UN: Colombia's Coca Crops Grew to 'Historic Levels'
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the potential production of coca in Colombia, and the area in the country sown with coca — the base ingredient used to produce cocaine — have grown to their highest levels in two decades.
The UNODC said on Thursday that around 204K hectares of the leaf were planted in 2021, while rising cultivation of coca saw cocaine production increase to 1.4K tons — up from just over 1K tons the year before. The agency added that, as well as threatening the nation's "cultural potential," the scale of cultivation could pose a threat to biodiversity.
Left narrative
Biden has already shown that he doesn't support the archaic and ineffective "war on drugs" approach by pardoning roughly 6K Americans convicted of simple possession of marijuana. Rather than wasting even more taxpayer dollars on this nonsensical policy — $10B was wasted in Colombia alone between 2000 and 2020 — Biden should support Petro's more progressive approach.
Right narrative
"Progressively" expanding cocaine's availability would put citizens at risk and fail to put Colombian drug lords out of business. The legalization lobby is wrong — 200K Americans were struggling with horrific cocaine addiction before it became illegal in the US in the early 1900s. Playing with the thought of legalizing this dangerous drug would be a nightmare for the Colombian people and beyond.
Nerd narrative
There is a 57% chance that the sentencing disparity between the amount in possession of cocaine base versus cocaine required to receive a drug trafficking penalty will be ended by 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 240 Roundup: Conflicting Reports of Attacks on Kherson Dam; 4 Killed in Ukrainian Ferry Crossing Strike
In widely reported comments made on Thursday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that Russian forces have mined the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (KHPP) in the southern Kherson region. The leader claimed, without evidence, that opposition forces are preparing a false-flag terror attack.
Ukraine's Pres. said: "Russia is consciously laying the groundwork for a large-scale disaster in Ukraine’s south. We have information that Russian terrorists have mined the dam and units of the KHPP." Explosions in the dam, which is believed to hold 18M cubic metres of water, could cause severe flooding and disrupt water supplies in Russian-occupied regions, including Crimea.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russia is undoubtedly preparing to launch a false-flag attack on the KHPP in order to cover its soldiers' retreat and delay Ukrainian advances across the Dnipro river.
Pro-Russia narrative
The KHPP is strategically important to Russia — Moscow's forces would not damage it. Ukraine, on the other hand, aims to destroy the dam in order to inflict a man-made catastrophe in the recently annexed region.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Ukraine will regain control of Kherson by Dec. 27, 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Chad: Dozens Killed as Protesters Demand Civilian Rule
On Thursday, around 50 people were killed and nearly 300 injured in Chad's capital city of N’Djamena, among other cities, after security forces cracked down on protesters calling for a return to elections.
The central African nation's political crisis began after Pres. Idriss Deby died in April 2021, with his son Mahamat Deby becoming transitional president. After originally promising an election within 18 months, on Oct. 1 Mahamat pushed the election date back another two years.
Pro-establishment narrative
Despite the current turbulence, Mahamat Deby is more accepting of both domestic political opponents and foreign rivals than his father was. Though still a strongman, he is a necessary ally in the fight against Jihadism and a politically stable choice for dialogue between the regime and the opposition.
Establishment-critical narrative
Mahamat Deby is a violent authoritarian like his father, and the majority of people and rebel groups are aligned in opposition to him. He broke his promise to hold elections by now, which proves he will continue to attack, imprison, and suppress his way toward an indefinite rule. His rule is not good for the democratic future of Chad.
Sudan: Death Toll Rises to 220 as Violence Continues
At least 220 people, including children, were killed in two days of some of the worst fighting in recent months regarding land disputes in Sudan's southern Blue Nile state.
The fighting has been centered around the Wad al-Mahi area near Roseires, about 500 km south of the capital, Khartoum. The clashes sparked demonstrations on Thursday in the Blue Nile state capital Damazin, which have continued to grow since then, with some protesters calling for the state governor to be fired.
Pro-establishment narrative
The current violence in the Sudanese south is a product of seditious acts by rival tribes. The government and military will have to work quickly to disarm these tribal militias.
Establishment-critical narrative
The conflict in the Blue Nile is a product of government incompetence, political division, and xenophobia. The Sudanese military, which is currently ruling the country, has continually fanned the flames of ethnic conflict in the region for its own interests.
Pfizer Eyes Price Hikes for COVID Shots
On Thursday, Pfizer executive Angela Lukin announced that the company would likely quadruple the price of its COVID vaccine to between $110 and $130 per dose after the US government's emergency purchase program ends.
Lukin predicted that the vaccine would still be available at no cost to those with private or government-paid insurance. The cost to those with no health insurance is unclear.
Establishment-critical narrative
COVID vaccines should be a public good for the entire world, yet they've been put shamelessly into the hands of Big Pharma. Now Pfizer will leverage insurance to fleece a 10,000X windfall from the American public while vaccine equity goes unaddressed in vulnerable populations. This is obscene robbery in broad daylight, and the US government must not allow Pfizer to hold the world for ransom in a global pandemic.
Pro-establishment narrative
Pfizer skyrocketed to pandemic superstar status with its COVID vaccine, which reduced severe illness and death for millions in the US and around the world. The market responds to natural supply and demand, and eventually, its COVID vaccine and anti-viral pill Paxlovid will see a demand drop and be institutionalized in the medical marketplace. Pfizer is now on to exciting innovations to treat cancer and inflammation, which will be a boon for global health.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that there will be at least 18 named variants of SARS-COV-2 in its first 10 years, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Pakistan: Election Commission Bars Khan From Office
On Friday, Pakistan's elections commission ruled that former Prime Minister Imran Khan is disqualified from holding public office for five years, as he was accused of unlawfully selling state gifts and concealing the profits. The ruling is expected to deepen political unrest.
