Narrative A

At a time when we more than ever need a strong and undivided UN, choosing Morocco to lead the UN Human Rights Council will only serve to undermine the credibility of the UN system. Morocco has persisted in systematically violating human rights. Morocco's illegal occupation of Western Sahara, which has lasted for nearly 50 years, is probably the worst of all its human rights violations. It's a sad day for the human rights community. 

Narrative B

The appointment of Ambassador Omar Zniber to serve as President of the Human Rights Council in 2024 is a great honor for both the Kingdom of Morocco and the Ambassador. Morocco's nomination was enabled by its dedication to ensuring universal respect for human rights and its ongoing engagement with addressing global issues. The council's perspective on international human rights initiatives will most certainly be influenced by Morocco's vast experience in protecting and advancing human rights.

Nerd narrative

There is a 50% chance that Morocco will recognize Western Sahara by September 2118, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Anti-Russia narrative

While it's true that Russia has been resilient in the face of global sanctions, the West has still been able to freeze hundreds of billions of dollars worth of assets, a percentage of which will go to Kyiv. The latest of these valuable assets is the Russian diamond trade, which totals $4.4B globally and $1.6B in the EU. Once Europe acquires these assets, it will be able to offer Ukraine the funding it needs to arm new waves of conscripts and push Moscow back.

Pro-Russia narrative

Zelenkyy's own advisors are now against both lowering the age of conscription and continuing the war more generally. As the world has known for a while now, Western powers have blocked Kyiv from achieving peace since their purposely failed Minsk agreements a decade ago through the failed peace negotiations in Istanbul at the start of this war. Now that Ukraine is being called out even by the Pentagon for misappropriation of military assets, momentum is increasingly on the Kremlin's side.

Nerd narrative

"There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community."

Pro-Trump narrative

Christie never stood a chance to win the GOP presidential nomination, especially as his campaign was focused entirely on opposing Donald Trump, so his departure is indeed quite logical and expected. What's surprising about his decision is that he believes that his few supporters will help another alternative to Trump, though not even he can name a better option for the White House.

Anti-Trump narrative

Back in 2016, Christie made the terrible mistake of endorsing the then-outsider Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. Now, he and others within the GOP have realized that if Trump ever returns to the White House, he may establish an authoritarian regime. Nikki Haley seems to be the only viable alternative to prevent that outcome — and winning New Hampshire is crucial to that effort.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that Ron DeSantis will end his 2024 primary campaign by Jan. 18, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Haley was the clear winner of CNN's debate — oozing confidence and continually exposing an uncomfortable-looking DeSantis for his false claims. Although neither a final nail in the coffin for the Florida governor nor anywhere near enough for Haley to bridge the polling gap against Trump, the former South Carolina leader — who's likely to be propelled forward following Chris Christie's recent exit from the race — gave a strong and assured performance.

Narrative B

With a focus on the upcoming Iowa caucus dominating DeSantis' campaign strategy, the Florida governor produced a signature performance against Haley which will leave his supporters hopeful that this is just the beginning of a campaign revival. The last chance to convince a national audience before the public can begin the GOP nomination process, DeSantis may have secured himself as the clear alternative candidate to the Trump-dominated Republican support base.

Pro-Trump narrative

While Haley and DeSantis traded vicious blows on the debate stage in a desperate attempt to prove themselves as the secondary Republican option, Trump calmly enjoyed a fruitful evening with Fox News. The former president continues to handsomely lead GOP support, and despite DeSantis and Haley insistently fighting for survival, the nomination race continues to be over before it ever began.

Nerd narrative

There's a 92% chance that Trump will be the Republican nominee for the 2024 US Presidential Election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

This riot stems from Prime Minister Marape's negligence in both his economic leadership and reaction to the riots, not just the sudden wage reduction. As several parliamentarians have resigned in protest of his incompetent and selfish rule, Marape, too, should do the right thing and step down from office.

Narrative B

The opportunists are breaking the law and holding the country to ransom despite reassurances from the government that the cut was the result of a glitch and no new tax had been imposed. While the country works to obtain more foreign investment, the unrest has been orchestrated by members of parliament and the violence has been encouraged by police.

Pro-Trump narrative

The least Engoron could do was let Trump, who has done nothing wrong, speak at his own trial. Otherwise, Trump has been denied most of his rights, including the opportunity to postpone the proceedings while he mourns the death of his mother-in-law. It’s obvious this is James’ contribution to the Democratic witch hunt that seeks to derail Trump’s reelection to the White House.

