UN: 50M People Worldwide Stuck in ‘Modern Slavery’
Economic uncertainty caused by COVID, armed conflict and the climate crisis have pushed millions into modern slavery, according to a new report published by the UN's International Labour Organization (ILO), the Walk Free Foundation, and the International Organization for Migration on Monday.
The UN estimates 50M people worldwide are victims of forced marriage and labor, up 23% from the last estimate in 2016. Modern slavery refers to people who cannot refuse or leave because of "threats, violence, deception, abuse of power or other forms of coercion."
The UN aims to eradicate all forms of modern slavery by 2030. However, the report found that at the end of last year, 28M people were in forced labor and 22M in a forced marriage. This suggests that roughly one out of every 150 people in the world are in some form of modern slavery.
Pro-establishment narrative
These shocking revelations may finally prompt action on the appalling human rights situation in places like China, where more than 1M Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have allegedly been detained. Since China ratified the ILO Forced Labour Convention last month, there is new hope that the West will begin a difficult dialogue on such human rights violations.
Establishment-critical narrative
We don't need to look overseas to find human rights abuses that need addressing, given that more than half of all forced labor and a quarter of forced marriages occur outside of the global south. Trade unions, employers' organizations, and ordinary people must take action to force better regulation and strengthened employment laws.
Boston Marathon Adds Option for Nonbinary Runners
On Monday, the Boston Athletic Association announced that nonbinary athletes will be allowed to compete in next year's Boston Marathon without having to register in the men's or women's division.
This comes as the race organizers have opened registration for the April 2023 race allowing prospective runners to identify themselves as nonbinary on the application.
Nonbinary athletes interested in running the marathon are required to have completed a race between Sept. 1, 2021, to Sept. 16, 2022, as nonbinary participants.
Left narrative
While there's still a lot to do to help nonbinary runners and the entire nonbinary community as a whole, this is an important step to grant social acknowledgment to nonbinary athletes as well as to promote inclusion in sports. This was the correct decision as proven by the high participation in the 2022 Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon.
Right narrative
The Boston Athletic Association is the latest race organizer to cave to pressure from the "woke" left, following the examples of the Philadelphia Distance Run and the Brooklyn Marathon. This new category is unnecessary as nonbinary long-distance runners comprise a tiny minority of race participants. The creation of different categories is almost reaching absurdity.
UK: Police Criticized Over Arrest of Anti-Royal Protesters
Activists and civil liberties groups have criticized British police over the treatment of anti-royal protesters following the death of Queen Elizabeth last Thursday, citing concerns over free speech.
Authorities have arrested people for shouting messages critical of the Crown, heckling royals, and carrying anti-monarchist signs. In one case, a person was reportedly arrested for holding up a blank sheet of paper. The crackdown on such demonstrations has prompted backlash and debate over the status of freedom of speech in the UK.
Police are entitled to arrest civilians under the 1986 UK Public Order Law if they're judged to be guilty of causing "harassment, alarm or distress" through "threatening words or behavior, or disorderly behavior," which can include the holding of signs.
Progressive narrative
It is very worrying to see the police enforcing their broad powers in such a heavy-handed and punitive way to clamp down on free speech and expression. The government is making it increasingly difficult for people to stand up for their beliefs. Protest is not a gift from the state - it is a fundamental right.
Conservative narrative
Even the leader of the opposition has made clear that a period of national mourning is not the right time to raise grievances against the royal family. The right to protest is protected in the UK and acts as a keystone of its democracy, but some of the heckling and protests that have gone on have only caused disruption, not contributed to pluralism.
Day 203 Roundup: EU Chief Says Solidarity with Ukraine 'Unshakeable' as Energy Crisis Plan Unveiled
In an annual policy speech on Wednesday, European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen laid out plans to impose caps on electricity use and the profits of energy providers, while stressing that the EU's solidarity with Ukraine remains "unshakeable."
"This is the time for us to show resolve, not appeasement," von der Leyen said. She also added that the EU isn't complete without Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Western Balkan countries. "You are part of our family, you are the future of our union. Our union is not complete without you," she said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine on Tuesday unveiled a draft of the Kyiv Security Compact – a proposal which would see the US and a number of European countries act as security guarantors to Ukraine, and compel them to take military action if Ukraine is attacked.
