China Hosts Iran Nuclear Talks Amid US-Tehran Tensions
High-level talks on Iran's nuclear program kicked off in China's capital, Beijing on Friday, attended by senior diplomats from Iran, Russia, and China, with Beijing reportedly expressing hopes for a "diplomatic" solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.
During the meeting, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Alexeyevich Ryabkov, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi called for an end to all unilateral sanctions against Tehran, which they consider illegal.
China, Russia, and Iran emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution to resolve Iran's nuclear issue, calling for abandoning pressure or the threat of force and not taking any measures that could lead to an escalation of the situation.
Anti-Iran narrative
Iran's nuclear program poses a significant international security threat, as Tehran is rapidly expanding its uranium enrichment capabilities while rejecting diplomatic solutions. This requires a decisive response from the free world through sanctions and potential military options to prevent the Iranian regime from getting its hands on nuclear weapons.
Pro-Iran narrative
Western sanctions and pressure tactics are illegal unilateral measures violating international law, while Iran defends its legitimate right to the peaceful development of nuclear energy. The days when the US bullied Global South countries into submission are over, and Tehran will never bow to threats and only engage in negotiations based on mutual respect.
Nerd narrative
There is an 8% chance that Iran will possess a nuclear weapon before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
98 Arrested at Trump Tower Protest Over Palestinian Student's Detention
About 150 protesters from Jewish Voice for Peace, wearing red T-shirts and opposing Israel's actions in Gaza, occupied Trump Tower's lobby in Manhattan Thursday, demanding the release of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil.
Protesters' T-shirts carried messages including "Jews say stop arming Israel" and "Fight Nazis, not students." Demonstrators also claimed Mahmoud's arrest was "proof that we are on the brink of a full takeover by a repressive, authoritarian regime."
Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and permanent US resident, was arrested Saturday. A federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of the Syrian-born Palestinian, who is married to a US citizen who is eight months pregnant.
Pro-Israel narrative
Internal traitors pose a greater threat than external enemies. History reveals that Jews opposing Israel's legitimacy, such as Ilan Pappé, Noam Chomsky, and Naomi Klein, undermine Jewish security. By aligning with antisemitic narratives, they weaken Israel’s stability from within.
Anti-Israel narrative
Even among Jewish communities, many individuals stand with conscience against Israel’s actions, advocating peace and justice for Palestinians. Their voices highlight the urgent need for Israel to reflect on its policies and embrace a future built on equality and coexistence.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that at least 118.4K US Jews will move to Israel by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Takes Birthright Citizenship Case to Supreme Court
The Trump administration on Thursday filed emergency applications to the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS), seeking to restrict the scope of multiple lower court orders that blocked his executive order limiting birthright citizenship.
Trump signed the executive order on his first day in office, aiming to deny automatic citizenship to children born in the US if neither parent is a US citizen or lawful permanent resident. This marks a significant departure from past interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
Three federal appeals courts, including one in Massachusetts, have already rejected the administration's attempts to reinstate the birthright citizenship restrictions.
Republican narrative
The nationwide injunctions have reached epidemic proportions and are preventing the executive branch from performing its constitutional functions. Meanwhile, they're creating strong incentives for illegal immigration through the prospect of automatic citizenship for children of unauthorized immigrants.
Democratic narrative
This executive order violates the 14th Amendment and runs counter to more than 150 years of established legal precedent. Courts have consistently interpreted the citizenship clause to guarantee birthright citizenship to anyone born in the US, regardless of their parent's immigration status.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that at least 791K immigrants will obtain lawful permanent resident status in 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
EU Pledges $5.1B to South Africa Amid US Policy Tensions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €4.7B ($5.1B) investment package during the eighth EU-South Africa summit in Cape Town, focusing on clean energy transition, infrastructure development, and pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
Von der Leyen stressed that the EU — Pretoria's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa — aims to promote local jobs, value creation, and high environmental and labor standards, and not just extract raw materials "exporting profits elsewhere."
The investment announcement follows the US withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam, reducing total international pledges to $12.8B for South Africa's clean energy initiatives.
Anti-Trump narrative
The EU-South Africa partnership represents a crucial alliance in defending multilateralism and international law against rising global nationalism promoted by the Trump administration. The substantial investment package demonstrates Europe's commitment to supporting South Africa's economic growth and clean energy transition. This partnership is essential for maintaining stability and promoting shared democratic values in an increasingly uncertain world.
Pro-Trump narrative
The Trump administration's policies, including withdrawal from climate funding and imposition of trade tariffs, reflect a necessary correction to unfair international arrangements. South Africa's positions on various issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia-Ukraine war, demonstrate concerning alignment with anti-American interests. The US must protect its interests through strategic aid reductions and targeted economic measures.
Nerd narrative
There is a 10% chance that South Africa will experience a civil war, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Influencer Exits Australia After Baby Wombat Controversy
Montana-based hunting influencer Sam Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, left Australia Friday following intense backlash over a viral video showing her separating a baby wombat from its distressed mother on a roadside.
The video shows Jones scooping up the joey and running toward a camera as the mother wombat gave chase, with the baby audibly screeching in distress. Jones is then seen leaving the animal on the roadside as a man is heard laughing.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as an outrage, suggesting the influencer should instead try taking a baby crocodile from its mother, while Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced a review of Jones's visa conditions.
