Brazil's Bolsonaro Endorses Son for 2026, Undergoes 'Successful' Surgery
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro formally endorsed his eldest son's 2026 presidential bid in a handwritten letter that Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro read out in front of the hospital in Brasília where the jailed right-wing leader was due to undergo a hernia surgery on Thursday.
In the letter dated Dec. 25, which the senator's office later published online, the senior Bolsonaro stated that he was "hand[ing] over... his own son for the mission of rescuing" Brazil and that Flávio "represents the continuation of the path of prosperity that [Jair] began well before becoming president."
Flávio announced earlier this month that his father had chosen him to challenge leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva next year, but a formal endorsement was still pending amid rumors Bolsonaro could change his mind and back São Paulo Gov. Tarcísio de Freitas.
Left narrative
Bolsonaro's endorsement of his eldest son defies all political logic and hands Lula a fourth term. Flávio trails Lula by 15 points in opinion polls, lacks party support beyond his own, and his candidacy triggered billions to vanish from markets as investors recognized the move as a desperate dynasty's last gasp. It doesn't help that he is the heir of a jailed coup leader.
Right narrative
Flávio Bolsonaro is the only legitimate opposition to Lula and the Brazilian Supreme Court that imprisoned his father without any crime. If center-right parties want the backing of Bolsonaro supporters, they cannot ignore the judicial abuses that turned Jair Bolsonaro and many other conservatives in Brazil into political prisoners. This isn't the time for amoral pragmatism, but rather to fight a corrupt system.
Narrative C
Some may argue that endorsing his own son is a poor choice given the rejection of their family name and the heavy political baggage Flávio himself carries, but Jair Bolsonaro has previously been right against the odds. When presidential election results come out in October, the former president will face a final test of whether his political instincts remain sharp.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will be reelected as Brazil's president in October 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
US Strikes IS Militants in Nigeria's Sokoto State
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the U.S. conducted strikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria, specifically in Sokoto State, in coordination with Nigerian authorities, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said: "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!"
Trump added that he had "previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay." The president issued his statement on Christmas Day while at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was spending the holiday.
Pro-Trump narrative
After years of inaction while IS terrorists slaughtered over 7,000 Christians in Nigeria this year alone, Trump finally delivered on his promise to stop the massacre. The Christmas Day strikes eliminated multiple IS militants who have been viciously targeting innocent Christians at unprecedented levels. This decisive military action shows real leadership in protecting persecuted religious minorities worldwide.
Anti-Trump narrative
This politically motivated stunt misrepresents the actual security crisis on the ground. Both Christians and Muslims have been massacred by IS; data shows 417 Muslims killed in targeted attacks compared to 317 Christians between 2020 and 2025. This military intervention ignores the complex reality of communal violence, farmer-herder conflicts and indiscriminate terrorism that affects all Nigerians regardless of faith.
Narrative C
The strikes were conducted without the genuine authority or informed consent of those exercising governmental power under Tinubu. The operation, framed as a joint one, reflects weakened sovereignty under him and suggests indifference to Nigerian lives. Nigeria's inability to safeguard its territory leaves it sidelined as foreign power prevails. Only credible, informed leadership can truly protect Nigerians and restore dignity, accountability and democratic authority nationwide.
Nerd narrative
There's an 18% chance that the U.S. will attack Nigeria before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Mosque Bombing in Nigeria Kills At Least 5, Injures 35
At least five people were killed and 35 others were injured after a bomb exploded during evening prayers at the Al-Adum mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria's Borno state, on Wednesday around 6 p.m. local time, according to police.
One of the leaders of the mosque, Malam Abuna Yusuf, told AFP that at least eight people had been killed in the attack, while militia leader Babakura Kolo said the death toll was seven.
Police spokesperson Nahum Daso stated shortly after the attack that preliminary investigations suggest the incident may have been a suicide bombing, based on the recovery of fragments of a suspected suicide vest and witness statements.
Pro-government narrative
The Federal Government is taking decisive action by deploying additional tactical teams to track down terrorists responsible for the Maiduguri mosque attack. Security agencies are working around the clock under presidential orders to intensify operations and bring perpetrators to justice. The administration's unwavering commitment to constitutional duty ensures those responsible will face the full weight of the law.
