Topic 1 Japan Announces New Defense Spending Plan
Under a new National Security Strategy (NSS) and other documents, Japan will nearly double its defense spending and deploy missiles in a new way.
Topic 2 In Third Year of Pandemic, Schools Faced Double Crisis
As many areas of daily life continued to move past the pandemic in 2022, problems in the classroom show how far the recovery still has to go.
Topic 3 Scientists in Spain Look to Old Vines to Save Wine Business
Genetic researchers in Spain’s wine country believe grape vines that have lived for more than 35 years are better able to deal with high temperatures brought by climate change.
Topic 4 Britain’s Prime Minister Liz Truss Resigns after Six Weeks
British Prime Minister Liz Truss resigned Thursday after only six weeks in office.
Topic 5 Lebanon's New Poor Face Long-Term Economic Insecurity
Lebanon is a former middle-income country, one that is neither rich nor poor. But its financial system collapsed in 2019.
Topic 6 Hybrid Wheat May Lead to More Food without GMO Fears
A new kind of hybrid wheat now available to American farmers may help reduce fears over genetically engineered crops.
Topic 7 Fortnite Game Maker to Pay $520 Million for Privacy, Payment Abuses
The creator of video game Fortnite has agreed to pay a total of $520 million in government fines and repayments.
Topic 8 US Pays to Clean Up Agent Orange Used in Vietnam War
The United States announced a contract earlier this month worth up to $29 million to clean a chemical contamination in Vietnam.
Topic 9 NASA Launches New Artemis Rocket to the Moon
NASA’s new moon rocket flew into space for the first time early Wednesday morning.
Topic 10 North Korean Spies Try New Hacking Method
Daniel DePetris is a foreign affairs expert based in the United States. He received an email in October from Jenny Town, the director of 38 North, asking him to write about North Korea.
Topic 11 Firms Race to Develop Less Costly Batteries for Electric Vehicles
American and European companies are racing to develop new batteries for electric vehicles using two readily available and less costly materials: sodium and sulfur.
Topic 12 Confusion over Iran’s Morality Police as Women Drop Hijab
Confusion over the standing of Iran’s morality police continues after state media gave different reports over the weekend.
Topic 13 Ethiopian Government, Tigray Forces Agree to End 'Hostilities'
An official close to the Ethiopian peace talks says the government and Tigray forces have signed an agreement to end “hostilities.”
Topic 14 India’s Cricket Bat Business in Danger
The best cricket bats in the world are made in England and India from willow trees.
Topic 15 Veggie Alternatives to Foie Gras Becoming More Popular in France
Foie gras is a popular Christmas dish in France. Its name means “fat liver” in the French language.
Topic 16 In America, Some School Boards Have Student Members
School boards are usually made up of elected members who make policy decisions about local public school districts.
Topic 17 Ukraine's Zelenskyy Meets Biden, Addresses US Congress
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United States Wednesday.
Topic 18 In Nicaragua, Many Concerned over Press Freedoms
Reporters and observers say recent years under Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega have severely damaged press freedoms in the country.
Topic 19 Chinese Businesses Prepare for COVID Infections after Easing Restrictions
Manufacturers and businesses wanting to stay open in China are staying careful by keeping COVID-19 measures.
Topic 20 Sony to Produce Electric Car with Honda
Sony publicly showed for the first time a new car that it will produce with Honda.
