Los Angeles: Wildfires Kill at Least 2, Over 80K Evacuated
At least two people have died and over 80K have been evacuated as several wildfires continued to burn in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday. Â
Firefighters are contending with five blazes — the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Woodley, and Tyler fires — with the first one breaking out southeast of Palisades Drive on Tuesday morning.Â
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Palisades and Eaton fires had each burned over 10K acres, and the Hurst fire had destroyed over 500 acres. Helicopters returned to the skies after being grounded earlier due to high winds.
Narrative A
The unprecedented scale and timing of these wildfires highlights the escalating impact of climate change on California's fire seasons. Data shows that all 10 of the largest acreage burns have occurred since 2004, coinciding with record-breaking temperatures. Given that there has been little progress in curbing the consumption of fossil fuels, wildfires will only grow more frequent and severe.
Narrative B
Climate change is being misused to promote alarmist narratives and political agendas. Los Angeles' fire emergency has stemmed primarily from natural weather patterns, specifically the seasonal Santa Ana winds, which have historically caused similar dangerous conditions in Southern California. The current situation reflects typical winter wind patterns rather than long-term climate trends.
Narrative C
Neither climate change nor natural weather patterns are to blame for the increased risk of raging fires — poor federal regulation and forest management practices are the real culprits. Blaming California's wildfires on external factors is an easy way out when most wildfires are started by humans. It's crucial to develop practical solutions and focus on fixing policies rather than getting swept up in alarmist or denialist hype.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that wildfires will destroy a total exceeding 10Mha of global tree cover in any year before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Circling Robotaxi Incident Briefly Traps Tech Entrepreneur
On his way back from Phoenix, Arizona, a Los Angeles tech entrepreneur reportedly almost missed his flight last week after he was trapped inside a self-driving Waymo taxi that kept going in circles around a parking lot at the Scottsdale airport.
Tech futurist and artificial intelligence (AI) expert Mike Johns was on his way to the Sky Harbor airport when the car circled the parking lot eight times. "Has this been hacked?" he's heard telling a Waymo official over the phone in a LinkedIn video.
The Waymo customer service official, who Johns surmised may have been an AI assistant, eventually managed to stop the car just in time for him to catch his flight. Waymo didn't charge Johns for the trip.
Narrative A
While reminiscent of a 1920s comedic movie, this incident highlights serious risks of automation errors, from cars mistaking puddles for hazards to crashing into poles and trucks. The illusion of self-driving safety can be dangerous, leaving passengers powerless when systems fail, turning tech dreams into nerve-wracking ordeals.
Narrative B
This was an isolated, temporary glitch rather than proof of system failure — despite the issue having legs on social media. This transportation technology aims to reduce accidents and fatalities compared to human drivers, with data showing fewer injuries and damage. Judging an entire technological leap by rare errors ignores its potential to revolutionize transportation for the better.
Nerd narrative
There's an 80% chance that driverless cars will be commercially available in Las Vegas by May 28, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Declares Genocide in Sudan, Sanctions RSF Leader
The United States on Tuesday formally declared that Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide during the ongoing civil war that began in April 2023.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced sanctions against RSF leader Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and seven UAE-based companies for their roles in weapons procurement and financial support.
The conflict has resulted in over 28K deaths, forced millions to flee their homes, and created the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe, with some families reportedly resorting to eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive starvation.
Pro-establishment narrative
The RSF is responsible for some of the most heinous atrocities being committed anywhere in the world today. This genocide determination and its consequent sanctions reflect crucial steps toward accountability, and could help leverage ceasefire negotiations. These actions demonstrate the international community's commitment to addressing systematic violence.
Establishment-critical narrative
Despite America's attempts to take the moral high-ground, the raging violence currently afflicting the people of Sudan will not cease until the US and UK publicly condemn the UAE's role in fueling the Sudanese war. Punishing the RSF will do nothing but make the humanitarian situation more dire for the civilians caught in the midst of this brutal conflict — it is the responsibility of Western actors to challenge the UAE's efforts to secure political and economic hegemony at the cost of democracy in Sudan.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) will emerge as victors in the Sudanese civil war, according to the Metaculus prediction community.Â
UK Special Forces Accused of Afghan War Crimes in Inquiry
An independent inquiry into the actions of UK Special Forces (UKSF) — including elite units from the Special Air Service, known as the SAS — on Wednesday shed further light on the war crimes allegations facing troops for their conduct while deployed in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.
The inquiry was launched in 2022 after an investigation by BBC Panorama alleged that special forces carried out a number of extrajudicial killings and covered them up by falsifying reports and planting weapons next to the deceased. Emails showed that superiors were aware of the allegations, but failed to report them.
Since then, portions of the hearings were held in public, but the majority of sessions were held at an undisclosed location without the presence of the public or media, namely to protect the anonymity of former soldiers who spoke of a "code of silence" within UKSF and expressed fears for their safety.
Narrative A
The testimony shared by the inquiry appears to support the allegations that UK Special Forces committed heinous crimes and then covered them up with the help of their superiors. It's hoped that this process will ultimately help get justice for the families of the victims, as well as leading to changes in how these forces operate.
Narrative B
While statements shared by the inquiry appear to highlight questionable behavior, none of the witnesses were themselves witnesses to the crimes, but rather heard of the allegations from other soldiers they served with. This makes it hear-say and is therefore unlikely to result in any meaningful action being taken.
