US Hits Record Low in Global Happiness as Finland Leads Again
Finland maintained its position as the world's happiest country for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 World Happiness Report, with other Nordic nations Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden completing the top four positions.
The United States dropped to its lowest-ever ranking at 24th place, continuing its decline from 11th place in 2012, with data showing a 53% increase in Americans eating meals alone since 2003.
Costa Rica and Mexico entered the top ten for the first time, ranking sixth and tenth respectively.
Narrative A
The 2025 World Happiness Report reinforces what we've long suspected — true happiness is rooted in strong social trust, comprehensive welfare systems, and a sense of community, rather than just financial wealth. Finland stands out as a prime example, demonstrating that universal access to high-quality healthcare, education, and social support can lead to a profoundly happy society. Investing in these areas is essential for fostering well-being and connection among people.
Narrative B
While great news for the Nordic nations, the rising trends of social isolation and political polarization in the United States, coupled with the alarming increase in solitary dining and "deaths of despair," underscore a troubling decline in national social cohesion and community bonds. This deterioration profoundly undermines American well-being and is a canary in the coal mine.
Nerd narrative
There is a 40% chance that Finland will be ranked as the happiest country by the World Happiness Report in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Greenpeace Hit with $667M Verdict in Dakota Pipeline Case
A North Dakota jury Wednesday ordered Greenpeace to pay $667M in damages for defamation, trespassing, and conspiracy to Energy Transfer over protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline in 2016 and 2017.
The decision could bankrupt Greenpeace's US arm, which is centered on protests near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where thousands gathered to oppose the pipeline over water supply contamination and sacred land preservation.
Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access accused Greenpeace of coordinating protests, paying professional protesters, providing supplies, spreading false information, trespassing, civil conspiracy, and other acts.
Left narrative
Undeterred by Energy Transfer's $660 million verdict, Greenpeace stands resolute. This legal assault—one of many by fossil fuel giants seeking to silence environmental advocacy—will not break our spirit. The fight for climate justice transcends courtroom battles; it is a movement beyond intimidation. We will continue raising our voices against those who would sacrifice our planet for profit.
Right narrative
In their zealous pursuit of environmental activism, Greenpeace has consistently undermined genuine progress. From opposing waste incinerators to blocking life-saving Golden Rice, their stubborn rejection of scientific consensus borders on dangerous fundamentalism. This $660M verdict reflects society's growing intolerance for activism that prioritizes ideology over human wellbeing.
Nerd narrative
There is a 23% chance that non-compliance with environmental and climate change policies will be cited as a cause of a war before 2073, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Signs Executive Order to Downsize Department of Education
US Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) on Thursday and directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to dramatically downsize the Department of Education (DOE) and send education to the state level. However, complete closure would require congressional approval with 60 Senate votes.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, on Thursday before the signing, said the DOE would be "much smaller" moving forward, but it would still administer student loans and Pell grants, and carry out "any critical functions," including enforcing some civil rights laws.
According to a White House summary, the EO "directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology."
Republican narrative
The federal education system has failed American students despite spending billions of dollars, with declining test scores and resources being diverted to ideological initiatives instead of core education. Returning control to states and local communities will improve educational outcomes and empower parents to make choices about their children's education.
Democratic narrative
The Dept. of Education plays a crucial role in leveling the playing field and filling opportunity gaps for all American children. Essentially dismantling public education would harm vulnerable students, increase class sizes, make higher education less accessible, and remove vital civil rights protections that ensure equal access to quality education regardless of zip code.
Nerd narrative
There's a 10% chance that the US will eliminate the Department of Education through law or presidential reorganization before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Ottawa: China Executed Four Canadians For Drug Crimes
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Wednesday that China executed four Canadian dual citizens on drug-related charges earlier this year, on "charges linked to criminal activities, according to China, linked to drugs."
As the families of the executed requested privacy, the Canadian government has withheld their identities. However, Global Affairs Canada continues to provide consular assistance to the affected families and maintains its opposition to capital punishment.
China's embassy in Ottawa defended the executions, stating the evidence was "solid and sufficient" and the cases were handled strictly by law. The PRC follows a zero-tolerance approach to drug crimes and doesn't recognize dual citizenship.
Anti-China narrative
These executions violate human dignity and highlight China's increasingly aggressive stance toward Canada. The timing and number of executions are unprecedented, suggesting a politically motivated decision rather than purely judicial process. The PRC's justice system's 99% conviction rate and lack of transparency raise serious concerns about due process.
Pro-China narrative
China maintains strict sovereignty over its judicial system and applies laws equally to all defendants regardless of nationality. The evidence against those convicted was clear and solid, with all legal procedures followed correctly and consular rights protected. These cases represent China's consistent and necessary approach to combating serious drug crimes.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that China will score at least 5.48 (out of 10) on the Human Freedom Index in 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Indonesia Expands Military's Role in Civilian Government
Indonesia's parliament on Thursday unanimously passed revisions to the "TNI" (military) law, allowing active military personnel to hold positions in 15 civilian institutions — up from a previous total of 10.
Under the new law, military personnel can now serve in additional institutions, including the National Counterterrorism Agency, the Maritime Security Agency, and the National Border Management Agency.
The amendments, backed by Pres. Prabowo Subianto's coalition, also extend the retirement ages of military personnel. Four-star generals can serve until they are 63, with possible extensions to 65.
Narrative A
These revisions align with the modern security challenges that Indonesia faces. They are essential adaptations to modern defense challenges and evolving threats, with clear oversight mechanisms in place to prevent abuse of power. The changes maintain civilian supremacy while enabling the armed forces to better protect Jakarta's national and international interests.
