Germany Reaches Compensation Agreement Over Munich Olympics Massacre
Just days before marking the 50th anniversary of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, family members of the victims on Wed. reached a compensation settlement with the German government.
On Sept. 5, 1972, the Palestinian group Black September stormed into the Olympic Village and killed two Israeli athletes while taking another nine as hostages. The group sought to negotiate the release of over 230 Palestinian prisoners being held in Israel, as well as the founders of the left-wing militant Baader–Meinhof Group then held in West Germany. All nine hostages and a West German police officer were killed amid a failed rescue attempt.
Germany reportedly increased its settlement offer to the victims' families to €28M, up from €10M. The German government is expected to pay €22.5M, with the state of Bavaria and the city of Munich paying €5M and €500k, respectively. This latest payment is in addition to 4.19M German marks (roughly €2M) paid to victims' families immediately after the attacks, along with a further €3M paid in 2002.
Narrative A
This newly agreed settlement marks a major turning point for victims' families who have had to endure decades of suffering with no admittance of culpability by authorities. Negotiations, and the much larger compensation offered to those affected by the tragedy, reflect a public acknowledgement of security failings that led to the loss of innocent life.
Narrative B
Too much focus on the monetary compensation reached in this deal stains the legacy of the Munich massacre victims. Families were not only negotiating for financial settlement but to ensure the legacy and memory of those murdered. A full investigation must now follow into the lapses that allowed such a tragedy to occur.
Report: China May Have Committed Crimes Against Humanity In Xinjiang
On Wed., a long-awaited UN report on China's alleged abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang was released - it claims that Beijing committed "serious human rights violations."
The report – the publication of which had been opposed by China and postponed several times – came on the final day of UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet's four-year term. She had previously been criticized for allegedly delaying the report's release.
According to the publication, Chinese policies, allegedly introduced to curb extremism and terrorism, created a system of arbitrary detention against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities between 2017 and 2019. The report also noted that there had been "credible" allegations of torture and ill-treatment connected to the policies.
Pro-China narrative
Western claims about human rights violations in Xinjiang are fabricated lies, designed to misinform public opinion and smear China This is not to say that China is a human rights paradise, but the facts are that the country has an overall positive record. By tackling religious extremism in Xinjiang, Beijing is promoting the province's development and improving the life of its Uyghur population.
Anti-China narrative
This latest report reaffirms that Beijing has been conducting crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. With its disregard for individual rights, the PRC has overseen one of modern times worst rights violations outside a war zone while justifying its actions by emphasizing economic growth. The international community, particularly the West, has a moral obligation to defend human rights, even if it means confronting Beijing.
Nerd narrative
There's a 25% chance that the UN will open an investigation or otherwise intervene on the issue of the Xinjiang internment camps before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Germany To Expand Military Presence in Indo-Pacific
The German military will reportedly increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region by sending additional warships and participating in military exercises with its allies amid its characterization of China's "enormous" military buildup in the area.
The German Armed Forces Inspector General Eberhard Zorn said on Wed. that Berlin plans to send troops to Australia for military exercises next year, while the German navy will send a fleet of several ships to the region in 2024 to "consolidate" Berlin's presence.
According to Zorn, Germany doesn't want to be provocative with this decision, but rather to defend "freedom of navigation," protect international norms, and show solidarity with its allies.
Pro-establishment narrative
It is to be welcomed that Germany is becoming increasingly aware of its responsibility to defend a rules-based order, including through military strength. Berlin also made clear in its Indo-Pacific policy of 2020 that this also applies to the Indo-Pacific region given the hegemonic ambitions of its "systematic rival" China. It makes sense for Germany to diversify its regional partnerships away from China to Japan, ASEAN, and Australia.
Establishment-critical narrative
Germany finds itself in a dilemma. On the one hand, it is an integral part of NATO and a close US ally. On the other, it is an economic power that depends on good trade relations, especially with China. Berlin should carefully consider whether to blindly follow the US anti-China alliance or to pursue a more sovereign foreign policy that also takes into account its own strategic and economic interests. The current ambiguity toward China could yet prove costly for the European power.
