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Ethiopia: Ethnic Attack Reportedly Kills More Than 200
An attack on Sun. in the Oromia region of Ethiopia has reportedly claimed the lives of at least 230 people, mostly ethnic Amhara, according to witnesses.
Those at the scene and the Oromia regional government have blamed the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group. An OLA spokesman, in contrast, claimed that the regime's military and local militia carried out the attacks to penalize local support for the group.
Following the killings, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on Sun. demanded that the federal government come up with a "lasting solution" to protect civilians.
Establishment-critical narrative
Ethnic disputes in Ethiopia have been fueled by PM Abiy's decision to centralize power, with the apparent aim of reverting Ethiopia's federalism. His imperial nostalgia and rhetoric have driven fears of imperial-era homogenizing policies, and the government's decision to downplay Oromia's opposition concerns only serve to block a peaceful solution.
Pro-establishment narrative
Ethiopia has always been a multi-ethnic, multi-national and multi-religious society, but extremist forces are taking atrocious actions to create a dispute between the Amhara and Oromo people. Division doesn't help anyone in the country; Ethiopians must fight together against this.
Cynical narrative
This devastating attack against the Amhara people is sadly just the latest war crime to take place in Ethiopia since the civil war started. The country has plunged into a bloody conflict where civilians are paying the price. But where is the international outrage? Are these less worthy victims? This is one of the world's deadliest ongoing wars and the global community needs to be more fair in pushing for peace.
Day 118 Roundup: Russia Threatens Retaliation as Lithuania Bans Transit of Imports to Kaliningrad
Russia's Foreign Ministry has demanded that Lithuania immediately lift a ban on the rail transit of some goods to the exclave of Kaliningrad – Russian territory wedged between Poland and Lithuania on the Black Sea, and home to over 400k people, that it retained following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Lithuania's FM Gabrielius Landsbergis defended the move, announced last week, and said his country was simply implementing EU sanctions in consultation with the EU Commission. Russia said if transport links aren't restored, it "reserves the right to take action in defense of its national interests." Moscow reportedly summoned the EU's ambassador to Russia on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Denmark's energy agency declared an 'early warning' due to concerns over Russian gas supplies on Tuesday. The EU implemented the three-tier warning system to allow member states to flag impending energy difficulties as a result of sanctions on Russia.
Anti-Russia narrative
This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after a fraudulent election a "coup". This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There is a 5% chance that Russia will invade any country other than Ukraine in 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Mali: At Least 132 Civilians Killed In Latest Attacks
Mali's government announced on Mon. that at least 132 civilians were killed by suspected Islamist extremists in multiple attacks on villages in the country's central Mopti region over the weekend.
Bamako blamed the al-Qaeda-affiliated Macina Katiba for the mass killings in Diallassagou and the nearby villages of Diaweli and Dessagou in the Bankass commune.
The raids are said to have been an act of revenge following a government military operation against jihadists two weeks ago.
Pro-establishment narrative
The fallout from the Malian government's hostility towards France and its European partners is becoming increasingly apparent. Now that the shadowy Russian Wagner group is active in the country, the security situation is rapidly deteriorating. Wagner isn't focused on the people's security, but rather on the pursuit of its own and Moscow's interests. The West is now well-advised to offer its anti-terror support to countries in West Africa.
Establishment-critical narrative
The deteriorating security crisis in West Africa is primarily the result of the West's decade-long political and military interference under the guise of fighting terrorism. It's no coincidence that anti-European - especially anti-French sentiment - is on the rise, while calls for Russian engagement have recently grown louder. There's hope for the region only when it's no longer possible for the West to pursue its geopolitical interests unchallenged.
Canada to Ban Harmful Plastics in Dec. 2023
On Mon., Canada announced a ban on the manufacturing and importing of "harmful" single-use plastics, including checkout bags, utensils, stir sticks, straws, and ring carriers.
The ban begins in Dec. 2022, making Canada the first among its peers to implement such changes. By the end of 2025, Canada expects to also ban the exporting of these harmful goods.
Canada previously announced a plan to ban single-use items in homes, but environmental groups and advocates pushed for stronger regulations that spurred the expansion to a full ban on usage.
Narrative A
Canadians should celebrate this as a victory for the environment. Plastic pollution has damaged the environment for far too long, and it will take every resident, business, and level of government to comply with the new regulations for a safer and more environmentally friendly Canada.
Narrative B
Be careful what you ask for! Enacting bans on plastic may lead to switching to more harmful materials. Paper bags require more energy to produce and they cause land devastation from the clearing of trees. While plastic bags are made to be an environmental damage culprit, they provide less devastation to land and they don't supercharge climate change. Biodegradable bags could lead to soil and water source pollution as well.
Catastrophic Floods Inundate India, Bangladesh
Catastrophic floods that began in Mar. and Apr. - nearly three months before "official" monsoon season - have struck Bangladesh and India. Extreme downpours brought areas of Bangladesh 970mm (38 inches) of rain on Sun. alone.
The floods have claimed over 100 lives in the past two weeks, and have stranded >9.5M people with little access to food and water. In Bangladesh, UNICEF warned that 4M people urgently need assistance, with 90% of health facilities impacted.
In Assam, India, the unprecedented deluge ravaged villages and farmlands, impacting 32 of 35 districts, killing at least 45, and displacing over 4.7M.
