US Judge Extends Ban on Deportation of Pro-Palestine Activist Mahmoud Khalil
A US judge on Wednesday further extended the ban on the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestine activist who led campus protests at Columbia University and was detained by federal immigration authorities over the weekend.
Khalil, 30, is of Palestinian descent but was born in Syria. He arrived in the US in 2022 on a student visa and has become a legal permanent resident, known as a green card holder, after marrying a US citizen — currently eight months pregnant — in 2023. He completed his master's degree at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs in December.
After his arrest by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials at his university-owned residence on Saturday, Khalil was initially taken to a detention center in New Jersey before being taken to another center in Louisiana — more than 1.3K miles away.
Establishment-critical narrative
For simply expressing his political views, Khalil was snatched off the street, taken to a detention center, and now faces the threat of expulsion. This bears all the hallmarks of authoritarian regimes and it is incompatible with the First Amendment. Every American, irrespective of whether they agree with his views, should be worried by these developments.
Pro-establishment narrative
This has nothing to do with free speech. Khalil circulated Hamas propaganda and leaflets and, as such, was providing material support to a designated terror organization. Besides, it has nothing to do with free speech when the protest movement Khalil led engaged in vandalism and made Jewish students feel unsafe on campus.
Nerd narrative
There's a 61% chance that the US will score in the bottom 50% for academic freedom in 2025 (according to the Academic Freedom Index), according to the Metaculus prediction community.
UK: Starmer Scraps NHS England, Pushes Civil Service AI Reform in State Shakeup
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the British state is the "weakest its ever been" as he announced reforms — including £45B in projected savings through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Civil Service, and the scrapping of NHS England — in a speech Monday.
The government will recruit 2K new tech apprentices to boost AI adoption in Whitehall, while establishing a principle that no civil servant should spend time on tasks that AI can perform better and faster to the same standard.
The NHS in England will also be brought back under direct government control. Starmer described the body as the "the world's biggest quango," and claimed the decision was aimed at reducing bureaucracy and shifting resources to frontline services.
Left narrative
Reform should empower staff, not undermine them. Replacing civil servants with AI and scrapping NHS England will be disastrous for public services. The Civil Service has been stretched thin by challenges like Brexit and underinvestment, while NHS England was established to depoliticize the healthcare system and protect the service against the damaging impacts of government short-termism.
Right narrative
Scrapping NHS England and reforming the Civil Service are vital to curb the UK's bloated public sector. NHS England, with its vast budget and lack of accountability, has failed to boost productivity. Streamlining the civil service through that utilization of AI will cut waste and inefficiency, redirecting funds to essential services like healthcare and policing, while reducing the burden on taxpayers and boosting economic growth.
Nerd narrative
There's a 35% chance that the UK will achieve an average annual GDP growth rate of 2.5% over the current parliamentary term, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Threatens 200% Tariff on EU Alcohol
US Pres. Donald Trump threatened to impose a 200% tariff on EU wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products on Thursday unless the bloc rescinds the 50% tariff imposed Wednesday on American spirits.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump termed the EU "one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World" and said it was "formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States."
The EU's retaliatory measures, set to take effect on April 1, include tariffs on $28B worth of US goods, including boats, bourbon, and motorbikes, following Trump's implementation of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Pro-Trump narrative
The EU has taken advantage of the US through unfair trade practices and hostile tariffs, necessitating strong defensive measures to protect American businesses and workers. Additionally, by deliberately targeting products from pro-Trump states, the EU is disregarding US national security. A tough stance on trade will strengthen the American economy and force trading partners to treat the country fairly.
Pro-Europe narrative
Trade between Europe and the US has historically brought prosperity and security to millions of people on both sides of the Atlantic. Implementing tariffs will harm businesses and consumers in both regions, leading to higher prices and potential job losses. Trump's response to the EU tariff is unjust, while the EU's response to US tariffs is measured and proportionate.
Nerd narrative
There's an 85% chance that the Trump administration will impose new tariffs on the EU before April 7, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
European Measles Cases Hit 25-Year High
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the European region reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, double from the previous year, with children under five accounting for more than 40% of all cases.
