Leaders of Russia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran Visit Central Asia
Turkish Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Iran's Pres. Ebrahim Raisi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar traveled to Uzbekistan on Thursday for the regional Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, while Russia's Vladimir Putin met with his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana.
Erdoğan and Raisi spoke against Israel and the West at the summit in Tashkent, criticizing them over the Israel-Hamas war and highlighting their alleged hypocrisy and crimes in Gaza. The Turkish leader further urged Muslim countries to defend the Palestinian cause.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Muslim world should be very cautious before it decides to partner with Russia and China instead of its current Western allies. Russia has a history of killing and torturing so-called suspected Islamic terrorists since at least the Chechen wars of the 1990s, and China's treatment of the Muslim Uyghurs in the Xinjiang province is despicable. Just because these two dictatorships haven't condemned Hamas doesn't mean they're looking to accept Islam in their respective societies.
Establishment-critical narrative
The West has no leg to stand on concerning how or with whom the Muslim world conducts its business. The global rules-based order created in 1945 was founded by countries who wanted to prevent human rights abuses — but those countries, headed by the US, are now helping fund Israel's assault on the Palestinian people. A shift in global power structure is on the horizon, and non-Western countries will have a bigger seat at the table.
Nerd narrative
There's a 39% chance that before 2024, the US government will state that Iran likely helped Hamas plan the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Surgeons Perform World's First Eye Transplant
A team of surgeons at NYU Langone Health has successfully performed the first-ever whole-eye transplant. Their patient was a 46-year-old military veteran based in Arkansas, who lost half of his face in a high-voltage electrical accident.
Aaron James, a utility line worker, lost his nose, front teeth, left eye, lips, left cheek, dominant left hand, and 20% of his tongue when his face accidentally touched a 7.2K-volt live wire in June 2021.
Narrative A
The first-ever whole-eye transplant is an undoubted success and harbinger of great developments in transplant medicine. The fact that James' body accepted the transplant and that he is experiencing various senses in his face shows how much progress has already been made. The NYU surgeons have made a tremendous breakthrough that could soon allow doctors to develop a process to restore eyesight.
Narrative B
While this feat should be celebrated, it shouldn't be treated as a revolutionary breakthrough as an eye transplant that fully restores vision is still distant a prospect, while the massive risks associated with such a procedure are yet to be reduced. James should be celebrated for his willingness to undergo experimental surgery; however, his transplant was more of a moderate step for science than a breakthrough.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the first human head transplant will not occur before September 2047, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Industrial Robot Kills Worker in South Korea
A man has reportedly been crushed to death in Goseong, South Korea, after an industrial robot — which allegedly mistook him for a box — pushed his upper body against a conveyor belt.
The victim, who sustained fatal head and chest injuries, has only been identified as a robotics company employee in his 40s, who was inspecting the robot's sensor at a vegetable-packaging center at the time of the incident.
Narrative A
This tragic incident has been investigated to determine whether the robot was unsafe or had potential technical defects. Given the unsophisticated nature of the machine, the most likely explanation is human error. This story should not cause any kind of concern about the usage of robots in industry.
Narrative B
Even if this tragedy were caused by human error, it's reasonable that the incident has further intensified fears related to the dangers of industrial robots. As South Korea increasingly relies on industrial automation, it is important that dialogue around potential issues with industry transformation is entirely transparent and workers feel safe and informed moving forward.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that a humanoid robot will be created that the general public judges as indistinguishable from humans in February 2058, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon Falls to Five-Year Low
According to satellite data released by the National Institute of Space Research on Thursday, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest fell by 22.3% between August 2022 and July 2023 — the lowest since 2018.
Some 9K square kilometers of the world's largest rainforest had been cleared in 12 months compared to about 11.5K square kilometers destroyed the previous year. However, the rate of deforestation remains far from Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's pledge to reach zero deforestation by 2030.
