Iranian Singer Flogged 74 Times for Anti-Hijab Protest Song
Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi received 74 lashes at Branch Four of the Tehran Moral Security Prosecutor's Office as part of his sentence for releasing a protest song titled "Roosarito" (Your Headscarf) that encouraged women to remove their hijabs.
"Today, the final part of the verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court -- 74 lashes -- was fully and completely implemented at branch 4 of the office for enforcement of judgments of the Tehran moral security prosecutor," his lawyer Zahra Minouei wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "The case was closed," she added.
Yarrahi was arrested in August 2023 and sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years and eight months in prison, along with the flogging sentence, for charges including defying "the morals and customs of the Islamic society."
Pro-Iran narrative
The flogging sentence serves as a necessary deterrent against those who promote illegal activities and challenge Islamic society's morals and customs, maintaining social order and religious values through proper enforcement of established laws.
Anti-Iran narrative
This medieval-style punishment is a brutal act of state repression against artistic expression and women's rights, proving that for every act of violence against protesters, more voices will rise against oppression and nothing will stop this revolution.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Iran will cease to be an Islamic Republic by December 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
New Zealand Sacks UK Envoy Over Trump Remarks
New Zealand sacked its High Commissioner to the UK on Thursday, after the diplomat made remarks questioning US Pres. Donald Trump's grasp of history in public remarks earlier in the week.
In an event in London on Tuesday, Phil Goff compared Trump's push for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war to the 1938 Munich Agreement that allowed Adolf Hitler to annex part of Czechoslovakia.
Goff went on to quote Sir Winston Churchill's famous rebuke of then British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain for signing the agreement, before stating: "Pres. Trump has restored the bust of Churchill to the Oval Office. But do you think he really understands history?"
Pro-establishment narrative
These comments from a senior diplomat are deeply disappointing and do not represent the government of New Zealand. Goff should have known that such remarks about a world leader, irrespective of who it is, are inappropriate from a representative of the New Zealand government and make his continued position untenable.
Establishment-critical narrative
There are clear comparisons between the situation in 1938 and the current Russia-Ukraine war. Goff was not wrong to point these out and the experienced diplomat should not be let go just for making accurate observations.
Nerd narrative
There's a 23% chance that Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom will adopt a free-movement treaty before 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Study: Aspirin May Stop Some Cancers from Spreading
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered the mechanism behind how aspirin could prevent metastasis of some cancers by enhancing the immune system's ability to attack spreading cancer cells.
In a study published in Nature, the research team screened 810 genes in mice and identified that the protein ARHGEF1 suppresses T-cells, which are crucial immune cells responsible for recognizing and destroying metastatic cancer cells that have broken away from primary tumors.
Scientists found that ARHGEF1 is activated when T-cells are exposed to thromboxane A2 (TXA2), a clotting factor produced by blood platelets. Aspirin works by reducing TXA2 production, thereby freeing T-cells to attack cancer cells more effectively.
Narrative A
This discovery offers a potentially accessible and affordable option for preventing cancer spread, particularly during the crucial window when cancer cells are most vulnerable to immune attack. This could significantly improve outcomes for early-stage cancer patients.
Narrative B
While the findings are promising, aspirin's serious side effects — including gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach ulcers — mean it's not suitable for everyone. More research is needed to identify which patients would benefit most from this treatment approach.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that there will be a breakthrough in the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers by January 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
White House Denies Plan to Revoke Ukrainian Refugees' Status
US Pres. Donald Trump's administration has denied a Reuters report claiming that he plans to revoke temporary legal status for around 240K Ukrainians who fled to the US, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing it as "fake news" and stating no decision has been made.
According to anonymous sources, the reported plan was part of a broader effort to strip legal status from more than 1.8M migrants who entered under former Pres. Joe Biden's humanitarian parole programs, including 530K Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans.