The former PM is said to have misused his premiership between 2018-2022 by buying and selling gifts given to the state during official visits abroad. The gifts, allegedly worth more than 140M rupees ($635K), included watches given by a royal family and allegedly later sold in Dubai.
Establishment-critical narrative
Pakistan's Election Commission is demonstrating its overreach with this ruling. This decision is a slap in the face to 220M Khan supporters and the widespread street protests show it. The PTI will not stand for this and is already preparing its legal appeal to challenge the ruling in court. A democratic system in Pakistan without Imran Khan will not happen.
Pro-establishment narrative
Imran Khan and his entire party are fraudsters and the Sharif-led government will continue to show Khan's true face to the people. During his time in office, he did nothing but attack the army and create divisions. Khan's actions have been appalling, and groups protecting him should be tried for treason.
Jan 6: Bannon Sentenced to Four Months in Prison
Washington, DC federal Judge Carl Nichols on Friday sentenced former Trump adviser Steve Bannon to four months in prison following his conviction of contempt of Congress after refusing to testify before the House Jan. 6 Committee.
Referring to Bannon's claim of immunity due to working for then-Pres. Trump, Judge Nichols said, "Some of the information sought by the subpoena is information under which no conceivable claim of executive privilege could’ve been made."
Democratic narrative
Bannon's claim of executive privilege was baseless from the start, as he wasn't even working at the White House leading up to or during Jan. 6. As a private citizen, he worked to push the stolen election lie and, as Judge Nichols said, he continued to ignore the committee even after Trump withdrew his claim of privilege.
Pro-Trump narrative
This trial, reminiscent of AG Eric Holder's contempt charge a decade ago, is nothing more than a political stunt and abuse of power. The only difference today is that back when Democrat Holder was accused of contempt of congress, he was never sentenced to prison. The Biden admin. is prosecuting its rivals at every opportunity — no matter how weak their case — but with November fast approaching, it will soon reap what it sows.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that 19 or more people will be charged by the US DOJ with seditious conspiracy in connection with the Jan. 6 Capital riots, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
SCOTUS Won't Hear Attempt to Block Student-Loan Relief
On Thursday, SCOTUS refused to hear a Wisconsin taxpayers group’s attempt to block Biden’s student-loan forgiveness program while litigation against the program proceeds in a lower court. Justice Amy Coney Barrett issued the rejection.
Biden’s plan cancels $10K in debt for those earning less than $125K per year, or $250K as a household. Those who received Pell grants can have up to $20K forgiven. The plan is estimated to cost $379-$400B over the life of the program.
Democratic narrative
There are so many problems with these lawsuits — starting with the fact that under the HEROES Act there’s no denying the Biden admin. has the authority to enact this plan. Then there’s the claim that having to pay taxes is the harmful reason for filing suit, which historically has been rejected by the courts. Republicans are clogging up the courts to stop Biden from celebrating a victory.
Republican narrative
One failed attempt to block Biden’s student-loan handout is far from the end of this story. There are several other legal challenges to this program, and eventually one of them will land at SCOTUS, where the 3 conservative majority will have its say. American taxpayers shouldn't have to bail out student borrowers.
Nerd narrative
There's a 90% chance that the US government will forgive $10k of federal student loans per person before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
SCOTUS Grants Graham Stay in Ga. Probe
On Monday, Justice Clarence Thomas granted a stay of a lower court's rulings regarding the subpoena of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the ongoing 2020 Georgia election probe. Graham’s subpoena ordered him to testify Nov. 17, but his lawyers are trying to ensure his appeal is heard — this action will give more time for SCOTUS to consider Graham's petition.
Last week, a panel of the 11th Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that Graham must testify before a Georgia special grand jury regarding possible interference in certifying Biden’s victory in the 2020 election. Fulton County DA Fani Willis has been investigating alleged election tampering after a recording of a phone call between Trump and Georgia Sec. of State Raffensperger surfaced.
Pro-Trump narrative
Graham is being unfairly targeted by Willis’s witch hunt. The Founding Fathers included the Speech or Debate Clause in the Constitution to protect the integrity – something Willis lacks – of the legislative process, and the appeals court has wrongly dismissed this. Assuming Graham appeals, Willis’s grand jury will be exposed for what it really is the self-promotional tool she’s using to score political points.
Democratic narrative
Despite having no legal leg to stand on, Graham has fought with every available resource to avoid testifying — a desperate effort that has gotten him nowhere. The DA's office has assured him he isn't the target of this investigation, and if he has nothing to hide, why is he putting up such a fight?
Jan 6 Committee Subpoenas Trump
The US House Jan. 6 committee on Friday subpoenaed former Pres. Trump, alleging he "personally orchestrated and oversaw a multi-part effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and to obstruct the peaceful transition of power.”
The subpoena demands Trump provide documents by Nov. 4, and appear under oath either in-person or virtually for “one or more days of deposition testimony beginning on or about November 14.”
Pro-Trump narrative
This unethical "committee" will continue to backfire on Democrats as the November midterms approach. With a Republican majority set to take over the House and many committee members likely to lose their seats, this political theater will likely be dissolved. Trump has little reason to be concerned whatsoever.
Democratic narrative
Despite losing the 2020 election by millions of votes, Trump decided to become the first president in history not to peacefully hand over the reins of power. His traitorous actions alone justify the subpoena, and centuries of historical precedent mean he must oblige the committee's legal demand and testify before Congress. This announcement is a major step on the road to accountability.
Nerd narrative
There's a 35% chance that any US court will rule that Donald J. Trump is disqualified from holding the presidency before January 20, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.