Narrative A
Sam Jones deserves the backlash she's facing for her reckless behavior. Disturbing a vulnerable joey and its distressed mother was irresponsible and cruel. There's no excuse for causing such fear and potential harm to these precious animals. Wildlife deserves respect, not exploitation for social media attention.
Narrative B
Sam Jones is facing an unjust wave of public outrage, with media attacks and political condemnation far outweighing the gravity of her actions. While her conduct was questionable, targeting her so harshly feels hypocritical when the government itself authorizes widespread harm to native wildlife through sanctioned killings.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that at least 25.4% of Earth's land will be protected for wildlife on Jan. 1, 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Armenia, Azerbaijan Agree on Peace Deal to Resolve Conflict
Armenia and Azerbaijan have concluded negotiations on a draft peace agreement aimed at ending nearly four decades of conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region.
On Thursday, the Armenian Foreign Ministry accepted Azerbaijan's proposals on "the two previously unresolved articles" of the draft agreement, declaring "the peace agreement is ready for signing" and expressing willingness to discuss the timing and location.
In its statement, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry acknowledged the conclusion of negotiations but said that Armenia must amend its constitution to "eliminate the claims against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan" before the agreement can be signed.
Narrative A
Armenia has shown flexibility by accepting proposals on critical issues, including the non-deployment of third-country forces along the border and the mutual withdrawal of international legal claims. There had been no discussions regarding Baku's demand that Armenia amend its constitution. Setting such preconditions isn't a positive development.
Narrative B
Azerbaijan is ready to continue the bilateral dialogue on issues related to the normalization process between the two countries. However, constitutional amendments in Armenia and the abolishment of the obsolete and dysfunctional Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group are non-negotiable prerequisites for signing the peace agreement.
Narrative C
This is a historic opportunity to normalize relations and establish lasting peace in the region. In line with the Statute of the Council of Europe, Armenia, and Azerbaijan must ensure the smooth completion of this deal to end their long-standing dispute and ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both countries.
Nerd narrative
There's a 20% chance that Azerbaijan will invade Armenia before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Schumer Backs GOP Funding Bill
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Thursday announced he would vote for the Republican-crafted six-month government funding bill, a shift from his earlier opposition that could potentially avoid a government shutdown that would begin at midnight Friday.
The House-passed continuing resolution, which was narrowly passed Tuesday by the Republican majority, would freeze spending at current levels. But it reallocates funds to Trump administration priorities, requiring at least eight Senate Democrats to join Republicans to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to pass.
A potential shutdown would furlough nearly 900K federal workers without pay, while requiring 1.4M essential employees to work, with about 750K of them continuing to receive pay through other funding sources.
Republican narrative
It's about time Democratic leadership accepted that voting in favor of this bill — which maintains fiscal discipline while funding essential government services — is better than causing a government shutdown. Any complaints Schumer has about a lack of bipartisanship are invalid because of the partisan way he ran the Senate when he was majority leader.
Democratic narrative
This was a nearly impossible decision to make, but if Democrats don't back this bill and allow the government to shut down they'll be playing right into Pres. Trump and Elon Musk's hands. Democrats need to be honest with constituents, who need to know Republicans might not reopen the government if there's a shutdown.
Progressive narrative
The Democrats' support for this disastrous GOP-backed bill is a tremendous mistake. Trump and Musk are already dismantling the federal government, and this will end any chance of checking their power. Schumer should use the filibuster the way Republicans did in prior Senate terms.
Nerd narrative
There's a 20.4% chance that Republicans will maintain the majority in the US Senate and House after the 2026 midterm elections, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Peru Passes Law Regulating NGO Operations
Peru's Congress has approved a reform to the international cooperation law that prevents civil society and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from taking legal action against the state for any alleged human rights abuses.
The legislation, adopted Wednesday by Congress, modifies the 2002 legislation that established the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI). It regulates the oversight of international aid that NGOs receive.
The legislation expands the APCI's powers, making it a serious offense with fines of up to $500K for NGOs to litigate or legally support cases against the government, both nationally and internationally.
Narrative A
The law enhances transparency and accountability in NGO operations. It prevents organizations from operating without proper oversight and using international cooperation funds for their benefit at the expense of Peru's poorest citizens. It also ensures that development aid reaches its intended beneficiaries rather than being used against state interests.
Narrative B
This legislation is a severe violation of constitutional rights and democratic principles, effectively silencing civil society organizations and preventing vulnerable populations from accessing justice. It creates a climate of repression that threatens the independence of non-profit organizations working to defend human rights.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that Peru will experience a successful coup d'état before 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Meta Adopts X's Fact-Checking Algorithm for New 'Community Notes' System
Meta on Thursday announced it will begin testing Community Notes on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads posts starting March 18, with approximately 200K potential contributors already signed up across the US.
The company will utilize X's open-source algorithm as the foundation for its rating system, allowing Meta to build upon and improve the existing technology for its own platforms.
Contributors must be over 18 years old, have accounts more than six months old in good standing, and either possess a verified phone number or use two-factor authentication to participate in the program.
Right narrative
The shift to Community Notes represents a necessary evolution in content moderation, replacing a politically biased fact-checking system with a more scalable, community-driven approach. This will allow diverse perspectives to contribute to truth-seeking, while restoring free expression on social media platforms.
Left narrative
The new system raises significant concerns about its effectiveness, as similar implementations have shown limitations — including slow response times, low visibility, and potential exploitation by coordinated groups. The removal of distribution penalties could allow misinformation to spread more rapidly.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that the US will break up Meta Platforms by Dec. 31, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.