Narrative A

Hate speech dividing communities has become a normal state of affairs in India, as is evident in Sharma's dangerous and explosive comments. She must be held responsible for the impact of her remarks on Indian society, and those in power should face accountability for fostering an environment where these comments could even be made in the first place.

Narrative B

The court's decision to put total blame on Sharma for horrendous incidents like the Udaipur beheading is somewhat harsh without any proper investigation or trial. While her comments were incendiary, a free and fair trial is necessary in order to protect people's faith in the rule of law, and the court's conclusion may even place a risk on Sharma's life.

Nerd narrative

There is a 55% chance that there will be a non-BJP Prime Minister of India before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Right narrative

Starmer's announcement reveals clear tension within the Labour party and could even spark a potential revolt. Despite the strongest signal yet that he desires to steer the party away from the Remain camp, a plethora of high-ranking Labour members have come out in direct opposition to Starmer, highlighting the reality of his weak and tenuous leadership mandate.

Left narrative

Many, including former Labour leader Tony Blair, have criticized Starmer and questioned what the Labour Party stands for under his guidance. He's now showing strength and direction, not only in providing a clear five-point plan for Labour's stance on the EU, but also in scrutinizing the weakness of Boris Johnson's premiership and his incompetence over the complexities raised by Brexit, especially the Northern Ireland protocol.

Nerd narrative

There is a 5% chance that the United Kingdom will rejoin the European Union before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

Finland and Sweden's joining of NATO is a win-win. Both countries would benefit from the alliance's Article 5 on collective defense. Meanwhile, NATO gains additional capabilities in defending Europe from further Russian aggression.

Establishment-critical narrative

Russia has consistently said it would use military force to prevent NATO expansion on its borders – heeding that advice could've prevented the Ukraine conflict. Finland and Sweden's joining of the alliance not only makes them less secure, but risks an all-out global conflict if Article 5 is triggered.

Nerd narrative

There's a 97% chance that both Finland and Sweden will formally join NATO before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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 serves to block a peaceful solution.

Pro-establishment narrative

Ethiopia has always been a multi-ethnic, multinational 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, and Ethiopians must fight together against this threat.

Cynical narrative

This 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 and civilians are paying the price. But where is the international outrage? This is one of the world's deadliest ongoing wars and the global community needs to be fairer in its recognition and pushing for a peaceful solution.

Pro-establishment narrative

For years, Washington has warned that jihadists are targeting West Africa while they continue to destabilize the Sahel. Various coups in recent years have hampered the efforts of Western powers, mostly France and the US, to get the situation under control by militarily supporting local governments. The coup in Burkina Faso is just one of the latest sad examples.

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. And it's no coincidence that anti-European and especially anti-French sentiments are on the rise. There is hope for the region only when it's no longer possible for the West to pursue its geopolitical interests unchallenged by pretending to "help."

Anti-China narrative

Sri Lanka is in crisis, but the elephant in the room is China. The PRC is a dominant lender to developing nations, and it's Sri Lanka's biggest bilateral creditor. However, when crisis strikes and countries like Sri Lanka are unable to make good on their enormous foreign debts, China is suspiciously silent, refusing to make public the terms of its loans and negotiating tactics.

Pro-China narrative

The so-called Chinese "debt-trap diplomacy" narrative is fundamentally at odds with the reality of Sri Lanka's debt burden. In fact, according to Sri Lanka's own Department of Foreign Resources, China only owns 10% of the country's foreign public debt. Unlike the "vulture funds" that own most of its foreign bonds, China has been a strong investor and partner in Sri Lanka, helping the country to develop productive assets like the Hambantota Port.

Cynical narrative

Debt dominates the headlines, but inflation is the real threat to emerging market economies like Sri Lanka, which rely on imports of essential consumer goods like food and fuel. Inflationary pressures have hit home around the globe, but in emerging markets they're even more painful as the US dollar continues to strengthen against local currencies, putting essential goods even further out of reach for many. Unrest is the natural outcome, and it is likely to spread.

Pro-China narrative

The hacker's claims to have stolen information on 1B Chinese citizens are just that claims. They haven't been proven, yet people have been quick to play the blame game. Authorities should be left to investigate.

Anti-China narrative

Regardless of whether this hack is legitimate or not, it reaffirms the staggering scale of the Chinese government's surveillance on its people and the many risks that come with it. The government's silence over the issue and attempt at censorship only brings their embarassment into the spotlight.

Anti-China narrative

Xiao is among several powerful Chinese businessmen who had deep ties with high-level officials but have become trapped by a dispute for power within the Communist Party elite. All the secrecy involving his case comes from the fact that he knows too much about Xi Jinping and his political allies.

Pro-China narrative

The West often criticizes Beijing's efforts to tackle corruption, even though PRC institutions are combating it at full strength regardless of who is involved. Ironically, corruption has become institutionalized in Western political systems, and unfavorable rhetoric can only be understood as a means to promote an ideological war against China.

Establishment-critical narrative

The disasters in northern Italy show that climate change requires a drastic national response that may be too much for the Italian government to handle. The country is one of the most indebted in the world and is already battling the economic impact of inflation and Russia's war against Ukraine. Adding a climate emergency on top of debt woes is straining Italy's institutions to the brink.

Pro-establishment narrative

The Italian government is boldly taking the lead and standing firm on actions to combat climate change. The nation even "greened" its constitution to protect the environment and its biodiversity. Rome's inclusive, strong approach is well renowned for safeguarding its future or generations to come.

Nerd narrative

There's an 85% chance there will be at least 2˚C degrees of global warming by 2100 according to the Metaculus prediction community.