Establishment-critical narrative
The recent torrid heatwaves and torrential floods in India and Bangladesh both bear the clear, unmistakable fingerprints of a climate emergency throughout the region. Very sadly, both nations have failed to invest adequately in climate resilience and adaptation, and it's the poor who must bear the brunt of these twin climate disasters because of improper government planning.
Pro-establishment narrative
The governments are doing the best they can. Unfortunately, while the richest nations are preoccupied with short-term inflationary and supply issues, the developing world faces the massive and irreversible effects of climate change with little help. Successive empty promises mean poorer countries are alone fighting an economic, social, and environmental battle that their vulnerable infrastructures are unprepared to deal with.
Narrative C
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.
Tennis: Dzalamidze Changes Nationality to Compete at Wimbledon
Moscow-born doubles tennis player Natela Dzalamidze, 29, will be allowed to compete in this year's Wimbledon tournament after changing her nationality to Georgian.
Her switch came after the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) in Apr. banned all Russian and Belarusian players from the tournament in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Since the women's tour (WTA) states that a player can change nationality by "submitting the new passport and/or birth certificate," Dzalamidze was able to utilize her Russian-Georgian dual citizenship.
Pro-establishment narrative
While it may seem harsh, banning these players is necessary to show Putin that the sports world stands against his repeated human rights violations and egregious attack on Ukraine. In normal times, these bans would run contrary to the principles of a free, global society, but these aren't normal times.
Establishment-critical narrative
Asking these players to switch their nationalities, or worse, banning them outright from engaging in their profession, is punishing individuals who have no say in what their government does. These bans could also negatively affect the professional futures and global outlook of young Russians and their future relationship with the West.
Nerd narrative
There is a 92% chance that Russia will be the world's most sanctioned country by Feb. 22, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Tooth of Slain Congolese Leader Returned by Belgium
In an official ceremony at Egmont Palace in Belgium's capital on Mon., Belgian authorities returned the tooth of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba. The tooth was returned to his family 61 years after his murder.
The return of the relic took place after Belgium's King Philippe earlier this month made his first visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) where he expressed his "deepest regrets" for his nation's abuses in the former colony.
The tooth was obtained by Belgian officials in 2016 following a complaint by Lumumba's family. The relic had been in the possession of the daughter of a policeman, Gerard Soete.
Narrative A
To this day, Lumumba remains a symbol of hope to many in Congo of what the country could have become after its independence. This long-overdue act of return is vital for national healing from Belgium's unacceptable neocolonial atrocities and brutal imperial rule.
Narrative B
The return of this relic marks a hopeful improvement in diplomatic relations between Belgium and the Congo. The ceremony was part of a process for Brussels to confront its bloody past in Africa and express its regrets for the wounds of the past, paving the way for a more harmonious future for the two nations.
International Rugby League Bans Trans Athletes
The International Rugby League (IRL) announced that trans athletes are banned from competing in this year's women's rugby matches, including the World Cup.
The IRL will reportedly develop a new transgender inclusion policy, and "will seek to work with the eight Women's Rugby League World Cup 2021 finalists to obtain data" to finalize its inclusion program in 2023.
This comes after FINA, the administration that governs water sports, issued a similar policy that bans transwomen who have gone through any part of male puberty beyond Tanner Stage 2 or before age 12 from competing in female swimming events.
Left narrative
The IRL is following the bad example set by FINA. The notion that a 'woman' is defined as someone with a 'normal' testosterone level is nonsensical. These blanket bans on transgender athletes are discriminatory and completely disregard the marginalized trans community.
Right narrative
Trans athletes have no place in women's sports. Policies like these are necessary to save the integrity of sports and protect cisgender female athletes who are at risk of being left to compete for second place against trans competitors with an obvious biological advantage.
Japanese upholds gay marriage ban
On Mon., a Japanese court ruled that the country's ban on same-sex marriage isn't unconstitutional after three couples filed a case with the district court in Osaka.
In its decision, the court also denied the plaintiffs' request for 1M yen ($7.4k) in damages per couple.
The case is the second of its kind following a 2021 ruling by a district court in Sapporo that determined that the ban is unconstitutional.
Left narrative
Japan's ban on same-sex marriage is discriminatory and the court's affirmation of the government's stance is deeply damaging to equal rights in the country. Japan must re-evaluate its outdated and repressive law.
Right narrative
While Japan bans same-sex marriage, the nation's local governments have been recognizing the partnerships for years. The issue at hand, in this case, is whether the ban violates the Japanese constitution - which states that marriage is between a man and woman. The court rightly ruled that the law aligns with the constitution.
Biden Calls for a Gas Tax Holiday
On Wed., US Pres. Biden asked Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes through the end of September, as a way of lowering gas prices for consumers.
The federal tax levied on gasoline currently sits at 18.34 cents a gallon, and is used to fund infrastructure like roads.
The nationwide average for gas prices has hit an all-time high at $4.98 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), with the previous highest national average being $4.114 per gallon in July 2008.
Republican narrative
Biden isn't doing anything to help the average American bear the financial burden of record-high gas prices. A gas tax holiday is more of a campaign gimmick than a concrete effort to lower gas prices. This proposal is dead on arrival.
Democratic narrative
Major oil companies are taking advantage of the war in Ukraine and are squeezing record high profit margins at the expense of American families. A federal gas tax holiday may not be the ideal solution, but immediate action must be taken to lower gas prices. This is a good first step.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that US crude oil production will reach 13 million barrels per day by September 29, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.