5–7 sentences, write a short explainer for classmates that distinguishes “possibility” from “probability.” Summarize what most evidence shows, list one normal reason a comet’s path can shift, give one tip for spotting misinformation, and end with one question you’d like new observations to answer.