California Files Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon
On Wed., Calif. Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a complaint against Amazon in San Francisco Superior Court accusing the retail giant of harming competition by forcing third-party sellers to commit to so-called 'price parity'.
According to Bonta, the company has long abused its dominant position to distort the market. This was allegedly done by inflating prices to consumers and penalizing merchants that offered goods at lower prices.
This antitrust lawsuit follows a two-year investigation of Amazon policies. It reportedly seeks the termination of anti-competitive practices and the designation of a monitor to ensure the company's compliance.
Pro-establishment narrative
The backlash against big tech companies is ratcheting up, and this lawsuit might have the teeth to do damage to Amazon. California has stricter laws about unfair competition and other anti-trust violating practices than the federal government. A victory in California could set the tone for other states to pass similar laws.
Establishment-critical narrative
This antitrust lawsuit against Amazon is part of a broader political campaign to punish tech giants for their success and to expand the power of government bureaucrats. Yes, the market isn't perfect, but it's not a coincidence that these companies have prospered while operating in a loosely regulated sector.
Nerd narrative
There's a 4% chance that Jeff Bezos will hold major political office in the United States before Feb. 2033, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Book: Trump Gave Serious Thought to Greenland Purchase
Former Pres. Donald Trump's interest in acquiring Greenland wasn't just a passing fancy, but rather an issue seriously discussed with high-level officials, a new book to be published next Tues. claims.
"The Divider," written by The New York Times' Peter Baker and The New Yorker's Susan Glasser, says that National Security Council officials were assigned by then-National Security Advisor John Bolton and his aide Fiona Hill to analyze the idea at Trump's direct request.
According to the book, it was the heir to Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune, Ronald Lauder, who came up with the idea and influenced Trump to make a bid to buy Greenland from Denmark.
Democratic narrative
It was bad enough to think that Trump's idea to buy Greenland was one of his impulsive actions, but the true story makes it even worse. In fact, he spent months stubbornly asking officials to advance this bid, even offering to trade Puerto Rico for it. And the saddest thing is that this isn't even surprising, considering his character.
Pro-Trump narrative
Despite the mockery of the mainstream media, Trump deserves credit for coming up with this bid. While Denmark prevents Greenland from developing by promoting neocolonialist policies, the US — which has long been strategically involved in the Arctic's island — could lead this region to an economic boom by unlocking value from its lands, while simultaneously pushing back against China's growing influence.
Nerd narrative
There's a 79% chance that Trump will run for the office of President of the United States in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Roger Federer Retires From Tennis
On Thursday, Swiss tennis star Roger Federer announced his retirement from the sport via social media, declaring that next week's Laver Cup will be his final tournament.
He has faced three knee surgeries over the past two years, and has been out of competitive action since Wimbledon 2021.
Federer, who has played more than 1.5K matches over 24 years, won 20 Grand Slam titles – six Australian Open titles, one French Open, a record eight Wimbledon titles (including five in a row) and five US Open crowns. He also won a Davis Cup title, six Tour Finals, and two Olympic medals.
Narrative A
Federer is a legend, but history won't name him the greatest of all time (GOAT). The GOAT debate should be decided in favor of the winner of the most major titles, and he's already been passed by Djokovic and Nadal, who are now battling for GOAT status.
Narrative B
Never mind the Grand Slam titles record, Federer is the GOAT both as a player and a human being. On the court, he's exemplified class, elegance, and grace, while seeming to play effortless tennis. Off the court, Federer was as humble as they come and he treated people kindly, which earned him universal adoration.
Cynical narrative
Federer has been a magnificent player and he's surely a legend, but fueling this very American "greatest of all time" debate is troublesome. It's impossible to compare different athletes in different contexts, meaning this discussion is purely a clash of fanbases. We should stop debating it and start enjoying and respecting all great champions.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the all-time tennis Grand Slam singles record for men will be at least 24 by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Day 205 Roundup: Mass Burial Site Discovered Near Recently Recaptured Izyum in Kharkiv Region
Ukrainian authorities have discovered a mass burial site near the recently recaptured city of Izyum in the Kharkiv region, it was announced on Thursday. Upwards of 440 bodies are believed to be buried within the forest, most marked with a simple wooden cross, while one grave is believed to contain the bodies of 17 Ukrainain soldiers. Russia controlled the city between mid-March and last week, when its forces withdrew.
