Indiana: Doctor Investigated for Child Rape Victim Abortion
On Wed., Indiana's Attorney General (AG) announced plans to investigate a doctor who performed a recent abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim. He said they will review Dr. Caitlin Bernard's licensure, as well as whether she correctly reported the procedure to authorities.
The victim, who was six and a half weeks pregnant, had traveled from Ohio to Indiana to receive the procedure after an Ohio law banning abortions as early as six weeks took effect following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
On Tues, 27-year-old Gerson Fuentes, a resident of Colombus, OH, was arrested and charged with the rape of the victim.
Left narrative
This awful situation is a direct consequence of the repeal of Roe v. Wade. Not only are patients being forced to cross state lines in order to access abortions - as predicted by abortion rights groups - but the GOP is now targeting those who do. The doctor involved provided vital medical care to a traumatized victim, and shouldn't be scrutinized for it.
Right narrative
This is a deeply disturbing case, and the state is doing its due diligence by investigating. The doctor - who has even been accused of failing to immediately report the case - has been a long-time pro-abortion advocate. Rather than using this case as a political weapon, we should let authorities conduct their investigation and focus on bringing the perpetrator to justice.
Rome: PM Mario Draghi Resigns, Parliament Dissolved
On Thurs., Italian PM Mario Draghi announced his resignation again, with Pres. Sergio Mattarella this time taking "note," but asking the Draghi government to remain as a caretaker until a new government is formed.
After his initial offer of resignation last week was rejected, Draghi tried to salvage his unity government, but right-wing and populist parties ended his efforts by abstaining from a vote of confidence.
In a statement, Draghi said "the national unity coalition that backed this government no longer exists." Tensions have been rising throughout the government as competing parties prepare for the 2023 national election.
Left narrative
Draghi has decided to resign at a time when Italy needs him most. With inflation and the energy crises running rampant throughout Europe, Italy needs unity and stability, not for its leaders to wave the white flag and prompt unnecessary snap elections.
Right narrative
This is a dark day for the globalist left. Draghi's government believed his unity coalition would back his pro-Ukraine sentiments, but instead, it split the left-wing MS5 party and grew the popularity of right-wing parties like the Brothers of Italy. Now, Brothers of Italy leader Giorgia Meloni could become Italy's next Prime Minister.
June CPI Report: US Inflation Hits 9.1%
On Wed., the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 9.1% in June from a year ago - the highest rate since Nov. 1981.
The increase - which is higher than economists had expected - was largely influenced by food and gas prices.
Food prices increased 1.0% from May and 10.4% over the previous 12 months. While gas increased by 11.2%, and energy prices rose 60% over the past 12 months.
Republican narrative
The Biden admin. has let inflation go off the rails and there's seemingly no end in sight. June's CPI results are simply another reminder that the White House is incapable of solving this problem and helping America's financial pains.
Democratic narrative
If you want to place blame for inflation, look at corporations not the Biden admin. An overwhelming number of Americans know corporations are raising prices simply because they can, which is hurting consumers and adding to the inflation crisis.
Ex-CIA Engineer Convicted of Largest Info Theft in Agency History
Joshua Schulte, a former CIA software engineer, was convicted on Wed. on federal charges of violating the Espionage Act of 1917. He is accused of causing the biggest theft of classified information in CIA history.
The so-called 'Vault 7' materials published by WikiLeaks revealed how the CIA hacked numerous devices including Apple and Android smartphones in overseas spying operations, as well as turned internet-connected televisions into listening devices.
Prosecutors alleged that Schulte was motivated to leak information because he believed the CIA had ignored his complaints about the work environment. Schulte told jurors that he was made a scapegoat for WikiLeaks' publication of the embarrassing materials in 2017.
Pro-establishment narrative
Joshua Schulte's actions were brazen and extremely damaging. They had a devastating effect on the ability of US intelligence agencies to perform their job and keep Americans safe from hostile countries and terrorist organizations.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US government and its Justice Dept. have increasingly used the archaic Espionage Act to punish well-meaning whistleblowers for revealing government wrongdoing. There can be no democracy without informed consent. These developments are extremely worrying.
Day 142 Roundup: Death Toll from Vinnytsia Strike Rises to 23
At least 39 people are still feared to be missing after Russian cruise missile strikes rocked the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia on Thursday. Local officials said at least 23 people, including three children, have now been confirmed dead. They added that of the 66 people taken to hospital, five remained in critical condition while 34 sustained severe injuries.
In the wake of the attack, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of terrorism. "Every day Russia destroys civilian population, kills Ukrainian children," he said. "It is a killer state. A terrorist state."
Russia denied targeting civilians. Evgeny Varganov, a member of the country's permanent UN mission, said: "Russia only strikes at military targets in Ukraine. The strike on Vinnytsia targeted an officers' residence, where preparations by Ukrainian armed forces were underway."
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's a 50% chance that Vladimir Putin will be charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
House Passes $839B Military Bill
On Thurs., the House passed the $839B National Defense Authorization Act, which would increase Biden's requested Pentagon budget by $37B. The bill was approved in a 329-101 vote.
