Thousands Across Europe Call For Peace In Ukraine
Thousands of protesters called for peace in Ukraine in several European capitals over the weekend, following large-scale rallies across Europe against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which marked its anniversary on Feb. 24.
On Sunday, thousands reportedly rallied in the French capital of Paris and other locations across the country for the second consecutive weekend in protests organized by the right-wing party Les Patriotes against Paris' arms shipments to Ukraine and the country's NATO and EU membership.
Earlier in Germany, police claimed on Saturday that 13K anti-war protesters had gathered in the capital, Berlin, to demand an end to arms deliveries to Kyiv — the organizers claimed there were up to 50k participants. The protests, organized by far-left politician Sahra Wagenknecht and German women's rights activist Alice Schwarzer, were also met with several small counter-demonstrations.
Establishment-critical narrative
The Europe-wide protests against arms deliveries to Ukraine reflect a growing rift between the European governments obedient to the US and their increasingly concerned populations. This trend could also have a negative impact on the supposed "unity" of NATO countries in Washington's proxy war against Russia. European populations are becoming aware of the fact that Russia cannot be defeated militarily and that only a diplomatic solution can save them from an incalculable possible escalation.
Pro-establishment narrative
It would be absurd to assume that European governments do not want peace in Ukraine, but it must not be peace dictated by the imperialist strongman in Moscow. The naive protesters do not understand that only Europe's ironclad commitment to Ukraine and continuous military support will create the basis for meaningful negotiations, and prevent Putin from invading even more countries. It is understandable that many people are worried, but the free world must not allow the Kremlin dictator to create new realities by military means.
Nerd narrative
There is a 28% chance that there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Nearly 60 Dead After Migrant Boat Sinks Near Italy
After a wooden boat crowded with migrants ran aground on Sunday, rescuers have recovered nearly 60 bodies with dozens more missing. Death toll estimates are reaching 100 people, with some survivors indicating that there were as many as 200 passengers when it set out from Turkey.
The boat, which had departed from Turkey several days earlier with refugees from Afghanistan, Iran, and several other countries, ran aground near Steccato di Cutro, a seaside resort on the eastern coast of Calabria.
According to the Italian coastguard, approximately 80 people survived the shipwreck. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi — who visited the scene — said as many as 30 people may still be missing.
Narrative A
While the EU has a moral obligation to help refugees, the block is facing an unprecedented migration crisis as a result of current policies and abuses of an overwhelmed system, leading to tragedies such as these. The bloc must work together to strengthen controls at external borders, with a focus on return procedures, reducing incentives for secondary movement, and promoting effective solidarity.
Narrative B
The European Commission calls the loss of innocent migrant lives on the Mediterranean a tragedy. Yet, at the same time, EU member states have pledged substantial new funds for weapons, surveillance, and speeding up deportations, as well as calling for building walls and fences around the EU to keep refugees out. By closing land routes, the EU is forcing migrants to make extremely dangerous voyages across the Mediterranean.
Day 369: Belarus Group Claims Responsibility for Attack on Russian Surveillance Aircraft
A Belarusian anti-goverment group known as BYPOL — which was last year labeled a terror organization by the country's prosecutor general — has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Russian surveillance aircraft at an airfield near Minsk on Sunday.
BYPOL said the attack on the Beriev A-50 aircraft had been carried out with drones and by Belarusians who are now out of the country. However, there has been no official confirmation that the attack took place from either Belarus or Russia and neither nation's defense ministry has so far responded to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said they are investigating the death of a Ukrainian soldier near the border with Belarus over the weekend. Unconfirmed reports suggested he was shot from the Belarusian side of the border, a claim denied by Minsk officials.
Pro-establishment narrative
Making sure Ukraine continues to be well armed is the only way to fend off Putin and Russia in this unprovoked war of aggression. The US and NATO must not simply offer up their latest and most hi-tech weapons however; combat is about supply lines and the West must ensure basic equipment and ammunition are kept flowing as needed.
Establishment-critical narrative
Multi-billion dollar weapons packages will make little difference in the outcome of the war. The US has been meddling in Ukraine since the end of the Cold War, and what we're witnessing is a geopolitical ponzi scheme to benefit those aligned with the military-industrial complex. War is a lucrative racket.
Nerd narrative
There's a 14% chance that China will get involved in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict by 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Two Israelis Killed in West Bank Attack, Settlers Rampage Villages in Response
In response to a Palestinian gunman killing two Israeli settlers —brothers Hillel and Yagel Yaniv — near the northern West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday, Israeli settlers rampaged a number of Palestinian villages, including Hawara, Burin, and Asira al-Qabaliyya.
