1. NEWSPAPER FOUNDER CONVICTED IN HONG KONG

Jimmy Lai, the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, was convicted in Hong Kong on charges tied to the city’s national security law. Prosecutors argued that he worked with others to seek foreign pressure on Hong Kong or China and that Apple Daily published material the government called “seditious.” Lai pleaded not guilty and said he was defending free expression, but three judges found him guilty without a jury. The case has drawn international attention because many governments and observers see it as a measure of Hong Kong’s press freedom and judicial independence. Lai could face a sentence ranging up to life in prison, and concerns about his health have grown during his years in custody. ? Write a structured argument (10–12 sentences) answering this question: Does Jimmy Lai’s conviction show a legitimate national security crackdown, or an attack on press freedom? State a clear claim, use at least three specific details from the story as evidence, and include one counterargument that you respond to with a rebuttal.

2. ATTACKS SHAKE COMMUNITIES IN AUSTRALIA AND AT BROWN UNIVERSITY

In Sydney, Australia, police said a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach killed 15 people and wounded many others, and officials described it as terrorism targeting the Jewish community. Authorities said they believed a father and son carried out the attack, and they expected to charge the surviving suspect once his condition allowed. Separately in the United States, a man from Wisconsin was taken into custody after a shooting during a Brown University exam review session that killed two people and injured nine. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive in the Brown case, and they are still collecting evidence. Both incidents raised urgent questions about public safety, hate-motivated violence, and how authorities respond during fast-moving emergencies. ? Create a two-part comparative brief. First, write 6–8 sentences summarizing what investigators know versus what is still unknown in each case (use headings like “Known” and “Unknown”). Second, propose three specific safety or prevention steps (school, community, or law enforcement) and explain in 3–4 sentences why each step could reduce harm without creating new risks.

3. E.U. INDEFINITELY FREEZES RUSSIAN ASSETS TO PREVENT VETOES

The European Union used an emergency-style procedure to keep Russian assets frozen in Europe so individual member states cannot block renewals that require unanimous approval. EU leaders said this was meant to ensure the funds remain immobilized until Russia ends the war and compensates Ukraine, and to support planning for major financial aid to Ukraine in the coming years. Hungary and Slovakia objected, arguing the move breaks EU rules or could undermine peace efforts. Belgium raised concerns about legal and financial risks because many of the assets are held through a Belgian clearing house. Russia’s central bank responded with legal action, calling EU plans to use the assets illegal under international law. Write a policy memo to an EU leader that answers: Should the EU use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine? Include one paragraph explaining the EU’s reasoning, one paragraph explaining the objections and risks, and a final paragraph recommending a path forward that names at least two safeguards (legal, financial, or political) to reduce backlash.

4. NOBEL WINNER SAYS THE U.S. HELPED HER LEAVE VENEZUELA

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado reappeared publicly after more than a year in hiding and said the United States helped her leave Venezuela so she could attend Nobel Peace Prize events in Norway. She avoided sharing details about how she traveled because she said it could endanger people who assisted her. Machado argued that increased international pressure—especially from the Trump administration—has weakened President Nicolás Maduro’s government, and she framed Venezuela’s situation as tied to crime and foreign influence. She acknowledged that returning to Venezuela could put her at risk of arrest. Analysts noted that exile can sometimes weaken opposition leaders over time, even if it raises their global profile in the short term. Write a rhetorical analysis: Identify two persuasive strategies Machado uses (for example: fear, credibility, moral urgency, national identity, or naming outside threats), and explain how each strategy could influence different audiences (Venezuelans, U.S. leaders, or international media). End with one sentence evaluating whether her approach is more likely to build support or create backlash, and why.

5. PANTONE DEFENDS “CLOUD DANCER” AFTER BACKLASH

Pantone announced “Cloud Dancer,” a shade of white, as its 2026 Color of the Year and faced criticism online and in some media outlets. Some critics connected the choice to politics, arguing that white could symbolize elitism or cultural “whitewashing,” especially during debates about DEI rollbacks. Pantone responded that the selection was not political and said the color was chosen for its emotional effect—calm, reflection, and creativity—and for how it works as a flexible base in design. The controversy showed how people can attach very different meanings to the same symbol depending on the moment and the context. Write a short op-ed that answers: Can a design choice ever be “non-political,” or do audiences always make it political? Use the Pantone situation as your main example, include one comparison to another symbol or product that people interpret differently (no research required), and end with a recommendation for how companies should respond when public interpretation clashes with their intent.