US EditionDaily Briefing
Draft dodging in Ukraine; US Lunar Reactor; Does social media actually hurt teen mental health?
106 Articles •
Trump Floats Cancellation of Midterms in Reuters Interview
Left 37%
Center 44%
R 19%
What happened: President Trump told Reuters yesterday that the U.S. "shouldn't even have" November midterms, citing his administration's achievements while expressing concern Republicans could lose congressional control. The White House later dismissed the remarks as joking, though Trump has raised similar comments about cancelling elections multiple times in recent days.
Why it matters: With midterms less than 10 months away, current polls show Democrats leading by 4-6 points, threatening Republican control of Congress. Critics warn Trump's unfounded voter fraud claims could erode election trust and justify new voting restrictions like citizenship proof requirements, though the Constitution prevents any president from unilaterally cancelling elections.
28 Articles •
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Final Pass Before Leaving Solar System
Left 29%
Center 43%
Right 28%
What's happening: The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream a final close-up view of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS tonight at 21:00 UTC from Manciano, Italy, before it exits the solar system forever. The comet, discovered in July 2025 and closest to Earth on December 19, will pass Jupiter on March 15 as it departs on its hyperbolic trajectory.
Why it matters: New measurements using NASA's Psyche and ESA's Mars Trace Gas Orbiter debunk alien technology theories, showing the comet's unusual acceleration is ordinary outgassing typical of comets. This rare interstellar visitor offers scientists a final chance to study material from another star system and refine methods for detecting tiny non-gravitational forces.
93% of sources are Original Reporting
67 Articles •
Deadly Flood Kills Over 100 Across Southern Africa
Left 32%
Center 50%
R 18%
What happened: Weeks of torrential rain forced Kruger National Park to suspend day visits, close several entrances, and evacuate around 600 tourists and staff by helicopter this week. The South African Weather Service issued a red-level 10 alert warning of 100-200mm more rain over 24-48 hours, with at least 19 deaths reported across Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces since last month.
What to know: The iconic Big Five reserve covering 20,000 square kilometers remains closed to visitors with multiple entrances blocked and some camps inaccessible due to washed-out roads and bridges. Visitors with upcoming bookings have been contacted to reschedule, and authorities warn that the single remaining exit route via Crocodile River bridge may become unsafe if water levels continue rising.
75% of sources are Original Reporting
71 Articles •
Wegmans Uses Facial Recognition in Some 'High-Risk' Stores
L 14%
Center 73%
R 13%
What happened: Wegmans has deployed facial recognition cameras at a small fraction of its 110 stores across multiple states to identify shoppers previously flagged for misconduct. The technology came to light in early January 2026 when required signage appeared at its two New York City locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Why it matters: Your facial biometric data cannot be changed if stolen or breached, and the technology has error rates up to 34.7% for darker-skinned women versus 0.8% for light-skinned men. Most shoppers were unaware of the surveillance, and no statewide New York law currently requires consent or limits data retention, though the Biometric Privacy Act is moving through the legislature.
62% of sources are Original Reporting
70% of sources are High Factuality
17 Articles •
China's Telescope Reveals Fast Radio Burst Origins
Left 57%
Center 43%
What happened: The headline reports that a major Chinese radio telescope has captured what it calls the first clear evidence identifying the origins of fast radio bursts.
Why it matters: If verified, the result could change models of FRB sources, guide follow-up observations worldwide, and influence funding and telescope priorities in coming years.
Blindspot: No Coverage from Right Sources
88% of sources are Original Reporting
74 Articles •
UK Set to Approve Large-Scale Chinese Embassy
Left 33%
Center 35%
Right 32%
What's happening: The UK government is expected to approve China's plans for Europe's largest embassy at Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London by January 20. The 20,000-square-meter complex will consolidate multiple Chinese diplomatic sites and sits above critical fiber-optic cables serving London's financial district, sparking cross-party opposition over espionage risks.
Why it matters: Unredacted plans reveal 208 concealed basement rooms positioned directly alongside cables carrying sensitive financial and communications data for millions. Intelligence officials warn China could potentially intercept encrypted data, manipulate markets, or disrupt UK internet traffic, though MI5 and MI6 have not formally objected to the project.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
14 Articles •
Navy Unveils Plan for 45% Unmanned Surface Fleet by 2045
Center 100%
The plan: The Navy will establish three USV divisions next week and deploy two medium unmanned vessels (Seahawk and Sea Hunter) with fleet control this year, transitioning them from experimental to operational status. By 2045, roughly 45% of the surface force will be unmanned, with medium USV inventory reaching 11 by 2027 and over 30 in the Indo-Pacific by 2030.
Why it matters: This transformation will reshape naval operations and force composition, backed by nearly $7 billion in unmanned systems investment with $3.7 billion allocated to surface forces in 2027. Unmanned vessels offer increased range, endurance and affordability for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare missions, extending U.S. reach in critical regions like the Indo-Pacific.
