Mergers and acquisitions are transactions in which the ownership of companies, other business organizations, or their operating units are transferred or consolidated with other entities. Mergers are the combination of two companies to form one, while acquisitions are one company being taken over by the other. For example - Adani Group acquiring NDTV, Disney's acquisition of Pixar, Discovery Inc merger with Warner Media.

Under the BIOSECURE ACT, passed in 2024, the Biden Administration disallows American firms to form new ties and dissolve existing ties with Chinese healthcare companies (for eg- genomic sequencers, makers of sequencing machines and makers of large-molecule drugs). It extends the ban to any biotech firm with its headquarters in an adversary country, and mentions four Chinese companies by name. A survey in May 2024 conducted by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) on 124 large healthcare companies found that 79% have at least one contract with or purchase one product from China-owned or China-based clinical data management organisations. For the purposes of this debate, this Act will be in effect immediately.

In an alternate world, Eldians are an oppressed group of ethnic minorities. In the country of Marley, they are forced to live in internment zones and are treated as second-class citizens without any civil liberties. They often live in abject poverty, with underdeveloped infrastructure, and rampant abuse from Marleyan citizens and police. Eldia and Marley are at war, and have regular skirmishes and fights in their conflict.

Warriors are Eldian children who volunteer to join the Marleyean military to become Titans, extremely powerful humanoid weapons that transform into giant versions of humans with various mutations that enable them to fight. These fights are often intense and violent. Further, Warriors participate in very dangerous missions, often against foreign Eldians, including espionage where they may have to deceive and manipulate citizens within Eldia for the Marleyean cause.

These mutations also mean they have a maximum lifespan of 13 more years from the point of becoming a warrior. In return, Warriors and their family members, including future generations, automatically receive honourary Marleyan citizenship and gain the rights of regular Marleyan citizens, including high-pay and government-provided accomodation and services.

Ukraine is seeking permission to use American ATACMS missiles, which have a range of up to 300km, to target Russian military positions deep in Russian territory. While Britain and France have allowed the use of their missiles, the U.S. has so far restricted ATACMS.

Recently, Morena, a left-wing Mexican party which won a strong senate majority because of promising liberal policies like supporting indigenous groups, banning fracking and banning mining, proposed electing all judges at all levels instead of appointing them. The reform, supported by a successful referendum among Mexicans, faces significant opposition from the USA and Western countries.

Recently, Morena, a left-wing Mexican party which won a strong senate majority because of promising liberal policies like supporting indigenous groups, banning fracking and banning mining, proposed electing all judges at all levels instead of appointing them. The reform, supported by a successful referendum among Mexicans, faces significant opposition from the USA and Western countries.

It’s 652 BCE. Assyria is the most powerful empire in the world, and is known for its harsh treatment of enemies and territorial expansion. It is currently ruled by Ashurbanipal, a scholar, who was chosen as heir over his older brother Shamash. 

As a conciliatory gesture, Shamash was appointed as king of Babylonia, a vassal state with a history of uprisings against Assyria. Shamash has declared he is the true king of Assyria and is leading a Babylonian revolt against Ashurbanipal. 

Egypt is an ancient, proud and wealthy kingdom with lots of agricultural land, and has just gained independence after a successful revolt against Assyria. Shamash asks Egpyt for assistance in his revolt.