Government-critical narrative
This bombing exposes the government's complete failure to protect its own citizens. Nigeria's widespread killings and insecurity are being mischaracterized as a religious war, but the crisis reflects deep governance failures and weak state protection. Both Christians and Muslims suffer in attacks across many states, and focusing on religion distracts from structural issues driving violence and eroding social cohesion.
Nerd narrative
There's a 35% chance that Nigeria's population will exceed 400 million before 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Judge Blocks Deportation of Anti-Disinformation CEO
A U.S. judge issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday blocking President Donald Trump's administration from detaining or deporting Imran Ahmed, a British anti-disinformation campaigner and CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate.
Ahmed is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. who lives in New York with his American wife and daughter. He was among five Europeans sanctioned by the State Department over allegations of leading efforts to pressure technology platforms.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had stated that the five individuals were sanctioned because they led organized "efforts to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose."
Left narrative
The administration's attempt to deport a green card holder with U.S. family solely for combating antisemitism and protecting children from social media harm represents blatantly unconstitutional government overreach. A federal judge immediately recognized this obvious violation and granted a restraining order as the government cannot silence truth-tellers simply for speaking out against powerful interests. This effort to ban vital researchers who expose online hate and disinformation won't succeed in intimidating those committed to keeping Americans safe.
Right narrative
Foreign activists have weaponized nongovernmental organizations to coerce American tech platforms into censoring protected American speech, creating serious national security threats that demand immediate action. These radical European ideologues advanced foreign government censorship campaigns against U.S. companies and citizens under the guise of combating disinformation. America is finally reclaiming First Amendment sovereignty by treating this industrialized, transnational censorship apparatus as the threat it truly represents.
Nerd narrative
There is a 10% chance that AI will be given legal rights or be protected from abuse anywhere in the United States before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Russian Bombers Fly Near UK on Christmas, NATO Responds
Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers reportedly conducted a flight over neutral waters of the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea on Christmas Day. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the flight lasted more than seven hours and was escorted by Su-33 fighter jets.
NATO scrambled fighter jets to monitor the Russian bombers as they approached airspace near northern Britain. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that at certain stages of the route, the bombers were escorted by fighter jets of foreign countries.
The Tu-95MS aircraft, known by NATO as Bears, are propeller-powered strategic bombers first introduced in the 1950s. These aircraft remain part of Russia's nuclear triad and are capable of carrying nuclear-armed and conventional cruise missiles.
Anti-Russia narrative
Russian airspace violations demand an immediate military response. Shooting down intruding aircraft isn't escalation — it's necessary deterrence that reinforces red lines and prevents further provocations. Cold War history proves both superpowers shot down intruders without triggering broader conflict, and Putin only respects force, as Turkey's 2015 shootdown demonstrated.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO's relentless eastward expansion and military buildup genuinely prepare for war, not defense. Poland is purchasing 1,000 tanks and 32 F-35s, Germany is rebuilding military power, and infrastructure construction near borders mirrors pre-World War II aggression. Western powers encircled Russia after promising otherwise, provoking conflict while claiming peaceful intentions. This recent "incident" neglects the fact that these were scheduled flights over international waters.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Wikipedia will report Russia having procured at least 53 Su-57 fighter jets before 2031, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
China Sanctions 20 US Firms Over $11B Taiwan Arms Deal
China announced on Friday countermeasures against 20 U.S. defense companies and 10 senior executives in response to Washington's approval of an $11.1 billion arms sale to Taiwan, the largest weapons package ever provided to the island.
The sanctions freeze the movable and immovable property and other assets of targeted firms and individuals within China, and prohibit all organizations and individuals in China from engaging in transactions or cooperation with them.
Sanctioned companies include Boeing's St. Louis branch, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services and Lazarus Enterprises Inc., while targeted individuals include Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries.
Pro-Trump narrative
China's sanctions are pure theater that won't hurt U.S. defense firms operating outside Chinese supply chains. The $11 billion arms package gives Taiwan HIMARS systems capable of striking mainland staging areas — making invasion math impossible for Beijing. When China responds with asset freezes rather than military action, it proves that American deterrence is working.
Pro-China narrative
The U.S. violated the one-China principle with provocative arms sales that undermine sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan is the first red line in relations that must not be crossed, and companies profiting from these dangerous moves will pay the price. Arming Taiwan sends wrong signals to separatist forces and threatens peace across the Strait.
