Republicans Retain House Majority
CNN and NBC have projected that Republicans will win another two House races in the 2024 election, giving them the 218 seats necessary to retain their majority. The GOP will now control the Presidency, the House, and the Senate in the next Congress.
While the GOP held onto several competitive seats in toss-up districts, the Democrats lost critical House districts in areas that Democratic Pres. Joe Biden had won in 2020. The latest two GOP wins were in California and Arizona.
Republican narrative
After failing Trump the first time they controlled Congress after the 2016 election, Republicans have a second chance to enact the legislation that Trump and his supporters have been asking for. With Trump backing Speaker Johnson in the House and the Senate setting up their leadership, it's time to draft America First laws and have them waiting for the next president in January.
Democratic narrative
Despite GOP control of Congress, Trump will likely face legislative challenges due to several factors. Senate Majority Leader Thune's commitment to maintaining the filibuster grants Democrats veto power, complicating Trump's agenda. Additionally, Speaker Johnson's slim House majority and intra-party divisions mean Trump can only guarantee partial support, limiting his ambitions.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that either the Democratic or Republican party in the US will cease to exist by March 2064, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Study: Over 800M Adults Worldwide Have Diabetes
According to a study published in The Lancet on Thursday, more than 800M adults globally had type 1 or type 2 diabetes in 2022 — over four times the 1990 figure — primarily driven by rising cases in low- and middle-income countries.
The 2022 figure is nearly double the earlier World Health Organization estimate of 422M. In rich nations like Japan and Canada, the rate of diabetes either remained stable or had fallen. India topped the list with about 212M diabetes cases.
Narrative A
Diabetes is an insidious global threat. Rising obesity, urbanization, and the high cost of healthy living fuel an unprecedented surge in type 2 diabetes, especially in poorer countries. Many face diets dominated by affordable, highly processed foods while struggling to afford better choices, with climate change worsening food insecurity. Access to diagnosis and treatment is also often limited — leaving millions undiagnosed or untreated and bringing heavy personal and economic burdens.
Narrative B
With over 800M people now living with diabetes worldwide, a bold shift in treatment is overdue. Rather than the current one-size-fits-all prescriptions, a personalized, precision-based approach — tailoring medications to each individual's unique genetics and underlying causes — is essential. This strategy promises better health outcomes and reduced costs, empowering healthcare systems to address the root causes of diabetes and to meet the diverse needs of patients.
Nerd narrative
There's a 40% chance that there will be an FDA-approved cure for Type 1 diabetes before Jan. 1, 2032, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Gaetz Nominated for US Attorney General, Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence
US Pres.-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard and now-former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz to assume the respective roles of Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and Attorney General in his incoming administration.
Trump described Gaetz as a "deeply gifted" lawyer who would "root out the systemic corruption" at the Dept. of Justice (DOJ). He also said Gabbard would bring a "fearless spirit" to "championing our Constitutional Rights" and "securing Peace through Strength."
Democratic narrative
Trump's decision to place Gabbard and Gaetz in charge of the DOJ and DNI is a blatant attempt to dismantle America's democratic institutions from the inside. Aside from their shocking lack of experience, given Gaetz's disturbing run-ins with the law and Gabbard's grudge against the intelligence community, these appointments perfectly sum up the entire purpose of the second Trump administration — unapologetic revenge.
Republican narrative
The leftist establishment is having a full-blown meltdown as Trump continues to defy the status quo and nominate individuals who wish to liberate American politics from deep-state special interests. Despite all the outcries of Democrats and the woke media, Trump's proposed appointments are exactly what the majority of Americans voted for. The public is insistent that now is the time to drain the swamp, and MAGA 2.0 will do exactly that.
Nerd narrative
There is a 1.7% chance that Trump will retain supreme executive power past 2028 after winning the 2024 US Presidential Election, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
World's Largest Coral Found Near Solomon Islands
A National Geographic videographer has found the world's largest coral — so big it can reportedly be seen from space — near the Solomon Islands. The 105 feet-by-111 feet (32 x 34 meters), brown-and-bright yellow "mega coral" is said to be 300 years old and bigger than a blue whale.
Marine ecologist Enric Sala reportedly said the coral — three times bigger than the previous record holder named "Big Momma," in American Samoa — is "made of nearly one billion little polyps." It was found in October during a study of the effects of hotter and more acidic oceans.
Narrative A
The discovery of the massive Solomon Islands "mega coral," thriving despite warming oceans, reveals the resilience of some species and the endurance of ocean ecosystems. This unique coral demonstrates the potential for survival, inspiring both conservation efforts and optimism for coral recovery in a changing world.
Narrative B
Healthy marine ecosystems rely on diverse coral species, not single giants, to thrive under increasing pressures from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Without bold climate action and protection of diverse reef ecosystems, coral reefs — and the myriad species that depend on them — could be lost within decades. The world must act now, not become complacent.
Nerd narrative
There's a 48% chance that the Billion Oyster Project restore 1 billion oysters to New York Harbor before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
OpenAI to Launch 'Operator' AI Agent in January
OpenAI is reportedly developing an autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agent codenamed "Operator" that can independently perform tasks on computers. The tool could be released as a research preview in January.
According to Bloomberg, the AI agent can execute complex tasks such as writing code and booking travel arrangements through web browsers and will initially be made available to developers through OpenAI's API.
