North Korea's Kim Orders Launch of First Spy Satellite
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced that his country had completed the development of its first military spy satellite and ordered its launch to proceed at an undisclosed date, the state-run KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
Given what he described as "threats" by the US and South Korea, he ordered the deployment of several reconnaissance satellites during a visit to North Korea's space agency on Tuesday and declared the expansion of intelligence-gathering capabilities a national priority.
Citing analysts at South Korea's Sejong Institute, The Korea Times reported on Wednesday that Pyongyang is expected to stick to its plan, initially announced in December 2022, to launch the satellite this month in a bid to bolster the country's reconnaissance capability.
Establishment-critical narrative
North Korea's development of a spy satellite, along with its first test launch of a solid-fueled ICBM, is the direct result of ongoing US military threats against the nation under the guise of strengthening regional security. By using South Korea for its aggressive imperial agenda, Washington is threatening North Korea's sovereignty and territorial integrity. If the US proceeds on its path of escalation, North Korea reserves the right to resort to using pre-emptive military force to ensure its security.
Pro-establishment narrative
North Korea's spy satellite, together with the regime's frequent missile tests, only underscores the mounting threat the North poses to South Korea and regional stability. But Kim's saber-rattling will only strengthen South Korea's alliance with the US and its will to defend its territorial integrity. Kim understands only the language of power, and stepped-up US deterrence is the only way to protect South Korea from the aggressor while forcing Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.
McConnell Says Republicans Won't Help Replace Feinstein on Committee
Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), alongside other senior Republicans, signaled opposition to any attempts by Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee as she recovers from shingles.
Feinstein, 89, has been absent from Washington since February with the condition, leading Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to propose Ben Cardin (D-Md.) take her place until she recovers. Such a decision would require at least 10 Republicans to clear the filibuster threshold.
Feinstein issued a statement last week asking to be temporarily replaced on the committee, which requires her presence to secure a Democratic majority and easily confirm Pres. Biden's judicial nominees. McConnell stated that Republicans would not defy Senate norms to enable Democrats to "force through their very worst nominees."
Republican narrative
It's not surprising that Feinstein is no longer able to perform her duties as a Senator due to her age. There is no reason Republicans should cooperate with Democrats on their judicial agenda. There is no precedent for such a temporary replacement, and to give way due to moral duty would be extraordinarily dangerous in potentially allowing the Biden administration's judicial agenda to proceed.
Democratic narrative
Republicans have made it clear that they will not let Feinstein be replaced, even for a short period of time, as McConnell continues with his intention to exploit the befuddling Senate rulebook and prohibit judicial nominations from passing. Whether Feinstein resigns or is replaced, Republicans will no doubt continue their obstructionist ways.
Cynical narrative
Republicans and Democrats are attempting to take the moral high ground on the matter of Feinstein's absence which just so happens to align with their political desires. The reality is that both sides claim the other is playing politics in what is a difficult and messy situation.
US Charges 4 Americans, 3 Russians in 'Malign' Influence Campaign
The US Dept. of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday filed new charges against four Americans and three Russians for allegedly working on behalf of Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, to "conduct a multi-year foreign malign influence campaign in the United States."
The superseding indictment from a federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida, adds further charges against Moscow resident Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov — previously indicted in July — and names FSB officers Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov for the first time. Allegedly conspiring with the FSB officers, Ionov is accused of recruiting Florida residents "to participate in the influence campaign and act as agents of Russia in the United States."
The US citizens charged were Omali Yeshitela, founder of the African People's Socialist Party (APSP) and its subsidiary the Uhuru Movement, alongside two of the group's members, Penny Joanne Hess and Jesse Nevel. Also named was Augustus Romain, founder of the APSP spinoff in Georgia called Black Hammer. The four were charged with acting as unregistered Russian agents and face up to five years in prison.
Pro-establishment narrative
Russia has previously been found to be involved in attempts to sow discord and interfere in US elections. The Dept. of Justice is right to take swift action and bring the alleged perpetrators of this latest attempt to undermine American democracy to justice.
Establishment-critical narrative
Past claims of alleged Russian interference in US elections have been massively overblown to suit a political agenda. It's likely that the same is true of these latest allegations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 23% chance that there will be a US-Russia war before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Record 64M Americans Face Daily Spikes in Deadly Particle Pollution
According to the American Lung Association's (ALA) "State of the Air" report released Wednesday, unhealthy air pollution levels from 2019-2021 affected more than one-third of US residents — 17.6M fewer people than the ALA's last report.