Nerd narrative
There's a 4% chance that China will recognize Taiwan's sovereignty by 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
DOJ Finds Over 1M More Epstein Documents, Delays Release
The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) on Wednesday announced that it was informed by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the FBI that they have uncovered over a million more documents potentially related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, requiring additional time to review them for release.
The DOJ stated that it may need a few more weeks to release the newly discovered documents due to the volume of material and the need to make legally required redactions to protect victims, in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, authored by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), established a Dec. 19 deadline for the DOJ to release all unclassified records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, with provisions allowing redactions to protect victims.
Pro-establishment narrative
The government is doing what it can to release the files under legitimate legal constraints. While the process appears slow and politically motivated, agencies must navigate complex statutory requirements and redaction procedures. Courts, not politicians, ultimately control disclosure timelines. The heavily redacted documents reflect necessary compliance with federal law protecting sensitive information, even if transparency advocates find this frustrating.
Establishment-critical narrative
The DOJ's sudden discovery of a million additional Epstein documents strains credulity. This convenient revelation delays transparency indefinitely while the administration protects powerful figures. The timing reeks of political calculation, burying damaging information behind bureaucratic excuses. Either they're criminally incompetent at records management or deliberately stonewalling. Either way, it's a betrayal of public trust and accountability.
Nerd narrative
There's a 20% chance that Trump will pardon Ghislaine Maxwell before Jan. 21, 2029, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Israel Becomes First Nation to Recognize Somaliland
Israel on Friday formally recognized Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" and signed an agreement to establish diplomatic ties between the two countries, making it the first country to officially recognize the breakaway region.
In an X post, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Together with Foreign Minister Sa'ar and the President of the Republic of Somaliland, we signed a joint and mutual declaration. This declaration is in the spirit of the Abraham Accords, signed at the initiative of President Trump."
The Abraham Accords are regarded as U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature foreign policy achievement of his first term. The agreements, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, were widely viewed at the time as a significant step toward peace in the Middle East.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel's recognition of Somaliland marks a historic diplomatic victory that rewards decades of resilience and self-determination. This partnership will foster security, innovation and prosperity while expanding cooperation in agriculture and economic development. This is another triumph for peace-building diplomacy over destabilizing forces in the region.
Anti-Israel narrative
Recognizing Somaliland as independent threatens international stability by violating Somalia's territorial integrity and established principles of international law. This dangerous precedent undermines the foundations of the global order where sovereignty and territorial unity must remain inviolable. The unilateral move destabilizes the Horn of Africa and rejects the legitimate authority of Somalia's government.
Narrative C
Israel's recognition of Somaliland is shaped by Red Sea insecurity, disrupted shipping routes and the strategic importance of the Gulf of Aden. Berbera's port and coastline have gained geopolitical value amid Houthi attacks and regional tensions. The move also intersects with sensitive debates over Gaza displacement, prompting domestic caution in Somaliland despite official reassurances.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that at least 10 countries will formally recognize Somaliland as an independent state by August 2041, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
19 States, DC Sue HHS Over Youth Gender Treatment Declaration
A group of 19 states and Washington, D.C., this week filed a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. following a declaration that described treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender surgeries as unsafe and ineffective for minors.
The declaration warned doctors that they could be excluded from federal health programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, if they provide these treatments to minors. Medicare and Medicaid account for nearly 45% of spending on hospital care, according to health research group KFF.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday argues that the declaration is procedurally defective because federal law requires the public be given notice and an opportunity to comment before substantively amending health policy. The complaint states neither of these was done before the declaration was released.
Republican narrative
Children lack fully developed brains and shouldn't be permitted to make irreversible medical decisions about gender transitions. Society requires age restrictions for voting, tattoos and alcohol, yet some want to allow minors to undergo permanent chemical and surgical procedures. Protecting children from life-altering medical interventions until adulthood is essential and non-negotiable.
Democratic narrative
Medical decisions should belong to patients and doctors, not politicians seeking to impose government control over health care. Gender-affirming care follows evidence-based standards established by medical professionals, and federal overreach threatens to deny necessary treatment while undermining state authority over medical practice. Protecting access to medically necessary care ensures dignity and freedom for families.
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