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RNC Votes to Withdraw from Commission on Presidential Debates
On Thurs., the Republican National Committee (RNC) unanimously voted to withdraw from the Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD).
The CPD is a non-profit that was established jointly by the Democratic and Republican parties in 1987 to ensure the public has access to debates between the leading candidates from both parties during the presidential election campaign.
The RNC accused the group of running debates that are biased towards the Democrats and refusing to enact suggested reforms.
Democratic narrative
Because the GOP does whatever it takes to keep Donald Trump happy, we may lose Presidential debates as we know them. The RNC's decision to leave was made not by the committee but by Trump himself. Before Trump's rise within the party, such a decision by the RNC would have been unthinkable.
Republican narrative
The Republican party made the correct decision because the CPD clearly skewed debates in favor of the democrats. They even selected a moderator who previously worked for Biden - it was just unfair.
Germany Seizes Superyacht Linked to Russian Businessman

German authorities seized the world's largest superyacht, which is linked to Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov, on Wed.
Usmanov, known as "the hard man of Russia," is one of the richest men in the country with an estimated net worth of $18.4B. He was sanctioned by the EU in Feb. and by the US and the UK in Mar. over his close ties to Putin.
The 512-ft yacht named "Dilbar" was revealed to have been legally owned by Usmanov's sister. She was also sanctioned after authorities claimed that the billionaire's assets were transferred to her.
Establishment-critical narrative
At best, the focus on seizing Russian billionaires' assets is a distraction from formulating a more realistic strategy to defeat Putin and restore Ukraine. At worst, it is hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons. Either way, seizing superyachts doesn't help Ukraine.
Pro-establishment narrative
Seizing Russian assets, including those belonging to sanctioned individuals, is crucial for escalating economic pressure on the Kremlin. If the Western countries can navigate the legal complications, the assets should be transferred to Ukraine to help fund its defense and rebuild the nation.
Libertarian narrative
These sanctions are unfair and there is a clear risk they will lead to widespread Russophobia. It's not just the sanctions on Russian oligarchs, there are also many informal sanctions on Russian people, culture and business. This is cancel culture stigmatizing an entire population for the crimes of one autocrat.
Narrative D
Enforcing strong sanctions against Russian oligarchs may present a legal challenge for countries, even after they seize assets. Technically, the seized superyachts, private jets, and mansions still belong to the oligarchs. A freeze simply means that the owner can't sell or transfer ownership. The latest round of sanctions poses unprecedented and unanswered legal questions which may lead to off-court battles that could last years.
Biden to nominate Michael Barr to Top Fed Regulation Role

Pres. Biden has stated his intention to nominate Michael Barr, the dean of the University of Michigan's public policy school, to be the Federal Reserve's vice chairman of supervision.
Sarah Bloom Raskin, Biden's initial choice, withdrew after opposition from Republicans and Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin.
Barr was previously assistant Treasury secretary for financial institutions during the Obama administration, and helped design the Dodd-Frank regulations in 2010 in response to the 2008 financial crisis.
Left narrative
Biden has found a credible centrist nominee with an exceptional background in financial regulation and consumer protection. Yet Republicans are already signalling their intent to obstruct his confirmation, even as the Fed struggles to alleviate the effects of the highest rate of inflation seen in 40 yrs. The GOP's resistance to bipartisan cooperation is exacerbating a state of economic crisis.
Right narrative
The Supreme Court has previously found parts of the Dodd-Frank regulations (authored or supported by Barr) to have been either unconsitutional or unaccountable by enshrining directors and regulatory organizations with too much power. Barr's record must be heavily scrutinized before he is given oversight of the largest financial firms in the US.
Progressive narrative
Barr's record in fintech and cryptocurrency raises serious concerns over his nomination, as such industries have been tipped by some as the catalysts in the next financial crash. In addition, Barr has close links to firms including the Lending Club, which designed predatory schemes to trap borrowers. He cannot be trusted to make enemies of the traditional banking system or put the economy and the American people above the interests of his own career.
Israel Intercepts Rocket, More Clashes at Al-Aqsa

