Narrative A

With one of the last sensory frontiers of bionic limbs — temperature — now within sight, amputees are a step closer to living a fuller life. It gives individuals who have suffered dismemberment a stronger "this hand is mine" sense. This is taking it closer to its full potential — especially when added dexterity of the prosthetic is factored in. Once the safety requirements are met, a whole new life will open up for amputees.

Narrative B

While the past decade's growth and innovations in the field of prosthetics have been phenomenal, this evolution also calls for a bird's-eye view of where this medical technology is headed. A critical analysis at this stage will help the field in its next steps to master and integrate these innovations. It's vital to build a solid framework in the medical industry to help these medical inventions reach their full promise.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that the first medical treatment based on nanorobots will happen by Oct. 2033, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Anti-Trump narrative

It's utterly incomprehensible that Donald Trump — a likely Republican presidential nominee — is calling for wars, promoting chaos, and suggesting the US wouldn't defend NATO allies from invaders if he's re-elected. While the former president's words are a reminder of the divisive rhetoric fueling his campaign and an attempt to distract his followers from his criminal trials, his comments indicate a second Trump presidency could jeopardize US commitment to the transatlantic alliance.

Pro-Trump narrative

Support for NATO is overly burdensome on the US; Washington is paying more than its fair share, thereby draining its financial and military resources. It's also an excessive financial burden to guarantee the defense of 30 nations that are behind on their payments. Moreover, the US has provided Ukraine, a non-NATO member, with more financial support than any other country. It's time the US re-evaluates the military alliance's membership and pulls out if the bloc isn't meeting its purpose.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that Donald Trump will be elected US President in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Novak is an outspoken champion of family values and would never pardon crimes committed against children. However, it's clear she made a mistake in freeing a pedophile in the belief that the convict didn't abuse the vulnerability of the children entrusted to him. The president must be applauded for making a responsible decision.

Narrative B

Even if Novak's role was essentially ceremonial, she could have been vigilant before granting a pardon to a man implicated in a child sexual abuse case. However, it's evident that the close ally of Hungary's authoritarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, is made a scapegoat to calm national anger. No important decisions are taken in the country without the conservative leader's approval.

Nerd narrative

There's a 4% chance that Hungary will experience a successful coup d'etat before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Republican narrative

This is becoming an unnecessary roller-coaster at a time when the US needs stability amid a tumultuous world. Austin should've resigned over his dereliction of duty when he didn't disclose his hospitalization to the president. Just because he was more transparent this time around doesn't mean he can be relied upon during sensitive times.

Democratic narrative

Austin admitted his previous lack of transparency about his hospitalization was a lapse in judgment, so this time he informed the proper people about his medical issues. The chain of command — which was not breached during his first medical absence — exists for a reason, and it's serving its purpose this time around as well to make sure the US is always secure.

Pro-establishment narrative

Zelenskyy is the sovereign leader of Ukraine. It is purely for him to decide who the military leadership of his country should be and the US will continue to work closely with whomever he decides to appoint to protect Ukrainian sovereignty.

Establishment-critical narrative

As this report demonstrates, the US clearly interfered in Ukraine's decision-making process. Nuland met with the Ukrainian defense minister in the hope of keeping America's preferred candidate in place. The US needs to stop trying to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty.

Nerd narrative

There's a 68% chance that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be re-elected president in the next Ukrainian elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

This is a shocking tragedy. Not only was Kiptum a once-in-a-generation athlete, but he was also a magnificent friend, family member, and human being. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

Narrative B

While this is no doubt a tragedy of a soon-to-be superstar, Kenya has unfortunately grown accustomed to these types of horrific incidents. A number of its top athletes have died in similar circumstances in recent years.

Nerd narrative

There's a 75% chance that the US will lead the medal table at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

With a pro-European Stubb at the helm, Finland can safely take a hard line on Russia as well as play a robust military role within NATO. Since he seeks to be a unifying factor for the country and assumes the roles of prime minister, foreign minister, and defense minister in the government, his victory marks a new era in Finland, which has so far elected presidents to foster diplomacy and avoid tensions within and outside its boundaries.

