South Africa Declares 'State of Disaster' Over Energy Crisis
South African Pres. Ramaphosa on Thursday announced a national "state of disaster“ over the country’s severe energy crisis in his annual State of the Nation address to parliament.
Noting that the power outages, which have struck Africa's most industrialized economy on a daily basis since 2023, pose an "existential threat" to the country's economy and social cohesion, Ramaphosa said the emergency measure will take immediate effect.
Narrative A
The dire energy crisis is homegrown, but part of the problem is that South Africa has a growing demand for energy while leading the industrialized world in coal consumption. That's why the government is boldly embracing a plan to switch to renewable energy without sacrificing economic growth. If the transition succeeds — and South Africa receives billions in support — it could boost the economy and make the country a model for coal-dependent countries.
Narrative B
It is unlikely that declaring a state of disaster will change the country's dire energy crisis anytime soon. The measure will not turn an incompetent government into a competent one and will instead lead to less accountability but more corruption. The extreme measure is primarily an expression of desperation, as evidenced by the government's intention to appoint a Minister of Electricity to deal with the crisis. South Africa faces a bleak and shaky future.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that at least a 3.34% share of Africa's total primary energy will come from nuclear (fission & fusion) in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Issues Sanctions Relief for Syria Earthquake Aid
On Thursday, the US Dept. of the Treasury authorized financial transactions to Syria for 180 days following the devastating earthquake that rocked southern Turkey and northern Syria on Monday. "Syria General License 23" authorizes transactions that would otherwise be prohibited by the Syrian Sanctions Regulations.
Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said, "US sanctions in Syria will not stand in the way of life-saving efforts for the Syrian people." However, he also stated that there had already been "robust exemptions for humanitarian efforts."
Establishment-critical narrative
Though the US has lifted some sanctions, this is largely a superficial move to avoid criticism of its brutal sanctions regime. If sanctions weren't obstructing aid delivery, why did the US lift some of them? All routes from Turkey into the country's north have been destroyed, making it even more necessary for Western governments to work directly with the Syrian state to help alleviate this crisis. The West must lift all of these cruel sanctions.
Pro-establishment narrative
The US should not and will not work with a government that has killed hundreds of thousands of its own people with barrel bombs, starvation sieges, and chemical weapons. US sanctions on Syria have a very minor effect on aid delivery, as such areas are excluded from the sanctions which largely target individuals and companies, and any possible hindrances have now been lifted. The US will do everything it can via the NGOs with which it has worked for years to provide Syrians with aid, but it will not assist Bashar al-Assad, Syria's dictator after he destroyed his own country.
Poland Closes Belarus Border Checkpoint
Poland's Interior Ministry on Thursday announced the indefinite closure of the main Bobrowniki-Bierestowica border checkpoint with Belarus starting on Friday at noon, reportedly leaving only two crossing points open along the whole border.
Warsaw also stated that it's considering imposing further sanctions against Belarusian officials allegedly responsible for crackdowns on Poles in the neighboring country.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Lukashenko regime is cracking down on the dissent ripping through Belarus, and the conviction of Andrzej Poczobut — only guilty of fighting for the truth — is just one demonstration of this. More than 35K people have been arrested, many have been beaten, and tens of thousands of others have fled in fear for their lives. Poland, and the West, can't stand by idly amid this repression.
Establishment-critical narrative
Ripple effects from the Western-sponsored migration crisis are fueling unrest in Belarus, and the closure of the Bobrowniki-Bierestowica border will only worsen this. In an attempt to thrust its vision of democracy on other nations, the West, particularly the US, has instigated a succession of regional conflicts in the Middle East and Northern Africa, resulting in massive migration flows. Rather than imposing further sanctions, constructive dialogue — as advocated for by Minsk — is the way forward.
