A New York Times article, citing anonymous sources, reported that a pro-Ukraine anti-Putin group was behind the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in the Baltic Sea in September 2022. German media investigations suggested the operation was carried out by a six-person team using a yacht rented from a Polish company owned by two Ukrainians. Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhail Podolyak denied Ukraine's involvement. Seymour Hersh, an American investigative journalist, published an alternative theory accusing the White House, CIA, and Norwegian military of orchestrating the sabotage. The White House and Norway dismissed Hersh's claims as false. The article questions the credibility of these reports and the timing of their release, suggesting a possible shift in Western solidarity with Ukraine.

In February 2021, a polar vortex caused a severe winter storm in Texas, highlighting the state's vulnerability to climate change. The extreme weather led to massive power outages, burst water pipes, and significant damage to homes and infrastructure. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Ercot) faced criticism for raising electricity prices during the crisis. The event exposed flaws in urban development models and the state's energy infrastructure, which had been previously warned about but largely ignored due to cost. The storm's impact extended to Mexico, which relies heavily on US natural gas imports. The article also discusses the broader implications of such natural disasters and the pandemic on Texas's economy, particularly the oil and gas industry, and the potential consequences for global energy markets.

The article discusses the challenges Joe Biden will face in restoring international relations damaged by Donald Trump, particularly the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran. Tensions in the Persian Gulf have escalated, highlighted by the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Suleimani and nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh. Israel's history of targeted killings and its potential involvement in Fakhrizadeh's death are noted. The article suggests that the assassination may be intended to prevent Biden from re-entering the JCPOA. It also touches on the complexities of regional politics, Iran's economic struggles, and the potential for a new approach to Middle East policy under Biden's administration.

Syrian refugees in Turkey are denied recognized status and opportunities due to a 64-year-old rule. The Kurdi family, including the young boys Aylan and Galip who drowned and washed up on a Turkish beach, were victims of this policy. Their aunt Tima, a Canadian resident, failed to secure them asylum due to financial and bureaucratic hurdles. Turkey, a signatory of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, does not extend its commitments to non-European refugees due to a geographical limitation. Consequently, many refugees are forced to seek security elsewhere, often facing legal obstacles and resorting to human smugglers.