The act grants a 4.6% pay raise to military personnel, limits the Biden admin's ability to sell F-16 fighter jets to Türkiye, and requires national security agencies to report and combat white supremacist activity within federal law enforcement and the military.
The bill repeals the 2002 Iraq War authorization, a post-9/11 presidential power allowing military force with Congress's approval, and contains provisions aimed at mitigating civilian casualties caused by US military operations. It also authorizes $1B for the Pentagon's account to provide arms to Ukraine.
Pro-establishment narrative
This bipartisan bill strengthens the military and addresses the dangers of white supremacy and other forms of extremism in the police and armed forces. While allowing the Pentagon to conduct necessary operations like aiding Ukraine, it also manages to limit presidential power regarding military operations, which has long been overdue.
Establishment-critical narrative
The US government continues to pass unnecessary military spending bills with bipartisan support. If the Pentagon were a private corporation, gross mismanagement would have forced it into bankruptcy years ago. The American people deserve to have their money spent on them, not frivolous military adventures.
Manchin Won't Support Climate and Tax Provisions
US Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) said Thurs. that he won't support climate and tax provisions in a Democratic economic package, but is willing to back lower drug costs and a two-year funding extension to the Affordable Care Act.
Senate bills typically require a 60-vote majority, but Democrats are looking to use a tool called reconciliation, which allows a 51-vote simple majority, though they'll still need Manchin's moderate swing vote.
Manchin had previously supported provisions such as erasing tax loopholes exploited by the wealthy and curbing carbon emissions during negotiations. However, he now wants to focus only on inflation.
Democratic narrative
The Democrats need to act now, while they still have control of the House and Senate, or it could be years before another opportunity to curb global warming comes. Manchin says he's focused on the present issues, but nothing is more present or dire than climate change, and his about-face presents a betrayal for the Biden admin, the US, and even the world.
Republican narrative
Manchin is the only person grounding his party in reality, as it has once again tried and failed to pass a massive spending bill that both conservative and moderate Americans are against. He is truly a thorn in the side of the Democratic party, and Republicans are thankful for that.
Uber Sued Over Sexual Assault Claims
Uber is being sued by at least 550 former passengers who claim that the ride-sharing company failed to protect women from violence.
The lawsuit was filed at San Francisco county superior court on Wed. and alleges that Uber was aware of reports of sexual assault as early as 2014 but failed to implement protocols to protect its passengers.
The suit - which includes allegations of kidnapping, sexual battery and rape - comes just weeks after Uber released its second US safety report.
Establishment-critical narrative
This blow is the latest in a string of allegations against the company, and further reveals their practice of prioritizing growth over safety. It's time for Uber to live up to its business model of "safety" and make tangible efforts to protect its customers.
Pro-establishment narrative
Although even one case of sexual assault is too many, the number of incidents - which aren't unique to Uber - has been steadily declining as the ridesharing giant implements safety protocols. While there is still a long way to go, Uber has been transparant in its reports and shown itself willing to implement creative solutions.
Report: Secret Service Deleted Text Messages From Jan. 5 & 6
Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Cuffari told the House Committee on Homeland Security on Thurs. that the Secret Service had deleted texts from Jan. 5 and 6, 2021.
His report stated that the texts were deleted as part of a device replacement program, allegedly even after he requested them as part of the inquiry into the Jan. 6 riots.
The Secret Service issued a statement saying it began the replacement program in Jan. 2021 and wasn't asked to provide the data until Feb. 26, 2021 adding that agents were also not given enough time to review the texts with agency attorneys.
Democratic narrative
The Secret Service's explanation for this is preposterous, and someone should have to testify under oath - not just about the deletions but why there weren't any data backups. At seemingly every turn the Secret Service has acted suspiciously since Jan. 6, 2021, making you wonder what it's hiding.
Pro-Trump narrative
There are no scenarios where this agency would've allowed crucial evidence to be destroyed nor would any employee have defied an Inspector General's orders. The Jan. 6 Committee's partisan witch hunt against Trump has now expanded to attack the integrity of the Secret Service.
UK Heatwave: Met Office Issues First Ever "Red Extreme Warning"
The UK Met Office has issued a Red Extreme heat weather warning for the first time in the nation's history. It will apply to parts of central, northern, eastern, and southeastern England on Mon. and Tues., with temperatures expected to hit the high 30s°C [over 95°F] and, perhaps, 40°C [104°F].
According to experts, the "level four alert" will likely cause thousands of preventable deaths in the upcoming days. Both healthy people, and especially those with underlying conditions, could be at risk.
Downing Street has said they're treating this as a national emergency, while "gritters" [public works vehicles normally used during winter weather] are preparing to spread sand on roads to stop them from melting. Schools plan to close early and speed restrictions are likely to be imposed on railway lines.
Narrative A
The UK government must do more to adapt homes and cities in preparation for more intense and deadly summer heat. Climate breakdown has made simmering heatwaves hotter, longer, and more frequent. Human beings have no choice but to adjust to the disruptive changes we have created.
Narrative B
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 that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the average global temperature in 2100 will be 2.61°C higher than the average global temperature in 1880, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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