Narrative B
The essence of democracy is that the military should not engage in politics. These amendments represent a dangerous regression toward military authoritarianism, threatening Indonesia's democratic foundations by blurring civilian-military boundaries. The rushed implementation and expanded military presence in civilian institutions signal a disturbing return to possible military dictatorship.
Nerd narrative
There's a 1% chance that Indonesia will experience a civil war before 2036, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Kirsty Coventry Elected as First Female IOC President
Kirsty Coventry, a 41-year-old former Olympic swimmer from Zimbabwe, secured a decisive first-round victory with 49 out of 97 votes to become the International Olympic Committee's first female and first African president in its 131-year history.
Coventry will succeed Thomas Bach — who served the maximum 12-year term — and begin her eight-year mandate on June 23. She is the second-youngest IOC president after founder Pierre de Coubertin.
As a seven-time Olympic medalist who won gold in swimming at the 2004 and 2008 Games, Coventry defeated six male candidates — including World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe and Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., who received 28 votes as the runner-up.
Narrative A
Coventry is a transformative choice for the Olympic movement and will bring a fresh perspective as an athlete and proven leader who understands both competition and administration. Her election shatters multiple glass ceilings and positions the IOC to better address modern challenges while maintaining its core values of friendship, excellence, and respect.
Narrative B
Questions persist about Coventry's limited experience in managing large-scale international organizations and her political ties to Zimbabwe's controversial government, which has faced international sanctions. Moreover, there was hard lobbying on her behalf as she had been Bach's preferred candidate, showing she is a continuity candidate rather than a reformer.
Nerd narrative
There's a 90% chance that tennis will be part of the 2044 Summer Olympics, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Freed Israeli Hostage Eli Sharabi Addresses UNSC
Former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi addressed the UN Security Council on Thursday to describe his treatment while being held by Hamas. Sharabi accused Hamas of stealing UN aid that entered Gaza, adding that the hostages are "chained, starved, beaten, and humiliated."
Sharabi said he was treated "like an animal," adding that he had "come back from hell." Sharabi was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in which his wife and daughters were killed. Sharabi called for the remaining hostages to be released.
Last week, Palestinians testified at the UN, saying they were tortured and abused by Israeli forces while in detention. Israel denied the resulting UN report.
Pro-establishment narrative
The return to war will not save the hostages. Netanyahu is playing with fire as he divides Israel by moving to sack Ronen Bar and resuming the war in Gaza to buy time. Both sides need to make concessions so that the cease-fire can be fully implemented and the hostages returned.
Pro-Israel narrative
Eli Sharabi's testimony in front of the UNSC demonstrates why Israel is working so hard to free the hostages. Beaten and abused, Hamas terrorists have taken pleasure in their torture of Israeli hostages, yet the world has been silent. Israel, more than any other country, wants this war to end, but Hamas continues to refuse to release the hostages and surrender.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though the suffering of the hostages is tragic, the blame for their continued captivity lies squarely at the feet of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hamas has always been willing to release the hostages in exchange for the end of the war, but Israel has refused. Furthermore, thousands of Palestinians have been tortured and abused in Israeli detention, yet they are not given the opportunity to speak in front of the UNSC.
Argentina: Lower House Approves Milei's Decree for New IMF Loan
Argentina's lower house of Congress, the Chamber of Deputies, approved on Wednesday — 129 to 108, with six abstentions — an emergency presidential decree supporting a new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a 23rd for the country.
This comes as Argentine Pres. Javier Milei issued an order earlier this month pre-approving a new 10-year loan agreement with the IMF, on top of the country's existing $44B debt, as negotiations with the lender are expected to finalize by the end of April.
Details about the size or terms of the proposed new deal haven't been disclosed, with the presidential decree saying only that funds would be used to repay the IMF itself and pay off dollar-denominated treasury debt held by the country's central bank.
Left narrative
Argentina's self-declared "anarcho-capitalist" president is actually a vassal to the US, and this push to send his country deeper into the US-controlled IMF debt trap illustrates just that. Milei had promised he would not increase government debt, but now he has backtracked and is willing to repeat the same debt-trap cycle of his right-wing predecessors.
Right narrative
Javier Milei has an upper hand as he negotiates with the IMF, and both sides know that. Argentina is the largest IMF debtor, and its president has pushed austerity reforms that are much more ambitious than the ones the organization usually demands. Failure to back him would result in blows to the IMF balance sheet and credibility.
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.
UK Leads 30-Nation Coalition for Ukraine Peacekeeping Force
The United Kingdom hosted a closed meeting of senior military leaders on Thursday at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood to develop operational plans for a proposed peacekeeping force in Ukraine, with more than 30 countries expected to contribute to the coalition.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are leading the initiative, which could involve between 10K to 30K troops, though exact numbers remain unconfirmed, and the force would require significant air and maritime capabilities.
The coalition aims to provide security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire, with participating nations offering various forms of support ranging from direct troop deployment to military equipment and other forms of assistance.
Narrative A
This "coalition of the willing" represents Europe's commitment to shouldering more responsibility for regional security and demonstrates a concrete plan to guarantee Ukraine's future safety, while showing unified support against Russian aggression.
Narrative B
The proposed peacekeeping force constitutes unwanted Western military expansion near Russian borders and undermines peace negotiations while lacking crucial US support and potentially escalating tensions in the region. This is a reckless move by Europe and other Western partners.
Nerd narrative
There is a 30% chance that combat troops from any NATO country will be openly present in Ukraine before 2027 in significant numbers, according to the Metaculus prediction community.