The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that a Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli fire, while the Palestinian Red Crescent said that two others were shot and wounded, a third person was stabbed, and a fourth was beaten with an iron bar. Some 95 others were treated for tear gas inhalation.
The settlers burned dozens of houses, cars, and businesses throughout the affected villages during the late-night violence. Photos and videos posted to social media showed large fires burning in the town of Huwara.
Pro-Palestine narrative
What happened in Nablus on Sunday night can only be described as a pogrom carried out by fanatic Jewish supremacists with the complete backing of the Israeli army and government. Though this event was so violent many Israeli figures had to vocally condemn it, settler violence is a common practice in the occupied West Bank and has been for decades. The settlers' violence is just another element of the Zionist project to displace the Palestinian people since the movement's inception. Emboldened by international silence after killing more Palestinians last year than in any other calendar year since the Second Intifada, the occupation is becoming even more violent.
Pro-Israel narrative
Of course, what the settlers did in response to the terrorist attack on Sunday was barbaric and monstrous, but one must keep in mind that such violence is a result of the Israeli government's failure in managing Palestinian terrorism. Netanyahu condemned what happened and so did many in his cabinet. Figures that showed support for the riots should be sidelined — Israel does not support such acts of violence, as it goes against the moral foundation behind the state's creation. Most Israelis want peace, and the actions of these settlers do not represent the rest of Israeli society.
Nerd narrative
There's a 45% chance that Israel will recognize Palestine by 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Govt. Report Says COVID Likely Leaked From Lab
An updated classified report by the US Dept. of Energy (DOE) released to the White House and some members of Congress, has reportedly concluded with "low" confidence that COVID was most likely caused by a laboratory leak.
The DOE now joins the FBI in its assumption that the virus came from a coronavirus research lab in Wuhan, China. In its report in 2021, the FBI concluded with "moderate confidence" that it emerged this way no later than November 2019.
In a CNN interview on Sunday, White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan declined to confirm or deny the report, though he emphasized that Pres. Biden had repeatedly directed the entire intelligence community to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Right narrative
This is why we should not just appeal to authority and blindly trust "the science." In the immediate aftermath of the outbreak, America's so-called experts were so obsessed with blaming everything on Trump that they were willing to ban any and all debate surrounding the origin of COVID. Finally, three years later, even the FBI and DOE have endorsed a theory they once labeled "misinformation" and "racist."
Left narrative
Though the GOP will jump on this story as a "gotcha" moment to win political points, there is still no new evidence showing where exactly COVID came from. With some intelligence agencies arguing the lab leak theory and others arguing an animal spillover from a "wet market," no conclusion has yet been drawn with any high level of confidence, and anyone claiming to know the answer is simply trying to rile up their echo chamber audience.
Nigeria Election: Obi Wins Lagos State; Tinubu Leads Overall
Nigeria's Labor Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has won a narrow victory in the commercial hub of Lagos state — defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party's Bola Tinubu by less than 10K votes, according to electoral commission data released on Monday.
This comes as a surprising result as the APC contender was expected to easily win the state, which is his political stronghold. Tinubu is a former governor of Lagos and is an influential politician in the region.
The governing party, however, managed to win control of more local authorities in Lagos. The APC is leading both the presidential and parliamentary races, which remain wide open as only a fraction of the votes cast by up to 87M potentially eligible voters has been collated since Saturday.
Narrative A
Despite living under democratic rule since 1999, this is the first time that Nigerians could cast their votes for a candidate that offers hope for change as the country faces economic and security challenges. Obi can unite the country as he is campaigning on competence instead of on divisive ethnic or religious lines. He knows the problems of Nigeria more than anyone else.
Narrative B
While this election may promote youth engagement in politics and lead to a break in the hegemony of Nigeria's two establishment parties, very little will change. Even if Obi enters into office parliament is likely to remain under the control of those political forces. In addition, his market-oriented reforms can only deepen the country's social, economic, and security crises.
Nerd narrative
There's an 11% chance that Nigeria will have a coup before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
GOP Chief: Trump, Others Must Pledge Loyalty to Eventual 2024 Nominee
According to Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, the GOP intends to ask candidates vying for the party's nomination to pledge support for the eventual winner — with those who refuse not being allowed to participate in party-sponsored debates.
McDaniel revealed the party's intention on CNN's "State of the Union" show on Sunday, stating that the pledge was a requirement in 2016 and that the idea is a "no-brainer" for 2024.
While former Pres. Trump has not reacted publicly to the comments, in an interview earlier this month he claimed that his potential support would "depend on who the nominee was." A Trump spokesperson also said he will support the nominee simply because "it will be" Trump himself.
Democratic narrative
Republicans have consistently, and foolishly, capitulated to Trump's desires since 2016. Because of this, the failure of his influence led to far fewer Congressional seats than expected last November. Though the party is trying to turn this into an opportunity to exercise its own autonomy and Trump may be more vulnerable than ever before, it's hard to believe that he will now suddenly abide by his fractured party's demands.