93% of sources are Original Reporting
Daily Briefing
Draft dodging in Ukraine; US Lunar Reactor; Does social media actually hurt teen mental health?
106 Articles •
Trump Floats Cancellation of Midterms in Reuters Interview
Left 37%
Center 44%
R 19%
What happened: President Trump told Reuters yesterday that the U.S. "shouldn't even have" November midterms, citing his administration's achievements while expressing concern Republicans could lose congressional control. The White House later dismissed the remarks as joking, though Trump has raised similar comments about cancelling elections multiple times in recent days.
Why it matters: With midterms less than 10 months away, current polls show Democrats leading by 4-6 points, threatening Republican control of Congress. Critics warn Trump's unfounded voter fraud claims could erode election trust and justify new voting restrictions like citizenship proof requirements, though the Constitution prevents any president from unilaterally cancelling elections.
28 Articles •
Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Makes Final Pass Before Leaving Solar System
Left 29%
Center 43%
Right 28%
What's happening: The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream a final close-up view of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS tonight at 21:00 UTC from Manciano, Italy, before it exits the solar system forever. The comet, discovered in July 2025 and closest to Earth on December 19, will pass Jupiter on March 15 as it departs on its hyperbolic trajectory.
Why it matters: New measurements using NASA's Psyche and ESA's Mars Trace Gas Orbiter debunk alien technology theories, showing the comet's unusual acceleration is ordinary outgassing typical of comets. This rare interstellar visitor offers scientists a final chance to study material from another star system and refine methods for detecting tiny non-gravitational forces.
93% of sources are Original Reporting
67 Articles •
Deadly Flood Kills Over 100 Across Southern Africa
Left 32%
Center 50%
R 18%
What happened: Weeks of torrential rain forced Kruger National Park to suspend day visits, close several entrances, and evacuate around 600 tourists and staff by helicopter this week. The South African Weather Service issued a red-level 10 alert warning of 100-200mm more rain over 24-48 hours, with at least 19 deaths reported across Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces since last month.
What to know: The iconic Big Five reserve covering 20,000 square kilometers remains closed to visitors with multiple entrances blocked and some camps inaccessible due to washed-out roads and bridges. Visitors with upcoming bookings have been contacted to reschedule, and authorities warn that the single remaining exit route via Crocodile River bridge may become unsafe if water levels continue rising.
75% of sources are Original Reporting
71 Articles •
Wegmans Uses Facial Recognition in Some 'High-Risk' Stores
L 14%
Center 73%
R 13%
What happened: Wegmans has deployed facial recognition cameras at a small fraction of its 110 stores across multiple states to identify shoppers previously flagged for misconduct. The technology came to light in early January 2026 when required signage appeared at its two New York City locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Why it matters: Your facial biometric data cannot be changed if stolen or breached, and the technology has error rates up to 34.7% for darker-skinned women versus 0.8% for light-skinned men. Most shoppers were unaware of the surveillance, and no statewide New York law currently requires consent or limits data retention, though the Biometric Privacy Act is moving through the legislature.
62% of sources are Original Reporting
70% of sources are High Factuality
17 Articles •
China's Telescope Reveals Fast Radio Burst Origins
Left 57%
Center 43%
What happened: The headline reports that a major Chinese radio telescope has captured what it calls the first clear evidence identifying the origins of fast radio bursts.
Why it matters: If verified, the result could change models of FRB sources, guide follow-up observations worldwide, and influence funding and telescope priorities in coming years.
Blindspot: No Coverage from Right Sources
88% of sources are Original Reporting
74 Articles •
UK Set to Approve Large-Scale Chinese Embassy
Left 33%
Center 35%
Right 32%
What's happening: The UK government is expected to approve China's plans for Europe's largest embassy at Royal Mint Court near the Tower of London by January 20. The 20,000-square-meter complex will consolidate multiple Chinese diplomatic sites and sits above critical fiber-optic cables serving London's financial district, sparking cross-party opposition over espionage risks.
Why it matters: Unredacted plans reveal 208 concealed basement rooms positioned directly alongside cables carrying sensitive financial and communications data for millions. Intelligence officials warn China could potentially intercept encrypted data, manipulate markets, or disrupt UK internet traffic, though MI5 and MI6 have not formally objected to the project.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
14 Articles •
Navy Unveils Plan for 45% Unmanned Surface Fleet by 2045
Center 100%
The plan: The Navy will establish three USV divisions next week and deploy two medium unmanned vessels (Seahawk and Sea Hunter) with fleet control this year, transitioning them from experimental to operational status. By 2045, roughly 45% of the surface force will be unmanned, with medium USV inventory reaching 11 by 2027 and over 30 in the Indo-Pacific by 2030.
Why it matters: This transformation will reshape naval operations and force composition, backed by nearly $7 billion in unmanned systems investment with $3.7 billion allocated to surface forces in 2027. Unmanned vessels offer increased range, endurance and affordability for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare missions, extending U.S. reach in critical regions like the Indo-Pacific.
93% of sources are Original Reporting