France: Ex-Pres. Sarkozy on Trial Over Libya Cash Case
Former French Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy went on trial Monday on charges of receiving illegal campaign financing of around €50M ($52M) from the late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Sarkozy, 69, has denied wrongdoing.
Sarkozy is accused of "passive corruption, criminal association, illegal campaign financing and concealment of embezzled Libyan public funds" during his 2007 presidential campaign.
If convicted, Sarkozy faces up to 10 years in prison. Since leaving office in 2012, he has already been convicted in two separate cases.
Narrative A
This case is a testament to French democracy. It shatters the myth of presidential immunity. It shows that a "republican monarch" faces the same justice system as any citizen, and, accordingly, this case could be a milestone. The tenacity of those pursuing a former president despite immense political pressure proves that power and privilege no longer shield anyone from accountability in modern France.
Narrative B
A former French president stands accused based on a web of disputed evidence and retracted testimonies. Sarkozy, who helped liberate Libya from Gaddafi's grip, now faces the bitter irony of being tied to the very dictator he helped overthrow. The probe is based largely on circumstantial evidence, with witnesses mysteriously dying and a plethora of conflicting statements.
Nerd narrative
There's a 32% chance that Marine Le Pen will be elected president of France in 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UK Health Official: Antimicrobial-Resistant Bacteria Could Kill 40M by 2050
England's former chief medical officer, Dame Sally Davies, has warned that antimicrobial-resistant bacteria currently cause approximately 1M deaths annually. She projected that this figure will double by 2050, potentially claiming 40M lives over the next 25 years — particularly threatening the elderly.
Mortality rates from these types of bacteria have reportedly increased by 80% since 1990 for people over 70, while rates have decreased in children under five. This highlights a significant demographic shift in vulnerability.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) deaths reportedly more than doubled from 57.2K in 1990 to 130K in 2021, while carbapenem-resistant bacteria caused 216K deaths in 2021.
Narrative A
The pharmaceutical industry lacks financial incentives to develop new antibiotics since these drugs are used infrequently compared to daily medications for chronic conditions, creating a dangerous innovation gap in addressing the antimicrobial-resistant bacteria crisis. This innovation gap needs to be crossed to ensure better preparedness for the future.
Narrative B
Improving access to healthcare, enhancing infection prevention and control measures, and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use could reportedly save 92M lives between 2025 and 2050. This crisis is actually manageable right now if actions are coordinated immediately.
Narrative C
Simplistic narratives that produce fear need to be avoided when it comes to the threat of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Solving this complex public health challenge requires careful research, comprehensive public health surveillance, and collaborative solutions. Alarmism does not help.
Nerd narrative
There is a 49% chance the number of deaths from antibiotic-resistant infections per year will double by Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Canada: Trudeau Resigns as Prime Minister
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation pending the appointment of a new Liberal Party leader following nine years as the country's leader.
Trudeau first became Liberal Party leader in 2013 before being elected Prime Minister in late 2015. Trudeau stated that Canada "deserves a real choice in the next election," and that he could not be "the best option" if he was "having to fight internal battles."
Speaking in front of Rideau Cottage, Trudeau announced that Parliament was also to be prorogued until March 24. The opposition Conservative Party had intended to introduce a vote of no confidence in the Trudeau minority government upon Parliament's return from holiday previously scheduled for Jan. 27.
Left narrative
Despite a challenging political landscape, Trudeau's legacy shines with remarkable achievements — halving child poverty, legalizing marijuana, advancing Indigenous reconciliation, and deftly navigating NAFTA negotiations with Trump. His government's swift COVID response and unwavering commitment to progressive values made Canada a beacon of pluralism and liberalism. Like Obama, he may be succeeded by his opposite, but his transformative impact endures.
Right narrative
From "shining hope" to tarnished legacy, Trudeau's nine-year reign has left Canada reeling. Under his leadership, poverty has soared with millions in survival mode, housing dreams have crumbled, and conditions have worsened. His diplomatic missteps have alienated allies worldwide, while his economic policies have driven Canada into recession. Through it all, his leadership failures were masked by his rhetoric and demeanor.
