US EditionDaily Briefing
COVID led to a huge methane spike; push back on gender-affirming care for minors; FBI beaten by iPhone's Lockdown mode
17 Articles •
22 New Infant Remains Recovered at Tuam Mother and Baby Home
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The latest: Excavators have recovered 33 sets of infant remains from the former St Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, with 22 found between late November and late January. All were buried in coffins between 1925 and 1961 in an area marked as a burial ground on historical maps, and radiocarbon dating confirms they date to the institution's operational period.
What's happening: Forensic Science Ireland is conducting DNA analysis on the remains, with 28 family DNA samples already collected and 175 additional relatives being assessed for eligibility to provide samples. Excavation work that began last July will continue into 2027, with the next update due in April, as authorities work to identify infants and provide closure to families.
Blindspot: Low Coverage from Right Sources
100% of sources are Original Reporting
35 Articles •
Meta-Analysis Alleges Most Statin Side Effects Unfounded
Left 37%
Center 42%
R 21%
The findings: A meta-analysis published yesterday in The Lancet examined 154,000 participants across 23 trials and found that 62 of 66 side effects listed on statin packaging lack reliable evidence. Only four minor risks showed any association: liver test abnormalities, urine changes, tissue swelling, and muscle symptoms in 1% of patients.
Why it matters: Misinformation about statin side effects has caused tens of thousands to stop taking the lifesaving medication, leading to preventable heart attacks and strokes. Researchers are urging regulators to revise drug labels so patients and doctors can make better-informed decisions about cardiovascular protection.
83% of sources are Original Reporting
71 Articles •
Italy Enacts Decree Allowing Police to Detain Protesters Before Demonstrations
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Center 64%
12%
What happened: Yesterday, Italy's government approved a decree allowing police to detain suspected troublemakers for up to 12 hours without charge before protests, just one day before the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. The measure follows violent clashes in Turin last weekend that injured over 100 officers and comes as planned demonstrations target U.S. ICE officers' presence at the Games.
Why it matters: The decree expands state surveillance and detention powers during a major global event, raising concerns from opposition parties and civil rights groups about erosion of freedoms. Over 6,000 security personnel will monitor geographically dispersed Olympic venues across northern Italy through 24/7 operations centers, affecting how protests and public gatherings are managed throughout the Games.
82% of sources are High Factuality
289 Articles •
Russian Intelligence General Shot in Moscow Assassination Attempt
Left 33%
Center 42%
Right 25%
What happened: Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, first deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence, was shot multiple times Friday morning in his Moscow apartment building and hospitalized. An unidentified gunman fled the scene, prompting a manhunt as investigators review CCTV footage and question witnesses.
Why it matters: This marks the fourth assassination or attempt on a Russian general since December 2024, raising serious questions about security failures protecting senior military leadership. The attack comes as peace talks show progress in Abu Dhabi, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
69% of sources are Original Reporting
24 Articles •
China Unveils Compact Microwave Weapon that Could Disrupt Starlink
Left 43%
Center 29%
Right 28%
What happened: Chinese researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology unveiled the TPG1000Cs, a compact microwave weapon delivering 20 gigawatts for 60 seconds. The four-meter, five-ton system can mount on trucks, ships, aircraft, or satellites and has completed over 200,000 test pulses.
Why it matters: The weapon could disrupt or damage low-Earth orbit satellites like Starlink, which recently lowered altitudes and may now be more vulnerable to ground-based attacks. Chinese experts estimate outputs above one gigawatt can seriously affect satellite operations, raising concerns about space communications security.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
18 Articles •
Netanyahu Warns of Egypt's Growing Military Capabilities
Left 27%
C 18%
Right 55%
What happened: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a closed-door Knesset committee Thursday that Egypt's military is building strength and must be monitored, citing closer Cairo-Beijing ties including first-ever joint air drills in spring 2025 and Egyptian deployments of several thousand troops to Somalia.
Why it matters: Egypt's pivot toward China for advanced weaponry and its expanding regional military footprint could shift Middle East power balances, strain the $1.3 billion annual U.S. military aid relationship, and complicate security around critical Red Sea shipping lanes and energy routes.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
15 Articles •
Lake Erie Reaches 95% Ice Coverage Approaching Historic Freeze
Left 42%
Center 58%
What happened: Lake Erie surged from just 2% ice coverage on January 14 to over 95% this week, the most ice in two decades for this time of year. The lake has reached 100% freeze only three times since the 1970s: in 1978, 1979, and 1996.
Why it matters: Heavy ice reduces lake-effect snow and erosion but blocks wildlife food sources, distressing endangered species like the Little Gull. Shipping faces disruptions, and an expected mid-month warmup could bring snowmelt flooding and ice jams to your area.
