Delta Plane Flips at Toronto Airport, 18 Injured in Crash
A Delta Air Lines Flight 4819 from Minneapolis carrying 80 people crashed and flipped onto its roof while landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday around 2:15 pm local time, resulting in 18 injuries, including three critical cases.
The Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR aircraft, operated by Delta's subsidiary Endeavor Air, had 76 passengers, including 22 Canadians and four crew members, aboard. All of them were successfully evacuated as the plane caught fire upon impact.
Emergency responders — including six fire engines from Mississauga Fire Services, two district chiefs, and 18 paramedic units from Peel Region — quickly arrived at the scene to assist in evacuation and fire suppression.
Narrative A
The recent snowfall, gusty conditions, and high traffic volume could have created potentially hazardous landing conditions, making the plane go lateral rather than straight. However, it's vital not to speculate on the cause of the crash and to be grateful that there was no loss of life and relatively minor injuries. The quick evacuation and immediate medical attention to injured passengers highlight the airport's preparedness for such emergencies.
Narrative B
It's difficult to blame weather conditions and operational pressures for the incident, as the runway was dry, and there were no crosswind conditions at the time of the crash. While the emergency response to the crash was exemplary, Canada's runways are generally safe, and it's extremely rare for a plane to flip during a landing, specific issues — including unstable approaches — must be addressed to avoid such accidents in the future.
Meta Unveils World's Longest Subsea Cable Project
Meta has announced plans to construct a 50K-kilometer submarine cable system that will be the world's longest, surpassing the company's previous record-holding 2Africa cable spanning 45K kilometers, in a design dubbed Project Waterworth.
The cable system will connect five continents, with confirmed landing points in the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa, utilizing 24 fiber pairs compared to the typical 8-to-16 pairs in other systems.
Project Waterworth will be deployed at depths of up to 7K meters and incorporate enhanced burial techniques in high-risk areas near coastlines to protect against damage from ship anchors and other hazards.
Narrative A
This project will strengthen global digital infrastructure by opening three new oceanic corridors with abundant, high-speed connectivity needed to drive AI innovation worldwide. The cable system will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and create opportunities for technological development in connected regions. This infrastructure expansion is crucial, as AI continues to transform industries and societies globally.
Narrative B
The shift from traditional telecom companies to tech giants building their own cable infrastructure raises concerns about market concentration in digital markets. Large technology companies are increasingly controlling critical communication infrastructure independently, which may have significant implications for policy makers and digital market competition.
Nerd narrative
There's a 24% chance that China will cut half or more of the undersea cables that connect Taiwan to the internet before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Israel to Maintain Five Border Points in Lebanon
Israel has begun withdrawing most of its forces from South Lebanon while maintaining control of five strategic hilltop locations along the border, despite the Feb. 18 withdrawal deadline stipulated under the cease-fire agreement brokered by the US and France.
The Lebanese Army has deployed to around a dozen villages and border areas, including the border towns of Kfarkela, Yaroun, and Maroun El Ras, while engineering units work to remove unexploded ordnance and repair damaged infrastructure.
The November cease-fire agreement required Israeli troops to withdraw entirely from South Lebanon, with Hezbollah expected to withdraw north of the Litani River and hand over the area to the Lebanese Army and UN.
Pro-establishment narrative
Though the cease-fire in South Lebanon is fragile, it's paramount that the agreement holds so that conflict between Israel and Hezbollah isn't reignited. Israel will withdraw from Lebanon, though both sides have likely violated the cease-fire in some cases. Nonetheless, this war must come to a permanent end.
Pro-Israel narrative
Hezbollah hasn't been defeated and is quickly reemerging along Israel's border. Indeed, the "cease-fire" only served to give Hezbollah cover and time to organize when it was in disarray following Israel's destruction of its leadership. Hezbollah is exploiting the situation to make political gains in Beirut and reassert its presence in the south, thus why Israel must maintain these points along the border.
Narrative C
Israel is violating the cease-fire, and the Lebanese government is allowing them to do so. Indeed, this new government, handpicked by the US and Saudi Arabia, is more concerned with tying the hands of the Lebanese resistance to protect Israel than it is with maintaining Lebanon's sovereignty.
