This new guidance is based on scientific evidence. If these policies are implemented, there's a chance to reduce alcohol-related harms and promote health and wellness in Canada. To be successful, warning labels on bottles and cans should go hand in hand with stronger regulations of alcohol advertising and marketing, restrictions on the availability, and a minimum price.
The new guidelines put Canada out of step with other Western nations. In Australia, the 2020 national guidance recommends no more than 10 standard drinks per week. France suggests the same. The US recommendation is no more than two drinks a day for men and one for women, while the UK says no more than 14 "units." It remains to be seen whether Canadians — who love their beer almost as much as their hockey — will accept these recommendations.
The outrage over the restriction of women's rights under the Taliban regime is entirely justified. However, it is the families of Afghan women who suffered from the withdrawal of some 150 aid agencies that suspended their operations over the ban on women's staffing. Isolating Afghanistan is counterproductive and halting aid work contradicts the principles of neutrality and humanitarianism. This played into the Taliban's hands.
Through their repressive policies, the Taliban have deprived many Afghan women of their livelihoods, multiplying the plight of millions of Afghans. The fact that women may now work for NGOs in the health sector again is no more than a first step. The general ban on employment has made the work of many aid organizations in the country almost impossible and violates humanitarian principles.
At this stage of the tragedy, it is too early to say what are the preliminary causes of this crash. All that can be confirmed is at least 17 people, including children, lost their lives in this horrific incident.
The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting a criminal investigation and all possibilities are being considered; including violation of flight rules, a technical malfunction, and possible deliberate actions to destroy the helicopter.
There is a 10% chance that Ukraine will receive a security guarantee from another country before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Chau's sentence is unfair and signals the end of Macau junkets and VIP gambling. There's no evidence that Suncity ever operated under-the-table multiplier bets or that it was a criminal syndicate, which is probably why it never ran into legal trouble in more than a decade of operating worldwide. The verdict will hit Macau's gambling industry — already reeling because of COVID restrictions — and will make it harder for the city to spring back.
Chau's prosecution sends a message that Beijing will no longer tolerate illicit activities in Macau aimed at aiding mainland gamblers and corrupt PRC officials launder money. Apart from reminding the junket industry that Xi Jinping can pull financial levers on matters of national security, China's anti-corruption drive shows that the PRC will never allow economic power to become concentrated in a small handful of junkets.
The European Parliament prides itself on being above corruption, which is why the vast majority of MEPs not involved in this case have called for swift and concrete measures to be implemented in response to these bribery allegations. These measures have already been called for, such as the "defense of democracy package," which criminalizes all corruption and issues harsh penalties for any violations.
The irony of these so-called socialist European MEPs engaging in bribery and fraud is incredible, and the few arrests made so far may only be the tip of the iceberg. Up to 60 MEPs could potentially be involved — we can sit back and watch this display of hypocrisy as it unfolds.
DeSantis continues to put politics over health. New COVID cases have increased by 90% in his state over the past two weeks, yet his response is to attempt to strip private businesses of their right to institute health policies that’ll keep employees safe from a deadly virus. It’s unconscionable.
COVID science isn’t settled, and too many civil liberties have been trampled on or willfully given up in the face of fear-mongering and the politicization of a health crisis. DeSantis’ proposal is the first step in returning freedom to Floridians and opening the door again to much-needed scientific debate.
There's a 3% chance that any US state will re-implement a general indoor mask mandate before Feb 1, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Species management is an important aspect of keeping the island of Sint Maarten healthy. While regrettable, in order to do this the vervet monkey population needs to be culled to avoid it growing out of control. The species is prolific and not in danger of going extinct. Culling the monkey population is the best plan possible.
Exterminating the entire vervet monkey population is unnecessary and cruel. The population can be kept in check in other ways by sterilizing the existing monkeys, or better managing resources to prevent them from turning to endangered bird eggs or destroying agriculture. A harmonious existence between the monkeys and humans on the island is possible.
The determination and spirit shown by the unions and the left-leaning parties are not just an ideological attack against Macron's policies, but also a preemptive strike against the threat of Marine Le Pen's far-right politics. The risk of the Rassemblement National is on everyone's mind, and to fight against such danger via strikes and protests is no longer a moral struggle but a moral obligation.
While the central parties, with the help of the left, seek to use the strikes to pressure the government, there’s no guarantee of success. Much is dependent on whether the unions will decide to follow up on their protests, which will only be decided on the evening of the demonstrations.
It’s not like Trump to take such a low-profile approach to anything, let alone a campaign. Yet he’s waited months to face a big crowd outside of Florida, and he’s even keeping this South Carolina event small. Maybe he’s still licking his wounds after so many failed midterm endorsements and is a bit sheepish about having the same support this time around.
This is the right time for Trump to kick off the public part of his campaign as some polls show he still holds a comfortable lead on his competition while others show a closer race. In South Carolina, Trump enjoys an overflowing amount of support, and this will be a chance for him to bring everyone together to secure the backing he needs in a key early-voting state.
Trump is too dangerous to be given a platform to spew hatred and misinformation to hundreds of millions of people. The last time he was on Twitter and Facebook, he instigated an insurrection and attack on America's citadel of democracy. He had a chance but quickly proved he can't be trusted with a powerful platform.
Trump cannot reasonably be held responsible for the Jan. 6 violence, and must be reinstated on Facebook as he campaigns in 2024. Free speech is the bedrock of the US political system and is America's most fundamental freedom. Tech oligarchs cannot be the ultimate arbiter of who gets to speak their minds — especially when it comes to political candidates.
There is a 33% chance that Donald Trump will tweet before March 1, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.