Pro-establishment narrative
Adoption of the Kyiv Security Compact will send a powerful signal to Putin – namely that his war is futile and that Western nations will not waiver in their support of Ukraine.
Pro-Russia narrative
Agreement on the Kyiv Security Compact would be tantamount to applying NATO's Article 5 principle of collective defense. Such a provocative document would lay the groundwork for the start of World War III.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that there will be more than 4 deaths between Russia and NATO forces outside of Ukraine before July 1, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Considers China Sanctions to Support Taiwan
It was reported Wednesday that the US is considering a possible sanctions package against China to deter the PRC from a prospective invasion of Taiwan. The EU, meanwhile, is said to be under lobbying pressure from Taipei to do the same.
The efforts by the US to support Taiwan are said to be in the early stages, with deliberations reportedly aimed at expanding existing Western sanctions to include trade in sensitive technologies such as computer chips and telecom equipment.
While Washington has yet to make any specific comments, analysts suggest that the initial sanctions talks are likely to focus on curtailing Beijing's access to technologies needed for a possible military operation against Taiwan.
Anti-China narrative
The more economically potent Beijing becomes, the greater the threat to Taiwan. The PRC doesn't believe in democratic values, and actively works against the established international order. Applying sanctions to curtail technology that threatens Taipei is prudent.
Pro-China narrative
As was the case earlier with prospective US sanctions over Hong Kong, this is nothing more than empty bluff and bluster from Washington. Instead of pursuing harmful policies that would hurt Sino-American relations, the US should honor its agreement under the "One China" policy, and work with Beijing on a more constructive, less hegemonic approach toward the world order.
Trump Accused of Meddling in Prosecutor’s Office
In a new book, former US Attorney Geoffrey Berman has claimed that, during his tenure in the Southern District of NY, he was repeatedly pressured by Justice Dept. (DOJ) officials to use his office to aid the Trump admin. politically.
As reported by The New York Times, which obtained an advance copy of "Holding the Line," Berman wrote that the DOJ "kept demanding that I use my office to aid them politically, and I kept declining."
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) has reportedly requested information from Attorney General Merrick Garland, specifically referencing allegations from the book.
Left narrative
While Trump has accused the Biden administration of politicizing the DOJ, it's clear that this happened under Trump's watch. There is every indication that if Trump and the Republicans regain control of the White House, the weaponization of the DOJ will be even worse.
Pro-Trump narrative
How many times will anti-Trumpers hear about a new so-called "bombshell" allegation and still believe it? The left is continually attempting to smear Trump with every possible allegation and conspiracy. Each time such irrational allegations are made, though, Trump gains the upper hand.
Nerd narrative
There is a 73% chance that a member of Trump's inner circle will be sentenced to jail by 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Ken Starr, Clinton Whitewater Prosecutor, Dies at 76
On Tuesday, Ken Starr, the prosecutor who led the Whitewater investigation into former Pres. Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, died at the age of 76. His family stated that he died in Houston, Texas of complications from surgery.
Starr was well known for his role as independent counsel in the Whitewater investigation, which resulted in the president's impeachment. The investigation's findings spurred the House of Representatives to charge Clinton with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying about his affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
Earlier in his career, Starr clerked for SCOTUS Chief Justice Warren Burger, and was then appointed to a federal judgeship in the Reagan administration. He later served as solicitor general under Pres. George H.W. Bush.
Right narrative
Ken Starr was a great lawyer who was determined to complete his work while maintaining his dignity and honor. He remained calm and confident through controversy after controversy. He will forever be remembered for his faith, quick wit, and devotion to family.
Left narrative
Ken Starr was a staunch conservative who made a name for himself by defending opponents of same-sex marriage, seeking to secure constitutional immunity for Blackwater, a mercenary firm accused of slaughtering unarmed civilians in Fallujah, and defending many other questionable clients, including sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein. Though his death is sad news, he will inevitably be remembered for turning a blind eye to sexual predation and defending the indefensible.