US, Russia Hold Talks for First Time Since 2021
Diplomatic talks between the US and Russia have commenced in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with delegations led by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The meeting marks the first official discussions between the two countries since 2021.
The US Department of State announced after the meeting that the two nations agreed to create a consultation mechanism to "address irritants" to their bilateral relationship, and to appoint "high-level teams" to work towards peace in Ukraine. Rubio also told AP News they had agreed to restore respective embassy staff.
The US delegation included National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Stephen Witkoff, while Russia was also represented by presidential aide Yury Ushakov and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev.
Anti-Trump narrative
Negotiating with Russia over Ukraine is futile and dangerous. Putin has consistently acted in bad faith, and any "peace" deal would likely result in Ukraine being left vulnerable to further aggression. The idea that the war can be settled diplomatically undermines the necessity of a clear Ukrainian victory. Only decisive military defeat of Russia will ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and preserve international order. Negotiations now would just embolden future conflicts.
Pro-Trump narrative
The world owes Donald Trump a debt of gratitude for preventing World War Three through his decisive peace talks with Russia over Ukraine. By engaging with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump is bringing an end to a devastating conflict that should've never begun, restoring hope for a peaceful future. His leadership, prioritizing diplomacy and reducing US involvement in foreign wars, secures stability and avoids further unnecessary bloodshed.
Pro-Russia narrative
Though Zelenskyy resists, Ukraine’s fate is no longer his to decide. The country lies devastated, abandoned by millions and reliant on foreign aid. Zelenskyy, a puppet of European ideological interests, opposes a US-led Russian peace deal, but his voice now holds no weight. Russia has consistently sought an end to the West's antagonism, and Trump’s peace talks with Putin must secure a common-sense solution confirming Ukraine’s future as a neutral, non-NATO state.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that a bilateral ceasefire or a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine will be reached by September 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Australia Cuts Rates For First Time in 4 Years
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduced its cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.10% on Tuesday, marking its first rate cut since November 2020, as inflation showed signs of easing more quickly than expected.
The decision came after Australia's headline inflation fell to 2.4% in the December quarter from 2.8% in the previous quarter, while the trimmed mean measure fell to 3.2% from 3.6%, indicating progress toward the 2-3% target range.
All four major Australian banks — Commonwealth Bank, NAB, Westpac, and ANZ — have announced that they will pass on the full rate cut to borrowers, with changes taking effect from late February to early March.
Narrative A
The RBA's decision to cut rates to 4.1% arrives as a perfectly timed balm for mortgage-stressed households, offering welcome relief. With inflation cooling and unemployment holding steady at 4%, the RBA's patient approach has paid off, allowing them to ease the burden on struggling families while maintaining economic stability. Major banks' swift adoption of the full cut further amplifies its positive impact.
Narrative B
The RBA's rate cut may prove dangerously premature, risking a potential inflation resurgence that could force even steeper hikes later. With core inflation still at 3.3%, a robust job market, and persistent labor shortages driving wage pressures, the decision seems more politically expedient than economically sound. The short-term relief it may result in could lead to a "disaster situation" requiring much more painful corrections.
Nerd narrative
There is a 33.3% chance Australia will enter a recession before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Social Security Chief Quits Over DOGE Data Access Dispute
Sources on Monday revealed that Michelle King, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), resigned last weekend after refusing to grant the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) access to sensitive personal data of Social Security recipients.
Subsequently, US Pres. Donald Trump appointed Leland Dudek, manager of SSA's anti-fraud office, as acting commissioner. Frank Bisignano, Trump's nominee for the permanent position, is awaiting Senate confirmation.
The SSA manages pension payments for over 70M Americans, with annual payments totaling approximately $1.5T, representing about one-fifth of federal spending.
Democratic narrative
DOGE seems determined to break the Social Security system and leave many of its recipients in the lurch. Allowing DOGE the type of data access that forced King to quit is dangerous and something must be done to make sure Dudek, a Trump loyalist, doesn't help DOGE finish its job before a permanent SSA head can be confirmed.