Officials have said all the bodies will be exhumed to determine their identities and causes of death. Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Enin claimed some bodies exhibited signs of torture, while it is suspected that others were the victims of shooting, artillery, air strikes, and mines.
In his nightly address on Thurs., Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more information would be available shortly. "We want the world to know what is really happening and what the Russian occupation has led to," he said. "Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izyum... Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for that." A UN spokesperson said the agency was sending monitors to the area.
Pro-establishment narrative
Just as in Bucha and Mariupol, Russia has committed horrific war crimes and it must be held accountable for these grave violations of international law.
Pro-Russia narrative
As Russia has documented elsewhere, Ukraine will use Russia's withdrawal from Kharkiv to carry out false flags as a pretext for further attempts to try and weaken Russia. We are already seeing that strategy play out in Izyum.
Establishment-critical narrative
There have been many brazenly false claims against both sides in this war, so allegations such as these need to be taken with a grain of salt until independently verified.
Nerd narrative
There's a 47% chance that Vladimir Putin will be charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
'Special Master' Named to Oversee Trump Mar-a-Lago Files
US federal judge Raymond Dearie, 78, has been chosen to review the files seized in the FBI's search of former Pres. Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.
The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) said it doesn't oppose Dearie's selection, who was one of two candidates for the position. US District Judge Aileen Cannon also rejected the DOJ's demand to continue their review of seized documents while the process is ongoing.
Dearie, a nominee of former Pres. Reagan, has served as a federal judge in New York since 1986 before acting in the semi-retirement role of senior judge since 2011. He also served a seven-year term on the US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Republican narrative
Dearie is a no-nonsense, fair, and wise jurist with a long pedigree. Democrats are incorrect to assume that just because he was Trump-appointed, he won't do his job correctly of sorting out attorney-client privilege. Dearie will call balls and strikes, and finally, give this hyped case the due process it deserves.
Democratic narrative
Judge Cannon fumbled here. Her Labor Day ruling to appoint a "special master" was ridiculed by legal experts from across the political spectrum, and there's little guidance on how Dearie would referee any claims of executive privilege by Trump. This process will only drag on as the DOJ plans to appeal Cannon's ruling to the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals, where even more Republican judges await to muddy the waters.
Nerd narrative
There is a 26% chance that Trump will be jailed by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Depositors Storm Banks Across Lebanon
On Friday, Lebanese depositors reportedly stormed at least eight banks throughout the country seeking access to their own money frozen in the banking system as the country's financial crisis continues to deepen.
In response to what pro-depositors groups called "the depositors' uprising," Lebanese banks announced a three-day closure next week due to security concerns, and requested the government to pass laws to solve this crisis.
Lebanese authorities, who suspended talks on the 2022 budget on Friday, have so far failed to complete pre-requisites to access $3B from the International Monetary Fund.
Narrative A
These people are heroes, and their actions represent the frustrations of an entire nation that has been deprived of its savings for nearly three years. As millions of Lebanese have been thrown into poverty by corrupt politicians and bank owners, such desperate measures are a form of retribution for this injustice.
Narrative B
While the depositors' actions may seem noble to some, they, like many others inside and outside Lebanon, are blaming the wrong people. It's the outside influence of Iran, as well as Hezbollah, that has pushed Lebanon to the brink, and the Lebanese people must acknowledge this to truly move forward and fix their country.
FedEx Warns of Global Recession, Slashes Forecast by 500M
FedEx stocks dropped steeply on Friday and the shipping company warned of a global recession as demand for packages has plunged worldwide. On Thursday, FedEx warned that a slowing economy - especially in Asia and Europe - has prompted the company to reduce revenue projections by $500M.
The analysis from the US-based firm aligned with outlooks from fellow logistics companies including Hong Kong-based Pacific Airways and French-based CMA CGM in suggesting that consumers are saving for gas and food instead of casual shopping.
Analysts cite inflationary stress in the US, resource strain in the European economy, and cascading effects from China's COVID lockdowns as factors in FedEx's gloomy outlook.
