Salman Rushdie: Iran Denies Blame for Attack
A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry on Mon. denied that Iran had any role in the brutal attack against author Salman Rushdie that took place on Friday. The author sustained 10 knife injuries before spectators tackled his assailant during a discussion at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.
Nasser Kanaani said "we", meaning Iran, "do not consider that anyone deserves blame and accusations except him and his supporters." This comes in response to a statement issued on Sun. by US Sec. of State accusing Tehran of encouraging violence against him.
Rushdie was being introduced to a debate on "the US as asylum for writers and other artists in exile and as a home for freedom and creative expression" when a man stormed the stage and attacked him. Hadi Matar, the suspect arrested after the incident, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault on Saturday.
Establishment-critical narrative
Though nothing justifies this brutal attack, Rushdie as an author shouldn't be celebrated. A key condition of freedom is that it can be exercised only so long as it doesn't take away from the freedom of others. The double standard of liberal, Western democracy is blatant while the American judicial system fiercely defends Rushdie's right to freedom of speech, there is never a place for the complaint of hundreds of millions of Muslims who have had their religious principles disrespected and insulted by his
Pro-establishment narrative
Salman Rushdie never planned to become a hero of free speech, yet he is now a martyr to it. Book-burning is a popular distraction technique for regimes under pressure and the Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran scapegoated Rushdie's exceptional writing to deflect attention from domestic troubles. There are no perfect victims, but pluralistic democracy necessarily means hearing opinions you don't like.
$1.5M for Officers Barred from Guarding Derek Chauvin
A nearly $1.5M settlement has been reached between the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and eight corrections officers who alleged racial discrimination when they were barred from guarding Derek Chauvin in May 2020, as he awaited trial for his involvement in the death of George Floyd.
Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police Officer, has since been convicted for the murder of Floyd, a black man whose death sparked nationwide protests.
The officers, who identify as African American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander American, and multiracial, allege that Steve Lydon, then-Superintendent of the detention center, issued an order prohibiting all officers of color from guarding Chauvin. The order was rescinded about an hour later.
Narrative A
While his actions were insensitive, Steve Lydon only had good intentions He was trying to protect his employees in the face of the traumatizing and unlawful death of George Floyd, and shield them from Chauvin.
Narrative B
Lydon's actions were racist and disrespectful. The fact that he remains employed and has only offered a half-hearted apology hidden behind the guise that he was doing the right thing speaks of poor leadership within the Ramsey County Sheriff's Department.
More US Lawmakers Visit Taiwan 12 Days After Pelosi Trip
A five-member US delegation, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), arrived in Taiwan on Sun., only 12 days after the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi prompted China to begin military drills around the island.
The lawmakers will meet Taiwanese Pres. Tsai Ing-wen and other officials from her government, as well as members of the private sector, reportedly to discuss reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and investing in semiconductors.
The delegation will also reportedly discuss climate change and supply chains and will be in Taiwan until Mon. as part of a larger trip to the Indo-Pacific region, according to the American Institute in Taiwan.
Narrative A
Public sentiment in many democracies is turning against China's authoritarian rule. This latest US delegation shows the widespread popularity of visiting Taiwan among the US electorate, especially as the elections approach in November. Delegations that show support for Taiwan's democracy make sense both geopolitically and in domestic US politics.
Pro-China narrative
The visit to Taiwan is more provocation by the US as part of their attempt to confront mainland China. This again shows that Washington isn't interested in stability across the Taiwan Strait and is exacerbating tensions while interfering in Beijing's internal affairs. The US should honor its historical agreement to the One China policy.
Nerd narrative
There is a 40% chance that the People's Republic of China will annex at least half of Taiwan before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Gunman Wounds Eight in Jerusalem Shooting
A Palestinian man opened fire on a bus in Jerusalem on Sun., reportedly wounding eight people, five of which were US citizens. Two of those shot were in serious condition, including a pregnant woman and a man with gunshot wounds to the head and neck.
The attack occurred as the bus was waiting near Zion Gate in Jerusalem's old city near the Western Wall and was allegedly carried out by Amir Sidawi - a resident of east Jerusalem who is said to have later surrendered himself to the police.
Although the attack hasn't been claimed by any militant groups, Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad welcomed what they termed a "heroic operation."
