Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Calls Snap Election for April 28
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sunday called for a federal election on April 28, just nine days after being sworn in as the new Liberal Party leader.
Carney, the former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, will run in the Ottawa-area riding of Nepean. Liberal lawmaker Chandra Arya has held the riding (electoral district) since 2015.
When asked why an election is being called during a tariff war, Carney said he needs a "strong positive mandate" to deal with US Pres. Donald Trump and "to invest in Canada, to build Canada, to unite Canada."
Right narrative
Canada needs fundamental change to become more self-reliant and less dependent on the US. The current Liberal approach has led to blocked energy projects, high costs of living, and unchecked immigration. The Conservative plan to cut taxes, unleash natural resources, and bring back jobs will strengthen Canada's position. Pierre Poilievre can fix a broken Canada and has a shot at winning a strong, stable, national Conservative government.
Left narrative
Earlier this year, "polls" suggested Poilievre was destined for a majority government. However, the political landscape turned upside down when Trump entered the White House and Carney became the prime minister. The trade war with the US is the most significant crisis threatening Canadian sovereignty and economic stability. Carney's experience in international finance and economics makes him best positioned to handle this crisis and protect Canadian interests.
Nerd narrative
There's a 51% chance that the Liberal Party will win the most seats in the next Canadian federal election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Actor Depardieu Faces Sexual Assault Trial in French Court
French actor Gerard Depardieu, 76, is standing trial in Paris on Monday on charges of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of "Les Volets Verts" in 2021. This is the first time he faces court proceedings among accusations from about 20 women.
A 54-year-old set dresser has accused him of sexual assault, while a 34-year-old assistant director alleges Depardieu groped her on the film set.
Actor Anouk Grinberg, who appeared in the film, has supported the two plaintiffs, claiming that Depardieu made constant "salacious remarks" during the shooting. However, Depardieu maintains his innocence.
Narrative A
The French film industry has been too slow to address sexual misconduct, particularly when involving influential figures, allowing actors like Depardieu to act without fear of consequences. A conviction would convey that such behavior is no longer acceptable.
Narrative B
The allegations against Depardieu are unfounded and lack any direct witnesses. This situation represents an unjust media campaign against a legendary actor who has already been deemed guilty in the court of public opinion.
South Korea: Court Reinstates Prime Minister Han as Acting President
South Korea's Constitutional Court overturned Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment on Monday, immediately reinstating him as the country's acting president.
Han took over after Pres. Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in December following his attempt to impose martial law, which plunged the country into its greatest political crisis in decades.
However, on Dec. 27, the National Assembly impeached Han after he was accused of being an accomplice to Yoon's martial law declaration and acting improperly in refusing to appoint three Constitutional Court justices needed to fill the court.
Narrative A
This decision to reinstate Han is no surprise to those following proceedings at the Constitutional Court. Judges have already dismissed nine other impeachment attempts launched by the opposition Democratic Party, showing that it's abusing the majority in the National Assembly for a brazen political crusade.
Narrative B
This is a deeply disappointing and regrettable decision from the Constitutional Court. It's clear that Han's failure to appoint justices to the court was an attempt to make it easier to overrule Yoon's impeachment, and as such, Han failed to uphold his duties and obligations as set out by the country's constitution.
Nerd narrative
There's a 15% chance that there will be war between North Korea and South Korea before Jan. 1, 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Protests Erupt in Turkey as Istanbul Mayor Jailed
Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was formally arrested on Sunday and jailed pending trial on corruption and terrorism charges, triggering the largest wave of street demonstrations Turkey has reportedly witnessed in over a decade.
The protests have spread to over 55 of Turkey's 81 provinces, with authorities detaining over 1,133 people since March 19, when İmamoğlu was detained in a dawn raid as part of a probe against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
While access to social media is restricted, X (formerly Twitter) has suspended several political figures' accounts. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç urged protesters to be patient even as İmamoğlu's wife declared, "He will defeat you! You will lose!"
Narrative A
The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, a popular opposition figure poised to become the CHP's presidential candidate, represents a watershed moment in Turkey's democratic decline. By detaining him and over 100 colleagues just days before his nomination, Pres. Erdoğan has escalated from mere harassment to outright elimination of political rivals, signaling a decisive shift toward Russian-style authoritarian rule.
Narrative B
İmamoğlu's arrest culminates a vast corruption probe that has revealed an alleged $15B scheme within the city's administration. As investigators revealed money-filled suitcases and stalled infrastructure projects, prosecutors moved against what may be Turkey's largest-ever municipal scandal — a necessary intervention to protect public funds after years of reported systemic abuse of taxpayer money.
Nerd narrative
There's a 5% chance that Turkey will be a member of the EU by 2040, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Serbian Editors Warn of 'Dangerous Turning Point' for Press Freedom
Press freedom in Serbia faces a "dangerous turning point" following increased pressure on independent outlets from the state and state-backed media, a group of editors from the country warned this week in an open letter.
The editors, all from publications within the independent United Media group, said their reporters faced "constant harassment, physical attacks and smear campaigns" for reporting on developments in the country — namely the wave of protests that have hit Pres. Aleksandar Vučić and his government.
Protests first broke out after the concrete canopy of a recently renovated train station in Novi Sad collapsed and killed 15 people last November. However, the near-daily student-led protests turned into a national movement against Vučić and his party — in power for 13 years — accusing it of corruption, fraud, and failing to uphold the rule of law.
