B. Novice Extemporaneous Event Prompts

Round 1 - 10:30 AM

  1. Speaker 1


    1.   How sustainable is this job growth in light of escalating tariffs and global economic uncertainties?

    2.   How will the closures of CVS Pharmacys affect prescription drug access and healthcare delivery in rural communities?

    3.   What does the recent stock market instability indicate for the future of the United States stock market?

     

  2. Speaker 2


    1. How are these tariffs affecting business investment and hiring decisions across various sectors?
    2. In light of the Trump administration's proposal to cut $880 billion from Medicaid, how might this impact nursing homes and assisted-living facilities that rely heavily on Medicaid funding?
    3. As quantum computing progresses, how can organizations prepare for the potential cybersecurity challenges posed by quantum-capable adversaries?
  3. Speaker 3


    1.        What are the potential long-term effects of this rate cut on inflation and economic stability?

    2.        How might the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, affect the delivery of healthcare services to vulnerable populations?

    3.        Given the increasing use of AI-generated code in software development, what measures can organizations take to ensure the reliability and security of their codebases?

  4. Speaker 4


    1.     How should Texas prepare for potential economic challenge from the predicted fall of oil prices?

    2.     How might the near 50% funding cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention impact the nation's ability to respond to future public health emergencies?

    3.     As AI technologies become more integrated into various sectors, what ethical considerations should companies address to ensure responsible development and deployment?

  5. Speaker 5


    1. How is the shift in consumer behavior impacting retail sales and overall economic growth?
    2. What are the impacts of the growing availability of AI systems on students in higher education?
    3. With the rise of deepfake technology and AI-generated voice scams, what steps should financial institutions take to protect their customers from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes?
  6. Speaker 6


    1.        What steps can policymakers take to address affordability issues and stimulate housing market activity?

    2.        What role should the government play in regulating prescription drug prices?

    3.        What are the implications of these setbacks for SpaceX's plans to launch a crewed mission to Mars by 2026?

  7. Speaker 7


    1.  How can the U.S. economy recover from a 0.3% GDP contraction in Q1 of 2025?

    2. What are the long-term impacts of Elon Musk's political involvement on his companies?

    3.        What insights are expected from PUNCH's study of the solar wind and its effects on space weather?

Round 2 - 1:45 PM

  1. Speaker 1


    1. How might Hungary's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, following Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit, impact EU relations and international justice norms?
    2. How can countries improve disaster preparedness in light of recent infrastructure failures?
    3. What role does The Resistance Front play in the Kashmir conflict, and how does it influence Indo-Pakistani relations?
  2. Speaker 2


    1. In light of South Korea's Constitutional Court upholding President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, what does this signify for democratic institutions in Asia?
    2. What are the implications of UPS's decision to cut 20,000 jobs for the global logistics sector?
    3. How can urban planning and smart technologies contribute to more resilient energy systems?
  3. Speaker 3


    1. What implications does the resettlement of Uyghur detainees from Thailand to Canada have for international human rights advocacy?
    2. How might the closure of Shein and Temu's tax loophole impact international retail markets?
    3. How does the expiration of the de minimis trade exemption affect global supply chains and consumer prices?
  4. Speaker 4


    1.        How might the 2025 Canadian federal election results influence Canada's foreign policy and trade relations?

    2.        How might the predicted 35% drop in cargo volume from China affect global trade dynamics?

    3.        What are the potential effects of the Baltic Dry Index's 40% increase on global shipping and logistics industries?

  5. Speaker 5


    1.     How might the Iberian Peninsula's massive power outage affect Europe's energy infrastructure and interconnectivity?

    2.     What are the environmental implications of the explosion at Iran's Port of Shahid Rajaee on marine ecosystems?

    3.     What strategies can countries adopt to mitigate the economic impact of escalating trade tensions?

  6. Speaker 6


    1.     How does the 2025 Gabonese presidential election, following a 2023 coup, reflect on the country's democratic progress?

    2.     How might the closure of Pakistani airspace affect global aviation and trade routes?

    3.     What role do multinational corporations play in shaping global trade policies and economic relations?

  7. Speaker 7


    1. What are the potential geopolitical consequences of President Trump's global trade tariffs, especially the 10% baseline tariff on all imports?
    2. How do fluctuations in the Dow Jones Transportation Average signal broader economic health?
    3. What role does international cooperation play in addressing cross-border environmental challenges?

Finals - 4:30 PM

  1. Speaker 1


    1. Should California continue to set its own vehicle emissions standards despite federal opposition?

    2. Will Governor Newsom's emergency staffing regulations improve conditions in psychiatric hospitals?

    3. What lessons can California learn from the Eaton Fire to prevent future wildfire disasters?

  2. Speaker 2


    1. Should California mandate insurance coverage for IVF to promote reproductive equity?

    2. Should utility companies like Southern California Edison be held more accountable for wildfire damages?

    3. Does the new legislation mandating trust accounts for child vloggers' earnings adequately protect minors in the digital content industry?

  3. Speaker 3


    1. How will removing medical debt from credit reports impact Californians' financial stability?

    2. How can California better protect immigrant workers involved in wildfire cleanup efforts?

    3. Does the reintroduction of the California Social Housing Act indicate a shift toward state-managed housing solutions?

  4. Speaker 4


    1. Are California's new AI regulations sufficient to protect actors' likenesses and voices?

    2. Will the expansion of tiny home and motel accommodations as interim housing solutions significantly reduce homelessness in California?

    3. How might California's sanctuary policies withstand President Trump's executive orders?

  5. Speaker 5


    1. How do these new consumer protection laws position California as a leader in consumer rights?

    2. How might the $6.38 billion mental health bond reshape California's behavioral health landscape?

    3. Will extending eviction response times from 5 days to 10 days significantly benefit tenants?

  6. Speaker 6


    1. How effective are California's legislative measures in protecting immigrants from federal enforcement actions in sensitive locations like schools and hospitals?

    2. What are the biggest obstacles California faces in transitioning away from fossil fuels?

    3. What is the most possible outcome of California’s lawsuits against the Trump administration?

  7. Speaker 7


    1. How realistic is California’s goal of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045?

    2. How will Governor Newsom's proposed 8% budget cut to the UC system affect student enrollment and access to higher education?

    3. What measures can California implement to support undocumented students amid changing federal policies?