Anti-Trump narrative

Engoron knew what was going to happen if he granted Trump the right to speak in court, and the former president acted accordingly. Instead of showing remorse or presenting a factual argument to defend himself, Trump used the opportunity to deliver his rehearsed list of grievances and his oft-repeated accusations of a witch hunt. He made it easy for Engoron to throw the book at him.

Nerd narrative

There’s a 92% chance that Trump will be the GOP 2024 presidential nominee, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

The extinction of the Gigantopithecus not only tells us about the ancient past but also provides lessons on how to deal with climate change today. Due to a drying climate millennia ago, this massive primate — which would typically rule atop the food chain due to its size — was left without the necessary fruits required for survival. The world should take note of this study and use it to protect our ailing ecosystem today.

Narrative B

What caused the Gigantopithecus to go extinct is not happening today; in fact, the opposite is occurring. Studies have found that the rising amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has inadvertently increased global greening. This greening has resulted in an abundance of vegetation for species to eat, ranging from the arctic tundra and coral reefs to rainforests and even the deserts of Africa.

Nerd narrative

There's a 29% chance that more than 33% of the earth's land area will be covered by forest in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

The SEC's decision to approve Bitcoin ETFs opens up the cryptocurrency to millions of investors and further legitimizes the digital asset. While there are still questions about the underlying value of cryptocurrencies, the approval shows that crypto has entered the big leagues of finance. With the backing of the world’s biggest companies, such as Blackrock and Fidelity, Bitcoin is entering the mainstream, and can now be viewed as more than just an outsider's investment.

Establishment-critical narrative

While some wealthy Bitcoin investors may be happy about the SEC's approval of Bitcoin ETFs, true crypto supporters know that this move will only lead to regulation and restriction of the financial medium by the very powers it was created to defy. Bitcoin and other examples of decentralized finance were created to avoid the oppressive thumb of big banks and Beltway regulators. At first, the powers that be tried to suppress and destroy crypto. After they failed to do so, they proceeded to infiltrate the industry and turn it into a mainstream commodity. Bitcoin ETFs traded on mainstream exchanges may be a win for some, but they go against the spirit of cryptocurrency altogether.

Cynical narrative

Although Bitcoin ETFs have been approved, it's clear that the SEC still does not trust cryptocurrencies. Often the victim of fraud, hacking, and theft, those who do place their money into crypto should remain vigilant for the many bad actors that continue to take advantage of the vulnerability and volatility of investments.

Nerd narrative

There is a 50% chance that 5 or more countries will recognize Bitcoin as legal tender by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Like most legends of sport, Belichick couldn't keep the magic going, and now he's paid the ultimate price for his failure to recognize Brady's importance and retain the quarterback's services, and his inability to select the right talent for several years since Brady left. The game may have passed Belichick by as evidenced by too many recent fumbles both on the field and with the roster.

Narrative B

With more than a handful of NFL teams in the market for a new head coach, Belichick is sure to be in demand. Despite how things ended in New England, Belichick’s career resume speaks for itself, and his career is marked with points where he evolved to changes in the game. Assuming he wants to coach, he'll be on another sideline next fall — chasing Shula's mark to further accentuate his Hall of Fame career.

Right narrative

Pres. Javier Milei is doing all he can to fix the utter economic disaster left by his leftist predecessor, and his agreement to secure $4.7B from the IMF shows that he has institutional backing. This agreement does not add any more debt to Argentina's balance sheet, but it does grant Milei's government flexibility to determine how it will pay down the money it owes the IMF. The road was never going to be easy, but Milei's ambitious economic plan is already restoring Argentina's legitimacy. Economic recovery will take time, but Milei’s free-market approach will yield great dividends in the future.

Left narrative

While many Argentinian people may have agreed with Milei's brash rhetoric and hardline approach to economics, the honeymoon phase is wearing off quickly as markets react to his administration's extreme policies. After a month, Argentina's inflation continues to skyrocket, and he has no defined plans to pay off the country's massive debt. Milei is trying to buy time by securing IMF payments, but that won’t fix Argentina's economic crisis — especially with such severe austerity.

Nerd narrative

There is a 24% chance that Argentina will fully dollarize its economy before 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.