Nerd narrative
There is a 90% chance that Pierre Poilievre becomes Prime Minister of Canada before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Over 60M Americans Under Weather Alerts Amid Major Winter Storms
Broad swathes of the US have been affected by heavy snowfall, ice, freezing temperatures, and high winds as a major weather system hit the country over the weekend. Disruptions spilled into the week, as Storm Blair continued to sweep eastwards on Monday.
Some 60M Americans faced weather alerts across 30 states, from Kansas and the south to the East Coast.
As officials warned against all travel, states of emergency were declared in parts of New Jersey, along with Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
Narrative A
Forecasters say these winter storms have been caused by what's known as a polar vortex — a swirl of ultra-cold air that typically stays penned above the north pole — straying down into North America. Studies suggest this is caused by global warming and rising temperatures in the Arctic. More must be done to counter the severe and increasingly dangerous effects of climate change.
Narrative B
While some suggest that the straying of polar vortexes is caused by global warming, nothing is conclusive. The phenomenon has only been studied since the 1950s and the available data is simply not enough to substantiate a clear judgement. Weather systems are remarkably complex, and the most reliably effective course of action is to ensure that infrastructure is robust enough to survive the unexpected.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the maximum arctic sea ice extent in 2030 will be at least 14M km^2, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UK: Prime Minister Starmer Criticizes Musk Claims
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused politicians and social media figures of having "crossed a line" and "spreading lies and misinformation" surrounding himself, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, and the Labour government concerning their role in alleged child grooming and sexual abuse.
Since the start of 2025 members of both the Conservative Party and Reform UK have called for a national inquiry into child grooming gangs after it was reported that Phillips had rejected a request by Oldham Council, who instead recommended that the local body commission its own inquiry.
On social media platform X, Elon Musk has since described Phillips as a "rape genocide apologist," accused Starmer of complicity in child rape gangs during his time as head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008-2013, and has alleged that Tommy Robinson is a political prisoner for "telling the truth" concerning the controversy.
Left narrative
Starmer's tenure at the CPS showed accountable leadership by driving reforms that improved justice for abuse victims. In contrast, Elon Musk's unfounded claims have spread misinformation and created division. While Starmer focuses on systemic change and supporting victims, Musk's inflammatory rhetoric distracts from real progress. Leadership should prioritize truth and solutions, not harmful provocations.
Right narrative
Keir Starmer's handling of the grooming gang scandal raises serious concerns. Labeling criticism as "far-right misinformation" dismisses valid public outrage and avoids addressing systemic failures that left victims unprotected. Rejecting a national inquiry denies justice to those affected and erodes trust. Leadership should prioritize accountability and action, not deflection and politicized narratives.
Nerd narrative
There is a 66% chance the UK will have a Labour Prime Minister on Jan. 1, 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Bans Offshore Drilling on 625M Acres of US Waters
US Pres. Joe Biden on Monday announced executive action to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling across 625M acres of US coastal waters, including the entire Atlantic coast, eastern Gulf of Mexico, Pacific coasts, and portions of Alaska's Northern Bering Sea.
The protection extends to approximately 334M acres of the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf from Canada to Florida, 250M acres off the West Coast, and 44M acres in Alaska's Northern Bering Sea.
The ban doesn't affect existing oil and gas operations in the central and western Gulf of Mexico, which produce about 15% of the nation's oil supplies.
Democratic narrative
This ban protects marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and local economies across the US' coasts from irreversible environmental damage and oil spills. The minimal fossil fuel potential in these areas doesn't justify the environmental, health, and economic risks of new drilling, especially as the US transitions to clean energy.
Republican narrative
Biden's last-minute anti-energy policy will hurt Americans by restricting energy development and economic growth.This is a catastrophic attack on the oil and natural gas industry, as it severely limits exploration potential and long-term survival of the sector. Oil and gas are the country's greatest resources and one of its biggest economic assets.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that fossil fuels will make up less than 50% of US primary energy consumption by Feb. 18, 2041, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
South Korea Seeks to Extend Arrest Warrant for Impeached President
South Korean investigators requested an extension of the arrest warrant for impeached Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol, which was set to expire at midnight on Monday.
