US EditionDaily Briefing
Are peptides legit?; Duterte starts ICC trial; South Korea pushes back on Russia-Ukraine banner in Seoul
65 Articles •
South Korea Objects to Russian Embassy War Banner in Seoul
L 17%
Center 46%
Right 37%
What happened: A 15-metre banner reading 'Victory will be ours' was hung on the Russian Embassy facade in central Seoul over the weekend; Seoul formally protested and asked for its removal.
Why it matters: The display risks inflaming public outrage among Koreans, Ukrainians and Europeans in Seoul and heightens tensions as Seoul condemns Russia–North Korea military cooperation as a serious security threat.
118 Articles •
ICC Opens Proceedings Against Duterte for War Crimes
Left 43%
Center 36%
R 21%
What's happening: The International Criminal Court began a four-day hearing today in The Hague to determine if sufficient evidence exists to send former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to trial on three counts of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege Duterte orchestrated at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his anti-drug campaign, though the actual death toll may reach 30,000 according to human rights groups.
Why it matters: This hearing represents the closest the alleged drug war killings have come to accountability in open court, offering 539 participating victims and families a chance at justice after years of waiting. Judges will decide within 60 days whether to confirm charges, potentially leading to a full trial that could encourage thousands more families to come forward and influence future anti-drug policies in the Philippines.
67% of sources are High Factuality
16 Articles •
Scientists Warn Injectable Peptides Lack Evidence Despite Influencer Hype
Left 57%
C 14%
Right 29%
What happened: The FDA and medical experts are warning consumers about popular injectable peptides sold online and through compounding pharmacies that are largely experimental, unstudied in humans, and may contain toxic contaminants or incorrect doses. These peptides, marketed for muscle growth, immune function, and anti-aging, are often purchased without doctor oversight despite unknown long-term safety risks.
Why it matters: Using these unproven peptides without medical supervision could cause serious harm including encouraging pre-cancerous cell growth, toxic contamination, or dangerous misdosing. While consulting a physician and using licensed compounding pharmacies can reduce some risks, even these products remain experimental with no established safe doses or long-term safety data.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
9 Articles •
Ancient Congo Peatlands Release Thousands of Years of Stored Carbon
Center 100%
The discovery: Large blackwater lakes in the Congo Basin are releasing CO₂ from peat accumulated over thousands of years—up to 40% of emissions are millennial-aged carbon, contrary to assumptions that this carbon remains locked away. Researchers at ETH Zurich used radiocarbon dating on Lake Mai Ndombe and a neighboring lake to make this discovery, published this week in Nature Geoscience.
Why it matters: Congo Basin peatlands store 30 billion tonnes of carbon—equivalent to three years of global emissions and one-third of all tropical peatland carbon. If climate change and deforestation dry out these peatlands, more ancient carbon could be released into the atmosphere, undermining a critical carbon sink and accelerating global warming at a time when the region faces pressure from logging, oil drilling plans, and population growth expected to triple by 2050.
89% of sources are Original Reporting
24 Articles •
Gulf States Back Kuwait in Maritime Dispute with Iraq
Left 37%
Center 32%
Right 31%
What happened: Iraq submitted new maritime coordinates and a map to the UN in January and February defining its claimed waters, including shoals Kuwait considers undisputed Kuwaiti territory. Kuwait summoned Iraq's diplomat over the weekend and lodged a formal protest, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman issuing statements backing Kuwait's sovereignty.
Why it matters: The dispute affects control of strategic Persian Gulf waters including the vital Khor Abdullah waterway used for navigation and access to Iraq's Grand Faw Port. It also touches areas near the Saudi-Kuwaiti divided zone where both kingdoms share natural resources, potentially destabilizing regional diplomatic ties and maritime security.
71% of sources are Original Reporting
23 Articles •
India: Woman, Infant Burned to Death Over Witchcraft Accusation
L 20%
Center 30%
Right 50%
What happened: A mob of about a dozen people in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district doused Jyoti Sinku and her 10-month-old son with kerosene and burned them alive on February 17 after accusing her of witchcraft. Her husband Kolhan Sinku suffered severe burns trying to intervene and is hospitalized; police have arrested four suspects and are searching for others.