Republican narrative
DOGE needs this data to root out widespread fraud. King's departure will actually aid DOGE's mission because Dudek is a fraud expert who's on the same page with the administration. This is all being done in the name of protecting taxpayer dollars while ensuring legitimate beneficiaries continue receiving their benefits.
NYC Deputy Mayors Resign as Governor Weighs Adams' Removal
Four top New York City deputy mayors — First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, and Deputy Mayors Anne Williams-Isom, Meera Joshi, and Chauncey Parker — Monday submitted their resignations, citing recent "extraordinary events."
The resignations follow the US Justice Department (DOJ) recently dismissing corruption charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams, which prompted several federal prosecutors to resign in protest over speculation that it was part of a quid-pro-quo with Pres. Donald Trump.
In addition, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul announced she would convene city leaders Tuesday to discuss the path forward, acknowledging her constitutional power to remove Adams while noting such action has never been taken against a mayor in the state's 235-year history.
Democratic narrative
New Yorkers must have justice in the Adams corruption case. Since the president has blocked that from happening, it's up to the state to rectify the issue politically. No federal official should interfere in state or city business, and if Hochul deems it necessary, she should remove Adams from power before her constituents lose faith in the system.
Republican narrative
If Democrats are worried that voters will lose faith in democracy, then the last thing Hochul should do is remove Adams from office. The Trump administration dropping charges against Adams was nothing worse than the DOJ bringing the preposterous charges against the mayor in the first place. Removing Adams could make him more popular.
Former Argentine President Charged With Domestic Gender Violence
A federal judge in Argentina accepted gender-based violence charges against the country's former Pres. Alberto Fernández on Monday, including aggravated serious assault, several counts of aggravated minor assault, and coercive threats against his former partner, Fabiola Yáñez.
Judge Julián Ercolini wrote in a 184-page ruling that there was enough evidence that Fernández systematically perpetrated violence against Yáñez from 2016 to August 2024 (escalating after she got pregnant in mid-2021) to proceed with charges. If convicted, he faces up to 18 years in prison.
Fernández has been ordered to pay 10M pesos (about $8K at the unofficial "blue dollar" rate) and not to contact Yáñez or approach within 500 meters of her. Meanwhile, a pre-trial arrest was dismissed and a travel ban on the former president was lifted.
Narrative A
While in office, Fernández expressed empathy for women who endured gender violence in Argentina. He called on his fellow countrymen to denounce the violent ones. Now it turns out that the self-proclaimed feminist leader was merely a hypocrite whose actions betrayed his speech.
Narrative B
Just because he's been charged doesn't mean that Fernández has been convicted. As the former president insists that he is the victim of a politically-motivated judicial persecution to tarnish his reputation, one should avoid jumping to conclusions before a verdict.
Pope Francis Battles Double Pneumonia Amid Complex Health Crisis
After he was initially admitted to Rome's Gemelli Hospital with worsening bronchitis, the Vatican said Tuesday that Pope Francis, 88, has developed bilateral pneumonia affecting both lungs, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.
Medical tests revealed a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract, complicated by bronchiectasis and asthmatic bronchitis, necessitating a combination of antibiotic and cortisone therapy to address the complex clinical picture.
The Pope's medical history includes partial lung removal in his youth, hospitalizations for bronchitis in March 2023, abdominal surgery later that year, and various mobility issues requiring wheelchair use.
Left narrative
As Pope Francis battles yet another wave of health issues, from respiratory infections to abdominal surgeries, it's important to remember how much he's given the world despite these obstacles. He's continuously preached kindness and decency in the face of growing fascism across the West, choosing to fight against anti-immigrant and anti-environment sentiments with the wise words of the gospel.
Right narrative
While everyone should pray for Pope Francis' health, what seems to be the closing chapter of his papacy should also come with serious reflection. Francis has not only condemned sovereign, God-fearing countries like the US for promoting their own best interest, but he's let left-wing radicals, particularly on LGBT and immigration issues, go unquestioned. The Church needs a strong leader who believes in his Church, something Francis has not been.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the Catholic Church will elect a new Pope by December 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.