Establishment-critical narrative

Stubb wants to allow the transport of nuclear weapons across Finland and station NATO troops permanently in the country. For him, the line between war and peace has been blurred, and nuclear weapons guarantee stability. Amid Europe's current security environment, unless Stubb takes a non-confrontational and more cautious approach with the Kremlin, maintains Finland's nuclear weapons ban, and remains as calm and contemplative as his predecessor, Helsinki is in geostrategic trouble.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that NATO will have at least 32 members on Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Left narrative

With the vast majority of Mayotte's population being Muslim, often reaching the territory from neighboring islands in search of a better life, the decision to restrict eligibility for French citizenship is a glimpse into the country's rampant Islamophobia. Mayotte's stark reality is representative of France's history of racism and colonialism, as the French state continues to make political decisions aimed at undermining its Muslim populations.

Right narrative

Mayotte has been failed by France, and the island has consequently experienced an avalanche of immigration that far exceeds a sustainable reality. Mayotte's continued stream of migrants continues to instigate crisis after crisis, and so far the state has done little to protect its French citizens. Those who enter Mayotte to take advantage of the French system must be swiftly addressed, or else it will not be long before they set foot on European shores.

Nerd narrative

There's a 5% chance that France will be the first country to administer more territory off Earth than on it, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Democratic narrative

The Biden campaign is going where it can reach the young voters it needs to reelect the president. TikTok has previously proven informative for young voters on the Ukraine war and COVID, so as long as the social media accounts are protected from hackers, this is a great idea.

Republican narrative

In a desperate attempt to make up ground on former Pres. Trump in the election, the president has decided to violate the ban on a Chinese spy app to reach young voters. If the security risk wasn't bad enough, he looked older than his advanced age in his kickoff video. This move is so problematic for this lame-duck administration.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that Biden will have a net approval rating of at least -11.0 by November 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

Farmers are well within their rights to protest peacefully to air their grievances. However, other ordinary citizens also have a right to travel and arrive at destinations with minimal hurdles. As was ruled on by the court three years ago, the right to protest cannot overshadow the latter. The protesters, therefore, cannot be allowed to block roads — especially the ones leading to the national capital.

Establishment-critical narrative

While the government may try to stop individual gatherings as they did during the last protest, Indian farmers from across the country will be out in force until the government finally decides to fulfill its promises. The people who put food on Indian tables want to be treated with respect, which is why they're demanding sovereignty over their farmland, government debt relief, and livable wage increases.

Nerd narrative

There is a 50% chance that India will score at least 6.3 in the Democracy Index in 2030, according to the Metaculus forecasting community.

Pro-establishment narrative

Israel's war against Hamas is just, given the atrocities the group committed during its Oct. 7 attack. However, Israel must take into account the innocent civilians in Gaza who are trapped between Israel's military machine and Hamas' terrorist fighters. Israel has not yet created acceptable conditions to move into Rafah, and it must have a concrete plan to evacuate civilians from any areas in which it will operate.

Pro-Israel narrative

Though this has been a tragic war, Israel must eliminate Hamas once and for all to ensure Israel's security. To eradicate its capacity for terror, Israel has been forced to use blunt tools to rout Hamas forces, as they are so deeply dug into Gaza's civil infrastructure. Indeed, this recent rescue operation into Rafah proves that Israel's tactics are bearing fruit. Israel has worked hard to compromise and ensure the safety of civilians, but it will have to go into Rafah if an agreement is not reached soon.

Pro-Palestine narrative

Israel continues to demonstrate that its war is not against Hamas but against the Palestinian people as a whole. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already far beyond catastrophic, as over 1M Palestinians barely survive in dense and muddy tent camps while battling famine and disease. If Israel were to push into Rafah as it did Gaza City and Khan Younis, the consequences would be absolutely dire.

Nerd narrative

There's a 6% chance that Hamas will have de facto power in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.