Trump Says Zelenskyy Ready for 'Peace' in Ukraine
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump said Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was ready for "peace" between his country and Russia after the pair met in Paris this weekend.
Trump and Zelenskyy were in the French capital for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral — first attending a trilateral meeting with French Pres. Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace before attending a ceremony at the church with other world leaders.
In an interview with the New York Post following the trip, Trump said: "[Zelenskyy] wants to have a cease-fire. He wants to make peace. We didn't talk about the details. He thinks it's time, and [Russian Pres. Vladimir] Putin should think it's time because he's lost — when you lose 700K people, it's time. It's not going to end until there's a peace."
Pro-Trump narrative
This ridiculous war has gone on for too long and should not have started in the first place. Zelenskyy has recognized that and under Trump's leadership, a fair and lasting peace will be achieved.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
We all want this war to end as soon as possible — but peace must be achieved through strength. That means alongside firm security guarantees, Ukraine needs commitments on EU and NATO membership.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance there will be a bilateral cease-fire or peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by Nov. 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
OpenAI Launches Sora Text-to-Video Generator
OpenAI on Monday released its AI video-generator tool, Sora, for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers in the US and “most countries internationally.” The tool lets users make videos of "up to 1080p resolution, up to 20 [seconds] long."
Having launched a preview of the technology in February, OpenAI said the latest model — Sora Turbo — "is significantly faster" and "easier to prompt" with "text, images, and videos." It comes at no extra cost to subscribers.
It's unclear when Sora will be launched in Europe. Sora product lead Rohan Sahai also said that OpenAI is looking to balance "creative expression" with preventing illegal use of Sora, with most accounts currently banned from making videos that depict humans.
Narrative A
OpenAI's Sora is a revolutionary text-to-video platform, empowering creators to generate strikingly realistic videos within minutes. With intuitive tools and customizable styles, Sora seamlessly transforms simple prompts into cinematic content, democratizing video creation. While still evolving, Sora's potential is immense. It isn't just a tool; it's a glimpse into the future of storytelling.
Narrative B
This technology dazzles with its ability to generate near-photorealistic videos from mere text, but beneath the sparkle lies a troubling reality. By automating creativity, Sora threatens to reduce human artistry to a footnote. In chasing AI-generated wonder, we risk a soulless creative landscape where efficiency eclipses passion and reality itself becomes an unreliable blur.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that AI will wholly create an original, critically-acclaimed feature film by Sept. 4, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UN Warns Against Rushing the Return of Syrian Refugees
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Tuesday urged European nations against rushing to repatriate Syrian refugees after the fall of Bashar al-Assad, citing a collapsed economy and disastrous humanitarian conditions in Syria.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as of last year, an estimated 6.4M Syrian refugees had fled the country since the start of its civil war in 2011. While most of them live in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, European countries host more than 1M people.
This comes as several European countries have put on hold all pending asylum applications from Syrians amid calls for the deportation of Syrian refugees, and as many Syrians abroad want to return to their homeland despite political uncertainty, food insecurity, and the lack of crucial infrastructure.
Left narrative
While many Syrians hope to return home after Assad’s fall, others have built stable lives in Europe and are reluctant to uproot again for an uncertain future in Syria. The anti-immigrant movement of far-right European parties has also gained momentum, but they cannot be allowed to force repatriation before safety is assured. Refugees deserve the choice to return voluntarily and with dignity, free from political pressure and risks to their well-being.
Right narrative
After years of conflict, many Syrian refugees are finally eager to return home, as are the Europeans affected by the past migration crisis. Celebrations among Syrians abroad highlight their hope for rebuilding their country, which is what they should be allowed and encouraged to do. The countries that have welcomed them for a decade must now halt future asylum claims, focus on facilitating refugee returns, and prioritize stability.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Syria will no longer be classified as being in a state of civil war by August 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
New Zealand to Ban Greyhound Racing
New Zealand's government announced plans to ban greyhound racing by 2026, citing "persistently high" injury rates and animal welfare concerns despite industry reforms.
The government will also introduce legislation to prevent the unnecessary killing of racing dogs, with approximately 2.9K greyhounds needing to be rehomed during the 20-month transition period.
Commercial greyhound racing currently operates in several other countries, including Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the US, where only two tracks remain. In New Zealand, the industry employs over 1K people full-time, representing 8.5% of New Zealand's $760M racing industry.
Narrative A
The persistent high injury rates and deaths demonstrate that greyhound racing is inherently dangerous and cruel, marking this ban as a monumental victory for animal rights that reflects growing public recognition that animal exploitation for entertainment is unacceptable.
Narrative B
The greyhound racing industry has made significant strides in animal welfare reforms, with injury rates below Australian averages and lower euthanasia rates than horse racing. This ban is an unnecessary devastation to families and businesses that have dedicated their lives to the sport.
New York AG Rejects Trump's Plea to Drop $454M Fraud Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday declined US Pres.-elect Donald Trump's request to dismiss the $454M civil fraud case against him, his family, and his businesses.
In a letter to Trump attorney D. John Sauer, Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale argued that presidents do not have immunity from civil litigation arising from unofficial conduct, and such lawsuits may proceed during a president's term in office.
James sued Trump in 2022, and this February, a New York judge found Trump, Trump Organization, and its top executives, liable for fraudulently inflating his net worth by issuing false financial statements.
Republican narrative
James' case has no victims, complaints, causation, or injuries and losses. It would be dangerous to permit such an action to remain pending against Trump as it will impede a sitting US president from carrying out his constitutional duties. For the health of the nation, James must stop weaponizing the law against Trump.
