South Carolina Senate Rejects Near-Total Abortion Ban
On Thurs., Republicans in the South Carolina Senate failed to pass a near-total abortion ban, instead imposing further restrictions on the state's previously enacted six-week ban.
Although the 30 Republicans in the Senate had the necessary majority to pass the ban, they didn't have enough votes in the 46-member chamber to prevent a filibuster by Republican Sen. Tom Davis.
In a 27-16 vote, lawmakers passed an amended version of the bill, banning abortions at six weeks - the same as the existing ban, which is currently blocked in court.
Democratic narrative
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, women's reproductive rights have been spiraling into a state of legal crisis, and South Carolina - which has been subjected to a flood of confusing and often conflicting laws - is no exception. This latest bill is just another attempt to confuse and push the state closer to a total assault on women's rights.
Republican narrative
Through the overturning of Roe v. Wade, SCOTUS has made it clear that states have the constitutional right to determine the legality of abortion and that's exactly what's happening in South Carolina. The state has a responsibility to protect the unborn, and this bill will go a long way to doing this.
New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Polio Circulation
On Fri., NY Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency over a polio outbreak after 57 samples of the virus were detected in sewage in Rockland, Sullivan, and Nassau counties between May and August.
The governor's order allows more health providers - including EMS workers, midwives, and pharmacists - to administer the polio vaccine, as well as requires vaccine administrators to send data to the state health department.
The emergency declaration is focused on boosting vaccination rates, which, as of early August, stand at 79.15% in Nassau, 58.68% in Orange, and 60.34% in Rockland county.
Narrative A
In a world where most diseases are not eradicable, the fact that so many New Yorkers still refuse to get the polio vaccine is baffling. The disease can and already is spreading rapidly and quietly throughout the state, serving as another stark warning as to why vaccination is so important.
Narrative B
Vaccines are a personal choice, and governments should not be able to mandate what individuals choose to do with their health. If people choose not to get vaccinated for any disease, that is a valid choice that must be accepted. Personal freedoms are part of America's ethos.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the WHO will certify the worldwide eradication of Polio by July 2032, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Marks 21st Anniversary of 9/11
On Sun., Americans commemorated the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which reconfigured US national security and marked the beginning of the US "war on terror."
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda extremists - led by Osama Bin Laden - hijacked four planes and crashed them into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Nearly 3k people were killed and thousands injured.
Relatives of the victims, police officers, firefighters, and city leaders came together at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in Lower Manhattan, where the names of those who died were read aloud as part of an annual tradition.
Narrative A
It's impossible to deny or forget the impact of 9/11 and the feeling of terror and sorrow experienced. Yet, with roughly 30% of the US population now younger than 21, the memories for each generation will be very different and the events of that day must continue to be passed on to ensure future decision-makers have an understanding of what happened.
Narrative B
21 years after 9/11, Muslims still face widespread Islamophobia in the US and the West. As all Americans, including Muslims, mark the anniversary of the attacks, we must fight off the spike in anti-Islam sentiment and rather remember who the real enemies and terrorists are.
Narrative C
Today, roughly 41% of Americans believe the country is less safe than it was 21 years ago, a concerning increase from the 27% in 2003. With Afghanistan still under the control of the Taliban - with help from al-Qaeda - much more must be done by the US to commit to the fight against terrorism and to make sure an event like 9/11 never happens again.
Day 201: Russia Targets Power Stations; Huge Blaze at Warehouse in Moscow Outskirts
Amid vast Ukrainian gains - reportedly going as far as the Russian border - in the Kharkiv region in recent days, Russia launched several strikes on power stations and other infrastructure in central and eastern regions late on Sunday. The Kharkiv region, and parts of Sumy, Poltava, and Dnipropetrovsk, were left without electricity and running water following the strikes.
Among the targets of the Russian missile strikes was the Kharkiv TEC-5, Ukraine's second-largest heat and power plant. At least one civilian was killed and two more injured in the assault on the site. Ukrainian officials said on Mon. that power and water had been restored to 80% of the Kharkiv region and completely reinstated in other regions. However, fresh strikes were reported in Kharkiv on Monday.
In the last 24 hrs, Russian strikes have also been reported in the regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Mykolaiv, where five civilians were reported as injured. Russian strikes in the Donetsk region killed three civilians and injured eight others. Meanwhile, pro-Russia separatists in Donetsk reported that four civilians had been killed and three more injured in Ukrainian shelling. Ukrainian shelling was also reported in the Zaporizhzhia city of Melitopol.
Pro-establishment narrative
Ukraine's lightening-fast counteroffensive in Kharkiv is its biggest military victory since the successful defense of Kyiv in the first weeks of the war. It has propelled a new phase of the war one where Ukraine can drive Russians out of their territory instead of being stuck in a drawn-out war of attrition.