Republican narrative
In order to finally break loose from the Democrats' woke stranglehold on the American people and bring the country back to a place of sanity, it is essential that the GOP remains united, no matter who wins the nomination. Whether it's Trump, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, or any other potential candidate, the party is strongest when it gets behind a single leader.
Narrative C
This move by McDaniel once again highlights the chairwoman's total obliviousness. Such a decision is a lame attempt to pave over the party's stark distinctions and, in reality, GOP members will support whoever serves their interests best. The most important factor will be how quickly voters break either for Trump or a rival and how quickly this will take, regardless of McDaniel's attempts to coerce candidates into what she wants.
Nerd narrative
There is a 45% chance that Trump will be the Republican nominee for the 2024 US Presidential Election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Dilbert Comic Dropped After Creator's Comments on Race
Many news publications will stop publishing the popular "Dilbert" comic strip after creator Scott Adams made controversial remarks regarding race. In a video posted Wednesday, Adams took issue with a recent poll in which 47% of Black respondents said they either disagree with or weren’t sure about the statement "It’s OK to be white."
Discussing the poll and race relations in America, Adams said, "the best advice I can give to white people is to get the hell away from Black people," also labeling Black Americans "a hate group" and saying he doesn’t "want anything to do with it."
The Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Andrews McMeel Universal, and San Antonio Express-News were among the many media entities severing their relationships with Dilbert.
Left narrative
Newspapers across America are rightfully ending their relationship with Adams and his “Dilbert” comics after his racist outburst. Hate speech has no place permeating respected publications, and Elon Musk, the leader of the profoundly influential platform Twitter, should not have defended Adams or his racism.
Right narrative
For the longest time, people have been deathly afraid to discuss the elephant in the room – the media’s clear anti-white agenda. American media has incessantly parroted the narrative that white people are evil oppressors and all inherently racist. Adams and Musk highlighted this fact and are predictably being wiped from the political discussion table.
DeSantis Signs Bill to Take Over Disney District
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill requiring him to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government services for the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which was previously controlled by entities of the Walt Disney World company.
The bill will turn governing power over the 2K acre district, to be renamed the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, to the governor-appointed board, thereby creating a new state-controlled tax district. These powers include the ability to build a nuclear power plant and airport, though Disney never used them.
The new board will have powers such as "exclusive jurisdiction and control" over infrastructure services, what gets constructed or demolished, building regulations, hiring people who work for the district, imposing taxes, and entering into deals with private contractors.
Republican narrative
Instead of caving to the woke mob, Disney CEO Bob Chapek should have taken DeSantis’ advice and let the controversy over the parenting bill blow over. Instead, Disney reacted to left-wing online trolls by defying Florida law, leaving the state little choice but to adopt this bill.
Democratic narrative
DeSantis is exploiting yet another culture war issue to increase his notoriety ahead of his eventual 2024 presidential campaign, and this time the state’s taxpayers will be footing the bill. While he mostly lied about what this bill will do, DeSantis sold out his citizens to gain control of a board and score political points nationally.
House GOP Probing Response to East Palestine Derailment
Multiple Republican-led US House committees have started, or are planning to start, probes into the Biden administration's response to the Feb. 3 toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Last Friday, House Oversight and Accountability chair James Comer (R-Ky.) sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting the preservation of documents the committee would like to see.
The Energy and Commerce Committee has also requested testimony from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is considering a probe, and GOP representatives are thinking about holding a field hearing in East Palestine.
Republican narrative
If Buttigieg, who apathetically took nearly three weeks to visit East Palestine, isn’t going to provide full transparency to Congress and the American people, then the House will compel him to testify and investigate the totality of the federal response to this disaster. While Democrats wrongly blame former Pres. Trump for this tragedy, Republicans are going to provide answers for the citizens who potentially face long-term health issues from the derailment.
Democratic narrative
Republicans are faking their concerns about what transpired in East Palestine in order to take shots at Democrats. But criticism of federal officials like Buttigieg is off target considering his department, by law, doesn’t have direct authority over the response. Stricter government regulation, and stronger environmental policy — two things the GOP shies away from — would’ve gone a long way toward preventing this tragedy, and could still work to stop future wrecks if Republicans would get on board. But don’t count on it as long as they’re under the railroad lobby’s influence.
Cynical narrative
Both Republicans and Democrats have rushed to play the blame game — including pointing fingers at Trump, Biden, Buttigieg, the railroad industry, and lobbyists. But it’s time to focus on the citizens of East Palestine, who are being negatively impacted and need answers and help, not to be part of some political game.