Romania emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak with 30,692 cases in 2024, followed by Kazakhstan with 28,147 cases, while other European nations including Italy, Germany, Belgium, and Austria reported hundreds of cases each.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warns that cases will likely continue to rise during spring 2025, following the seasonal pattern of the disease, with 86% of infected individuals being unvaccinated. The WHO has pointed to vaccination as a primary preventive.
Left narrative
Europe had virtually no concerns over measles for 25 years. Unfortunately, thanks to a drop in vaccination rates during the COVID pandemic, coupled with the spread of anti-vaccine propaganda from certain high-profile officials, this highly infectious disease is on the rise again. Those who are unvaccinated should know that if they remain unprotected and then contract the disease, they will likely give it to over a dozen others, leading to illness or death.
Right narrative
If a drop in measles vaccine rates plays a role in this, it's the fault of the medical establishment, which lost all credibility when it pushed its mRNA jabs. Since the health establishment went overboard in forcing their experimental COVID vaccines, renewed vaccine skepticism is understandable whether the measles vaccine is effective or not. If Western public health agencies wish to remedy this problem, they must first regain constituents' trust.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that the WHO will declare measles eradicated by December 2042, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
White House Pulls CDC Nominee
US Pres. Donald Trump withdrew Dr. Dave Weldon's nomination for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coming hours before his scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. Following a Biden-era rule change, he would've been the first CDC director requiring Senate confirmation.
Weldon, a former Florida congressman and physician who served from 1995-2009, had previously questioned vaccine safety and introduced legislation to move vaccine safety research away from CDC control.
The withdrawal reportedly came after it became clear Weldon lacked sufficient Senate votes for confirmation, with key Republican senators, including Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), expressing reservations about his stance on vaccines.
Pro-establishment narrative
Dave Weldon’s nomination as CDC director was a grave misstep. His decades-long crusade against vaccines, rooted in debunked theories like the MMR-autism link, undermines public health. Promoting disgraced figures like Andrew Wakefield and ignoring science, he’s unfit to lead amid the ongoing measles outbreaks. His withdrawal spares the Trump administration a liability, offering relief to those who value evidence-based policy over conspiracy.
Establishment-critical narrative
Weldon, despite his imperfect vaccine record, would have been an excellent CDC director. His 2002 congressional critique of the CDC's refusal to share vaccine safety data highlights the corruption Americans still face today. His nomination withdrawal, just hours before his Senate hearing, strongly suggests Big Pharma's deep influence over Congress and that health authorities prioritize profit-driven agendas over open and honest scientific dialogue, stifling reform.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the average annual number of measles cases in the US from 2025 through 2030 will be at least 328, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Putin Expresses Openness to Cease-fire Proposal, Sets Conditions
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin expressed openness to a US-proposed 30-day cease-fire in Ukraine during a press conference in Moscow on Thursday, stating that "the ceasefire should lead to lasting peace and remove the root causes of the crisis."
Pointing to potential loopholes and strategic disadvantages, Putin said halting military actions could disrupt ongoing operations "along the entire line of engagement that is almost 2,000 km long" and allow Ukrainian forces a period to regroup.
Additionally, he demanded guarantees that during the proposed 30-day cease-fire, Ukraine wouldn't conduct military mobilization, train soldiers, or receive weapons from Western allies. This comes as US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for high-level talks.
Pro-Russia narrative
Trump's plan doesn't address concerns about monitoring and verification mechanisms along the 2K-kilometer frontline, how violations would be determined, and who would be responsible for enforcement. The cease-fire proposal is merely a tactical pause that would allow Ukrainian forces to regroup, rearm, and strengthen their positions along the frontline, potentially undermining Russia's military advantages and territorial gains.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
Putin's list of outlandish demands shows he isn't okay with the idea of ending the conflict peacefully. Ukraine demonstrates genuine commitment to achieving peace by accepting the US-proposed cease-fire terms, while Russia's hesitation and numerous conditions show its intent to prolong the conflict and postpone a peaceful resolution. The road to any temporary pause or long-term peace agreement remains treacherous.
Nerd narrative
There's a 75% chance that there will be a bilateral cease-fire in the Russo-Ukraine conflict before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Clashes Erupt at Retirees' Protest in Argentina, 150 People Arrested
Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced that 150 people were arrested on Wednesday as the weekly retirees' protest outside Congress in Buenos Aires against pension cuts ended up in violent clashes with security forces. Most of those detained were released shortly after.