The Corruption Investigation Office failed to serve the initial arrest warrant on Friday after being blocked by presidential security service guards who formed a human chain to prevent access to Yoon.
Yoon faces criminal investigation for possible insurrection following his six-hour martial law declaration on Dec. 3, which led to his impeachment by parliament on Dec. 14.
Left narrative
South Korea's Corruption Investigation Office has a legal obligation to uphold the arrest warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol for insurrection, charges for which the president has no immunity. The failure to arrest him undermines not only the rule of law but Korea's international reputation. Yoon has already evaded several attempts to question him, suggesting he's likely exploiting legal loopholes. After Yoon is arrested, the courts must investigate everyone involved in this embarrassing legal debacle.
Right narrative
The Democratic Party of Korea seems to be playing politics rather than following the law. After accusing Yoon of the most serious charge one could face, the party has now dropped it to expedite his impeachment for political gain. It appears they accused him of insurrection to rally support and are now revealing their true aim — to push for an early election favoring their leader, Lee Jae-myung. The Korean people deserve a clear understanding of what's actually transpiring.
Nerd narrative
There's an 8% chance that North Korea and South Korea will be recognized as a unified sovereign state by 2045, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Seeks $8B Arms Sale to Israel
The US Dept. of State reportedly told Congress over the weekend that it planned to send $8B worth of weapons to Israel. The sale includes medium-range air-to-air missiles, 155 mm projectile artillery shells, Hellfire AGM-114 missiles, 500-pound bombs, and more.
The sale is a long-term agreement, as the majority of the munitions and equipment will take one or more years to deliver. The sale will need approval from the House and Senate foreign relations committees before it goes through.
Meanwhile, as negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages continue, Hamas has reportedly released a list of 34 hostages that could potentially be freed. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied that Hamas had given Israel the list.
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the US will always support Israel's right to defend itself, it also values human rights and international law, thus why it has worked with Israel to ensure that US weapons are not used to commit war crimes. Indeed, the Biden admin. has walked a fine line, giving Israel the weapons it needs but also limiting the impact on civilians.
Pro-Israel narrative
The Biden admin. has made many mistakes in the last 15 months regarding its support for Israel, but making sure Israel has the weapons it needs to defend itself from terror across the region is always a positive step. Though the US has often attempted to tie Israel's hands in Gaza, Israel's defense has nonetheless been bolstered.
Pro-Palestine narrative
The US is fully culpable for Israel's genocide in Gaza, as it has continued to send inordinate amounts of military support to the country. As Israeli attacks kill thousands, the US has repeatedly shielded Israel from accountability and ensured that it is armed to the teeth. This war will only end when the US ends its support for Israel's genocidal ambitions in Gaza and the wider region.
Congress Certifies Trump's 2024 Election Win
US Vice-Pres. Kamala Harris, in her role as president of the Senate, Monday presided over a joint session of Congress, certifying Pres.-elect Donald Trump's victory with 312 electoral votes to her 226 votes in a peaceful half-hour ceremony.
The certification process occurred under heightened security measures, including reinforced fencing and additional law enforcement, four years after Trump supporters took part in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol while Congress attempted to certify Joe Biden's win over Trump in the 2020 election.
Also, unlike the 2021 certification, no lawmakers objected to any state's results, following new rules requiring one-fifth of lawmakers — rather than just one from each chamber — to raise objections.
Democratic narrative
While Republicans continue to obfuscate the tragedies of Jan. 6, 2021, that day's insurrection shows how fragile US institutions can be. But Harris and the Democrats have again proven to be the defenders of democracy by certifying Trump's win without objections — something Republicans failed to do despite lacking evidence of anything untoward in the 2020 results.
Republican narrative
Give Democrats some credit this was the first time in two decades they didn't object to a Republican president's victory. Defenders of democracy wouldn't have arrested and imprisoned hundreds of patriots who were calling attention to irregularities in the 2020 results. The new administration can't take over and get America back on the right track soon enough.