Why it matters: This brutal killing highlights a persistent crisis affecting disadvantaged tribal communities where superstition, lack of healthcare access, and poverty fuel violence against women. More than 2,500 people, mostly women, were killed in India on witchcraft accusations between 2000 and 2016, with about 100 such murders occurring annually in recent years, concentrated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
96% of sources are Original Reporting
18 Articles •
Saudi Source Pushes for Iran Regime Change as Military Confrontation Looms
Left 40%
10%
Right 50%
What's happening: A Saudi source is advocating for regime change in Iran through diplomatic pressure or US-led military action, potentially targeting Iran's leadership including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The US has amassed its largest air power concentration in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war, while nuclear negotiations remain deadlocked with Iran given just two weeks to meet US demands.
Why it matters: A military campaign could trigger Iranian strikes on Gulf infrastructure and US bases, disrupt one-fifth of global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz causing inflation, and spark a refugee crisis. Gulf states hosting US troops face direct threats despite publicly denying airspace access, while 900 Iranians died in last June's twelve-day conflict including many civilians.
94% of sources are Original Reporting
105 Articles •
Trump Demands Netflix Fire Susan Rice or 'Pay the Consequences'
Left 26%
Center 34%
Right 40%
What happened: President Trump demanded Netflix immediately fire board member Susan Rice or face consequences, posting Saturday on Truth Social after Rice said on a podcast that corporations accommodating Trump could face accountability if Democrats regain power. The demand comes as the DOJ reviews Netflix's proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with shareholders voting March 20 and competing bids from Paramount Skydance.
Why it matters: The president's public pressure on Netflix's corporate governance during an active federal antitrust review raises questions about political influence on regulatory processes. The DOJ investigation could delay or block the merger, affecting streaming competition and content availability, while Trump's threat of unspecified consequences creates uncertainty for the entertainment industry and corporate decision-making.
85% of sources are Original Reporting
Daily Briefing
Are peptides legit?; Duterte starts ICC trial; South Korea pushes back on Russia-Ukraine banner in Seoul
65 Articles •
South Korea Objects to Russian Embassy War Banner in Seoul
L 17%
Center 46%
Right 37%
What happened: A 15-metre banner reading 'Victory will be ours' was hung on the Russian Embassy facade in central Seoul over the weekend; Seoul formally protested and asked for its removal.
Why it matters: The display risks inflaming public outrage among Koreans, Ukrainians and Europeans in Seoul and heightens tensions as Seoul condemns Russia–North Korea military cooperation as a serious security threat.
118 Articles •
ICC Opens Proceedings Against Duterte for War Crimes
Left 43%
Center 36%
R 21%
What's happening: The International Criminal Court began a four-day hearing today in The Hague to determine if sufficient evidence exists to send former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to trial on three counts of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege Duterte orchestrated at least 76 murders between 2013 and 2018 during his anti-drug campaign, though the actual death toll may reach 30,000 according to human rights groups.
Why it matters: This hearing represents the closest the alleged drug war killings have come to accountability in open court, offering 539 participating victims and families a chance at justice after years of waiting. Judges will decide within 60 days whether to confirm charges, potentially leading to a full trial that could encourage thousands more families to come forward and influence future anti-drug policies in the Philippines.
67% of sources are High Factuality
16 Articles •
Scientists Warn Injectable Peptides Lack Evidence Despite Influencer Hype
Left 57%
C 14%
Right 29%
What happened: The FDA and medical experts are warning consumers about popular injectable peptides sold online and through compounding pharmacies that are largely experimental, unstudied in humans, and may contain toxic contaminants or incorrect doses. These peptides, marketed for muscle growth, immune function, and anti-aging, are often purchased without doctor oversight despite unknown long-term safety risks.
Why it matters: Using these unproven peptides without medical supervision could cause serious harm including encouraging pre-cancerous cell growth, toxic contamination, or dangerous misdosing. While consulting a physician and using licensed compounding pharmacies can reduce some risks, even these products remain experimental with no established safe doses or long-term safety data.
