African Leaders Give Niger's Junta One Week to Cede Power
West African countries have issued an ultimatum to Niger's new military leaders, reportedly threatening to take "all measures," including force, to restore constitutional order if toppled Pres. Mohamed Bazoum is not reinstated within a week.
The ultimatum comes as leaders from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) held emergency talks Sunday in Nigeria's capital Abuja to discuss the country's third coup, which followed army takeovers in Mali and Burkina Faso.
This is the first time that ECOWAS had allegedly threatened military action to reverse the unconstitutional seizure of political power in the region since 2017 when troops were deployed to The Gambia to force a long-entrenched ruler to accept defeat in elections.
Narrative A
The nation ECOWAS echoed earlier calls by major allies of Niger, stressing its readiness to take swift action to restore democratic rule in a country that's vital to ensure regional security. Yet, the bloc will have to find the right balance to navigate its way out of this crisis without punishing citizens and pushing the junta into the hands of Russia or Wagner forces.
Narrative B
ECOWAS is once again taking the risk of being seen as an illegitimate regional body as it fails to realize sanctions cause more suffering among ordinary citizens while not dissuading the coup leaders. Following its failures in addressing recent military takeovers in Burkina Faso and Mali, the bloc should have changed its policies and implemented measures for preventing coups in the first place.
Pakistan: Political Rally Bombing Kills at Least 45
Following a suicide bombing at a political rally in the Bajaur district of Pakistan on Sunday, state-run rescue agency Bilal Faizi has confirmed that at least 45 people have died, with over 130 injured and 61 currently undergoing treatment.
At this time, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the actions of the individual, who detonated an explosives vest near the stage of several senior members of the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party — a Pakistani government coalition partner.
Provincial police claim that initial investigations have suggested that the Islamic State group (IS) may be behind the attack. The group has been active in neighboring Afghanistan in opposition to the Taliban administration and has been known to take refuge in the Peshawar area.
Narrative A
The bombing in Bajaur is yet another example of terrorism engulfing the war-ravaged region. Intelligence-sharing agreements must be signed with Afghanistan, and a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy must be drawn up as an immediate priority. Now is a crucial time for Pakistan to respond — Islamabad cannot continue to sit back and let terrorists increasingly gain influence and strength.
Narrative B
Although more must be done to stem the continuing wave of terrorism in Pakistan, current attempts by the government to impose new legislation come at the expense of democratic principles. Meaningful dialogue and measures are necessary, but current broad and vaguely-worded provisions to target terrorists raise the potential for the government to abuse its power, violate individual freedoms, and restrict media access. Pakistan must find a balance between security and civil liberties.
Nerd narrative
There is an 82% chance that Pakistan will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Saudi Arabia to Host Ukraine Peace Summit, Russia Excluded
Saudi Arabia will next month host a Ukrainian-organized summit aimed at bringing Ukraine's war with Russia to a close, multiple reports confirmed over the weekend.
According to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the plans, talks will be held in the city of Jeddah on Aug. 5 and 6, and will involve senior diplomats from up to 30 nations including the US, UK, Poland, Egypt, Mexico, and Zambia. Officials with knowledge of the plans have said Russia will not be involved.
Details of the talks were also reported by the Associated Press before Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, confirmed the plans in a speech on Sunday. However, he did not specify the exact time or location of the summit.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Ukraine has never refused to negotiate with Russia, but before dialogue can begin, Moscow must first return all of Ukraine's occupied lands, pay compensation for the damage caused by the war, and be prosecuted for the war crimes it has committed. Only then can it meaningfully engage in the peace process.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has consistently been open to negotiations with Ukraine. In fact, a draft agreement was previously reached, but after Russia withdrew from Kyiv to facilitate the deal, Kyiv abandoned the process and outlawed the possibility of future talks with Russia. If Ukraine wants peaceful negotiations, the ball is in its court.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that there will be a bilateral ceasefire or peace agreement in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
GOP Accuses DOJ of 'Intimidating' Witness in Hunter Biden Probe
House Republicans who are investigating Pres. Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, this weekend accused the US Dept of Justice (DOJ) of obstructing their probe by intimidating a key witness in the case.
These accusations came after federal prosecutors in New York on Saturday wrote to Judge Ronnie Abrams asking her to schedule a date for the imprisonment of Devon Archer, a longtime business partner of Hunter who was set to testify at a House Oversight Committee session Monday.
In 2018, Archer was convicted of two felonies for his role in defrauding a Native American tribe. His sentence was postponed under appeal, but last week the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld his one-year sentence.
