While the recovery of the missing uranium is a major relief, this incident is a reminder that the country's security situation must finally be rectified. The best way to achieve this would be to hold the overdue elections this year to unite a divided country. The various factions must embark on the path of democracy for the good of Libya, and the West can be counted on to support this process. Libyans have freed themselves from the Gaddafi dictatorship, and they deserve a democratic and peaceful nation.
The deeper cause underlying the conditions in which uranium can simply disappear ultimately stems from NATO's 2011 military assault on the country with Africa's largest known oil reserves. Though Libyans previously enjoyed a comparatively high standard of living, as well as safety in their own country, the North African nation plunged into chaos after its "liberation" and virtually turned into a failed state. It is the West that is to blame for the security risks resulting from Libya's fragmentation.
This is the first and most promising move to solve the Rohingya crisis, which has been disrupting South and Southeast Asia for six years. Bangladesh has long requested Myanmar to speed up the repatriation process but both COVID and the army's takeover disrupted the process. Because the situation is calmer in Rakhine now, this is the right time for repatriation to start.
Though every refugee must be allowed to voluntarily repatriate, conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine State are not auspicious for the sustainable return and reintegration of Rohingya refugees yet. The military junta is implementing this pilot project due to pressure from the international community, particularly from China, not out of its true goodwill. Discriminatory policies against Rohingya people are sadly likely to continue.
TikTok developer ByteDance has come under increased scrutiny from governments and regulators over fears that Beijing could gain access to the company's database — something that could be used to potentially harvest users' data to spy on Western nations to advance China's interests. This dramatic move by the Biden administration demanding divestment or a nationwide ban on TikTok is based on well-founded security concerns.
The US government has not presented any meaningful evidence that the TikTok app poses a threat to national security. Instead, it has attempted to spread misinformation and unreasonably suppress legitimate private firms. The US crackdown on TikTok is nothing less than xenophobic bullying. They should stop the harassment and start providing a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies.
There's a 25% chance that the US will ban Tiktok before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Historical disputes between Seoul and Tokyo will not cease overnight as they are rooted deeply in both nations, so this summit means little in the improvement of their relationship. If Yoon insists on bowing to the US-Japan strategy of creating a strong, unified front against China, he will risk infuriating domestic public opinion and sacrificing his country's national interests only to serve as a pawn in the destabilization of Asia.
Despite their long-standing controversies, Japan and South Korea have no other option than to ease tensions as they face mounting threats from North Korea and a rising China. The two like-minded democratic nations have many incentives to deepen their cooperation, which is vital to counter the growing influence of violent, authoritarian countries in the region.
There's a 72% chance that the Japan Self-Defense Forces will have tested a Tomahawk missile by mid-2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
This collision over the Black Sea happened because the West has repeatedly refused to take action to avert dangerous mid-air incidents. Despite the attempts of numerous Russian delegations to address the potential for risky proximity between aircraft — especially around the borders of the alliance and Russia — western countries have pointedly ignored the warnings. The US purposely flew into this restricted zone, but Russian fighter jets avoided escalating the situation by refusing to engage their weapons.
The Russian fighter pilots deliberately made a US drone unflyable by recklessly crashing into the MQ-9. The aggressive actions taken against the drone — which was merely carrying out routine operations in the airspace — forced US officials to deliberately crash the object. Moscow's denial of any culpability in this incident is ludicrous.
There's a 10% chance that there will be more than 4 deaths between Russia and NATO forces outside of Ukraine before July 1, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
COVID had a dramatic and tragic effect on maternal mortality rates, but we cannot let that fact obscure the reality that structural racism, systemic discrimination, and health inequities compounded the crisis. Until issues related to income inequality, family planning, education, and racial injustice are addressed, pregnancy-related deaths will continue to soar in the country and disproportionately effect the most vulnerable.
These results are disheartening, but not surprising considering the myriad of external facts causing them such as the COVID pandemic and the influence of higher rates of diabetes and obesity. While the US must address these crucial issues, pregnant women also have agency and could take steps to lower their mortality risk, including by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and ceasing the use of any substances.
From obscure and inconsistent names to wild accusations against other Chinese dissidents and now this latest scandal, there's no telling where Guo's allegiance really lies. What is clear, however, is that Bannon-comrade Guo is the latest indication that Trump's MAGA circle is surrounded by corruption.
If found guilty, Guo should undoubtedly bear the brunt of the US justice system, but politics should be left out of this case. Guo is connected to a range of politicians, including former British PM Tony Blair of the left-wing Labour party, and assuming guilt by a distant association is dangerous.
Israel is facing an Iranian-backed axis of terror. Though the explosive used raises many questions, and Hezbollah might not have directly launched the attack, that doesn't mean Iran wasn't involved. Hamas and PIJ are both backed by Iran, and both groups have increased their activity in the northern West Bank, close to northern Israel. However, this could still be a terrorist attack unrelated to Iran, as a thorough investigation needs to be carried out.
It's unclear if Hezbollah was involved or not, but either way, attacks like this are a symptom of Israel's occupation of Palestine, as well as areas in Lebanon and Syria. Violence is a terrible thing, but the violence of occupation is an everyday occurrence that is far greater than any attack like this.
This is a big win for the BBB — and the Dutch people in general — which has fought back against globalist tyranny. While the EU shills in the Dutch government tried to destroy Dutch farming and essentially confiscate land illegally, Dutch voters have said “enough is enough” and stood up for their rights, proving that people can still stand together and send a shocking blow to the establishment.
The Dutch elections are a scary reminder of how conspiracy theories and anti-establishment rhetoric can infect national, and even global, politics. Dutch extremists pedaled dangerous ideas like the “great replacement” theory as well as climate change denial to rally voters. Unfortunately, this type of strategy will likely be echoed in other parts of the world.
ESG is a dangerous menace to America, as it weaponizes investments against citizens through woke ideology. Leaders and residents of all freedom-loving states should do whatever’s necessary to prevent its harmful proliferation.
This is just another misguided shot in the Republicans’ war against so-called woke culture. ESG investing has been around for decades, and it aims to hold to account investors and managers of companies that have negative health or environmental impacts on society.