FDA Authorizes Updated COVID Booster Shots
On Wed., the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a COVID booster shot targeting the Omicron subvariants in anticipation of a surge of COVID cases in the fall and winter.
The booster doses are intended to prevent severe illness and death from the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, and could be available as soon as this Labor Day weekend, pending CDC approval.
The boosters are the first major reformulation since the COVID vaccines debuted in 2020. Pfizer and BioNTech will offer a version for people as young as 12 years old, while Moderna's version will target people 18 and older.
Narrative A
Overall there's reason to be hopeful. The number of new COVID cases and deaths has been falling nearly everywhere in the world. However, this fall and winter in the Northern Hemisphere could see another spike in hospitalizations and deaths, so the roll-out of an Omicron-specific booster is the perfect timing in this ongoing battle against the virus.
Narrative B
There are a lot of questions here. Without long-term human trials, it's unclear if these new boosters will be widely accepted by the public. In addition, it's uncertain if they will be any more effective than the original formula, which is still highly efficient at preventing severe illness and death. The public should also be educated that the new formula will not reduce the number of total infections - we may need to proceed with caution and limit our expectations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 1.14 million confirmed COVID deaths in the US by the end of 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Taiwan Shoots Down Drone In Its Airspace
Taiwan announced that its troops, for the first time ever, shot down an unidentified civilian drone near Kinmen Island on Thurs. after attempts to repel it reportedly failed, and as tensions with China continue to escalate.
This came as Taiwan fired warning shots at civilian drones that approached its offshore islands near the Chinese mainland on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Taipei has said it won't escalate tensions but has recently been vocal regarding repeated cases of alleged Chinese drones entering its airspace. On Mon., China dismissed Taiwan's concerns as nothing "to make a fuss about."
Pro-China narrative
The shooting down of a harmless civilian drone is Taiwan's attempt to magnify an already tense situation. Rather than warning the drones away, this recent development will likely have the opposite effect, and only reveals Taipei armed forces' weak defenses.
Anti-China narrative
These drone flights are part of a string of provocative gestures by China to try to intimidate Taiwan's military. Taipei first responded cautiously, but has since been forced to respond more harshly, which it has every right to do when antagonized by China.
EU Toughens Travel Rules for Russians
European foreign ministers agreed on Wed. to suspend a 2007 agreement that makes it easier for Russian citizens to obtain tourist visas for the EU, though they stopped short of implementing the EU-wide visa ban that Ukraine and several EU member states had called for.
There was insufficient support for a blanket ban, and it's still unclear how effective unilateral measures already taken by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland will be at restricting access to Russian visitors. Finland has already cut Russian visas by 90%, as of Thursday.
By suspending the previous 2007 agreement, the EU will make it much more time-consuming and expensive for Russians to obtain short-term visas to enter Europe's passport-free travel zone.
Narrative A
This is good, but not enough. The EU must immediately ramp up the socio-political cost of Putin's invasion of Ukraine. A total visa ban would send a clear signal to Moscow that it is not okay for Russians to travel for leisure and shopping as if no war were raging in Ukraine.
Narrative B
Brussels has once again shot itself in the foot. Restricting the movement of all Russian citizens in Europe is unfair and is a move that will not stand without far-reaching consequences. The EU can expect Russian countermeasures.
Nerd narrative
There is a 95% chance Russia will be the world's most sanctioned country by February 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Palestinian Prisoner Ends Hunger Strike Following Release Deal
On Wed., Khalil Awawdeh, a Palestinian man who has been administratively detained by Israel since Dec. 2021, ended his nearly six-month long hunger strike after his release was agreed upon. The release date is scheduled for Oct. 2.
This comes as the alleged member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), who now weighs less than 80 pounds, declared he wouldn't engage in terrorist activities. He will remain in the hospital for treatment and supervision.
