US EditionDaily Briefing
Candace Owens claims assassination plot; Israel strikes Lebanon; NCAA backlash on foreign students
162 Articles •
X Temporarily Pulls New Account Location Feature
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Center 25%
Right 32%
What happened: X briefly launched an 'About this account' feature over the weekend showing users' country of origin based on IP address, sparking viral posts revealing prominent MAGA-branded accounts appeared foreign-operated. The feature was pulled Friday night after hours due to data inaccuracies, especially on older accounts, with fixes promised by Tuesday.
Why it matters: The feature could help you identify troll farms and foreign influence operations targeting social media to spread propaganda and destabilize governments. However, inaccurate location data risks spreading misinformation and eroding trust, while VPN users may be incorrectly flagged as foreign-based accounts.
92% of sources are Original Reporting
26 Articles •
Philippines Arrests 7 in Major Flood Control Corruption Case
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Center 26%
11%
What happened: Philippine authorities arrested one suspect and accepted six surrenders in a corruption investigation into ghost flood-control projects, starting with a P289.5 million Oriental Mindoro dike. The Sandiganbayan issued warrants for 18 people including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, with seven suspects still at large.
Why it matters: The scandal may have cost the Philippines up to P118.5 billion in lost flood-control funds, leaving vulnerable communities unprotected as recent typhoons killed over 250 people. Investigations now cover 9,855 projects worth P545 billion, with implicated officials including President Marcos's cousin and former Senate leaders.
Blindspot: Low Coverage from Right Sources
65% of sources are High Factuality
86 Articles •
Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 10,000 Years
Left 42%
Center 29%
Right 29%
What happened: Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region erupted yesterday for the first time in approximately 12,000 years, sending ash plumes 13-15 kilometers high and releasing major sulfur dioxide emissions. The ash cloud is drifting eastward over the Red Sea toward Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan, prompting aviation advisories.
Why it matters: The volcanic ash poses significant risks to air travel across the Red Sea region and South Asia, with aviation authorities issuing active advisories for aircraft safety. This marks the volcano's first eruption since the end of the last Ice Age, making it a highly unusual geological event in one of Earth's most remote and volcanically active regions.
77% of sources are Original Reporting
50 Articles •
Japan Advances Missile Deployment on Yonaguni Island Near Taiwan Amid China Criticism
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Center 34%
Right 28%
What happened: Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed this weekend that plans to deploy upgraded Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, just 110 kilometers from Taiwan, are progressing steadily. China condemned the deployment as crossing a red line and deliberately provoking military confrontation, escalating a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
Why it matters: The missile deployment transforms Japan's westernmost island into a frontline defense position amid escalating regional tensions, potentially drawing the 1,700 residents into a broader conflict over Taiwan. The move strengthens US-Japan deterrence capabilities but increases the risk of military confrontation with China, which has already imposed seafood bans and warned of crushing military defeat if Japan intervenes in Taiwan.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
95 Articles •
Malaysia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16
Left 28%
Center 42%
Right 30%
What's happening: Malaysia will require identity verification using MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID to bar users under 16 from creating social media accounts starting in 2026. The Cabinet-approved policy follows Australia's world-first ban and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, scams, and sexual abuse as part of the Online Safety Act effective January 1, 2026.
Why it matters: All major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X must implement electronic know-your-customer checks by next year, changing how Malaysians register for social media. Platforms with over eight million Malaysian users face licensing requirements and potential fines up to $32 million for noncompliance, mirroring Australia's $33 million penalties.
27 Articles •
UK Regulators Approve Puberty Blocker Trial to Begin
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Center 32%
Right 31%
What happened: UK regulators this week approved the largest clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs in children under 16, led by King's College London. The Pathways programme will recruit around 220-250 young people early next year, randomising participants to immediate treatment or a one-year delay, with results expected in four years.
Why it matters: The trial addresses a critical evidence gap after the 2024 UK ban restricted puberty blockers to research only, following the Cass Review's findings of poor existing evidence. Results will inform NHS policy on treating gender incongruence by examining mental health, bone density, fertility and brain development impacts in this vulnerable population.
70% of sources are Original Reporting
17 Articles •
China Simulates Jamming Starlink Over Taiwan
Left 34%
Center 33%
Right 33%
What happened: A Chinese military study concluded that jamming Starlink satellite communications over Taiwan would require a massive airborne force, highlighting the challenges of disrupting SpaceX's satellite network in a potential conflict scenario.