MyPillow CEO Lindell Sues FBI
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has filed suit against the FBI, naming both US Attorney General Merrick Garland and FBI Dir. Christopher Wray and citing multiple alleged Constitutional amendments violations. Lindell was served a grand jury subpoena and had his phone seized by the FBI last week.
Lindell earlier said he gave up his phone after consulting with his attorney. He said the FBI also questioned him about Dominion Voting Systems, fellow election skeptic Doug Frank, and Mesa County, Colo. clerk Tina Peters, who is under indictment over allegations of tampering with election voting equipment.
Peters, who was a candidate for the GOP nomination for Sec. of State in Colorado, pleaded not guilty to 10 felony and misdemeanor counts, including tampering with election equipment and official misconduct.
Pro-Trump narrative
Biden’s Justice Dept. is branching out from charging those who trespassed at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 – many of whom were entrapped – to rounding up anyone who dares express disbelief that Biden’s campaign could’ve defeated Trump in November 2020. Considering how many times Democrats screamed election fraud in 2016 without a peep out of the DOJ, it’s obvious equal enforcement of the law in the US is disappearing.
Democratic narrative
Lindell is not a guy just questioning election results - he is an enthusiastic spreader of false and debunked conspiracy theories, who was seen at the White House in the days after the election carrying papers that talked about the Insurrection Act and “martial law if necessary.” He’s dangerous and must be taken seriously. The FBI couldn’t take his phone, or those of at least nine other people close to Trump, without probable cause.
Leavitt Wins New Hampshire GOP Primary
Karoline Leavitt, a 25-year-old former communications staffer under former Pres. Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination in the race for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Matt Mowers, the party's failed 2020 nominee, 33% to 26%.
Leavitt began working for the Trump admin. in 2019 under Press Sec. Kayleigh McEnany and, after Trump's 2020 loss, began working for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). If elected, she'd be the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.
The McCarthy-aligned "Congressional Leadership" Fund backed Mowers, who worked as an advisor to former Sec. of State Mike Pompeo in the Trump admin., and was Chief of Staff to Dr. Deborah Birx while she led Trump's HIV/AIDS relief plan. The super PAC spent $1.2M attacking Leavitt, while Leavitt was given $10k by Stefanik's "E-Pac."
Pro-Trump narrative
This was a battle to carry the mantle for Trump, and while Leavitt embraced it, Mowers wouldn’t go far enough. Leavitt’s "America First" campaign resonated with the voters, leading to victory for her and thus for Trump.
Democratic narrative
This is a GOP setback. Despite outspending them drastically and calling them out for their crazy ideas, mainstream Republicans couldn't stop candidates from the far right from winning in New Hampshire's races. Republican voters have played into the Democrats’ hands by giving them opponents on the ballot who can be defeated.
Nerd narrative
There's a 45% chance that the Republican party will control both the House and the Senate after the 2022 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
EU Court Upholds Antitrust Ruling Against Google
On Wednesday, a top European court rejected an appeal from Google for a ruling that found the tech giant broke competition rules. However, the judges did reduce the fine issued by antitrust regulators for the violations from 4.34B euros to 4.125B euros ($4.13B).
The ruling is a major setback for the company, which was found to have reduced consumer choice through its dominance of the company's mobile Android operating system.
The European General Court - based in Luxembourg - stated that it "largely confirms" the decision of the European Commission to penalize Google. The company's defense claimed that the case rested on false accusations that it imposes its search engine and Chrome browser on android phones.
Pro-establishment narrative
Europe is once again meddling in the free market success of American companies by imposing this fine. Google has worked to bring transparency to programmatic advertising and to help advertisers reach customers, but their triumph in the market is being deliberately targeted.
Establishment-critical narrative
Big tech isn't being unfairly targeted for its success just so European regulators can edge in their own companies - the sector is using amoral and cynical tactics to sit on a pile of ever-growing gold at the cost of true competition. Companies like Google must remember that laissez-faire isn't synonymous with monopolistic business practices.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the US will break up Meta Platforms after Jan 1, 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.