On Jan. 20, Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate all categorical parole programs. He has also paused processing Biden-era immigration-related applications — including the Uniting for Ukraine program, which allowed Ukrainians to work and receive health insurance for two years.
Democratic narrative
Trump's xenophobic agenda has become even more ruthless. On top of his original plan to deport half a million people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela who are escaping violence and persecution, he's going to pull the rug out from under 240K Ukrainians. With complete disregard for Zelenskyy's peace pleas and past US government policies, Trump has chosen to side with authoritarian regimes over their victims.
Republican narrative
Biden prioritized a surge of Ukrainian refugees — straining an already overloaded system. If Trump wants to achieve his deportation goal, he has to hire new personnel to lead it, as the current leadership has failed to enforce 1.5M existing orders. President Trump is taking on an immigration emergency head-on; all options are on the table but no firm decision has been made on this issue at the moment.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the US will remove an average of 521K noncitizens annually during the fiscal years 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Greek Prime Minister Faces No-Confidence Vote After Protests Over 2023 Train Disaster
Greece's center-right government under the leadership of Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis is set to face a no-confidence vote on Friday, which is expected to fail as his New Democracy party holds 156 seats in the 300-member Hellenic Parliament.
This comes as the socialist PASOK, with the support of three other leftist parties and independent lawmakers, filed a motion of censure against the government on Wednesday, claiming that recent protests show that society believes that the government is responsible for the 2023 Tempi train crash that killed 57 people.
Protesters were rallying across the country on Wednesday to call for politicians to be held accountable for the head-on collision between a passenger train and a freight train in northern Greece, with clashes erupting in Athens' Syntagma Square hours after the opposition challenged the government.
Narrative A
Millions of Greek citizens are out on the streets across the country to protest an illegitimate government that has failed to bring justice for the victims of the Tempi disaster, and even worse, covered up evidence of the crash. As Mitsotákis lacks the personal integrity to resign, this no-confidence vote represents hope for the nation.
Narrative B
This is the second time that PASOK has politicized the Tempi tragedy and exploited public grief and the suffering of victims and their loved ones to try to hurt Prime Minister Mitsotákis. While it's true that his leadership is facing growing public distrust over a plethora of other issues, there's still no widespread support for a snap election.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the next Greek legislative elections will take place by July 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: 36 Firms Responsible for 50% of Global CO2 Emissions
An analysis from Carbon Majors has revealed that 36 major fossil fuel companies were responsible for more than 20B tons of CO2 emissions in 2023, accounting for over half of global carbon emissions. Saudi Aramco was the largest single emitter, at 4.38%.
State-owned enterprises dominated the list of top emitters, with 16 of the 20 highest-emitting companies being state-owned, including eight Chinese companies that produce more than 17% of all global emissions.
The five largest state-owned emitters — Saudi Aramco, Coal India, CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co., and Jinneng Group — were responsible for 17.4% of all CO2 emissions in 2023, while the top five investor-owned companies — ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and BP — accounted for 4.9% of global emissions.
Narrative A
The fossil fuel industry continues to prioritize profits over planetary health, with companies expanding production despite clear scientific evidence of climate damage. These corporations can't be trusted to self-regulate or lead the transition to renewable energy — making government intervention essential for addressing the climate crisis.
Narrative B
State-owned companies, not private corporations, are the primary drivers of global emissions, accounting for more than half of fossil fuel and cement-linked emissions. While facing criticism, these entities must balance environmental concerns with their citizens' economic development and energy security needs.
Nerd narrative
There's an 18% chance that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry will exceed 20 gigatons per year in 2100, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
House Censures Rep. Al Green After Trump Speech Disruption
The US House voted 224-198-2 to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) on Thursday for disrupting Pres. Donald Trump's address to Congress on Tuesday. He is now the 28th House member to receive this formal rebuke.
During Trump's speech, Green stood up, waved his cane, and shouted that the president had "no mandate," leading Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to have him removed from the chamber after multiple warnings.