100% of sources are Original Reporting
9 Articles •
Ancient Congo Peatlands Release Thousands of Years of Stored Carbon
Center 100%
The discovery: Large blackwater lakes in the Congo Basin are releasing CO₂ from peat accumulated over thousands of years—up to 40% of emissions are millennial-aged carbon, contrary to assumptions that this carbon remains locked away. Researchers at ETH Zurich used radiocarbon dating on Lake Mai Ndombe and a neighboring lake to make this discovery, published this week in Nature Geoscience.
Why it matters: Congo Basin peatlands store 30 billion tonnes of carbon—equivalent to three years of global emissions and one-third of all tropical peatland carbon. If climate change and deforestation dry out these peatlands, more ancient carbon could be released into the atmosphere, undermining a critical carbon sink and accelerating global warming at a time when the region faces pressure from logging, oil drilling plans, and population growth expected to triple by 2050.
89% of sources are Original Reporting
24 Articles •
Gulf States Back Kuwait in Maritime Dispute with Iraq
Left 37%
Center 32%
Right 31%
What happened: Iraq submitted new maritime coordinates and a map to the UN in January and February defining its claimed waters, including shoals Kuwait considers undisputed Kuwaiti territory. Kuwait summoned Iraq's diplomat over the weekend and lodged a formal protest, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman issuing statements backing Kuwait's sovereignty.
Why it matters: The dispute affects control of strategic Persian Gulf waters including the vital Khor Abdullah waterway used for navigation and access to Iraq's Grand Faw Port. It also touches areas near the Saudi-Kuwaiti divided zone where both kingdoms share natural resources, potentially destabilizing regional diplomatic ties and maritime security.
71% of sources are Original Reporting
23 Articles •
India: Woman, Infant Burned to Death Over Witchcraft Accusation
L 20%
Center 30%
Right 50%
What happened: A mob of about a dozen people in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district doused Jyoti Sinku and her 10-month-old son with kerosene and burned them alive on February 17 after accusing her of witchcraft. Her husband Kolhan Sinku suffered severe burns trying to intervene and is hospitalized; police have arrested four suspects and are searching for others.
Why it matters: This brutal killing highlights a persistent crisis affecting disadvantaged tribal communities where superstition, lack of healthcare access, and poverty fuel violence against women. More than 2,500 people, mostly women, were killed in India on witchcraft accusations between 2000 and 2016, with about 100 such murders occurring annually in recent years, concentrated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha.
96% of sources are Original Reporting
18 Articles •
Saudi Source Pushes for Iran Regime Change as Military Confrontation Looms
Left 40%
10%
Right 50%
What's happening: A Saudi source is advocating for regime change in Iran through diplomatic pressure or US-led military action, potentially targeting Iran's leadership including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The US has amassed its largest air power concentration in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq war, while nuclear negotiations remain deadlocked with Iran given just two weeks to meet US demands.
Why it matters: A military campaign could trigger Iranian strikes on Gulf infrastructure and US bases, disrupt one-fifth of global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz causing inflation, and spark a refugee crisis. Gulf states hosting US troops face direct threats despite publicly denying airspace access, while 900 Iranians died in last June's twelve-day conflict including many civilians.
94% of sources are Original Reporting
105 Articles •
Trump Demands Netflix Fire Susan Rice or 'Pay the Consequences'
Left 26%
Center 34%
Right 40%
What happened: President Trump demanded Netflix immediately fire board member Susan Rice or face consequences, posting Saturday on Truth Social after Rice said on a podcast that corporations accommodating Trump could face accountability if Democrats regain power. The demand comes as the DOJ reviews Netflix's proposed $83 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with shareholders voting March 20 and competing bids from Paramount Skydance.
Why it matters: The president's public pressure on Netflix's corporate governance during an active federal antitrust review raises questions about political influence on regulatory processes. The DOJ investigation could delay or block the merger, affecting streaming competition and content availability, while Trump's threat of unspecified consequences creates uncertainty for the entertainment industry and corporate decision-making.
85% of sources are Original Reporting