Amazon Data Centers and Nuke Plants
TOPIC: The technology company Amazon is building a large data center near the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania; Amazon intends to access the plant’s power. How much electrical power will the data center require and how much power does the nuclear plant put out? What benefit could powering a data center from a nuclear reactor have over obtaining power from an electrical grid? What kind of jobs will this data center provide and what are some concerns about the sustainability of those jobs? What are data centers and how is Amazon dependent on them?
SEARCH TERMS: Amazon AND (“data center” OR “data centers”) AND Pennsylvania AND nuclear
Nippon Buys U.S. Steel
TOPIC: The Japanese company Nippon Steel has purchased U.S. Steel. What political opposition did this purchase face, why, and how did this opposition delay the purchase? When was U.S. Steel founded, what companies merged to form it, and what impact did U.S. Steel have on the growth of the United States in the 20th century?
SEARCH TERMS: “U.S. Steel” AND Nippon
Japan: The Rise of the Smart Toilet
TOPIC: Known for their high-tech features, the Japanese toilet has become a phenomenal, global business success story. What started as a unique Japanese innovation has become one of the fastest-growing bathroom fixture industries worldwide. What are the features of the Japanese toilet that make it a highly sought entity? How have Western bathroom fixture companies adapted their business models in response to the Increase of the Japanese toilet market? What cultural or psychological factors drive a “toilet upgrade” purchase, and how do they compare to other smart home upgrades?
SEARCH TERMS: ((Japan OR Japanese) NEAR5 (toilet OR toilets OR bidet OR bidets OR loo OR loos OR dunny)) AND (income OR profit OR market OR trend OR invest OR investment)
Captain Cook’s HMS Endeavour
TOPIC: The remains of Captain James Cook’s ship, the HMS Endeavour, appear to have been found just off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island. Who was Captain James Cook and what were some of his major accomplishments? Why did the Endeavour sink?
SEARCH TERMS: ("Captain Cook" OR "James Cook") AND "Rhode Island" AND Endeavour
Canada Day
TOPIC: July 1st is Canada Day, commemorating the British North America Act, which officially established the Dominion of Canada on July 1,1867. The 2025 theme emphasizes national unity, cultural expression, and community participation. How did the British North America Act shape Canada’s independence? How do Canadians traditionally celebrate their country’s founding? How has the meaning and public perception of Canada evolved since its founding in1867? What are some of the more contemporary debates and criticisms of Canada Day, especially as it relates to the country’s Indigenous history?
SEARCH TERMS: "Canada Day" OR "British North America Act" OR "Canada's independence"
Conflict between Israel and Iran
TOPIC: Although a shaky ceasefire is in place, embassies have closed, military targets and civilian areas have been bombed, and the region is on high alert. Beginning with Israel launching a surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, killing several of Iran’s top military leaders and nuclear scientists, Iran has responded by firing missiles into Israel. And, Americans have attacked Iranian nuclear sites, although the degree of effectiveness is not yet determined. What type of intelligence assessments led Israel to launch pre-emptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military facilities? How effective have the bombing campaigns in Iran been in dismantling their nuclear capabilities? What has been the global reaction to this conflict, and what have been the most recent developments? What are the terms of the ceasefire between the two countries? How is the UN Security Council’s Charter of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during armed conflict being applied to the ongoing hostilities?
SEARCH TERMS: (Israel AND Iran) AND (bombing OR confrontation OR "air strike" OR "missile strike")
One Big Beautiful Bill Act
TOPIC: A budget reconciliation bill called the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is a large proposition for changes to federal spending and tax revenue in the federal budget. What are some of the major changes being proposed in this bill? What have been the significant points driving the debate in the U.S. Congress regarding this bill? What has been the public reaction to the provisions in this bill? What is the current status of this bill?
SEARCH TERMS: “Big Beautiful Bill” AND Trump AND (Republicans OR Democrats OR House OR Senate OR public)
Jordan: New Company Registrations Surge
TOPIC: In the first five months of 2025, Jordan has seen a significant surge in registrations for new companies. Along with the surge, there has been a dramatic reduction in company closures. What policy reforms and economic incentives contributed most to the increase in company registrations? How have investment incentives impacted the types of new companies being registered? How have macroeconomic factors, such as trade location and labor costs, affected the surge of new company registrations?
SEARCH TERMS: (Jordan OR Amman) NEAR40 (("new companies" OR "new company registrations" OR ("new company" OR "new start up" OR "new business") AND (added OR surge)))
Federal Reserve Rates
TOPIC: The U.S. Federal Reserve Boad has voted to keep rates steady but President Trump and some on the board are proposing lowering the rates. What are the most compelling arguments about the rates on each side of this discussion? What has the relationship been like between President Trump and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, and why?
SEARCH TERMS: (rate OR rates) AND (“Federal Reserve” OR “The Fed”) AND (Powell OR “Michelle Bowman”) AND Trump
Australia: A Major Private Equity Deal
TOPIC: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), a leading global investment firm, has agreed to acquire Zenith Energy, an established independent power producer in Australia specializing in hybrid power. How will KKR’s acquisition of Zenith impact its growth financing for major hybrid energy projects in Australia? What are the implications for private equity and infrastructure investors in Australia? How might this deal signal more of an interest in private equity competition for Australia’s renewable energy infrastructure?
SEARCH TERMS: ("Kohlberg Kravis Roberts" OR KKR) AND "Zenith Energy" AND (acquire OR acquired OR acquisition OR agreed OR deal)
FICO Credit Scoring
TOPIC: The American credit scoring company FICO will be incorporating buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) loans into its credit scores. What are BNPL loans and how do they work? What impact will BNPL loans have on credit scores?
SEARCH TERMS: ("buy now, pay later" OR BNPL) AND credit AND (rating OR score) AND FICO