Malaysia: Former First Lady Sentenced to 10 Years For Bribery
On Thurs., the Kuala Lumpur High Court sentenced Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former PM Najib Razak, to 10 years in prison for seeking and receiving bribes in exchange for a government contract. Rosmah denied the charges.
She was found guilty on three counts of bribery in connection with a $279M solar power project in Borneo. Rosmah is said to have demanded $41.8M, and received almost $1.5M to help Malaysian company Jepak Holdings Sdn Bhd win the contract.
The ruling comes a week after her husband, Najib, began serving a 12-year jail sentence in connection with the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal after the rejection of his final appeal to the Malaysia's Federal Court.
Narrative A
This decision delivers a strong message against corruption, which has been rampantly spreading through the fabric of Malaysian society. Rosmah took advantage of her position as first lady to damage the public interest and benefit herself. A failure to punish her would risk condoning this unacceptable and offensive crime.
Narrative B
This ruling has been improperly influenced by external, unauthorized individuals due to the online publication of a draft judgement a week before the presiding judge was due to deliver a verdict. The fact that Judge Zaini Mazlan wasn't disqualified from this case after the scandal and confusion surrounding this article shows that Rosmah did not recieve a fair trial.
Russian Lukoil Chief Dies After Falling From Hospital Window
On Thurs., Russian outlets reported that Lukoil's chairman Ravil Maganov died from injuries after falling out of a window of the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow.
The exact circumstances of his fall remain unclear as closed-circuit TV cameras had reportedly been turned off for repairs. Russian state news deemed the event a "suicide."
Later on Thurs., Lukoil confirmed Maganov's death. The statement mentioned only that he was being treated for a "severe illness," deemed as heart problems.
Anti-Russia narrative
It's no coincidence that closed-circuit TVs were turned off exactly when Maganov fell from the hospital window. Like several other gas industry executives who have died since Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine, his death matches classic KGB tactics of staged suicides.
Pro-Russia narrative
Investigations are still underway, but suicide is mostly likely given Maganov was receiving medical treatment for severe health problems, which he had just reportedly been informed weren't getting any better. The West should avoid baseless claims aimed at smearing Russia before more is known.
Nerd narrative
There's a 92% chance that Vladimir Putin will still be the president of the Russian Federation by Feb. 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Bans Sale of AI Chips to China
On Wed., American chipmaker Nvidia publicly acknowledged that the US government has restrained the sale of advanced chips to China amid fears that the technology could be diverted to a "military end use."
This comes as the company reported in a regulatory filing that new licensing requirements to sell chips for high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) to China, Hong Kong, and Russia could make it lose as much as $400M.
Another chipmaker, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (ADM) has also confirmed the new US Dept. of Commerce requirements, which it expects won't cause "material impacts" on its business as restrictions cover only one line of components.
Pro-China narrative
America's desperate attempts to maintain its hegemony by controlling science, technology, and trade will harm not only China but the entire global industry. Eventually, this blockade will fail as the Chinese chip sector has been steadily developing to catch up with advanced countries.
Anti-China narrative
Though American firms may be affected by these restrictions, the US government is protecting national security. The US can't rely on China to be a responsible actor, and Washington must take action to prevent Beijing from diverting US technology to military end-use.
Day 191 Roundup: Physical Integrity of Nuclear Power Plant 'Violated Several Times,' IAEA Head Says as Inspections Continue
After a long-anticipated visit from a delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to the Russia-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in southern Ukraine, IAEA head Rafael Grossi said: "It is obvious that the plant and physical integrity of the plant has been violated several times." He also added that he remains worried about the safety of the facility.
Grossi said his 14-member team were able to tour the plant for four or five hours on Thurs., and explained that a number of them would stay at the facility "until Sunday or Monday, continuing with the assessment." Russian media later confirmed that eight inspectors from the IAEA remained at the ZNPP, with four additional support staff accompanying them. Additional reports suggested that two members of the delegation might remain on a permanent basis, a move that is supported by Russia.