Narrative C
Poland — which touts an open-door policy to Ukrainian refugees — has a history of unlawfully and violently throwing Belarusian migrants back across the border into the hands of an oppressive and cruel regime. This inhumane policy has exacerbated the migrant crisis at the border and is unacceptable for an EU country.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Pres. Lukashenko will leave power in Belarus by December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 352: Ukraine Says Russian Missiles Crossed into Romanian, Moldovan Airspace
Commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, said on Friday that two Russian missiles launched from the Black Sea had crossed into Romanian and Moldovan airspace before landing in Ukraine. The claim could not be verified and Russia has so far failed to comment on the allegation.
The Romanian Defense Ministry, however, contradicted the account, saying that "an aerial target ... most likely a cruise missile" had flown through Ukrainian airspace, crossed into Molvoda, and then re-entered Ukrainian airspace without flying over Romania. In contrast, Moldova confirmed that its airspace had been violated, with the nation's foreign minister ordering "the urgent summoning" of Russia's ambassador in Chisinau.
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Australian Study: Lung Protein May Prevent COVID
According to a University of Sydney study published in the journal PLOS Biology on Friday, a protein produced in the lungs called LRRC15 can stick to the COVID virus to form a natural protective barrier to block infection, which could explain why different people suffer from different severities of the disease, or not at all.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID infects humans by using a spike protein that binds to the human ACE2 receptor, of which lung cells have a high level, thus resulting in severe harm to the organ. LRRC15 is like ACE2 in that SARS-CoV-2 can bind to it, however, unlike ACE2, it immobilizes the virus once attached.
Narrative A
Though there's still research to be done, this study has discovered a novel virus-binding protein that could help create future treatment strategies. Not only can LRRC15 capture and immobilize COVID in human airways, but it can possibly even help fibroblast cells pass these immobilized cells onto the lung for further protection. This is an exciting breakthrough.
Narrative B
This is undoubtedly promising news, but it's tainted by its late arrival. Although the vaccine has helped protect millions, it consumed researchers' energy and resources, resulting in research like this — which should have taken place when the pandemic began — being neglected. Doctors should learn this lesson and spread out their resources should another viral outbreak ever occur again.
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.
Reports: Pence Subpoenaed by Special Counsel
Former Vice President Mike Pence has reportedly been subpoenaed by Jack Smith, the special counsel overseeing a criminal investigation into former Pres. Trump’s attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election. Smith is also overseeing the investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents.
As the two-years-long Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation continues, Smith’s office is seeking documents and testimony from Pence about his interactions with Trump before and during the day of the Jan 6. Capitol riots.
Democratic narrative
Few people can bring the perspective about the Capitol riots that Pence can, considering he was both pressured by Trump to not certify the votes and hunted down by the rioters. The former VP has already shared his story and opinions in public appearances, so giving an honest account to law enforcement shouldn’t be an issue. He should ignore any executive privilege claims and do what’s best for America.
Pro-Trump narrative
Pence should take his cue from Trump, who has pointed out that Smith is a politically-motivated prosecutor who is running an illegitimate investigation. Smith has botched prosecutions in the past — both domestically and overseas — and there’s no way anyone, let alone the former vice president, should tell Smith anything.
House GOP Requests Documents in Biden Family Probe
House Republicans, via the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, have made the first official requests for documents from Hunter and James Biden — the family of the US President — concerning foreign business dealings, specifically related to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) alleged that the committee had evidence that Biden family members attempted to "sell access around the world" including to members of the CCP, to "enrich themselves" to the detriment of the US.
Republican narrative
News surrounding Hunter Biden's laptop has continually been the source of desperate lies by Democrats, attempting to brush over the actions of the Biden family. Despite their best attempts, the stage has now been set by Comer for Republicans to finally force the truth out of the Biden family and the Biden administration.
Democratic narrative
It is hypocritical for Comer to investigate and complain about the Biden family when he himself has used his position in the past to help his brother out of COVID Paycheck Protection Program loans. Rather than spending all its time on politically-motivated character assassination, the GOP machine would do better to address more important issues of value to the American people.