Blindspot: No Coverage from Right Sources
80% of sources are Original Reporting
87% of sources are High Factuality
Daily Briefing
COVID led to a huge methane spike; push back on gender-affirming care for minors; FBI beaten by iPhone's Lockdown mode
17 Articles •
22 New Infant Remains Recovered at Tuam Mother and Baby Home
Left 60%
C 20%
R 20%
The latest: Excavators have recovered 33 sets of infant remains from the former St Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, County Galway, with 22 found between late November and late January. All were buried in coffins between 1925 and 1961 in an area marked as a burial ground on historical maps, and radiocarbon dating confirms they date to the institution's operational period.
What's happening: Forensic Science Ireland is conducting DNA analysis on the remains, with 28 family DNA samples already collected and 175 additional relatives being assessed for eligibility to provide samples. Excavation work that began last July will continue into 2027, with the next update due in April, as authorities work to identify infants and provide closure to families.
Blindspot: Low Coverage from Right Sources
100% of sources are Original Reporting
35 Articles •
Meta-Analysis Alleges Most Statin Side Effects Unfounded
Left 37%
Center 42%
R 21%
The findings: A meta-analysis published yesterday in The Lancet examined 154,000 participants across 23 trials and found that 62 of 66 side effects listed on statin packaging lack reliable evidence. Only four minor risks showed any association: liver test abnormalities, urine changes, tissue swelling, and muscle symptoms in 1% of patients.
Why it matters: Misinformation about statin side effects has caused tens of thousands to stop taking the lifesaving medication, leading to preventable heart attacks and strokes. Researchers are urging regulators to revise drug labels so patients and doctors can make better-informed decisions about cardiovascular protection.
83% of sources are Original Reporting
71 Articles •
Italy Enacts Decree Allowing Police to Detain Protesters Before Demonstrations
L 24%
Center 64%
12%
What happened: Yesterday, Italy's government approved a decree allowing police to detain suspected troublemakers for up to 12 hours without charge before protests, just one day before the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. The measure follows violent clashes in Turin last weekend that injured over 100 officers and comes as planned demonstrations target U.S. ICE officers' presence at the Games.
Why it matters: The decree expands state surveillance and detention powers during a major global event, raising concerns from opposition parties and civil rights groups about erosion of freedoms. Over 6,000 security personnel will monitor geographically dispersed Olympic venues across northern Italy through 24/7 operations centers, affecting how protests and public gatherings are managed throughout the Games.
82% of sources are High Factuality
289 Articles •
Russian Intelligence General Shot in Moscow Assassination Attempt
Left 33%
Center 42%
Right 25%
What happened: Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, first deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence, was shot multiple times Friday morning in his Moscow apartment building and hospitalized. An unidentified gunman fled the scene, prompting a manhunt as investigators review CCTV footage and question witnesses.
Why it matters: This marks the fourth assassination or attempt on a Russian general since December 2024, raising serious questions about security failures protecting senior military leadership. The attack comes as peace talks show progress in Abu Dhabi, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.
69% of sources are Original Reporting
24 Articles •
China Unveils Compact Microwave Weapon that Could Disrupt Starlink
Left 43%
Center 29%
Right 28%
What happened: Chinese researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology unveiled the TPG1000Cs, a compact microwave weapon delivering 20 gigawatts for 60 seconds. The four-meter, five-ton system can mount on trucks, ships, aircraft, or satellites and has completed over 200,000 test pulses.
Why it matters: The weapon could disrupt or damage low-Earth orbit satellites like Starlink, which recently lowered altitudes and may now be more vulnerable to ground-based attacks. Chinese experts estimate outputs above one gigawatt can seriously affect satellite operations, raising concerns about space communications security.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
18 Articles •
Netanyahu Warns of Egypt's Growing Military Capabilities
Left 27%
C 18%
Right 55%
What happened: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a closed-door Knesset committee Thursday that Egypt's military is building strength and must be monitored, citing closer Cairo-Beijing ties including first-ever joint air drills in spring 2025 and Egyptian deployments of several thousand troops to Somalia.
Why it matters: Egypt's pivot toward China for advanced weaponry and its expanding regional military footprint could shift Middle East power balances, strain the $1.3 billion annual U.S. military aid relationship, and complicate security around critical Red Sea shipping lanes and energy routes.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
15 Articles •
Lake Erie Reaches 95% Ice Coverage Approaching Historic Freeze
Left 42%
Center 58%
What happened: Lake Erie surged from just 2% ice coverage on January 14 to over 95% this week, the most ice in two decades for this time of year. The lake has reached 100% freeze only three times since the 1970s: in 1978, 1979, and 1996.
Why it matters: Heavy ice reduces lake-effect snow and erosion but blocks wildlife food sources, distressing endangered species like the Little Gull. Shipping faces disruptions, and an expected mid-month warmup could bring snowmelt flooding and ice jams to your area.
Blindspot: No Coverage from Right Sources
80% of sources are Original Reporting
87% of sources are High Factuality