Insta-Peril

It's a drama unfolding in Israeli society, in which Rita Murad, a college student, has been sentenced to prison for posting four Instagram pictures. The posts she shared on October 7 were not intended to be a public statement but reflections of her social media feed. She had 1,100 followers as a student in Haifa, and her posts were private. The images included Palestinian teenagers on a jeep with the caption "Gaza Today" and a bulldozer breaking the Gaza border fence.

Once these posts circulated among Jewish students at her university, police became aware of them. Murad, only 21, is accused of "incitement to terrorism," a serious offense in Israel. This arrest has sparked a debate about social media risk zones and free speech. Murad's story reveals tightening expression boundaries within Israeli society, especially for Arab citizens.

Beyond the Soundbites

Let's talk about the election fallout and how things shook out. Trump didn't just campaign; he played on grievances that many voters shared, making himself the megaphone for everyone frustrated by “the system.” His strategy? Focus on issues that resonate with men and use powerful, targeted messaging. Even social media played a role, as Trump made headlines with podcast appearances and unconventional ads.

For Harris, it was a different story. Post-Biden, she attempted to be a "change candidate," but she could not escape Biden's shadow. There was confusion about what she would bring to the table versus the current approach. Plus, there were missed connections - especially with younger, diverse audiences who once rallied around Obama. Due to the short campaign timeline and some campaign missteps, Harris had trouble capturing momentum.

We learned from the election: in today's politics, it's not just policies that win votes; it's who can tap into the loudest frustrations. Only time will tell whether these strategies serve us well or deepen the divide.

Berlin’s House of Cards

With Chancellor Olaf Scholz's high-stakes move, Germany's political landscape just took a dramatic turn. Scholz's firing of Finance Minister Christian Lindner effectively shattered the "traffic light" coalition that has held Germany together since 2021.

The issue? A drawn-out budget battle that finally boiled over. Free Democrat Leader Lindner refused to budge on a plan to jolt a sluggish economy. With Lindner's party-first focus, Scholz decided he had no choice but to pull the plug. 

So, what’s next? If Scholz loses a confidence vote on January 15, he might face early elections by March. The stakes are huge: Germany's economy, security, and European influence. Scholz's coalition gamble could reshape Germany's future, with the far-right gaining ground and economic recovery in doubt.

Germany is now on a high-alert watch as the story unfolds.

Dancin’ Away

Remember Rachael "Raygun" Gunn, the viral breakdancing sensation from the Paris Olympics 2024? Well, the Aussie breakdancer is no longer competing in arenas—she's stepping away from the competitive scene. She instead keeps her moves private, reserving them for her living room, where she can dance freely, away from intense scrutiny.

In her own words, competing doesn't feel the same anymore. After her Olympic performance went viral, Gunn faced endless online commentary, conspiracy theories, and petitions. Her unique flair on the Olympic stage led to relentless attention.

But if you thought Raygun was over, think again. She hinted at some new projects focusing on authenticity and self-expression. So don't be surprised if she continues to inspire off the dance floor.

📸 Lens to Life

Red Bull Illume Photo Contest 2023 winners.

🧮 Core Count: 26

The calories burned by a kiss for one minute.

🗓️ Flashback:

392 - Christianity is declared the state religion by Roman Emperor Theodosius.

1519 - Moctezuma II and Hernán Cortés meet for the first time in Tenochtitlan, Mexico.

1895 - Wilhelm Röntgen produced and detected electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range known today as X-rays or Röntgen rays.

1966 - Ronald Reagan is elected governor of California.

2016 - The U.S. elected Donald Trump as the 45th President with a 304-227 Electoral College victory; just under 2.9 million more votes went to Hillary Clinton than to Trump.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran