Apple To Adapt As EU Approves Phone Charger Reform
Apple may have to change the charging ports for iPhones sold in the EU starting in fall 2024 after the European Parliament approved a new law on Tuesday requiring electronic devices to use a single universal type of charging port.
The new rules would require most devices to have USB-C connectors. iPhones currently use non-compatible Lightning cable chargers. However, Apple is reportedly already working on an iPhone with a USB-C port that could be available as soon as next year.
Narrative A
Universalizing charging ports is a great move that will simplify many consumers' lives while also preventing e-waste. This latest plan is a clear victory for everyone; it's time for Apple to get on board.
Narrative B
Regulating charging port technology is an unnecessary overreach by the government, as forcing conformity in technology will stifle innovation and harm consumers. The potential environmental benefits may also be outweighed by the financial and environmental costs of replacing technology that is no longer compliant.
Angela Merkel Wins UN Refugee Prize
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the Nansen Prize by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday. She was recognized for accepting more than 1M mostly Syrian refugees and asylum seekers into Germany during her time in office.
The UNHCR selection committee highlighted Merkel's "leadership, courage, and compassion." UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said Merkel upheld human rights and humanitarian principles during the height of the 2015-2016 migrant crisis.
Narrative A
While Merkel is now celebrated for her supposed humanism, the reality of the situation was much different. Merkel only expected a total of several hundred thousand refugees at the end of 2015 and had hoped for burden sharing amongst European countries. She was wrong on both accounts, and through her naïve open-door policy, she ensured the rise of nationalism across Europe.
Narrative B
By awarding this prestigious prize to Angela Merkel, the UNHCR has sent a very important signal. Perhaps it will also succeed in drawing the international community's attention to the fact that, according to the agency, for the first time more than 100M people worldwide have been forcibly displaced due to various conflicts. These migrants urgently need help now, and Merkel's humanitarianism is an inspiration for today.
Establishment-critical narrative
With all the Western talk of "values" and the need to protect refugees, Western media often neglects to mention the underlying causes of the migration in question and those contributing to the crisis. For example, the US "wars on terror" have caused tens of millions of people in the Middle East to flee over the past twenty years. These upheavals are not isolated incidents but rather part of larger geopolitical posturing whose repercussions often get swept under the rug.
UK Home Secretary Proposes Asylum Ban on Channel Migrants
On Tuesday, during the Conservative Party conference, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman proposed banning migrants who cross the English Channel from claiming asylum in Britain. The UK government has faced increasing pressure to act on the issue, with more than 30K arrivals in 2022, surpassing last year's record.
"It's time to tackle the small boats," she said, "to make it clear that the only route to the United Kingdom is through a safe and legal route." Braverman continued asserting that any migrant who illegally enters the UK from a safe nation "should be swiftly returned to [their] home country or relocated to Rwanda," a reference to a controversial government relocation scheme.
Right narrative
The European Commission on Human Rights has grossly expanded its reach by ruling on asylum claims that are out of its purview. Braverman seeks to deter illegal entry to the UK and to restore fairness to the UK's asylum system. This effort will stop smuggling profiteering and reinforce the rights of genuine asylum seekers.
Left narrative
A blanket ban is an immoral and inhumane response to this issue and will only increase attacks on refugees who have every right to be in the UK. People who have escaped some of the world's worst horrors shouldn't have to face these kinds of threats just to claim asylum in the UK.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that at least 1.99k migrants will die or go missing in the Mediterranean in 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Asks SCOTUS to Intervene in Mar-a-Lago Case
Former US Pres. Donald Trump filed an emergency request on Tuesday, asking SCOTUS to block a lower court's ruling that prevented a special master from vetting more than 100 documents marked classified from among the 11k found at his Mar-a-Lago home during a search in August.
Trump's request comes after the three-judge 11th Circuit Court of Appeals restored the Justice Dept.'s (DOJ) access to the classified documents to continue its criminal investigation while the special master conducts his reviews.
Democratic narrative
This is yet another futile attempt to delay the inevitable until a potential Trump 2024 campaign, which would make it harder for him to be prosecuted. However, Trump’s request will likely fail, or worse, backfire on him. Even with conservatives — including three of his appointees — running the court, Trump hasn’t received favorable SCOTUS rulings in similar cases. For once, he might not be able to avoid accountability.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump never stops fighting, and what his opponents don’t understand is that every attack makes him more potent and popular. The DOJ and FBI have done nothing to prove this investigation is anything other than politically motivated, so Trump should keep on doing whatever it takes to crush it.
Day 224 Roundup: Ukraine Reports More Gains in Kherson; Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant May Be Turned Back On
On Tuesday, Ukraine reported a flurry of gains in the newly annexed region of Kherson in the south of the country. A military official claimed via social media that forces had liberated eight settlements in the district of Beryslav in the north of the region.
Mounting Russian losses come as the country's Pres. Vladimir Putin on Wednesday approved the ratification of treaties to incorporate four annexed regions into the Russian Federation. Putin also named the existing heads of the regions as acting governors within the Russian political system.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian territories in contravention of international law makes it clearer than ever - Ukraine needs to be armed, funded, and defended until it emerges triumphant over Russia. This is a moment of strategic clarity a peace deal is now off the table and Ukraine must be supported by the US in its fight against Russia's illegal invasion.
Pro-Russia narrative
America's continuing supply of heavy weaponry to Ukraine is making it a direct participant in the conflict. Such provocations have to stop before we see an expansion of conflict – with many more deaths – between Russia and the West.
Nerd narrative
There's a 6% chance that there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Taiwan Vows to Safeguard Interests Through 'Chip 4'
On Wednesday, Taiwan's Deputy Economy Minister, Chen Chern-chyi, said Taiwan will rely on the "Chip 4" alliance to protect the interests of local semiconductor companies. He also addressed concerns about the potential impact of this initiative on the country's tech industries.
Chen also said Chip 4 - comprising Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US - seeks to create a resilient and stable supply chain of semiconductors.
Pro-China narrative
This is an unacceptable attempt by Taiwan to foster more independence by joining an international organization whose goal is to undermine the PRC. With the way Beijing‘s chip sector is growing, this decision by the island - not to mention the US, Japan, and South Korea - is doomed to fail. Taiwan will regret going against China on this.
Anti-China narrative
This is a straightforward economic agreement between Taiwan and three other countries - it has no impact on the status quo between China and Taiwan. Beijing shouldn’t be so fast to overreact to things like microchips or US diplomatic visits to Taiwan. The PRC would be best served by focusing on talks to further peace.
Report: Hans Niemann 'Likely' Cheated in More Than 100 Games
Amid a scandal that has enveloped the sport, 19-year-old US chess player Hans Niemann was found to have "likely" cheated in more than 100 online games, according to an investigation from the website Chess.com.
The teenage grandmaster was thrust into the scandal after defeating the world's top player – Norway's Magnus Carlsen – at the Sinquefield Cup last month. After the defeat, Carlsen withdrew from the tournament, prompting speculation that he believed Niemann was cheating during their game.
Narrative A
While inconclusive, the findings of the Chess.com investigation contradict what Niemann has publicly said in response to the cheating allegations. It also documents how Niemann's rise has been abnormal compared to other young players, specifically regarding his victory over Carlsen when the teenager was still ranked just 40th worldwide. Can there be smoke without a flame?
Narrative B
While Niemann may have cheated in online games, it's unrealistic to suggest he could have cheated in over-the-board play. Evidence related to Carlsen's accusations has yet to be uncovered, and we live in a society where everyone is innocent until proven guilty, as should remain.
Alec Baldwin Reaches Settlement with Halyna Hutchins' Family
The family of Halyna Hutchins — the cinematographer killed on the set of the movie "Rust" — and Alec Baldwin have reached an undisclosed settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against Baldwin, the movie's production companies, producers, and other members of the crew.
Hutchins was shot and killed in October 2021 after a gun Baldwin was holding went off while rehearsing a shot for the movie on the New Mexico set. The Hutchins family subsequently filed a suit in February of this year.
Republican narrative
Hutchins' death was a tragic example of the hypocrisy-ridden politics of Alec Baldwin and Hollywood stars more generally. Though this settlement may be the only consequence he faces, Baldwin will forever stand as proof that the law-abiding gun owners he maligns — who promote responsible gun safety measures — were right, while he's the reckless one.
Democratic narrative
This settlement goes a long way to bringing closure to Hutchin's family and paying tribute to her final work. Her death was a devastating accident, and the entertainment community has respectably come together to heal. Hutchins' family, the movie's director, and Baldwin's attorneys have all agreed to keep her memory alive in a positive light, which is what everyone should do.
OPEC+ Cutting Oil Production by 2M Barrels Per Day
On Wednesday, OPEC+, the group of major oil producers that includes Saudi Arabia and Russia, announced after its first in-person meeting since March 2020 that it will cut oil production by 2M barrels per day starting in November. OPEC and its partners control more than 40% of the world’s oil production, and this reduction is the equivalent of about 2% of global oil demand.
While announcing its cuts, OPEC+ said the move was in response to “the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks.” The price of Brent crude went up 1.5% to $93 after the news.
Republican narrative
Pres. Biden has given Americans yet another reason to vote Democrats out in this fall’s elections, and make sure they get nowhere near the White House in 2024. Instead of ramping up domestic oil and gas production, Biden remains beholden to climate zealots that think we can survive on renewable energy. This has the making of a looming energy mess.
Democratic narrative
There’s no reason to panic. The slowing demand from the EU and China, which OPEC+ fears, might counter the cutbacks. OPEC+ also faces stiff competition from increased production from the US, Guyana, and Brazil. OPEC+ countries might find that their decision won’t have the desired result, and Biden's energy policies are on track.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the price of oil will be at least $91.1 per barrel by December 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Bombing At Afghan Interior Ministry Mosque Kills 4
On Wednesday, a Taliban-appointed spokesman said that a bombing in a mosque on the grounds of Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior compound in Kabul claimed the lives of at least four worshippers and injured another 25.
Visitors and some ministry employees were praying at the mosque when the blast went off, reportedly caused by a suicide bomber who detonated a device.
Pro-establishment narrative
Since the Taliban took over, Afghanistan has increasingly descended into chaos. The looming humanitarian catastrophe and economic collapse provide the perfect breeding ground for terrorist groups, not only posing a growing threat to innocent Afghans but also targeting the international community. To prevent further destabilization, a UN peacekeeping force is required to promote a peace process among all Afghans.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's shortsighted only to blame the Taliban for escalating violence when the country was already descending into anarchy, and the Islamic State was on the rise before the US withdrawal. This was also fostered because Washington never developed a coherent political and economic strategy for Afghanistan. With international aid funds now being cut and the US freezing billions in Afghan assets, the situation will only worsen due to Western failures.
Nerd narrative
There's a 47% chance that Afghanistan will be used as a base for anti-NATO terrorism by 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.