Ten moderate Democrats joined all Republicans in supporting the censure, while Green and two other Democrats voted "present," highlighting divisions within the Democratic Party over protest tactics.
Republican narrative
Al Green knew exactly what he was doing by repeatedly interrupting an official presidential address, which is why he said he was prepared for what would come of his actions. Ten Democrats also knew his behavior violated congressional rules, rightly voting to censure him. As for the Democrats opposed to this vote, their "We Shall Overcome" singing only exposes their poor tactics even more.
Democratic narrative
A censure can't take away the remarkable impact Al Green made on Tuesday by simply standing up to Trump for a couple of minutes. Trump has successfully implemented a large chunk of the Project 2025 agenda at a terrifyingly fast pace. If it takes a censure to finally wake America up to Trump's attack on American workers, so be it.
Nerd narrative
There is a 24% chance that major components of the Affordable Care Act will be repealed or curtailed before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Threatens Hamas, Palestinians in Gaza if Hostages Not Released
US Pres. Donald Trump said via social media on Wednesday that Hamas must release all living and dead hostages "or it is OVER for you," adding that the US will give Israel "everything it needs to finish the job."
Trump called for Hamas' leadership to leave Gaza. He also said "to the People of Gaza: A beautiful Future awaits, but not if you hold Hostages. If you do, you are DEAD!"
Separately, US officials confirmed that the US was engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas over the release of American hostages among other issues. Officials indicated that talks have been positive, though Israel said it was unaware of any progress.
Pro-establishment narrative
Both sides need to make concessions so that the cease-fire can continue. Nonetheless, halting aid entering Gaza risks escalating the situation and exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the strip. For the hostages to be released, Netanyahu should stop playing politics.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel has consistently negotiated in good faith with Hamas, a terror group, but the situation is reaching a point at which further talks are pointless. Hamas has been the main obstacle to peace throughout the war and now is no different. If the terror group does not agree to release more hostages and work with Israel and the US, the war must resume in the coming days.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though the Western media is blaming Hamas for Israel's blatant violations of the cease-fire, the reality is Netanyahu was never interested in ending the war or freeing the hostages. Hamas has followed the cease-fire, largely ignoring Israeli violations such as killing civilians, yet the US is backing Israel's attempts to starve Gaza again and commit even more war crimes in the delusional belief that this will save the hostages.
Nerd narrative
There's a 12% chance that the Gaza war will end and significant progress will be made towards a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict before January 1, 2030, according to the Metaculus preduction community.
Trump Suspends Mexico Tariffs Until April
US Pres. Donald Trump announced Thursday the suspension of tariffs on Mexican goods falling under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) until Apr. 2, following a conversation with Mexican Pres. Claudia Sheinbaum, marking a shift in his recent trade policy.
The suspension comes as part of a series of Trump trade policy adjustments, including a decision Wednesday to temporarily exempt Mexican and Canadian carmakers from 25% import taxes.
The USMCA, established during Trump's first term, covers 34 chapters, including automobiles, dairy, lumber, and financial services, with goods worth billions crossing North American borders daily. Other goods that could be impacted include gas, plastics, and metals.
Republican narrative
This news exemplifies Trump's clever strategy perfectly. His tariff threats were always real, but only to the extent that Mexico and Canada refused to make economic and border security changes. As both countries have begun to make changes, Trump is switching to the carrot approach after months of using the stick. Trump understands that free trade is good so long as other countries aren't unfairly advantaged by it.
Democratic narrative
Trump's tariffs aren't a brilliant tactic but a flawed idea he's now rethinking. After promising to boost working-class incomes, his tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China — which were effectively a tax hike on Americans — have sparked retaliation, tanked stocks, and raised prices on essential goods. Facing pushback from his own party and businesses, Trump's chaotic cat-and-mouse games show he's realizing tariffs hurt more than they help.
Nerd narrative
There is a 13% chance that the US Congress will pass a bill implementing Trump's tariff policies in 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.