Establishment-critical narrative
The volatility of the COVID pandemic and rampant inflation exposed deep structural issues at FedEx and in the logistics industry. The "essential workers" are independent contractors who suffer brutal conditions, long hours, and unacceptably low compensation. There must be labor solidarity to advocate for better pay, improved health and safety, and perhaps the legal protections of being a "franchisee" of the struggling shipping giant.
Pro-establishment narrative
The gloomy forecast from FedEx is indeed staggering, but it's due to a failure to cut costs, rather than "big picture" global economic trends. FedEx is finally trimming expenses by closing offices and freezing new hires. The company needs to improve its agility first, then its performance can be discussed in the context of the logistics industry and global economy.
Biden to Meet Griner, Whelan Families
On Fri., US Pres. Joe Biden met with the families of WNBA star Brittney Griner and security consultant Paul Whelan, who are currently jailed in Russia and considered to be “wrongfully detained” by the US State Department.
The White House reportedly hosted Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, and Whelan’s sister, Elizabeth Whelan, in the oval office.
Although not much has changed in the negotiations between the US and Russia to bring the pair home, White House press sec. Karine Jean-Pierre said the meetings were meant to let the families know Griner and Whelan “remain front of mind” and the government is working tirelessly to secure their return.
Republican narrative
While there's no doubt that Griner's sentencing is harsh, the reality is that Americans overseas are subject to foreign laws, as thousands of similar cases can attest to. Biden's unprecedented efforts, including the consideration of a prisoner swap for one of the world's most prolific arms dealers, seems contingent on her fame and political value, rather than the nature of the case — a clear attempt to earn political points at the cost of national security.
Democratic narrative
There's nothing unprecedented about Biden's efforts prisoner swaps have long been used as a successful strategy to bring detained Americans home, and this policy — which has been applied to both prominent and unknown individuals — shouldn't be abandoned now. The State Dept. has been working diligently for months to free Griner and Whelan, and should continue to do so.
South Africa: Panel to Probe Pres. Ramaphosa Over 'Farmgate'
South Africa's parliament on Wednesday appointed an independent panel to determine whether Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa should face impeachment over an alleged cover-up of a theft at his extravagant farmhouse.
The probe comes after former national spy boss, Arthur Fraser, accused Ramaphosa - after robbers allegedly stole $4M stashed in furniture - of kidnapping, questioning, and bribing the accused thieves to stay silent instead of alerting police.
The three-person panel will consist of former Constitutional Court chief justice, Sandile Ngcobo, former Gauteng Division High Court judge Thokozile Masipa and University of Capetown associate professor Richard Calland.
Narrative A
This isn't an independent evaluation of the severity of the accusations against Ramaphosa. Prof. Calland has a long, public record of overtly supporting Ramaphosa, and his presence on a three-person panel brings an immediate bias and conflict of interest. This panel should be genuinely autonomous.
Narrative B
The important work of this panel should go on. Prof. Calland is a distinguished professional who's devoted his career to improving and strengthening South Africa's democracy. Regardless of the professor's previous statements, such accusations by the president's opposition undermine an important and transparent process.
West Virginia Passes Sweeping Abortion Ban
W. Va. Gov. Jim Justice (R) on Fri. said he signed House Bill 302 into law, which bans all abortions except in the cases of nonmedically viable fetuses, ectopic pregnancies, medical emergencies, and rape or incest.
The bill, which took immediate effect upon his signature, now makes performing abortions a felony punishable by 3-10 years in prison. It also threatens murder charges against providers if a woman dies as a result of the procedure.
The bill will also immediately require abortions to be conducted by a physician within a hospital setting, prompting the state's only clinic to shut down. The criminal provisions won't go into effect for another 90 days.
Democratic narrative
Beyond the general cruelty of abortion bans, the bill Gov. Justice just signed provides a dangerously narrow window of opportunity within the so-called 'exceptions' provisions. Not only have women's rights been stripped away in West Virginia, but women's health and safety are now at incredible risk.
Republican narrative
This bill protects the fundamental human right to life. As Gov. Justice has stated from the beginning, he'd only sign legislation that protects the unborn while offering reasonable exceptions. This is what House Bill 302 does, and West Virginia proudly follows the lead set forth by the Supreme Court.