An appeal to free Awawdeh had been dismissed on Tues. by Israel's High Court of Justice, which expressed hopes he would halt his strike. His release had also been discussed as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Awawdeh's release is great news, but this systemic problem is far further reaching than just one man. Detained Palestinians face abuses and arbitrary measures carried out by Israel, where they are deprived of human rights and dignity. Israeli occupation is unjust and so is the imprisonment of political prisoners.
Pro-Israel narrative
Khalil Awawdeh is suspected of terrorism. While it's true that administrative detentions require exceptional legal procedures, efficient counterterrorism strategies focus on prevention. This practice is a last resort to protect public safety, safeguarding the right to live, to be free, and feel safe.
Report: US Math, Reading Scores Plummet During Pandemic
According to a National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report released on Thur., the COVID pandemic contributed to the largest drop in reading and math scores among 9-year-olds in more than 30 years.
NAEP - which began tracking student achievement in the 1970s - is known to be the gold standard in testing.
The report shows that average math scores in 2022 decreased by seven points compared to 2020, while average reading scores dropped by five points.
Republican narrative
This recent report shows how lockdowns and school closures set back millions of American students, and parents should be outraged. The Biden admin. overrode common practice at the command of intransigent teachers' unions, and students are now paying the price.
Democratic narrative
While the overall report is alarming, the most concerning part is the discrepancy in scores among minorities. The latest data is further evidence of an ever-increasing racial gap in education that will likely extend throughout these students' academic careers, and will have long-lasting effects. Something needs to be done.
Cynical narrative
Public education has been declining for quite some time. Scores have been down while violence in schools has been increasing, and remote learning due to the pandemic was the nail in the coffin. All of these issues had a hand in what is now a struggling education system that may not rebound for years to come.
Gov. Newsom Signs Sweeping Calif. Fast Food Worker Bill
On Mon., Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into a law supporting more than 500K fast food workers, despite opposition from restaurant owners.
The law, known as AB 257, creates a 'Fast Food Council' responsible for regulating pay and working conditions for employees in the sector.
The new 10-person council would be made up of fast-food employees and would have the power to raise the minimum wage at chains that have over 100 branches in the U.S., including McDonald's, up to $22 per hour.
Pro-establishment narrative
This is a threat to consumers and the industry at large. Fast food workers are already paid significantly better than many other workers at a similar skill level. Forcing wages up will only push prices up, threaten business, and negatively affect many people seeking to enter the workforce.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is a triumph for employment rights. Workers are increasingly struggling to make ends meet, and the persistent threat of poverty became apparent for many during the pandemic. The balance of power is rightly shifting back to employees who have been given a collective voice.
Peltola Beats Palin in Alaska Special Congressional Election
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) - endorsed by former Pres. Trump - has lost the state's special congressional election to Democrat Mary Peltola, who will fill the remainder of the late Republican Don Young's House seat.
The special election, the first held under Alaska's new ranked-choice voting system, took place on Aug. 16. It took several weeks to count mail-in ballots and then apply the ranked-choice rules.
Under the new system, if a candidate fails to receive a majority of first-place votes, support for the lowest vote-getter goes to those voters' second choice until a majority winner prevails.
Democratic narrative
Alaska might be a unique political animal, but this result along with others show Democrats are on the march since SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade. By weaponizing the Republicans' attack on abortion rights and tying Republican candidates to Trump, Democrats can continue to succeed in the midterms the way they have in special elections this summer.
Republican narrative
Without ranked-choice voting, Palin would've been a shoo-in. We can thank Republican turncoat Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who was selfishly instrumental in its adoption to assure a win in her own primary, for this outcome. If Republicans win this seat in the fall, they should move to abolish this system.
Conservative narrative
It wasn't the system that cost Republicans, it was the candidate. Palin was unpopular to start the campaign and did nothing to change voters' minds, so many left her off their ballot even when they voted for Begich. This isn't a sign Democrats are going to prevail in Alaska or anywhere in the nation this fall, it's just a lesson for Republicans to avoid nominating unpopular figures.