Pro-Russia narrative
Kharkiv is not being liberated. Around 2,000 foreign mercenaries from the US and Britain, among other nations, are supporting a violent tirade through the region by Ukrainian forces. Although some 5,000 have already escaped to Russia, many remain trapped under repressive measures newly imposed by Ukrainian units.
Nerd narrative
There's a 23% chance that Ukraine will have de facto control of at least 90% of the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts by January 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Antigua and Barbuda Plan Referendum to Become a Republic
On Sat., the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, announced plans to hold a referendum on becoming a republic and removing King Charles III as its head of state sometime in the next three years.
This statement comes despite the fact that PM Browne had signed just minutes before a document confirming Charles III's new status as King, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Caribbean country, which became independent from the UK in 1981, is part of the 56-member Commonwealth and one of 15 countries to share the British monarch as its head of state.
Establishment-critical narrative
Though King Charles III was voted in to be the next Commonwealth's ceremonial head of state in 2018, he will face hard times to hold the association together now that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away. Republican movements are likely to benefit from his low popularity and the group, which has little practical value, could collapse as it has been sustained so far by personal loyalty to the queen.
Pro-establishment narrative
While the Commonwealth countries are free to choose their own political system, they are unlikely to find one that works better than a constitutional, limited monarchy. Even if every realm decided to break away from the British monarchy, this wouldn't affect the Commonwealth as most of its countries are republics. King Charles III is the right leader to fight for Queen Elizabeth II's legacy and protect this very important association of free countries.
King Charles III Proclaimed New Monarch
King Charles III was officially proclaimed sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in front of almost 700 members of the current Accession Council at St. James's Palace on Saturday.
The King became the monarch after the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, on Thurs., but this meeting formally confirmed it. The Accession Council meeting was televised for the first time ever, dating back hundreds of years.
In recognition of the new sovereign, union flags were flown at full mast for 24 hours, before returning to half-mast for the rest of the 10-day mourning period.
Pro-establishment narrative
Despite King Charles III's clear grief, he has made a keen effort to meet the public and thank them for their well-wishes. These crucial first impressions will set the tone for the rest of his reign. Although he's having to juggle his duties with leading the UK through a time of sorrow, there's clear belief that he will be successful at meeting the task ahead.
Establishment-critical narrative
The death of the Queen is sad news and brings a crisis in the very identity and purpose of the monarchy itself, and the complexities and crises that have plagued the rest of the royal family have and will continue to see the end of her era prompt furious debate. Times have changed since the beginning of the Queen's reign, and so must the ruling class.
Nerd narrative
There's a 67% chance that at least 1% of Great Britain will be under a monarchy by 2075, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Queen Elizabeth II: Britain Mourns the Late Monarch with A Procession
On Mon., UK's Queen Elizabeth II's coffin was taken from the Palace of Holyroodhouse - the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland - to St Giles's Cathedral in Edinburgh. The monarch's children walked behind her hearse, before attending a service of thanksgiving for her life.
During the procession, a 22-year-old man heckled Andrew, the Duke of York, who was stripped of his royal titles last year over his relationship with the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The protester was reportedly arrested.
At least two others were charged with breaching the peace during events surrounding the Queen's death and King Charles III's accession on Sunday.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the timing and place may be inappropriate, the right to protest is crucial to democracy. By arresting protesters exercising their free speech, British authorities are violating people's rights. Modern, progressive societies benefit from multiple points of views, which are allowed to be expressed peacefully, as was done in this case.
Pro-establishment narrative
The procession of a late monarch is not the time or place for this type of disrespectful conduct. While the right to protest is certainly fundamental to a democratic society, disturbing the peace is a form of disorderly conduct and legally punishable by as much as 12 months in prison. This official mourning period should be respected as a time for personal grief.
Nerd narrative
There's a 67% chance that at least 1% of Great Britain will be under a monarchy by 2075, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: Top Trump Aides Among Those Subpoenaed by DOJ
Stephen Miller and Brian Jack, both top aides during the Trump admin., were among more than a dozen people subpoenaed last week in the Dept. of Justice's (DOJ) investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, per reporting of The New York Times.
The subpoenas seek information about Trump's main fundraising operation, Save America - a political action committee that was created in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election - and on the alleged plot to send fake electors to swing states.
Miller and Jack's subpoenas were issued by a separate grand jury from one that previously started probing the fake-elector plan in the spring. That grand jury subpoenaed several states' GOP lawmakers and officials.
Democratic narrative
Trump's greatest scam since losing the election - and falsely declaring he won - has been the so-called 'Save America' political action committee. DOJ's investigation might catch Miller in its sights next. Trump and his allies are being inundated with legal woes as a result of their malfeasance.
Pro-Trump narrative
The Biden administration will go to any lengths to attack its most likely next political opponent - Donald Trump. Just like the Mar-a-Lago raid, these subpoenas are broad and include a wide range of Trump allies in an obvious attempt to dig up anything about the former president without probable cause.