OpenAI Chief Sam Altman Denies Sister's Abuse Claims
In a joint statement on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, tech billionaire Sam Altman, his mother, and two brothers categorically denied allegations that he abused his sister Ann Altman, labeling the claims "utterly untrue."
Ann Altman on Monday filed a lawsuit in a US district court in the Eastern District of Missouri against her brother, alleging that he sexually abused her between 1997 and 2006.
Ann Altman claims the abuse began when she was three and he was 12, adding she suffered "severe emotional distress" and has been unable to live a normal life due to her brother's alleged conduct.
Narrative A
The evolving nature of the accusations, combined with previous unfounded claims about technology manipulation and financial misconduct, calls into question the potential validity of Ann Altman's claims. These allegations have not been substantiated.
Narrative B
These are very serious and disturbing allegations against Sam Altman. Ann Altman's severe emotional trauma and inability to live a normal life must be taken seriously.
Nerd narrative
There is a 1% chance that Sam Altman will run for president of the US before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Study: 'Toxic Male Technique' Could Curb Mosquito Population, Disease Spread
Researchers at Macquarie University have developed a new mosquito control method called the Toxic Male Technique (TMT), which involves genetically engineering male mosquitoes to produce venomous proteins in their semen.
According to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, the technique targets female mosquitoes specifically because they are the only sex of the species that bite and spread diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus.
Initial trials using fruit flies demonstrated a reduction in lifespan among the females who mated with modified males of between 37 and 64%, with researchers aiming to achieve similar results in mosquitoes.
Narrative A
TNT is a revolutionary approach to disease control that could work as quickly as pesticides without harming beneficial species. The method offers a targeted solution to combat the growing global health crisis of mosquito-borne diseases that affects millions annually.
Narrative B
While the approach offers advantages over existing methods like the sterile insect technique, mosquitoes are essential pollinators and an important food source for fish and bats. Eradicating the insects could have dangerous consequences, as broader ecosystem health directly impacts human health outcomes through complex environmental interactions.
Nerd narrative
There's a 23% chance that, if a global catastrophe occurs, it will be due to biotechnology or bioengineered organisms, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
NHTSA Probes Tesla's Smart Summon After Multiple Crashes
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into approximately 2.6M Tesla vehicles equipped with the Actually Smart Summon feature, which enables remote vehicle movement.
This investigation follows multiple reported incidents where Tesla vehicles operating under Smart Summon failed to detect posts or parked vehicles, resulting in collisions. Users were unable to prevent crashes due to limited line of sight or reaction time.
This probe encompasses Tesla Models S and X (2016-2025), Model 3 (2017-2025), and Model Y (2020-2025) vehicles equipped with the Full Self-Driving driver assistance system.
Narrative A
The Smart Summon feature is obviously a work-in-progress and the company shouldn't be allowing vehicle owners to use it. It's suspicious that Tesla hasn't reported any crashes while social media is filled with examples. Problems stemming from Tesla's reliance on cameras for navigation should concern users of other Tesla features.
Narrative B
Don't be fooled by some social media posts.The Smart Summon feature represents a significant advancement in autonomous vehicle technology. It's designed specifically for private property use, such as parking lots and driveways. It comes with clear user guidelines and safety protocols in place and, if used responsibly, is completely safe.
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released From Iranian Prison
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been freed from an Iranian prison after three weeks in detention and returned home to Italy on Wednesday.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Foreign Minister and Deputy Minister Antonio Tajani, and Sala's parents welcomed her home upon her arrival at the Roman airport.
Sala, a writer and podcaster who works for the newspaper Il Foglio and the podcast company Chora Media, had been in Tehran on a regular journalist visa to report on recent changes in Iranian society when she was detained on Dec. 19, and was accused of violating Iranian law.
Anti-Iran narrative
This is likely an example of hostage diplomacy, and Sala was probably taken in order to be used as a bargaining chip for the return of Abedini. This violates international norms and highlights the dangers that journalists, particularly female journalists, face while reporting on Iran's repressive regime.
Pro-Iran narrative
Sala was not used as a pawn, despite claims otherwise by those with a bias against Tehran. Her case and the case of Abedini are completely unrelated. She was arrested for breaking the laws of the country she was in, not for political reasons.
Report: Palestinian Used as 'Human Shield' Killed by Israeli Commander
Israeli media reported this week that an Israeli commander allegedly killed a Palestinian who had been used as a "human shield" during military operations in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. The Palestinian man had been forced to search buildings.
The practices have reportedly been commonplace in Gaza, with Israeli forces using local Palestinians to enter buildings and tunnels before Israeli troops follow. The military has not denied that the practice has occurred but has said that it is prohibited.
In this case, the commander was part of the Nahal Brigade and did not realize that the Palestinian he killed was authorized to be near Israeli forces. Israeli authorities confirmed the incident and said that they would launch an internal investigation.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israeli forces must immediately investigate these incidents of using Palestinians as human shields, as the practice is illegal under international law. Unlike its enemies, Israel works to investigate violations committed by its forces in good faith.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel has been using Palestinians as human shields as part of an unofficial yet systematic policy for decades. Talk of "investigations" is pointless, as said investigations almost never result in anything meaningful. This case only adds to the pile of evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.