This comes as so-called "barra bravas," or supporters from many Argentine soccer clubs, joined pensioners after a video of police appearing to beat an elderly man in a soccer jersey in a previous protest went viral, with the Associated Press reporting that fighting broke out upon the arrival of a large contingent of Boca Juniors' fans.
Hundreds of people were injured in the clashes, including demonstrators, journalists and police officers. Freelancer photographer Pablo Grillo was left in an induced coma after being hit in the head by a tear gas canister in an incident caught on camera.
Left narrative
As Argentina's far-right president pushes his austerity agenda, millions have been driven into poverty — and retirees are the ones suffering the most amid public expenditure cuts. Despite triple-digit inflation last year, pensioners received a boost of mere 300 pesos per day — less than 30 cents. This situation is unsustainable.
Right narrative
Milei is leading an economic miracle in Argentina, one that has driven the country out of a hyperinflation spiral and achieved the first budget surplus in more than a decade. Challenges do persist, though, including in further increasing the purchasing power of the people, but violent protests are just another stunt by the opposition.
Nerd narrative
There's a 60% chance that Javier Milei will be re-elected as president of Argentina before January 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: Amazon Rainforest Cleared for COP30 Climate Summit Highway
A new four-lane highway called Avenida Liberdade is being constructed through a protected area of the Amazon rainforest, allegedly to accommodate the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Pará state, Brazil, where more than 50K attendees, including world leaders, are expected in November.
The eight-mile highway has resulted in the clearing of tens of thousands of acres of rainforest, with heavy machinery removing trees and paving over wetlands, despite the area's protected status and previous environmental concerns that had delayed the project since 2012.
Some local officials said the highway is sustainable and will include eco-friendly features such as wildlife crossings, bike lanes, and solar lighting — part of 30 projects to modernize Belém for the summit. While the Pará state supported the initial construction proposal, officials now deny any links to the current project, saying construction began five years ago, before the summit's location was decided.
Pro-establishment narrative
While concerns over Amazon tree felling are valid, Brazil’s highway for COP30, with eco-friendly features like wildlife crossings and solar lighting, aims to balance progress and preservation. Furthermore, the highway will provide alternative transportation to riverboats amid the region's current drought. Its construction is also essential to holding COP30 in the heart of the climate crisis, which will let skeptics witness the Amazon's disressing reality firsthand.
Establishment-critical narrative
This highway project exposes a stark hypocrisy in global climate efforts, with both left- and right-leaning critics pointing out that paving the Amazon for COP30 contradicts its eco-mission. Despite conservationists' warnings of deforestation, elites are pushing forward, jetting in to preach sustainability while slashing sacred trees. This is a glaring sign that climate leaders tout green ideals but bulldoze nature for convenience, proving their rhetoric hollow.
Nerd narrative
There is a 15% chance that Brazil will reach net zero deforestation before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Syrian President Signs New Constitution for 5-Year Transition
Syria's Interim Pres. Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a temporary constitution on Thursday, establishing a five-year transitional period following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government in December.
The temporary constitution maintains Islamic law as "the main source" of legislation, strengthening its role from the previous constitution where it was "a main source." It also requires the head of state to be Muslim — which has been the case in past constitutions — while also guaranteeing freedoms of expression and media.
Al-Sharaa recently secured a landmark agreement with the US-backed and Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria, which stipulates that the SDF will be integrated into Syria's armed forces and state institutions.
Narrative A
The new constitution strikes a crucial balance between social security and freedom during Syria's political transition — enshrining both Islamic principles and modern civil liberties including women's rights and press freedom. Sharaa has provided a clear pathway to democratic elections, and the process will be open to all Syrians.
Narrative B
This hastily organized transition process lacks genuine inclusivity, with religious and ethnic minorities skeptical of Syria's new Islamist leadership. Strengthening the role of Islamic law and the Muslim-only presidency requirement raises concerns about true democratic reform and the country's future. Though Syria is now in better hands, the principles of the revolution must be maintained.
Narrative C
Sharaa clearly wants to become a dictator under the auspices of Islamic governance. With the backing of the West, Syria has transitioned from a secular military regime to an Islamic state. Indeed, it's absurd that the West believes Syria can establish an inclusive civil state less than a week after Alawites were brutally massacred in their homes.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that Syria will be partitioned into new, internationally recognized sovereign states before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.