Republican narrative
It’s no coincidence this request came from the DOJ before Archer’s imminent testimony. Pres. Biden has politicized the DOJ, as evidenced by the charges against former Pres. Trump as well as the dropping charges against Biden-donor Sam Bankman-Fried. The DOJ probably can’t sink any lower.
Democratic narrative
Republicans are floating conspiracy theories again. No one believes the DOJ’s request and Archer’s looming testimony are linked, not even Archer. Even if granted, the request wouldn’t have prevented Archer from testifying, and Republicans know that but — as always — strive to cast the president in a negative light.
Scientists Induce 'Virgin Birth' in Fruit Flies
In a pioneering experiment, a University of Cambridge research team used genetic engineering techniques to trigger asexual reproduction in a species that normally reproduce sexually. This feat, known as parthenogenesis, was successfully induced in fruit flies.
The researchers mapped the genome of a fruit fly capable of parthenogenesis, the Drosophila mercatorum, and identified a corresponding gene present in the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly. Activating the appropriate gene gave that species the ability to carry an embryo without sperm to fertilize their eggs.
These "virgin births" have been observed in snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and birds, with this study being the first to identify the genetic basis for parthenogenesis. After examining 220K fruit flies over six years, it was determined that the genetically modified D. melanogaster flies had developed parthenogenesis.
Narrative A
Mammalian parthenogenesis is an ethical minefield and, concerningly, is being intensely pursued. As we get closer to understanding the basis for this reproductive ability, we get closer to potentially extending this technology to humans. Researchers have focused little on how these breakthroughs will be applied to real problems humans face, undertaking this research to prove it's possible. We need to seriously consider the bioethical ramifications of this process when applied to humans before we move further.
Narrative B
This tantalizing study has opened a window into a whole new model of reproduction — one that could have ramifications throughout the animal kingdom. Parthenogenesis is more widespread than previously thought, and finally uncovering a genetic basis could create a new frontier in reproduction. Endangered species could replenish their species after developing asexual reproduction, and we could understand the effects reproductive disruption has on a species. The rewards of studying parthenogenesis could be beyond our wildest dreams.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the first cloned human will be born by October 2037, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Judge Blocks Arkansas Law Targeting Librarians
On Saturday, US District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction to stall Arkansas from enforcing a law that would allow librarians and booksellers to face criminal charges for providing materials deemed harmful to minors.
The law, which was scheduled to take effect Aug. 1, was signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year.
Act 372 says knowingly providing minors with access to material that would appeal “to a prurient interest in sex” could lead to criminal charges, and defines such materials as lacking “serious literary, scientific, medical, artistic, or political value” and being “patently offensive” under community standards.
Republican narrative
In the face of woke Democrats increasingly attempting to expose children to inappropriate materials in schools, libraries, and bookstores, parents have been activated to step in and protect their kids from filth and other indoctrination. This law, which would build on existing statutes to make sure there would be no loopholes for those who would subject children to sexually explicit and graphic materials, is worth fighting for in the courts.
Democratic narrative
Republicans are on a censorship binge across the country, and blocking this law from taking effect is just a small step in preserving the First Amendment rights of teachers, librarians, and booksellers. This law and others like it are meant to prevent kids from learning about LGBTQ+ issues and the history of race in the US, but Republicans shouldn’t be allowed to foster ignorance behind claims that they’re defending decency.
Australian Defense Ministry: No Survivors in Helicopter Crash
A search and rescue effort to find four Australian crew members in an army helicopter that crashed last Friday has become a recovery operation, with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles telling reporters Monday that there's no chance of survivors.
An Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan helicopter crashed into the ocean off the coast of Queensland during the biennial joint US-Australia Talisman Sabre military exercises. Army chief Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart said four members of the 6th Aviation Regiment were on board.
While initial investigations attempted to rescue the four men — revealed to be Capt. Danniel Lyon, Lt. Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Joseph Laycock, and Cpl. Alexander Naggs — authorities have lost hope and are investigating the cause of the tragedy.
Narrative A
The MRH-90 Taipan helicopter had a number of fatal flaws which were abundantly clear, yet Australia’s army continued to fly this dangerous vehicle while waiting for its new Black Hawk helicopters. Unfortunately, this mistake led to the deaths of four men in a completely avoidable tragedy. Just months earlier, a Taipan also had an accident thanks to its structural issues, yet it resumed flying a month later. These helicopters were never safe, and this accident was tragically avoidable.