Narrative A
The government of Serbia has just held its first meeting to set up a committee to take into account the views of the protest movement. Once those views are articulated, it will lead to transformations in the government that all Serbians want.
Narrative B
Serbia is becoming a much more dangerous place for independent journalists. While some reporters have come under direct attack from the state, the government has also unleashed rhetoric accusing journalists of "causing unrest," making attacks on them more permissible.
Nerd narrative
There's a 33.3% chance that Serbia will be part of the European Union in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Demands Full Dismantlement of Iran's Nuclear Program
White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz announced on CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday that the Trump administration is seeking complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, demanding Iran give up its enrichment, weaponization, and strategic missile capabilities.
Pres. Donald Trump recently sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering negotiations while warning of potential military action if Iran doesn't comply with US demands for the elimination of its nuclear program.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in February that Iran has significantly increased its production and stockpiling of highly enriched uranium, approaching weapons-grade levels.
Pro-establishment narrative
The Iranian nuclear program poses an existential threat to Middle East stability and global security. A nuclear-armed Iran would trigger an arms race across the region and embolden its proxy forces like the Houthis and Hamas. Only complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear capabilities can ensure regional peace.
Establishment-critical narrative
Iran's nuclear program serves peaceful purposes and the country has the sovereign right to develop civilian nuclear technology. American demands for complete dismantlement represent an aggressive policy of economic warfare and military threats that violate international law and Iran's sovereignty.
Nerd narrative
There is a 19% chance the United States and Iran will sign a new agreement restricting Iran's nuclear program before 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Officials' Greenland Visit Sparks Diplomatic Tension
US Second Lady Usha Vance is scheduled to lead a delegation to Greenland starting Thursday, accompanied by her son, to attend the national dogsled race, Avannaata Qimussersu, and visit historical sites.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright will join the delegation and visit a US military base in Greenland. Their presence has drawn particular scrutiny from Greenlandic officials.
The visits come amid US Pres. Donald Trump's repeated statements about acquiring Greenland, including his recent declaration to Congress that the US will get Greenland "one way or the other" for national and international security.
Pro-Trump narrative
Greenland and other nations condemning this visit are overreacting. The US has a vested security interest in the region, and no one should be surprised that high-ranking US officials are visiting an American base to get in-person briefings. This is a chance for the two nations to engage over how each could benefit the other moving forward.
Anti-Trump narrative
The timing and composition of this delegation, particularly the inclusion of senior security officials, demonstrates an escalating pattern of aggression aimed at pressuring Greenland into American control. This mission thinly veils the Trump administration's true intention of forcing territorial acquisition against the will of both Greenland and Denmark.
Nerd narrative
There's a 1% chance that the US and Denmark will announce formal negotiations over the possible transfer of sovereignty of Greenland to the US before Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Trump Announces 'Secondary Tariff' on Venezuela, Extends Chevron License
US Pres. Donald Trump announced in a post on Truth Social on Monday a so-called "Secondary Tariff" on Venezuela, meaning that any country buying oil and/or gas from Venezuela will be hit with an additional 25% tariff in the US starting on April 2.
He said that there are "numerous reasons" for this move, including hostility towards "the United States and the Freedoms which [the country] espouse" and an alleged effort to send criminals undercover to the US, many of them said to belong to Tren de Aragua — one of the gangs that the Trump administration designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization last month.
Oil represents a major source of revenue for the country that has the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world — accounting for about one-sixth of global reserves, or over 300B barrels, in 2023 — and this tariff is intended to put further pressure on Nicolás Maduro and on the main market for Venezuelan crude, China.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump is doing exactly what the nation wants him to do, as he moves to find a perfect balance between putting pressure on the regime of Nicolás Maduro and not allowing China and others to control their oil production. US companies operating in Venezuela and exporting to the US help to maintain energy supply and keep energy costs low.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump first ordered Chevron to wind down its operations in Venezuela, indicating that America would put pressure on Maduro by not buying his crude oil. After these latest measures, however, his message is that only America can buy oil from Maduro. He is creating chaos with no clear intention behind his actions.
Nerd narrative
There's a 53% chance that there will be a civil war in Venezuela before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Man Charged for Driving Car Into Tesla Protest
Andrew Dutil on Saturday was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after driving his car onto a sidewalk where more than 100 people were protesting Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk outside a West Palm Beach, Fla., Tesla dealership.
The protest was organized by the Democratic Progressive Caucus Palm Beach County as part of nationwide demonstrations against Musk's role in the Trump administration and the actions of his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Dutil, whose actions didn't result in any injuries, reportedly has a social media history containing anti-electric vehicle sentiments and support for Pres. Donald Trump, including shared content depicting Trump and Vice Pres. JD Vance in a "The Dukes of MAGA" parody video.
Democratic narrative
This assault exemplifies the violent streak within the MAGA movement. Around the same time, Ricardo Ruiz, another Trump supporter, wielded a Taser-like device against anti-Tesla demonstrators in California. These incidents reveal a pattern of Trump's base targeting dissenters with physical intimidation and aligning with the movement's confrontational ethos.
Republican narrative
Pro-Trump attacks aren't as common as anti-Trump/anti-Musk violence. Across the country, from firebombings and vandalism to terrorizing Tesla drivers in the middle of the road, the radical left's unhinged hatred has escalated beyond rhetoric. Even the US Army's special operations command was forced to warn its Tesla-owning soldiers about this threat.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Tesla will report producing 2.8M vehicles in 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.