Narrative A
The development of autonomous AI agents represents a revolutionary step forward in productivity and efficiency, enabling complex task automation and transforming how people interact with technology. These agents will be capable digital assistants, independently handling time-consuming tasks and streamlining workflows across various domains.
Narrative B
The rapid deployment of autonomous AI agents raises significant concerns about data security, potential misuse, and the need for transparency in AI operations. The technology's ability to directly control computers and execute tasks independently requires careful consideration of safety measures and user privacy protections.
Nerd narrative
There's a 52.8% chance that there will be a positive transition to a world with radically smarter-than-human artificial intelligence, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
France: Prosecutors Seek Prison Time and Political Ban for Le Pen
Paris prosecutor Nicolas Barret is asking a court to sentence right-wing National Rally (RN) party member Marine Le Pen to five years in prison, to ban her from public office for five years, and impose a €300K ($319K) fine.
Le Pen and 24 other party members face embezzlement charges for allegedly misusing €4.5M ($4.75M) in parliamentary funds. They're accused of paying parliamentary staff with these funds, though the staff reportedly only worked on party business.
Left narrative
Le Pen and her far-right colleagues deserve their current scrutiny, as they are clearly guilty of conducting one of the largest embezzlement scams in French history. This trial is finally exposing National Rally's true ambitions — to prioritize racist and nationalist goals over lawful governance. A political party like RN, which seeks to divide social benefits based on the national origin of citizens, should never be in charge of public funding.
Right narrative
France's predominantly left-leaning judiciary is unabashedly using harsh legal measures against Le Pen and her party to eliminate their competition ahead of the 2027 election. Just as in the US case with Pres.-elect Trump, the liberal legal establishment is increasingly being weaponized against political opponents. This tactic clearly sidesteps democracy — depriving voters of their choice and pushing personal ideologies over impartial justice.
Nerd narrative
There is a 36.7% chance that Marine Le Pen will be elected President of France in 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Israeli Finance Minister Calls for West Bank Annexation During Trump Presidency
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who holds a supervisory role in Israel's Defense Ministry for West Bank settlers, said earlier this week that he hoped Israel would annex the West Bank in 2025 after Donald Trump assumes the US presidency.
Smotrich continued that he had instructed the Settlement Directorate of the Defense Ministry and the Civil Administration to begin preparing for annexation. Last month, Smotrich called for Israel to build settlements deep in Palestinian territory and to expel Palestinians "harboring nationalist aspirations."
Left narrative
Smotrich's comments are disturbing and don't represent the official position of the Israeli or US governments. The only way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is through a two-state solution in which Israel and a Palestinian state would peacefully coexist. Smotrich and politicians like him should be sidelined.
Right narrative
Hamas's Oct. 7 attack on Israel was the final nail in the coffin for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the enclave has essentially existed as a terrorist-run proto-state, which is an existential threat to Israel's security. Settlement expansion and Israeli sovereignty are natural reactions to this reality.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though the Israeli and Western media try to portray settlers as a fringe element of Israeli society, the state was founded on the basis of ethnic cleansing and land theft. Israeli leaders on the left and right have continued to approve settlement expansion, and Palestinian land has continued to recede since 1948. Indeed, Israel annexed the West Bank in all but name a long time ago, and Israeli politicians are increasingly open about Israel's intentions — the incremental destruction of Palestine.
Brazil: Bomber Dies in Alleged Attack on Supreme Court
A man apparently killed himself on Brazil's Three Powers Plaza, a square connecting key government buildings in Brasília, on Wednesday in what authorities have called an attempted bombing attack on the country's top court.
He was identified as Francisco Wanderley Luiz, who unsuccessfully ran for city council in 2020 as a candidate for the Liberal Party, which former Pres. Jair Bolsonaro — who condemned the attack on social media — joined a year later.
Left narrative
Another day, another right-wing terrorist attack against democratic institutions in Brazil. It's long past time to realize that political pacification can only thrive with zero tolerance for extremists trying to tear down democracy — including those involved in the coup acts of Jan. 8, 2023.
Right narrative
This incident targeting the Supreme Court was most likely a lone-wolf attack carried out by an individual with no clear connections to the right wing. And unsurprisingly, Justice Alexandre de Moraes has already weaponized it against Bolsonaro and his supporters.
Nerd narrative
There's a 40% chance that Alexandre de Moraes cease to be a minister of the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil before 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Report: Trump Draft Order Would Create Board to Evaluate, Dismiss Generals
A draft executive order reviewed by The Wall Street Journal would allow Pres.-elect Donald Trump to create a "warrior board," which would consist of retired senior military personnel and would allow them to fire three- and four-star officers who don't pass the board's review process.
The draft order describes the removable generals and admirals as "lacking in requisite leadership qualities." But the order doesn't provide details of what officers must do to meet the board's requirements.
Left narrative
Regardless of how much one thinks the military should value diversity, this order and the board it would create sound like Trump plans to shift the military's loyalties from the Constitution to his administration. Politics are supposed to remain outside of the ranks, and servicemembers won't be able to effectively do their jobs if they're constantly worrying about displeasing one politician that's judging them on an unknown scale.
Right narrative
Trump promised to rid the military of woke generals and this order will send him down that path. It's about time someone acted to upend the military review process. It was the Biden administration that politicized the military when it made diversity and inclusion more important than effectiveness and merit among the ranks. Now it's up to the Trump administration to cleanse the military and make sure it's focused on the right tasks at hand.