Pro-Israel narrative
This is but the latest instance of Arab violence in Israel. With tensions still high after the recent strikes in Gaza, Israeli security forces must be diligent in the face of more dangerous terrorist activity, where attackers may seek to damage the very fabric of Israeli life. Fortunately, the police have proven they can be trusted to protect Israelis.
Pro-Palestine narrative
While violence should never be condoned, such incidents come as a reaction to Israeli acts of aggression against Palestinians. Israel has launched several military operations and killed dozens of Palestinians in the West Bank this year alone - not to mention last week's brutal attack on Gaza - enflaming the security situation by radicalizing Palestinians to seek revenge.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by 2071, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 173 Roundup: Russia Advancing on Bakhmut in Donetsk; Ukraine Strikes Headquarters of Russia's Wagner Group
Amid continued fighting and heavy artillery fire across several fronts in the Donbas region over the weekend, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian troops achieved "partial success" in the direction of Bakhmut, but that it continued to hold-off Russian offensives on other axes.
In its daily briefing, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Mon. that Russian shelling and artillery fire was recorded in over 70 villages and settlements in the Donbas as well as in the regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian officials reported that three civilians were killed and 13 more were injured as a result of Russian shelling in the Donbas in the last 24 hrs. Five civilians were reported injured in Kharkiv, two of which were said to be in critical condition.
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There's a 22% chance there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia by Dec. 31, 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Rules Out Release of Billions of Dollars in Afghan Funds
After previous indications of progress in talks between the US and the Taliban, the Biden admin. has reportedly suspended talks and stated that none of the roughly $7B in Afghan assets held on US soil since the Taliban takeover - which marked exactly one year on Mon. - will be released.
According to the US special envoy to Afghanistan, Tom West, the admin. has taken this decision as it doesn't believe the Afghan central bank has the ability or the trust "to manage assets responsibly."
This announcement comes after al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed in Kabul by a US drone strike in late July.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the Taliban has committed atrocities as Afghanistan's governing body since the US withdrawal, these funds still belong to the Afghan people and should be released immediately to help alleviate life-threatening economic and starvation problems. The Afghan people didn't elect the Taliban and shouldn't be unfairly punished for the transgressions of their oppressors.
Pro-establishment narrative
The US simply releasing these funds will not automatically solve Afghan's economic problems. Before any money can be sent to Kabul, the Biden admin. must first ensure it will be going toward humanitarian aid and not toward terrorist operations. So far, there are no safeguards in place to guarantee this, and the fact that Zawahiri was hidden in Kabul can only raise further suspicions.
Nerd narrative
There is a 47% chance that Afghanistan will be used as a base for anti-NATO terrorism by 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Lt. Gov. Green Wins Hawaii Democratic Gubernatorial Nomination
Hawaii's Lt. Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat who served in the Hawaii state legislature from 2004-2018, will face Republican Duke Aiona in the general election for Hawaii's governor, as both party's favorites moved past the primary stage.
As of Sun. morning, Green had obtained 63.7% of the vote, with former Hawaii first lady Vicky Cayetano and Rep. Kai Kahele with 21.4% and 13.7%, respectively.
Green has served as Lt. Governor for the last four years. Current projections favor him to win in the general election.
Democratic narrative
At a pivotal time in the state's history, where pandemic recovery and increases in the cost of living and affordable housing are near emergencies, Hawaii's Democrats have clearly placed their faith in Green, who has clear policy solutions to lead Hawaii through turbulent times.
Republican narrative
Hawaii's Republican candidates should not be dismissed - in this deeply liberal state, many GOP members are pro-choice and support gay marriage and gun control. It's vital that the Aloha State has a healthy two-party system, and Aiona offers voters an alternative to the entrenched Democratic establishment to battle the state's pandemic and economic crises.
UK Becomes First to Approve COVID Vaccine for Omicron Variant
A booster dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine, known as "Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron," has been approved for the first time by the UK. The shot includes 25 micrograms of each of an Omicron-specific and original COVID vaccine, allowing it to target both the Omicron variant as well as the initial strain.
In clinical trials, the new shot generated a good immune response to both target strains. The result followed the emergence of Omicron - and its particularly contagious subvariants - in the spring, which appears to reduce the efficacy of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines at preventing hospitalization.
Roughly 26M people in the UK will be eligible for a booster this year, but only half of that number of the new doses will be available for distribution, according to Moderna.
