Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced that National Guard troops and agents from 13 federal agencies will begin arriving in Memphis next week as part of a major push to fight crime. The Guard members will be from Tennessee and will work alongside local police, but they will not carry weapons or make arrests unless asked to do so. The new “Memphis Safe Task Force” will also include the FBI, DEA, ATF, and state troopers. Lee promised $100 million in state funding for public safety and said the operation would continue “as long as it takes.” Mayor Paul Young, who did not request the troops, said his focus is on making sure the extra resources are used to benefit the community. Memphis has seen recent decreases in some crime rates, but leaders say more work is needed. The plan comes after President Trump ordered deployments in other cities like Los Angeles and Washington, and he has suggested Chicago could be next. Create a short chart or paragraph comparing the Memphis deployment with the earlier troop deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. How are they similar, and how are they different? What do you think these differences reveal about how the federal government is approaching Memphis?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a combative speech at the United Nations, vowing to “finish the job” against Hamas in Gaza despite mounting international criticism. His remarks came as dozens of delegates walked out of the General Assembly in protest, and many countries announced recognition of a Palestinian state. Netanyahu rejected those moves, calling them dangerous and encouraging terrorism, while praising President Trump as his strongest ally. International pressure on Israel is growing: the European Union is weighing sanctions, and the International Criminal Court has issued a warrant accusing Netanyahu of crimes against humanity, which he denies. Protests erupted outside the UN during his address, with Palestinian activists condemning Israel’s war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population. Netanyahu framed Israel’s fight as part of a broader battle against radical Islam and insisted that his military campaign was vital for Israel’s security and peace in the region. Pretend you are a delegate from another country attending the UN General Assembly. Write a 5–6 sentence response to Netanyahu’s speech, either supporting or criticizing Israel’s actions. Be sure to explain your reasoning.

President Trump’s promise of retribution against his political enemies intensified this week with the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey. The indictment came after the resignation of a U.S. attorney who believed there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges. Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist and former defense lawyer with little courtroom experience, was quickly installed as the new U.S. attorney in Virginia and filed the charges against Comey. The move has shaken the Justice Department, where career prosecutors see it as a blow to the agency’s independence. Many staff members are reportedly updating résumés or documenting their work to protect themselves from political retaliation. Trump has openly called for prosecutions of other opponents, including John Bolton, Adam Schiff, and Letitia James, raising fears of a broader campaign of politically motivated cases. Comey has denied wrongdoing, calling the indictment baseless and saying he looks forward to clearing his name. Legal experts note that the grand jury vote to indict barely met the minimum threshold, and critics say the case highlights how the Trump administration is using the Justice Department to pursue personal vendettas. Write a short response (6–8 sentences) explaining whether you think the Justice Department should be more independent from the president or whether the president should have stronger influence over prosecutions. Use examples from this story to support your opinion.

At a United Nations climate summit this week, leaders from over 120 countries pledged new goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Major powers like China, Germany, Japan, and Russia joined small island states and developing nations to commit to renewable energy transitions. The United States, however, did not participate. President Trump instead used his speech at the U.N. General Assembly to promote U.S. oil and gas exports, dismissing renewable energy as an economic “scam.” This stance has left the U.S. isolated on climate policy, even as countries like China and the European Union ramp up solar and wind energy investments. China announced that by 2035 it would reduce emissions by up to 10 percent and massively expand renewable power. European leaders also vowed deep cuts, though some critics note their energy deals with the U.S. could complicate those efforts. Many experts argue that America’s absence undermines global cooperation and risks its credibility as a leader on one of the world’s most urgent issues. Write a 6–8 sentence editorial as if you were publishing in your school newspaper. Take a clear stance on the U.S. absence from the climate summit and argue why it either helps or harms America’s reputation. Use at least one piece of evidence from the article.

A new Associated Press investigation revealed that American technology companies like IBM, Dell, and Cisco played a much bigger role than previously known in helping China build its mass surveillance system. These companies sold billions of dollars of technology to Chinese police and government agencies, despite repeated warnings that their products would be used to monitor dissent, persecute minorities, and commit human rights abuses. Lawmakers from both parties, including Senator Josh Hawley and Senator Elizabeth Warren, called for stricter export controls to prevent U.S. technology from being used in authoritarian systems. Activists like Yang Caiying, whose family has been targeted by Chinese surveillance, say that these sales show how American companies put profit over human rights. Civil society groups representing Tibetans and Uyghurs also condemned the findings, urging Congress to take action. The revelations have fueled debates about whether U.S. companies should be held responsible for how their technology is used abroad and how the U.S. should compete with China in a global technology race. Write a short essay answering this question: Should American technology companies be held legally responsible if their products are used for human rights abuses in other countries? Use at least two arguments from the article and explain your position.