Democratic narrative
Trump's upcoming administration has no bearing on the case's outcome. James' case isn't a criminal action — and since the court hasn't imposed any criminal sanction on the defendants — its so-called burdens don't impede the president's official duties in a way that violates the US Constitution. Trump must pay for his repeated and persistent fraud.
Nerd narrative
There's a 2% chance that Donald Trump will be jailed or incarcerated before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Netanyahu Takes Stand in Historic Corruption Trial
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified for the first time in his corruption trial on Tuesday, marking the first instance of a sitting Israeli prime minister appearing as a defendant in court.
Netanyahu faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in three separate cases involving alleged regulatory favors for media coverage and gifts received from wealthy businessmen.
The trial is taking place in an underground Tel Aviv courtroom with Netanyahu required to testify three times per week despite ongoing regional conflicts. The trial began in May 2020, with a verdict not expected until 2026, and Netanyahu maintains the right to appeal to the Supreme Court if convicted.
Right narrative
These charges represent a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by a hostile media and a biased legal system. This sham trial seeks to remove Netanyahu from power through spurious legal grounds rather than democratic means. Israel is in the middle of a major war, yet the left thinks this is an appropriate time to target him, demonstrating their true priorities.
Left narrative
The trial serves as a crucial test for democracy, demonstrating whether a sitting prime minister can be held accountable for alleged crimes committed while in office, particularly regarding the abuse of power for personal gain. Netanyahu is receiving fair treatment, and his tirades regarding a conspiracy against him are baseless.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The only reason Netanyahu is a controversial politician in Israel is because of his obvious corruption and opportunistic political strategy. However, what is not so controversial in Israeli society is the genocide playing out in Gaza. Indeed, for Palestinians, Netanyahu's corruption is irrelevant to the fact that he is just another Israeli leader who seeks to destroy the Palestinian people.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Benjamin Netanyahu will cease to be Prime Minister of Israel by July 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: Canada to Invest $1B in Border Security Amid Trump Tariff Threat
Multiple media outlets have reported that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is considering spending more than $1B to bolster its border with the US in response to American Pres.-elect Donald Trump's promise to enact 25% tariffs on all imported Canadian goods.
This comes as Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc recently announced plans to boost the number of border officers and surveillance equipment. Treasury Board Pres. Anita Anand has also said she sees "hundreds of millions of dollars in government initiatives" going toward better securing the border.
Trump has said often that Canada must control drug smuggling and illegal immigration along its border with the US or face hefty tariffs. Trudeau recently said that it's important for Canada "not to freak out, not to panic" but "be thoughtful and strategic."
Narrative A
It's deeply concerning that many migrants are using Canada as a gateway to enter the US illegally. The US has every right to do what's necessary to secure the border and to coax Canada to up its border restrictions. This isn't just about Trump's tariff threats or homeland security; it's also a humanitarian issue to prevent tragedy for those who risk their lives attempting to illegally cross the border.
Narrative B
Regardless of what action Canada takes to better secure its border with the US, Americans must know that the tariffs Trump is proposing will do as much harm to the US as they will to Canada. Luckily, Americans are starting to realize these tariffs will lead to rising prices domestically. With this growing awareness, there's hope that they'll pressure Trump and his party to back off from their threats.
Brazil's Lula 'Well' in Intensive Care After Emergency Brain Surgery
A medical team at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital told a press conference on Tuesday that Brazilian Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva "has progressed well" and is now stable in intensive care after undergoing emergency brain surgery.
This comes as Lula was rushed on Monday night from Brasília to São Paulo for an MRI scan, which detected a brain bleed, after feeling unwell and complaining of a worsening headache and drowsiness.
The surgery involved a craniotomy to drain a bleed between his brain and meningeal membrane. Lula will remain under observation for at least 48 hours and is expected to return to the country's capital next week.
Narrative A
Lula has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his life, not only to deal with challenges in politics but also to bounce back from health problems. On top of losing a finger while working in a car parts factory, he had a hypertension scare at the end of his second term, survived larynx cancer, and received a hip replacement. This brain bleed is another issue that he will overcome.
Narrative B
Whether you like Lula or not, his old age and successive health issues are obviously a matter of concern. Posting videos of himself working out does little to appease that — especially as domestic problems mount during his administration and as he fails to attend summits abroad. It's about time for him to realize that Brazil needs a leader who is able to solve problems — if not now, at least in the next presidential term.
Nerd narrative
There's a 44.7% chance that Pres. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Malibu Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations
A fast-moving wildfire in California, dubbed the Franklin Fire, erupted near Malibu Canyon Road near Pepperdine University late Monday night, rapidly expanding to 2.2K acres by Tuesday morning with zero containment.
The blaze forced approximately 18K residents to evacuate, with mandatory orders affecting 2K homes and warning notices issued to 6K additional properties across the Malibu region.
Strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 93 mph in some areas, combined with low humidity and dry vegetation, created the conditions that prompted rare "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warnings.
Narrative A
This is the fault of climate change. Carbon emissions are leading to hotter and drier climates, leading to larger fires that release more carbon into the atmosphere. Not only are millions of acres of coastal land burning, but toxic smoke is being emitted. Americans don't even have to read climate literature to see and smell the effects of climate change.
Narrative B
Climate change's role in wildfires is exaggerated, often at the expense of other crucial factors — including human-caused ignitions and poor forest management. Leading academic journals — like Nature and Science — favor politicized discourse over truth, leading to false narratives about climate impacts and hindering the development of practical solutions.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that wildfires will destroy a total exceeding 10M hectares of global tree cover in any year before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.