With nearly 120M people facing unhealthy air quality, 54% are people of color, who are 64% more likely than White people to live in a county with a failing grade for at least one of the ALA's air quality measures, which are ground-level ozone air pollution, annual particle pollution, and short-term spikes in particle pollution.
While around 25% more counties received a grade of A for lower levels of ozone pollution, the report said more than 100M people live in counties that get an F for ozone smog, with 10 of the 25 most-polluted cities in California. New York City, Chicago, and Hartford were the only three listed east of the Mississippi River.
Left narrative
Climate change and air pollution have long proven detrimental to the nation as a whole and to people of color more specifically. The only difference is that today, reports like this provide concrete evidence of how these communities endure disproportionately higher rates of negative health effects. While both California and the Biden admin. are working to mitigate these risks at the state and national levels, more must be done to transition the US away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy sources.
Right narrative
While liberal elites pat themselves on the back for fighting racism and climate change simultaneously, they, of course, will be free from the negative consequences their policies will have on the poor — particularly people of color. Investing in natural gas and nuclear energy could also help the US reach its 90% renewable electric grid goal while saving people money, but the left is more concerned with pursuing its power-based ideology. When these policies fail, they will blame racism again and continue gaslighting Americans into voting Democrat.
UN: India's Population to Surpass China This Week
According to a new report released by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) on Monday, India is set to overtake China to become the world's most populous country by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the UNDESA predicts China's population — which shrank last year for the first time since 1961 — could drop below 1B before the end of the century due to plunging birth rates.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said last week India would have 2.9M more people than China by mid-2023.
Narrative A
Being the world's most populous country does not herald bad news for India. With a younger workforce, the South Asian powerhouse has a huge potential to boost the economy and drive the nation toward progress and innovation. Instead of triggering anxiety or creating alarm, the rising population must symbolize progress, development, and aspirations.
Narrative B
There are social and economic consequences of becoming the world's most populous nation. Apart from ensuring that comprehensive and equitable services are available to everyone, India needs to keep expanding and create enough employment, housing, and basic amenities to sustain its increasing population. Otherwise, it could just as swiftly become a demographic liability and an environmental and ecological disaster.
Narrative C
Rather than fixating on the effect of the rising population, India and the world should focus on giving women more power to exercise bodily autonomy to shore up demographic resilience. Adopting policies aimed at raising, lowering, or maintaining fertility rates has the potential to erode women’s rights, which is why we must radically rethink how we talk about and plan for a sustainable future.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the world population will be at least 9.62B on Dec. 31, 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
New Zealand Cancels Child Cat-Killing Contest Amid Outcry
On Tuesday, organizers of an annual hunting competition in New Zealand canceled a children's feral cat-killing event following massive backlash from animal rights groups.
The North Canterbury Hunting Competition, an annual pest-killing event on New Zealand's South Island to raise money for a local school and swimming pool, had announced a new category this year for children under 14 to kill the most feral cats for a top prize of NZ$250 (US$155).
The children were reportedly warned not to kill pets, or else they would be expelled from the competition. Moreover, any children who produced dead microchipped cats would have their entire entry disqualified.
Narrative A
Feral cats are predators and must be treated as pests as they decimate wildlife and biodiversity in New Zealand. Apart from regularly preying on endangered native birds, lizards, bats, and insects, they feed on young kiwi, invertebrates, and frogs. The planned cat-killing competition must be reinstated as it could teach children how to manage and cull invasive species responsibly.
Narrative B
There are more humane methods to deal with New Zealand's nefarious feral cats, including poisoning and trapping. Sending children off to hunt feral cats in a competition teaches young minds that it's OK to kill animals and that cruelty is acceptable. There are numerous ways to raise money; causing pain and distress to wild species shouldn't be one.
UK Police Criticized Over French Publisher Arrest
The UK's Metropolitan Police have come under scrutiny for detaining Ernest Moret, a French publisher, under the terms of the UK Terrorism Act.
According to authorities, the foreign rights manager for Paris-based publisher Editions La Fabrique was arrested for obstruction. He was detained on his way to the London Book Fair after traveling to St. Pancras railway station on the Eurostar. He was released on Tuesday.
A diplomatic row broke out over Moret's detention after the plainclothes officers approached him to ask about his participation in protests against Pres. Emmanuel Macron in France.
Narrative A
The Met police have undermined freedom of expression, and journalists internationally should be concerned. The increasingly repressive approach being taken by the French government is increasingly problematic, and now it seems that the British government is complicit, even utilizing draconian legislation to help drown out those voices dissenting from Macron. More must be done to scrutinize police actions.