Narrative B
There has been a lot of talk about the MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, with critics claiming the aircraft itself is fundamentally flawed. However, Australia’s bigger problem is with how the Taipan is used operationally rather than its manufacturing. Other countries using the MRH, like neighboring New Zealand, have far fewer issues. The MRH-90 is not a perfect helicopter, but blaming its manufacturing and completely scrapping its use ignores some very important details.
X Threatens Legal Action Against Nonprofit
On July 20, X Corp., formerly Twitter, sent a letter to the nonprofit Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), an organization that researches digital hate speech and misinformation, accusing the group of making "baseless claims" that are driving away advertisers.
Since Elon Musk’s takeover last year, the CCDH has published work claiming hate speech on the social media platform has risen. In its most recent report, it claimed that X fails to take action against 99% of hate speech posted by X Blue subscribers.
In the letter, X accused the CCDH of making a "series of troubling and baseless claims that appear calculated to harm Twitter generally, and its digital advertising business specifically."
Left narrative
While may Musk claim to be "a free speech absolutist" who has advocated for far-right actors and conspiracy theorists to be able to use his platform, he has had a dodgy record of silencing those critical of him. This is just one more example of Musk using threats of legal action to silence valid criticisms against him and his companies. Instead of attacking the CCDH, Musk should attack the disturbing hate speech on his platform.
Right narrative
The report claiming supposed hate speech on X by Twitter Blue subscribers is nothing but a series of inflammatory, misleading, and unsupported claims. The article claiming that "Twitter fails to act on 99% of Twitter Blue accounts tweeting hate" failed to explain its methodology for its selection or testing of tweets and did not explain why the 100 tweets selected were a quality representation of the platform's content moderation policies. These false and misleading claims are unacceptable and deserve legal action.
Palestinian Rival Governments Form ‘Reconciliation Committee’
Palestinian Pres. Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met for rare face-to-face talks in the coastal Egyptian city of El Alamein on Sunday along with representatives of most Palestinian political factions to form a committee on intra-Palestinian reconciliation.
The primary purpose of the committee would be to mend ties between the parallel governments of Hamas in the embargoed Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority (PA) controlled by Abbas's nominally secular Fatah party, which administers certain regions of the West Bank.
Notably, [Palestinian] Islamic Jihad [(PIJ)] boycotted Sunday's meeting, saying that the release of PIJ prisoners held by the PA's security forces in the West Bank was a condition for sending representatives to El Alamein. Two other minor Palestinian groups also did not attend the meeting.
Narrative A
Though talk of "unity" between Palestinian factions has become increasingly common, it seems unlikely that Hamas will accept Abbas’s conditions for joining a unity government — which include recognizing UN resolutions pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict and the agreements signed between Israel and what is now the PA. Indeed, Abbas is between a rock and a hard place, as he needs to balance the popularity of extremist groups with his own agenda. Unity will likely not be found any time soon.
Narrative B
As the conflict between the disparate Palestinian resistance factions and Israel reaches a new chapter, the resistance seeks to unify in the face of an internally divided enemy. Though Abbas often acts as a private contractor of the occupation, it would be wise for the PA to acknowledge the popularity and influence of resistance factions like PIJ and improve relations with them.
Trump: Ga. Judge Declines to Throw Out Special Investigation
A Georgia judge rejected former Pres. Trump’s request to halt Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’s investigation into his conduct in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, and whether or not he and his allies interfered with Georgia’s election.
Trump’s team first filed the motion in March asking Willis, a Democrat, be disqualified and the court to remove the finding from the special grand jury. However, Judge Robert McBurney wrote that there was “insufficient” argument to interfere with a high-profile criminal investigation.
McBurney acknowledged the “unwelcome and unpleasant experience” Trump is going through but also noted that the ongoing investigations could be “turned into golden political capital.” Earlier this month the state Supreme Court rejected Trump’s bid to shut down the investigation.
Democratic narrative
Trump knows his days are numbered, and McBurney’s decision to reject his Hail Mary attempt to disqualify Fani Willis and toss out the Special Grand Jury report is one of the final nails in his coffin. Trump is a wannabe tyrant who tried to overthrow American democracy. He tried extra hard to change Georgia’s election, and now the state will get its revenge by indicting him.
Pro-Trump narrative
While Trump’s motion to stop the Georgia investigation was definitely a long shot, it doesn’t change the fact that the former president is being politically targeted like no other politician in American history. Fani Willis is a hyper-partisan Democrat doing the bidding of the establishment, but the American people know that they’re just attacking Trump to get him out of the way. That is why so many continue to stand behind Trump.
Nerd narrative
There is a 32% chance that Donald Trump will be jailed or incarcerated before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.