Nerd narrative
There is a 37% chance that Hunter Biden will be indicted by Nov. 5, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Qatargate: Belgian MEP Arrested Over Corruption Allegations
Another Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Marc Tarabella of Belgium, was arrested on Friday as part of an investigation into alleged parliamentary money laundering, bribery, and corruption. The news follows former EP vice-president Eva Kaili's arrest in December.
Tarabella was arrested early in the morning, and will go before a judge within the next 48 hours, who will decide whether he will remain in detention. MEPs typically enjoy immunity from detention and legal proceedings, but the EP last week voted to strip him of his privileges.
Pro-establishment narrative
The European Parliament prides itself on being above corruption, which is why the vast majority of MEPs — who are not involved in this case — have called for swift and concrete measures to be implemented in response to these bribery allegations. Radical actions, such as the criminalization of all corruption through the "defense of democracy package," are set to be imposed to quash the behavior of this rogue minority.
Establishment-critical narrative
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 in the European Parliament. Up to 60 MEPs could potentially be involved — those outside of this chaos should watch this space and note the display of hypocrisy as it unfolds.
Two Killed in Jerusalem Car Ramming Attack
According to Israeli police, a man plowed his car into a crowded bus stop in Jerusalem on Friday, killing two people, including a six-year-old boy, and injuring five others in what is being called a "ramming terror attack."
Police reportedly shot and killed the suspect at the scene. The second casualty was identified as a man in his 20s, while those injured ranged from eight to 40 years old and are in moderate to severe condition. Police say people were waiting at the bus stop in the Jewish settlement of Ramot in east Jerusalem when the attack occurred.
Pro-Israel narrative
This latest attack by a Palestinian extremist, brutally killing an innocent six-year-old boy, illustrates why Israel needs to enhance its efforts to root out terrorism and protect the Israeli people. As tough as his policies are, security minister Ben Gvir has seen many Israelis die on his watch, and it's time he strengthens enforcement. This conflict is not subsiding, and Israel is obligated to defend itself.
Pro-Palestine narrative
All violence is tragic and must be condemned, but people must not forget the violence and oppression first imposed by Israel’s apartheid regime. Palestinians are being abused, dispossessed, and even killed every day, and something must be done to dismantle the occupation of the West Bank. As governments and international organizations increasingly speak out against Israel, they must not cower in the face of public backlash and lobbying efforts.
Florida Passes Bill to Relocate Undocumented Immigrants
The Florida state legislature passed a bill Friday that sets aside $10M to hire contractors to pick up undocumented immigrants from anywhere in the country and transport them elsewhere. The bill passed the House two days after the Senate and now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature.
The legislation — passed along party lines in both chambers — formalizes the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program enacted by DeSantis last year that enabled government officials to fly migrants to blue states that have sanctuary policies.
Democratic narrative
These migrants are poor, homeless, and hungry refugees, not so-called illegal aliens, and DeSantis is using them to gain traction ahead of his potential presidential run. The governor and his GOP allies are outright admitting that this is a political stunt, which makes it all the worse. If signed, DeSantis' human trafficking policy will continue to target people based on race and national origin — constitutional violations that have already been brought up in previous lawsuits.
Republican narrative
Florida Republicans and their governor are using this as a national political stunt, but it's not to boost DeSantis' presidential bid. Florida and other border states have been left with no other choice as the Biden admin. ignores the country's illegal immigration crisis. This is the only way to make Democrats up north aware of this fact, and as long as their concerns keep falling on deaf ears, state governments are going to have to keep shipping the problem to their doorstep.
Conservative narrative
Though these migrant flights are understandable, governors like DeSantis in Florida and Greg Abbott in Texas shouldn't be pushing illegals further into the country; they should be deporting them. As Kari Lake promised to do if she became governor of Arizona, they should correctly categorize this crisis as an invasion and deport each undocumented immigrant back to where they came from.