The Israeli military said it intercepted a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip on Mon., the first launch since New Year's Eve, as tensions have soared in recent weeks.
This comes after Palestinians and Israeli police clashed over the weekend in and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, beginning with an Israeli raid on Fri. that saw hundreds arrested and over 150 Palestinians injured. Police say they entered to remove rocks and stones in anticipation of violence.
On Sun., Israeli police entered the mosque to secure the way for Jewish and foreign visitors, fueling clashes at the compound and in nearby side streets. At least 18 Palestinians were arrested and 17 wounded, according to Palestinian medical workers.
Pro-Palestine narrative
This is but the latest in a series of unprovoked attacks by Israeli occupation forces, who appear bent on turning the holy month of Ramadan in Jerusalem into a battlefield. Unfortunately, violence at the mosque is likely only just beginning, and Israel risks pushing Palestinians into a third Intifada.
Pro-Israel narrative
Police officers were forced to act in response to Palestinian violence to block rioters from injuring worshippers and desecrating holy places. This is a complex and sensitive time, but Israel is determined to guarantee the security of its citizens and public order, while taking efforts to allow freedom of worship to everyone on the Temple Mount.
Day 54: At Least 7 Killed in Strikes on Lviv, Mariupol Refuses to Surrender

Russian missile strikes targeted the western Ukrainian city of Lviv in the early hours of Monday. Lviv regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy said 7 people were killed and another 11, including a child, were injured.
Kozytskyy said three missiles had struck military facilities, with another striking a tire repair shop. Emergency services were sent to put out fires at the scenes of the strikes, he said.
At a press briefing on Mon., Russia's MoD said it launched attacks on 315 military targets overnight, successfully downing 3 planes and 11 drones and destroying 18 command posts, 22 artillery batteries and a surface-to-air missile system. The claims couldn't be independently confirmed and the report made no specific mention of attacks on Lviv.
Anti-Russia narrative
This is the war's decisive moment. Putin's dreams of a swift invasion of Ukraine have already been dashed, but the West, primarily the United States, now needs to do everything in its power to further support Ukraine against Russian aggression. If Ukraine loses this conflict, the chances of war between NATO and Russia increase, along with the prospect of Russian intervention in other areas.
Pro-Russia narrative
The Russian Special Operation was prompted by Western nations ignoring Russia's security concerns by creating and supporting far-right Ukrainian militias. In response, Russia is seeking to demilitarize the country and protect its ethnic Russians, all while ridding Ukraine of its neo-Nazi elements. Russia is succeeding with this effort and will continue until Ukraine's neutral status is guaranteed.
Nerd narrative
There's a 95% chance that Mariupol will be under Russian control by June 1, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Marine Le Pen Accused of Embezzlement

A European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) report has accused Marine Le Pen and several of her party members of embezzling about €620k while serving as members of the European Parliament.
The public prosecution in Paris reportedly received the report on Mar. 11 and is examining it. However, the investigative news site Mediapart published parts of it on Sat.
Le Pen is accused of personally diverting some €137k of EU funds taken illegally into party coffers. This allegedly occurred during her time as an MEP, between 2004 and 2017.
Left narrative
Le Pen has already been accused of embezzlement, and it's quite clear that she views EU institutions with utter contempt - especially considering her Eurosceptic political platform. It was doubtful that she would win before this scandal, and this is good news for Macron.
Right narrative
This report is clearly a political stunt by the EU to swing France's election toward the Europe-friendly Macron. Recent polls gave Le Pen a strong chance of beating the current French President, so the EU had to intervene to save him.
Nerd narrative
There's a 14% chance that Le Pen will win the French presidential election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Shooting At Pittsburgh House Party Kills 2, Injures 8