Narrative B
Besides the concerning authoritarianism of this action, it's disgraceful that the Met is concerning itself with publishers — even detaining people it cannot charge — while lax border control is allowing genuinely dangerous criminals to enter the UK. London's anti-terror legislation should be used to tackle the mounting terrorist threat, not to unjustifiably arrest an individual who wasn't protesting against the British government.
Nerd narrative
There is a 20% chance that Emmanuel Macron will cease being President of France before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Poll: Chinese-Australians Report Less Racism, Greater Belonging
The number of Chinese-Australians who reported being called offensive names dropped to 21% in 2022, compared to 31% in 2020, according to a new poll from the Sydney-based Lowy Institute.
The Lowy Institute has conducted annual polls to gauge Chinese-Australians’ opinions of the country since Australia and China fell on bad terms at the onset of the COVID pandemic in 2020.
Chinese-Australians also reported reduced rates of being physically threatened due to their heritage last year, with the figure falling from 18% to 14%. An overwhelming majority of 92% also rated Australia as a “very good place to live,” up from 77% in 2020.
Narrative A
Australia has done an excellent job managing the delicate diplomatic tensions with China while considering the daily experience of its citizens with Chinese heritage. Although COVID put a strain on Australia’s relationship with China, misplaced racial animosity from the pandemic seems to be in the past.
Narrative B
Although it’s promising that Chinese-Australians are reporting less racism compared to years past, there are still far too many instances of racially motivated abuse. Discrimination should never be tolerated, and 21% of Chinese-Australians reporting that they were called offensive names is unacceptable. Australia must continue its progress toward equality and fair treatment.
Netflix Plans US Rollout of Limits on Password Sharing
In a letter to investors Tuesday, Netflix announced it would roll out its plan for limiting subscribers’ ability to share passwords outside of their households in the US by July. Limits on password sharing have been trialed in other countries.
The announcement comes at the same time Netflix announced a 1.75M increase in subscribers for the first quarter of 2023, which outperformed analysts' predictions but was historically low for a Q1 result.
Netflix shares dropped 11% in after-hours trading in response to the report before gaining 1.4%. First quarter earnings per share hit $2.88 with revenue of $8.162B, roughly in line with analyst predictions from Refinitiv.
Narrative A
"Never bet against Netflix" has always been a disruptor in the entertainment industry. With the way it distributed DVDs and then increased the prominence of streaming, Netflix changed Hollywood forever. Now, it’s adding games to its service and cracking down on password sharing. Together with the success of its ad-based service, these moves should keep Netflix a powerhouse for years to come.
Narrative B
After failing to meet Wall Street’s expectations in the first quarter of the year, Netflix will face even more obstacles in the coming months, including a looming writer’s strike, competition from other streaming services, and a misstep in its attempt to create live programming. In order to succeed, Netflix has to prove it can meet these challenges and find ways, beyond the ad-based tier and the password-sharing crackdown, to innovate and grow.
US Debt Ceiling: Bipartisan House Group Unveils Plan To Avoid Default
The bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), on Wednesday released a one-page blueprint for raising the debt ceiling, providing an alternative to the GOP plan.
Attempting to avoid a first-ever default on US debt if the House and Pres. Biden fail to strike a deal, the moderates are calling for the suspension of the debt ceiling through year-end to allow the budget and appropriations cycle to be completed.
The draft framework would also establish an independent commission to recommend a package to stabilize the debt and deficit, adopt controls for the 2024 federal budget, and change the budget process to require annual reports and a presidential mid-year budget update.
Republican narrative
While Republicans are sympathetic to Americans’ financial struggles, Biden continues to hide from the issue and refuse to negotiate. It’s time for the president to lead by coming to the table with McCarthy and for Democrats to acknowledge their reckless spending got the US into this predicament and must be reined in. Tying the debt ceiling to spending levels is the only way to make the country fiscally responsible.
Democratic narrative
Republicans are playing a dangerous game of roulette with the economy, and Americans are going to feel pain if they don’t relent. Speaker McCarthy is pushing an extreme wish list that increases costs for hard-working families without actually reducing the deficit. Spending cuts for the future won’t do anything to affect what the US has already spent, and claims to the contrary promote a delusion that will ultimately lead to a default.
Cynical narrative
This government paralysis is just one of the many symptoms of a nation plagued by partisan games, with leaders more concerned with tearing each other down than building the country up. As both sides refuse to compromise, the US is creeping closer to the edge of an economic crisis — something must be done to end this deadlock.
Nerd narrative
There's a 5% chance the US will default on its sovereign debt before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.