While no complaints were lodged against Russia by Grossi, who has confirmed that an IAEA report will be produced following the visit, the Ukrainian state-owned energy company Energoatom accused Russian forces of manipulating the IAEA and distorting the situation to make it seem more favorable to Russia. "Russian occupiers are making every effort to prevent the IAEA mission from getting to know the real state of affairs at the ZNPP," the company said in a statement.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia will make every effort to distort and manipulate what inspectors from the IAEA are able to see. This is a staged inspection and, under these circumstances, the IAEA will not be able to produce a truly independent assessment of the situation. As such, any report should be treated with skepticism.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has done everything in its power to facilitate the visit of IAEA inspectors, including securing their safety amid Ukrainian shelling. Furthermore, Russia insisted on ballistics experts as part of the mission. Soon enough, the world will know who's truly responsible for endangering the nuclear facility.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Ukraine will regain control of Kherson by Mar. 24, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US to Revise Afghan Resettlement Policy
According to a senior US official, Biden seeks to suspend the temporary relocation of Afghans to the US in favor of focusing on reuniting immediate family members of US citizens, green card holders and Afghans with Special Immigration Visas (SIVs), with pathways to permanent residency.
The administration is no longer planning to allow Afghans to enter the country under 'humanitarian parole authority' starting on Oct. 1. Humanitarian parole authority allows at-risk Afghans to bypass the years-long waiting times on visa or refugee processes.
On Thurs., White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre stated, "we are adopting a new model where Afghan arrivals will travel directly to the communities where they will be moving with the help of refugee resettlement organizations without a safe haven stopover in the United States."
Republican narrative
Afghanistan's refugee fiasco is just another example of the Biden administration's incompetence. The White House has had an entire year to streamline this process and has only finally done so in response to enormous and understandable political pressure.
Democratic narrative
The Biden administration is going above and beyond to help America's Afghan allies who fled the Taliban onslaught last year as a result of the hasty agreement made under Trump. Biden continues to prove his commitment to US allies and protecting those who have upheld US values across the globe.
Nerd narrative
There is a 47% chance that Afghanistan will be used as a base for anti-NATO terrorism by 2026, according to Metaculus prediction community.
Biden: Extreme MAGA Republicans Threaten US Democracy
In a speech in Philadelphia on Thurs., US Pres. Biden said former Pres. Trump and MAGA Republicans - those supportive of Trump's 2016 Make America Great Again agenda - pose a "clear and present danger" to American Democracy.
He urged Americans to counter what he claims are dark forces within the GOP that are determined to take the US "backwards to an America where there is no right to choose, no right to privacy, no right to contraception, no right to marry who you love."
In his speech - which comes eight weeks before the midterm elections - Biden emphasized he doesn't take issue with those who disagree with him or come from another political party, but rather with those who allegedly challenge the country's founding principles.
Republican narrative
In a feigned attempt to unite the country, Biden has demonized half the population and created a deeper divide between the two political sides. Rather than fabricating so-called threats, he should focus on the crises that are ongoing catastrophic foreign policy decisions, extreme gas prices, and soaring inflation.
Democratic narrative
The only thing offensive about Biden's speech was the Republicans' outraged reaction, which is disingenuous considering they themselves have criticized Trump's agenda in the past. Biden rightly spoke up for democracy, free and fair elections, and the need to fight the fascist tendencies of a small portion of the population.
Report: Ginni Thomas Pressured Lawmakers to Challenge Election Results
According to a report by the Washington Post, conservative activist Ginni Thomas, the wife of SCOTUS Justice Clarence Thomas, allegedly pressured Wisc. lawmakers to challenge the 2020 presidential election results.
Citing emails obtained under public record laws, the report alleges Thomas emailed two Wisc. lawmakers on Nov. 9 urging them to "stand strong in the face of media and political pressure" and "take action to ensure a clean slate of electors is chosen."
