Left narrative

These horrific attacks are a reflection of a broad range of societal problems within Brazil that have been catalyzed by a surge in radical ideas and extremist discourse on the internet. These mass attacks on schools are leaving long-term scars on both children and parents; it's time that the perpetrators and the social networks that embolden them are held to account and that disarmament, mental health support, and a firm response to hate speech are adopted.

Right narrative

Brazil has experienced yet another monstrous school attack as hatred, anxiety, and loneliness — fueled by the COVID pandemic — run rampant in the nation. The need for decisive action cannot be overstated, however, implementing authoritarian measures isn't the answer. There needs to be a concerted effort to tackle the underlying social problems at the core of the growing violence, and the first step is through encouraging dialogue.

Nerd narrative

There's a 50% chance that the global rate of homicide deaths per 100K people will be at least 5.32 in 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

While a step in the right direction, Twitter's "state-affiliated media" label has not been applied enough. The label has been pinned to outlets like RT and China Daily while left off of known CIA-created US propaganda outlets like Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and Voice of America. This designation should also be tagged on other outlets which receive far more state funding than NPR, like the UK's BBC, Australia's ABC, Canada's CBC, and Saudi Press Agency. There's no issue with this label for NPR as long as Twitter applies the designation consistently and fairly.

Narrative B

NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. Twitter's designation of NPR as a US state-affiliated media is equally disturbing, as it is unacceptable. NPR receives less than 1% of its budget from federal grants, including from the government-supported Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Most of its revenue comes from corporate sponsorships, along with dues and fees paid by hundreds of independent and locally-owned member stations all over the US.

Cynical narrative

There were many speculations on Twitter following the platform's decision to label NPR as a propaganda outfit. One particularly striking said it was retribution for NPR executives' decision not to cover any live remarks by former President Donald Trump, including a speech he made to supporters after his Tuesday arraignment by a Manhattan District Attorney. This may be simple politics at play.

Right narrative

The UK government is currently spending a staggering £6M a day to house illegal immigrants. Not only would these plans massively reduce these costs, but they would signal to those intending to travel to the UK that Britain isn't a soft touch when it comes to illegal migration.

Left narrative

These plans could amount to arbitrary detention and breach human rights laws. To house those fleeing persecution and war zones in such conditions is cruel and inhumane. The Conservative government needs to urgently reconsider its course and find alternative solutions, starting with solving the asylum backlog which has ballooned under its leadership.

Nerd narrative

There's a 73% chance that the UK Labour Party will have a polling lead of at least 10% on Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Kennedy's chances may be outside odds, however, the power of his family's name is undisputed. He has spent his life fighting for clean air and energy against corporate greed, and with many Americans preferring Biden to step aside, Kennedy's political ambition may have legs.

Narrative B

Kennedy has been publicly denounced by public health experts and even members of his own family as promulgating dangerously misleading — and offensive — information. This isn't a man that should become the Democratic nominee for president. In fact, his ties to right-wing operatives and power brokers must be closely scrutinized.

Nerd narrative

There's a 69% chance that Joe Biden will become the Democratic nominee for the 2024 US Presidential Election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Pro-establishment narrative

This invasion is an egregious violation of international law. Putin's ultimate aim is to restore the Soviet empire, even if it takes massive bloodshed and false pretexts such as calling the 2014 Ukrainian revolution after an election a "coup." This unprovoked attack is the latest chapter in Putin's Orwellian attempt to rewrite history.

Establishment-critical narrative

NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.

Nerd narrative

There is a 2% chance that Ukraine will officially recognize a former Ukrainian territory (Luhansk, Donetsk, or Crimea) as independent before 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Right narrative

Excluding religious institutions from applying for these funds is a preposterous violation of the Constitution, as every other private entity is allowed to pursue the opening of a charter school. Affiliation with religion should not be a disqualifier. A religious charter school would provide more options to parents, who have unchallenged say over what type of education their children receive.

Left narrative

We’re seeing the consequences of SCOTUS chipping away at the separation of church and state in violation of the Constitution. Previously, only public schools received public funding. Now there’s a risk that public funds could be used for discrimination or to teach non-secular beliefs to students. The right-leaning court and lawmakers have opened Pandora’s box, and there could be far-reaching consequences.

Pro-China narrative

China has just proven that the US style of creating conflict to pit nations against one another is no way to achieve regional peace anywhere, let alone in the Middle East. These nations are fed up with war, and China has offered them an opportunity to slip out from under the thumb of the US and engage in legitimate, autonomous diplomacy with a different global power. This is the beginning of a new era, one in which countries don't have to cower in the face of Western might just to build economic success.

Anti-China narrative

While it does seem that China's goals in the Middle East are limited to energy and economic relations, what Beijing hasn't yet faced are the dire security problems that come with doing business in the region. Words like "common interests" and "political dialogue" are all good in theory, but only time will tell if Beijing can achieve these lofty goals in the face of rising militant groups and sporadic conflict.

Nerd narrative

There's a 53% chance that Saudi Arabia will normalize relations with Israel by 2031 if Iran does not get a nuclear bomb by then, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Democratic narrative

By moving to silence these three Democratic members, Republicans are crushing democracy and creating a chilling effect on future debates. Their disdain for dissent is matched by their hypocrisy, as Republicans in the past couldn’t be bothered to expel a member who was accused of sexual assault, but now they’re trying to get rid of their political opponents over an act of free speech — a right they are quick to defend when convenient.

Republican narrative

Democrats are free to criticize the decision, but if the riotous acts of these three members had been committed by Republicans, they would’ve called it an insurrection — as they did for the Jan. 6 riots — and would have gone beyond just trying to expel them. If Democrats are going to weaponize parts of the government to attack Republicans, they must be prepared to abide by the same standards.

Nerd narrative

There's a 1% chance that the Second Amendment of the US Constitution will be amended or repealed before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Republican narrative

The landmark bill appears to be a stern response to neighboring states that have seen themselves as abortion sanctuaries. The bill continues the state's adoption of stringent bans on abortion in the US, although it remains open to cases involving rape, incest, and a threat to the life of a mother. This is a clear-cut exercise of both Idaho's domain under states' rights and common-sense legislation.

Democratic narrative

Seeking to restrict the autonomy of young women attempting to travel for an abortion, as well as those who try to help them, is typical of the cruel and misogynistic anti-choice movement. Such laws continue to view women and girls as property while attempting to destroy the good conscience of those around them who wish to help. This is an assault on women's rights.

Nerd narrative

There is a 5% chance that elective abortion will be banned nationally in the US before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Narrative A

Words cannot adequately describe the abhorrent, despicable, and repeated abuses committed by the Baltimore Catholic Archdiocese, and it has taken far too long to hold its members accountable. Hundreds of innocent victims were abused in the most unimaginable ways by faith leaders, and the institution covered up these acts for decades. We can never allow this to happen in the future and everyone involved in this scandal must be held accountable.

Narrative B

The Baltimore Archdiocese is profoundly remorseful about the actions depicted in the Attorney General's report, and it prays for the healing of all survivors. The evil acts committed by past Church members are not representative of the Church today, and there have been many turning points over the past few decades to remove all abusers. The Archdiocese will work tirelessly to help survivors and create a healing environment.