Left narrative
Although Lula still has a steep way to pull off his balancing act with competing political and economic interests to tackle illegal deforestation and preserve the world's most important rainforest, this latest sign of success is inspiring. After four years of destruction under former president Jair Bolsonaro, the environmental agenda is finally moving forward.
Right narrative
It's outrageous to compare how differently the Western establishment has treated Lula and Bolsonaro concerning the protection of the Amazon rainforest. Global environmentalists, who previously conducted a disinformation campaign against Bolsonaro, have now turned silent as their fellow Lula oversees smoke from wildfires smothering and harming people in that region.
Nerd narrative
There's a 26% chance that Brazil will reach net zero deforestation before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Germany to Make Military 'Backbone' of Europe's Defense
Germany has released new defense policy guidelines for the first time in over a decade to strengthen its military capabilities and make it the central element of European defense in light of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) must become "the backbone of deterrence and collective defense in Europe," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said as he presented the 19-page document on Thursday.
Pro-establishment narrative
In light of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, it was high time that Germany committed itself to a leadership role within NATO as part of the "Zeitenwende." Europe's NATO allies must no longer rely on the US for the continent's defense, while Germany must ensure that it permanently meets the 2% GDP target for defense spending. Furthermore, Berlin must present a timetable to deploy a permanent combat-ready brigade to Lithuania as quickly as possible. Berlin has set the right course; now, it has to deliver.
Establishment-critical narrative
With the new guidelines on so-called "defense policy," the militarization of Germany as part of the NATO war alliance is in full swing. The notion that Germany must become "fit for war" raises uncomfortable associations with the country's darkest times, with recent events proving yet again that it's not Russia but NATO and the US that pose a threat to peace worldwide. Under the pretext of defending Europe, Berlin is making a dramatic turn to put its own geostrategic and economic interests first, which must be carefully analyzed within the context of an evolving multipolar world.
Nerd narrative
There's a 7% chance for war between Russia and one or more NATO countries, but not the US, by 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Moves to Impeach US Homeland Security Chief
US Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has introduced a motion in the House of Representatives calling for Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to be impeached for allegedly failing to secure the US-Mexico border.
Greene has accused Mayorkas of "breaking his oath" to keep the US secure, as the number of apprehensions at the US-Mexico border reached more than 2M in both 2022 and 2023 — including over 200K in September this year alone.
Democratic narrative
Greene's resolution calling for the immediate impeachment of Mayorkas is just one of many examples of the Mike Johnson-led House lacking any order. Republicans continue to practice chaos in the chamber rather than attempting to produce a plan that improves American society. The hope that came with a new speaker has quickly vanished as Republicans continue to play into bipartisan politics, looking to get one over on the other side.
Republican narrative
Mayorkas has not simply failed to execute his duty of preventing illegal immigration; rather, the DHS secretary is directly responsible for opening the US border and welcoming an invasion. Mayorkas should have already been impeached for his behavior, and Congress' passivity on the matter is a stain on American politics. The House must move against Mayorkas immediately.
Israeli Forces Advance in Gaza City
Israeli forces have continued to advance in and around Gaza City, with local reports indicating intense Israeli bombardment and the presence of military vehicles in the vicinity of several hospitals.
Israeli forces are reported to be operating in the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital, al-Quds Hospital, al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital, and the Indonesian Hospital. Israeli troops are reportedly using loudspeakers to order civilians to flee south; reports from al-Shifa hospital, the largest in Gaza City, indicate that a missile or shell hit the hospital's courtyard, killing at least one.
Pro-Israel narrative
After Hamas's heinous attack on Israel, Tel Aviv has a right and a duty to dismantle Hamas's terrorist leadership as an existential threat to Israel itself. However, a short, temporary humanitarian pause may be possible on the condition that it comes with the release of Israeli hostages.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Living under a total blockade and unrelenting Israeli air strikes, figures show that one Palestinian child is dying every 15 minutes. Indeed, Israel is in the process of systematically attacking hospitals in Gaza City. A humanitarian cease-fire must be established immediately so much-needed aid can enter the territory.