Left narrative
This breakthrough is a crucial step in developing greater protection against the disease and saving lives. A broader immune response from the new shot will act as a tool in the arsenal against rising COVID rates, especially going into a winter when the UK will be much more vulnerable to the virus and its many variants.
Right narrative
The ongoing risk of COVID, and the need to protect Brits from the virus, has been hugely overstated for months. The millions of COVID vaccines that continue to be distributed in the UK are the long-term plan. It's time for the UK to let go of its fixation on this virus. Arguing about restrictions and making costly government interventions could be better spent tackling a real threat to public health.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that at least 1.13% of the UK will have long-COVID (one year after infection) on August 31, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Oslo Fjord: Freya the Walrus Euthanized
A Walrus, nicknamed Freya, who rose to fame in the Oslo Fjord, has been euthanized due to concerns over public safety, according to Norwegian officials.
The head of Norway's fisheries directorate, Frank Bakke-Jensen, stated that "the decision to euthanize was taken on the basis of a global evaluation of the persistent threat to human security."
The 1,300 lb walrus rose to fame after it began to climb onto small boats to sunbathe. Increasingly large crowds of people began to come to the Oslo Fjord to see Freya, who was put down on Sunday.
Narrative A
While regrettable, this was the only solution. Authorities considered moving Freya but this was simply not viable and too complex. The risk of Freya's death was well known for over a week, but people persisted and authorities had to do what was necessary to prioritize the safety of humans.
Narrative B
Freya is a metaphor for humanity's poor relationship with wildlife. She was forced to flee her natural habitat due to human-triggered global warming, only to be deemed a danger in the Oslo Fjord because people wouldn't listen to warnings to steer clear. She has paid for human ignorance with her life, and the decision to euthanize her was made too hastily.
Judge: Giuliani the 'Target' of 2020 Election Investigation
Two days before he is to testify before a Fulton County, Ga. grand jury, former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was informed on Mon. that he is the "target" of a criminal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
The report came on the same day Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) was denied his request to avoid testifying before the same jury, which was an attempt to invoke congressional immunity.
Giuliani is scheduled to testify before the special grand jury on Wed., though his lawyer says he will probably invoke attorney-client privilege regarding any dealings he had with Trump.
Democratic narrative
This is the first time a member of Trump's inner circle has been notified of being a "target" in a criminal investigation in illegal attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Legal woes continue to inundate the former president - including the FBI investigation into Trump's handling of classified records at Mar-a-Lago. The pressure on Giuliani is the latest indication that serious legal action is coming after Trump from all angles.
Pro-Trump narrative
Besides the fact that this grand jury only has the power to issue a report on the alleged "election scheme," this entire investigation is based on a lie. The former president never had the intent to ask the Georiga. Sec. of State to literally "find" votes. The Fulton County DA, nonetheless, has subpoenaed high-profile Republicans based on this faulty interpretation as a political bonanza. These legal attacks are hyper-politicized crusades from the left.
Nerd narrative
There's a 54% chance that Trump will win the 2024 US Presidential Election if it is Biden v Trump, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: Nuclear War Could Spark Global Famine
A study published in the journal Nature Food on Mon. indicates that all-out nuclear war could spark worldwide famine, potentially putting 5B - 75% of the global population - "on the brink of death" and more than 99% in much of Europe, Russia and China.
This comes as some geopolitical experts assess the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as among the three "most worrisome" moments in history related to the threat of nuclear war, behind only the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1983 "Able Archer" incident between the USSR and NATO.
One indirect consequence of nuclear weapons is the sun-blocking black carbon smoke that enters the atmosphere from firestorms ignited by their detonation. The authors determined that global average temperatures could drop between 1° and 16°C for up to a decade under six potential war scenarios, and by 35°C in places.
Narrative A
The risks of a nuclear war are at an all-time high as the war in Ukraine rages on, tensions mount between the West and China, and both Iran and North Korea are developing their nuclear capabilities. More must be done to raise awareness, and NATO must work hand-in-hand with China and Russia to prevent a nuclear armageddon - the consequences for our planet and humanity would be catastrophic.
Narrative B
It is unlikely that a full-scale nuclear war would lead to all-out human extinction, and some of the metrics used are likely overstated. Humanity is in a decidedly safer nuclear space than during the depths of the Cold War. Our species should work to be resilient to many different types of threats, not just unlikely nuclear annihilation.
Nerd narrative
There's a 30% chance that there will be a nuclear weapon detonation as an act of war before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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