1. OWNER OR EDITOR?

Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owner of The Los Angeles Times, has become more involved in the paper’s editorial decisions, sparking concerns among staff. Recently, he blocked an editorial critical of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, insisting that an opposing view must also be published. This decision led to the removal of the editorial, which argued that the Senate should carefully evaluate Trump’s nominees. Soon-Shiong has also vetoed the editorial board’s endorsement of Kamala Harris, causing multiple staff resignations. Soon-Shiong has publicly criticized the paper’s editorial direction, describing it as biased and announcing plans to introduce a “bias meter” to articles using artificial intelligence. He also plans to add conservative voices to the opinion section, including commentator Scott Jennings. These changes have alarmed staff, who fear the paper is becoming too accommodating to the Trump administration. Soon-Shiong’s actions reflect his broader vision for the Times, but they’ve raised concerns about journalistic independence and created tensions within the newsroom, particularly as seasoned staff leave in protest. Write an opinion article on whether you think Soon-Shiong’s recent actions impact the paper’s credibility or reliability as a source of information. Include concrete examples from the story of how this could impact the paper’s reputation going forward.

2. UPHEAVAL IN SYRIA

Syria’s new leaders face significant challenges after rebels, led by Ahmed al-Shara, toppled the Assad regime. While they promise justice for atrocities committed under Assad, they also aim to prevent the country from descending into chaos and vengeance. The rebels have vowed to hold those responsible for violence accountable, but there are concerns over retaliation and violence against Assad’s supporters, particularly from the Alawite sect. The new government is struggling financially, with no reserves and an empty treasury, making it difficult to restore order. Meanwhile, fighting between different factions continues, particularly in northern Syria, where U.S.-backed forces are clashing with Turkish-backed groups. The U.S. is pushing for stability, but the rebel group leading the revolution, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is considered a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the U.N., complicating efforts. The U.S. is also concerned about the potential for Syria to become a base for terrorism, as Israel carries out airstrikes to prevent weapons from reaching extremists. Despite the complicated situation, U.S. officials recognize the need to engage with Syria’s new leadership and navigate the “gray” areas of diplomacy, as the country’s future remains uncertain. Research a brief overview of the Syrian conflict and the Assad regime. Then, write an article summarizing the current state and the challenges the country faces in rebuilding its government, economy, and society.

3. QUESTIONABLE CONFIDENCE

A new poll shows that while Donald Trump was recently elected for a second term as president, many Americans have doubts about his ability to handle key responsibilities like appointing qualified Cabinet members, managing government spending, and overseeing the military and the White House. According to the AP-NORC survey, only about 3 in 10 Americans are highly confident in Trump’s ability to select qualified leaders for his administration, and about half of U.S. adults say they have no confidence at all in his choices. Republicans are more confident, with about 6 in 10 expressing strong trust in Trump’s leadership, but even within his party, confidence is not unanimous. Trump’s promise to bring major changes to Washington includes plans for a task force called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, aimed at cutting regulations and firing federal workers. However, concerns about his leadership are fueled by memories of chaotic staffing and high turnover during his first term. Democrats and independents are particularly skeptical, with most Democrats and a significant portion of independents doubting his ability to manage these responsibilities effectively. The poll also highlights that these concerns aren’t unique to Trump. When Joe Biden took office in 2021, Americans had mixed confidence in his abilities, though Biden’s decades of government experience earned him more trust in some areas. This survey of 1,251 adults, conducted earlier this month, reflects ongoing divisions in public opinion about presidential leadership. Imagine you’re a political analyst discussing this survey in the lead-up to Trump taking the White House for the second time. Using research, write an article that conveys the survey results and what this could mean for his upcoming presidency.

4. VACCINE UNDER FIRE

Aaron Siri, a lawyer known for fighting against vaccines, is helping Robert F. Kennedy Jr. choose leaders for health positions in the upcoming Trump administration. Siri has asked the FDA to take away approval for the polio vaccine, which has protected millions of people from paralysis and death for decades. He also wants the distribution of other vaccines paused, claiming concerns about ingredients like aluminum. Siri works closely with Kennedy and represents the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), a group skeptical of vaccine safety. Though Kennedy says he doesn’t want to ban vaccines, his close partnership with Siri raises concerns among health experts, who fear it could harm trust in vaccines and public health. Many doctors and scientists argue Siri’s claims misuse science and could deepen vaccine hesitancy. Critics point out that vaccines undergo rigorous testing and are monitored for safety, and pulling established vaccines could bring back dangerous diseases like polio and measles. Despite losing key legal cases, Siri remains influential, filing lawsuits and pushing to make vaccine-related decisions more transparent. Siri’s actions worry public health leaders, who credit vaccines with saving millions of lives. Do your own research about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Look at the sources you find: where do they get their information? Are they reliable? Do they benefit from the information they share or have a reason to present information in a biased way? Write a summary of what you read from at least 3 sources and what you determined about the validity of those sources.

5. CAPITOL RIOT REPORT

A watchdog report found that the FBI missed key steps in preparing for the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, but it debunked claims that the FBI instigated the violence. The report criticized the FBI for not fully gathering intelligence from all its field offices before the riot, which might have improved preparations. However, it confirmed that 26 FBI informants were present in Washington that day, including four who entered the Capitol, but none were authorized to do so or provoke violence. The FBI shared intelligence, such as warnings of potential violence, with other law enforcement agencies, but some information, like plans for an armed “quick reaction force” in Virginia, wasn’t shared with local police. The FBI responded by accepting recommendations for improving its processes in future events. The report addressed conspiracy theories suggesting the FBI orchestrated the riot, calling them baseless. It also highlighted how informants provided general information before the riot, but nothing significantly different from what the FBI already knew. FBI Director Christopher Wray has defended the agency’s actions while acknowledging room for improvement. Consider the role of a misinformation watchdog, or someone who analyzes conspiracy theories to see if they are true. How can a theory like the one that the FBI was involved in instigating the Capitol riot affect public trust in the government and law enforcement? Do you think debunking these conspiracy theories is an effective way to handle them? Write an opinion article about your thoughts, using facts from the story to support your argument.