Why it matters: This research reveals China's concerns about Starlink's military potential in Taiwan and demonstrates the growing strategic importance of commercial satellite networks in modern warfare, potentially affecting global security dynamics and space-based communications.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
Daily Briefing
Candace Owens claims assassination plot; Israel strikes Lebanon; NCAA backlash on foreign students
162 Articles •
X Temporarily Pulls New Account Location Feature
Left 43%
Center 25%
Right 32%
What happened: X briefly launched an 'About this account' feature over the weekend showing users' country of origin based on IP address, sparking viral posts revealing prominent MAGA-branded accounts appeared foreign-operated. The feature was pulled Friday night after hours due to data inaccuracies, especially on older accounts, with fixes promised by Tuesday.
Why it matters: The feature could help you identify troll farms and foreign influence operations targeting social media to spread propaganda and destabilize governments. However, inaccurate location data risks spreading misinformation and eroding trust, while VPN users may be incorrectly flagged as foreign-based accounts.
92% of sources are Original Reporting
26 Articles •
Philippines Arrests 7 in Major Flood Control Corruption Case
Left 63%
Center 26%
11%
What happened: Philippine authorities arrested one suspect and accepted six surrenders in a corruption investigation into ghost flood-control projects, starting with a P289.5 million Oriental Mindoro dike. The Sandiganbayan issued warrants for 18 people including former lawmaker Zaldy Co, with seven suspects still at large.
Why it matters: The scandal may have cost the Philippines up to P118.5 billion in lost flood-control funds, leaving vulnerable communities unprotected as recent typhoons killed over 250 people. Investigations now cover 9,855 projects worth P545 billion, with implicated officials including President Marcos's cousin and former Senate leaders.
Blindspot: Low Coverage from Right Sources
65% of sources are High Factuality
86 Articles •
Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 10,000 Years
Left 42%
Center 29%
Right 29%
What happened: Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region erupted yesterday for the first time in approximately 12,000 years, sending ash plumes 13-15 kilometers high and releasing major sulfur dioxide emissions. The ash cloud is drifting eastward over the Red Sea toward Yemen, Oman, India, and northern Pakistan, prompting aviation advisories.
Why it matters: The volcanic ash poses significant risks to air travel across the Red Sea region and South Asia, with aviation authorities issuing active advisories for aircraft safety. This marks the volcano's first eruption since the end of the last Ice Age, making it a highly unusual geological event in one of Earth's most remote and volcanically active regions.
77% of sources are Original Reporting
50 Articles •
Japan Advances Missile Deployment on Yonaguni Island Near Taiwan Amid China Criticism
Left 38%
Center 34%
Right 28%
What happened: Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi confirmed this weekend that plans to deploy upgraded Type 03 medium-range surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island, just 110 kilometers from Taiwan, are progressing steadily. China condemned the deployment as crossing a red line and deliberately provoking military confrontation, escalating a diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
Why it matters: The missile deployment transforms Japan's westernmost island into a frontline defense position amid escalating regional tensions, potentially drawing the 1,700 residents into a broader conflict over Taiwan. The move strengthens US-Japan deterrence capabilities but increases the risk of military confrontation with China, which has already imposed seafood bans and warned of crushing military defeat if Japan intervenes in Taiwan.
88% of sources are Original Reporting
95 Articles •
Malaysia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16
Left 28%
Center 42%
Right 30%
What's happening: Malaysia will require identity verification using MyKad, passports, or MyDigital ID to bar users under 16 from creating social media accounts starting in 2026. The Cabinet-approved policy follows Australia's world-first ban and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, scams, and sexual abuse as part of the Online Safety Act effective January 1, 2026.
Why it matters: All major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and X must implement electronic know-your-customer checks by next year, changing how Malaysians register for social media. Platforms with over eight million Malaysian users face licensing requirements and potential fines up to $32 million for noncompliance, mirroring Australia's $33 million penalties.
27 Articles •
UK Regulators Approve Puberty Blocker Trial to Begin
Left 37%
Center 32%
Right 31%
What happened: UK regulators this week approved the largest clinical trial of puberty-blocking drugs in children under 16, led by King's College London. The Pathways programme will recruit around 220-250 young people early next year, randomising participants to immediate treatment or a one-year delay, with results expected in four years.
Why it matters: The trial addresses a critical evidence gap after the 2024 UK ban restricted puberty blockers to research only, following the Cass Review's findings of poor existing evidence. Results will inform NHS policy on treating gender incongruence by examining mental health, bone density, fertility and brain development impacts in this vulnerable population.
70% of sources are Original Reporting
17 Articles •
China Simulates Jamming Starlink Over Taiwan
Left 34%
Center 33%
Right 33%
What happened: A Chinese military study concluded that jamming Starlink satellite communications over Taiwan would require a massive airborne force, highlighting the challenges of disrupting SpaceX's satellite network in a potential conflict scenario.
Why it matters: This research reveals China's concerns about Starlink's military potential in Taiwan and demonstrates the growing strategic importance of commercial satellite networks in modern warfare, potentially affecting global security dynamics and space-based communications.
100% of sources are Original Reporting