R&D from Prepd: The Result of Italy’s Constitutional Referendum

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On December 8, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D covers the result of Italy’s constitutional referendum.  A sizable majority of Italian voters, 59% in total, voted against Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s package of constitutional reforms to weaken the Italian Senate and assist in more robust lawmaking powers by Italy’s central government.  Renzi announced that he would resign as an outcome of the referendum, potentially plunging Italy into renewed political chaos and weakening the Italian government’s efforts to stabilize the nation’s economy.

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R&D from Prepd: Trump’s Call to Taiwan

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On December 6, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D provides resources on President-elect Donald Trump’s recent phone call with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen.  China blasted Trump for making the call, warning that it could endanger existing Sino-American relationship.  However, analysts wonder if the call was a way for Trump to show strength to Chinese leaders, whom he appears headed on a collision course with regarding trade issues.

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HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of December 5-11, 2016

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On December 5, 2016

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. How significant was the result of Austria’s presidential election?
2. Should Great Britain pay for access to the EU’s markets after Brexit?
3. Will Gambia have a peaceful democratic transition?
4. Is it time for Mahmud Abbas to step down as the head of the Palestinian Authority?
5. Will King Rama X be Thailand’s last monarch?
6. How will Hollande’s exit affect the French presidential race?
7. What does OPEC’s recent deal mean for the global economy?
8. How can South African bolster its economic standing?
9. Is another “Arab Spring” looming?
10. Why have international efforts to stop South Sudan’s civil war failed?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of December 5-11, 2016

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On December 5, 2016

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. How will a Trump presidency affect Sino-U.S. relations?
2. What will be the first priority of the new Congress?
3. Who will win Louisiana’s Senate runoff?
4. Would financial sanctions for outsourcing hurt the American economy?
5. How safe is the U.S. financial system from another 2008-style meltdown?
6. Is General James Mattis a poor pick for Secretary of Defense?
7. Will President Obama pardon Bowe Bergdahl?
8. Should all U.S. public housing be smoke free?
9. How much constitutional protection should teacher speech enjoy?
10. Should flag burning be constitutional?

R&D from Prepd: Weekly Roundup for the Week of November 28-December 4, 2016

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On December 2, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of November 28-December 4, 2016.

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R&D from Prepd: Trump’s Growing Cabinet

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On December 1, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D provides resources on Donald Trump establishing his presidential cabinet.  Trump has already named a attorney general, treasury secretary, commerce secretary, education secretary, health and human services secretary, and transportation secretary, among other positions.  Critics argue that the cabinet is too conservative, while some of Trump’s more conservative supporters wonder if the picks are too moderate.  All cabinet picks will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate after Trump takes office.

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R&D from Prepd: South Korean Politics

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On November 29, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D provides resources on the turmoil that is roiling South Korean politics.  President Park Geun-hye is under fire for allowing a close confidante to look at sensitive government materials and then allowing that confidante to funnel millions of dollars to a foundation.  Some of Park’s other aides also face criminal charges.  South Korea gives its president immunity, but there are growing calls for Park to step down and the United States worries that the political crisis could endanger the security of the Korean Peninsula.

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HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of November 28-December 4, 2016

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On November 28, 2016

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Do Americans need a tax cut or a tax increase?
2. Will Trump’s presidency be a major setback for global climate change efforts?
3. Do poor Black Friday sales signal weakness in the U.S. economy?
4. Should Democrats block Jeff Sessions confirmation as attorney general?
5. What role should President Obama play in national politics after he leaves the White House?
6. Should House Democrats ditch Nancy Pelosi?
7. Will the death of Fidel Castro make it easier for the U.S. to form closer relations with Cuba?
8. Would Mitt Romney be an effective Secretary of State?
9. Should President Obama pardon Hillary Clinton?
10. Will Jill Stein’s recount efforts delegitimize Donald Trump’s presidency?

HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of November 28-December 4, 2016

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On November 28, 2016

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Will Colombian voters approve a revised peace accord with the FARC?
2. How can the international community best curb violence against women in combat zones?
3. Would a cashless society bolster the Indian economy?
4. Should Park Geun-hye resign?
5. Did Iraq’s government err in legalizing Iranian-backed militias that are operating within its borders?
6. Do Turkey and the EU need each other?
7. Has China become the world’s defender of globalization?
8. What does the appointment of Qamar Javed Bajwa mean for the future of Pakistan’s defense policy?
9. Can Francis Fillon’s policies fix France’s economic ills?
10. What should the legacy of Fidel Castro be?

R&D from Prepd: Weekly Roundup for the Week of November 14-20, 2016

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On November 18, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps exte
mpers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

Here is our weekly survey of news stories to round out the week of November 14-20, 2016.

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R&D from Prepd: Italy’s Constitutional Referendum

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On November 17, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D provides resources on Italy’s constitutional referendum, which will take place on December 4.  Italian voters will be asked whether to make changes to Italy’s constitution that would make the nation more unicameral.  The Italian Senate would see a weakening of its powers in the hopes of making Italy a more governable country.  Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has staked his political future on the referendum, but polls show that the “no” side is gaining.  Analysts fear that if the referendum fails that it could lead to an eventual breakup of the eurozone.

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R&D from Prepd: The Trump Transition

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On November 15, 2016

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This R&D provides resources on the Donald Trump’s ongoing transition into the Oval Office.  Trump, who won last week’s presidential election, is currently seeking four thousand appointees to serve his administration.  He has already made some of the initial moves of a usual transition by naming Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus to be his chief of staff.

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HotTopics: International Extemp Questions for the Week of November 14-20, 2016

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On November 14, 2016

In International Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Is the world winning its battle against famine?
2. How can Egypt reverse its economic fortunes?
3. Is a genocide taking place in South Sudan?
4. Will Australia be able to broker a refugee deal with the United States?
5. Should the world allow Assad to win the Syrian Civil War?
6. Is Duterte a foreign policy realist?
7. What does rising populism mean for the future of international institutions?
8. Is Italy going to be Europe’s next big headache?
9. If the Iran nuclear deal ends, what does that mean for the larger Middle East?
10. Should America’s European allies be worried about the outcome of the 2016 presidential election?

HotTopics: United States Extemp Questions for the Week of November 14-20, 2016

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On November 14, 2016

In U.S. Extemp, Weekly Questions

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HOTtopics1. Why did Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election?
2. Will the Electoral College be abolished before 2020?
3. Who is the Democratic frontrunner for the party’s 2020 presidential nomination?
4. Will U.S.-Russian relations improve during a Trump presidency?
5. Who should Donald Trump name to the U.S. Supreme Court?
6. What does Trump’s victory mean for President Obama’s legacy?
7. Are protests against the outcome of the 2016 presidential election counterproductive?
8. How might a Trump presidency affect the future of the Federal Reserve?
9. Will Trump build his wall?
10. Was Mike Pence instrumental in Trump’s electoral success?

Q&A With Ian Panchevre, The Founder of Prepd

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On November 11, 2016

In Files

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l_2If you’re a regular reader of Extemp Central, chances are you’re familiar with Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). The startup that has built popular apps for Extemp and Congress recently launched Generation 3, a brand new version of its debate technology. I caught up with Ian Panchevre, the founder of Prepd. This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

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