On Sun., a 12 am shooting at an Airbnb house party in Pittsburgh left 2 minors dead and at least 8 injured.
~90 rounds may have been fired by multiple shooters during the incident, with the ensuing chaos resulting in as many as 8 separate crime scenes.
Most of the ~200 attendees were underage, according to the police. The shooters are still at large, and Pittsburgh public schools are under a "modified lockdown" on Mon.
Republican narrative
Woke progressive policies in Democrat-led cities are to blame for this eruption of violence across America. It's time to support law and order, keep repeat offenders off the streets, and remember that the "victims" are the public; not the criminals.
Democratic narrative
The right's correlation of rising crime to Democrat-run cities is flawed and tiresome. Murder and mayhem isn't just an urban, blue-state phenomenon, but Republicans spin these incidents for political gain. In fact, 8 of the 10 states with the highest homicide rates in 2020 voted for Trump.
Florida Rejects Math Textbooks Citing Critical Race Theory

Around 54 of 132 math books submitted for review in Florida have been rejected by the state for containing prohibited topics, including so-called Critical Race Theory (CRT).
CRT makes controversial claims about how legacies of racism continue to reverberate in laws and policies in present society.
A number of GOP-led states have moved to ban students' exposure to CRT in recent years, arguing that some concepts - suchs as 'white privilege' - are divisive and anti-White.
Right narrative
Math should be about teaching students arithmetic, not indoctrinating them with controversial ideas. The rejection of these textbooks marks the upholding of legislation and protection of American children from distorting ideologies.
Left narrative
Republicans are the ones indoctrinating children. By burying any notions of race-conscious remedies like affirmative action or, even, the Civil Rights movement, Florida is making the younger generation blind to the systematic oppression in American governance and philosophy.
Dozens of Rioters Arrested Amid Planned Quran-Burning Rallies in Sweden

Swedish police have arrested dozens of people amid weekend riots in the cities of Norrköping and Linköping. The riots were against planned Quran-burning rallies by a far-right group.
The riots erupted after leader of the Danish Stram Kurs (Hard Line) party, Rasmus Paludan, live-streamed the burning of a Quran on Thu. and Fri.
Paludan had permission to conduct a series of demonstrations across Sweden but canceled further rallies on Sun. because of the riots.
Narrative A
Paludan's actions are a deliberate abuse of the Holy Quran and a clear attempt to antagonize Muslims all over the world. His attack will have serious repercussions on the relations between Sweden and Muslims. There needs to be concerted efforts to spread tolerance, coexistence, and prevent the abuse of all religions.
Narrative B
Regardless of whether society agrees with Paludan's message, Sweden is a democratic country and the police must ensure that people can use their constitutional right to demonstrate freedom of expression. Violence, as shown by these riots, is never the answer and should never be tolerated.
Right narrative
Sweden's police numbers are not keeping up with growing problems in society. The riots were not conducted by ordinary counter-protesters, but by criminals. The weekend saw serious crimes committed and a disproportionate focus on violence against police officers, which suggests that Paludan was not the intended target of the protests.
Suspect in SC Mall Shooting on House Arrest After $25k Bond

A man arrested following a SC mall shooting on Sat. was released under house arrest after a judge set a $25k surety bond, and will be allowed to return to work with an ankle monitor.
The alleged shooter, 22 yr-old Jewayne Price, was booked on suspicion of unlawful possession of a pistol after being questioned by police.
Although the weapon is legally registered to Price, the attorney claims that he didn't have a concealed weapon permit.
Democratic narrative
Gun violence is a continuing problem that needs to be addressed. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, it doesn't mean common-sense regulation shouldn't be required.
Republican narrative
While the ongoing gun violence is tragic, the reality is that guns don't kill; people do. Rather than trampling on the Second Amendment, we should focus on toughening up on offenders who use guns to facilitate their crimes.
Cynical narrative
In incidents like these, both the right and left talk extensively about how to prevent these tragedies. But sadly their words don't translate into actions that actually curb the violence.