Nerd narrative
There's a 99% chance that there will be an Israel-Hezbollah war by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Russia Amasses 40K Troops in Preparation for Donetsk Assault
After deploying thousands of men, alongside tanks and armored vehicles, into a fresh Russian assault in the eastern region of Donetsk last month, Russia has reportedly amassed 40K troops around the city of Avdiivka in preparation for a renewed push to take the city, Ukrainian military officials said on Thursday.
Anton Kotsukon, a spokesman for Ukraine's 110th separate mechanized brigade, said: "They are building up reserves. They've brought in about 40K men here along with ammunition of all calibres. We see no sign of the Russians abandoning plans to encircle Avdiivka."
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Russia has pounded Avdiivka for a month, but all they have achieved is the losses of thousands of men and equipment. Ukraine's defense forces continue to hold the line and will fight every meter of territory.
Pro-Russia narrative
Ukraine's counteroffensive has ground to a halt and now Russia is launching renewed offfensive operations. Meanwhile, Western support for Ukraine is drying up. Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy needs to see the writing on the wall and realize that he cannot defeat Russia militarily.
Nerd narrative
There's a 1% chance that there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Fentanyl-Laced Letters Sent to Multiple US Election Offices
Letters containing suspicious substances were sent to election offices in Georgia, Nevada, California, Oregon, and Washington state, four of which contained the deadly drug fentanyl. The incidents delayed ballot counting in some local elections, with the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service investigating the matter.
In Washington state, letters were received at election offices in the counties of Skagit, Spokane, Pierce, and King, which includes Seattle, two of which contained the drug. As this prompted an evacuation of ballot counting workers on Tuesday, Democratic Secretary of State Steve Hobbs called the deliveries "acts of terrorism to threaten our elections."
Left narrative
Ever since Donald Trump and his supporters tried to overturn the 2020 election results, the rate of threats against ballot counters has skyrocketed. Not only has this disrupted subsequent elections and caused workers to quit their jobs, but the cost of implementing security measures over the next ten years will cost upwards of $600M. Placing all the blame on an alleged left-wing perpetrator for this incident under investigation ignores this larger issue.
Right narrative
This news provides concrete proof that it's not right-wingers who are trying to undermine America's election integrity. These envelopes contained the symbols of left-wing movements like Antifa, which shows that left-wing domestic terrorism is also a threat. This was an unacceptable action that needs to be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Judge Denies Trump's Bid to Postpone Docs Trial Date, Allows Other Extensions
Judge Aileen Cannon, the federal judge presiding over former Pres. Donald Trump’s classified documents case, rejected on Friday Trump’s request to postpone the May start date of the trial.
Cannon called the request to push back the trial by Trump’s lawyers "premature," however, she pushed back several deadlines for filing and responding to pretrial motions — signaling she may be willing to extend the trial date at a scheduling conference in March.
Anti-Trump narrative
Donald Trump is desperate to delay all of his criminal trials until after the 2024 election as part of a desperate effort to retake power and pardon himself for his crimes. However, even a Trump-appointed judge like Aileen Cannon cannot do such a favor for Trump — at least not yet. Cannon may still rule in Trump's favor and circumvent the spirit of justice, but at least, at the moment, the extension request has been denied. Regardless, justice will prevail, and Trump will ultimately have to answer for all of his crimes.
Pro-Trump narrative
The left-wing, Biden propaganda media machine continues to run smear campaigns about Judge Aileen Cannon and former Pres. Donald Trump as Jack Smith's corrupt prosecution continues to be derailed. Everyone knows that the Washington establishment, and its Democratic allies at the state level, will do whatever it can to imprison and punish Donald Trump. The left knows it can't beat him cleanly at the ballot box and is using "lawfare" to tie Trump down. Judge Cannon is making sound and fair rulings, and any decision that isn't rigged against Trump will be blasted by the media.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Donald Trump’s federal documents case will begin by August 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.