It was reported earlier this summer that 29 Ariz. lawmakers received emails from Ginni Thomas in Nov. and Dec. 2020 urging them to "choose" their own electors despite Biden winning the popular vote.
Democratic narrative
Just when we think we know the extent of Ginni Thomas' attempt to overturn legitimate election results, even more evidence emerges. This report proves that she wasn't simply the spouse of a sitting justice expressing opinions, she was an active participant in shaping the effort to overturn the election. She should have to answer under oath for her actions.
Pro-Trump narrative
These attacks on Ginni Thomas are unfair. She's a private citizen with a First Amendment right to challenge election results or contact lawmakers if she chooses. This is merely an attempt to make it seem like there was a widespread coup after the 2020 election, instead of what really happened, which was an effort to ensure the results were legitimate before a transfer of power.
US: 315K Jobs Added in Aug.; Unemployment Up 3.7%
According to a monthly employment report released by the US Dept. of Labor on Fri., the economy saw an increase of 315K jobs in Aug., pushing the overall size of the labor force to a record high.
The rate of growth exceeded economists' estimates, but it was still a stark dip on the 528K jobs added by the US market in July.
As of this week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the ratio of available jobs to seekers reached just less than 2:1.
Left narrative
Things are looking up for employment in the current job market. The demand for labor, especially in combination with historic levels of inflation, has fostered an environment ripe for activity, including union pursuits, with the National Labor Relations Board reporting an uptick in petitions for union elections of 56%. This complex market is a historic opportunity.
Right narrative
This market is a disaster for workers and businesses alike. Although Biden and the Democrats are trying to sell the current statistics as a success story, the reality is that unemployment is still on the rise and inflation remains out of control. Now, Powell's words have even raised fears of the threat of recession - Biden's approval ratings are low for a reason.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the annual US employment rate will be at least 6.21% in 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Argentina: Vice-President Escapes Gun Attack
On Thurs., Argentina's current vice-president and former president, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, narrowly avoided a reported assassination attempt after having a pistol pointed at her head at point-blank range outside her home in Buenos Aires.
She escaped unharmed as the handgun jammed and the attacker was detained shortly after as he was surrounded by pro-Kirchner supporters, who have been rallying near her residence as she faces a corruption trial.
The assailant was later identified as Fernando Andre Sabag Montiel, a 35-year-old Brazilian national, who was reportedly bearing a gun loaded with five bullets.
Left narrative
By inciting the population against Kirchner, Argentina's mainstream media, the country's judiciary, and opposition leaders have created a volatile environment. As far-right extremism and hate speech plagues Latin America, democracy is under threat, and acts of political violence such as this attempted shooting are only likely to increase.
Right narrative
The response of Pres. Alberto Fernández's administration to this incident is deplorable. The government should be conducting a deep investigation into this serious attack against Argentina's vice president to maintain law and order. However, Fernández has instead declared a holiday to agitate its left-leaning militants while irresponsibly accusing the media, the judiciary, and the opposition.
Myanmar: Court Convicts Suu Kyi of Electoral Fraud
On Fri., ousted former leader of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi was found guilty of electoral fraud in the military-run country and sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor.
Suu Kyi has been detained since the military seized power early last year and had already been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison. She still faces eight other charges, including corruption, but has denied all allegations against her.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won the last election in November 2020 by a landslide, securing a second term in office. The military took over three months later, alleging electoral fraud.
Pro-establishment narrative
The right to a fair trial has been wiped away under the military coup, and Suu Kyi is one of many who have been unjustly detained due to the military's desire to repress opposition. This is another example of the legal system of Myanmar being used as a political tool rather than a form of justice.
Establishment-critical narrative
This is a strong response against corruption and fraud. There was evidence of error in voter registrations in all constituencies and the election commission found as many as 11M occurrences of fraud in the November election. Those responsible must be held accountable.