US EditionDaily Briefing
Portland Border Patrol shooting involved gang affiliated suspects; Greenland rare earths has major price tag; Pandora launches
44 Articles •
Netanyahu's Chief of Staff Detained Over Leak Obstruction Claims
Left 27%
C 15%
Right 58%
What happened: Israeli police detained Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu's chief of staff and ambassador-designate to the UK, yesterday on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into a classified military document leaked to Germany's Bild in September 2024. Former Netanyahu spokesman Eli Feldstein alleges Braverman summoned him to an underground parking garage at Tel Aviv's Kirya military complex and offered to 'shut down' the probe.
Why it matters: The leaked document was allegedly used to shape public opinion during Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, claiming Hamas wasn't interested in a deal to justify military pressure over diplomacy. The case threatens Braverman's UK ambassadorial appointment and raises questions about potential obstruction of justice at the highest levels of Netanyahu's government, with indictments expected against multiple senior advisers.
91% of sources are Original Reporting
150 Articles •
Six Skiers Die in French Alps Avalanches Despite Warnings
Left 28%
Center 46%
Right 26%
What happened: Six skiers died in multiple avalanches across the French Alps over the weekend, including a British man in his 50s at La Plagne and victims at Courchevel, Val-d'Isère, Vallorcine, and Arêches-Beaufort. About 52 rescuers deployed dogs and helicopters, but some victims buried under 2.5 metres of snow took 50 minutes to locate and could not be revived.
Why it matters: Avalanche danger remains at level 4 out of 5 across the region in coming days, with authorities strongly discouraging off-piste skiing until the snowpack stabilizes after heavy snowfall. Some victims were not carrying avalanche transceivers and could only be located via mobile phones, highlighting critical safety equipment gaps during peak January resort season.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
113 Articles •
Meta Names Dina Powell McCormick President and Vice Chair
Left 31%
Center 43%
Right 26%
The details: Meta appointed Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chairman this week, reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. She will lead AI infrastructure strategy, secure capital partnerships, and work with governments to fund massive data center projects, including a 5-gigawatt Louisiana facility that Zuckerberg compared to Manhattan's size.
Why it matters: Meta plans to spend $600 billion on AI infrastructure over the next several years and needs external financing to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft. McCormick's finance expertise from Goldman Sachs and government connections from serving two Republican presidents could help Meta secure the hundreds of billions needed to stay competitive in the AI race.
90 Articles •
Australia Wildfires Burn 865K Acres, Destroy 300 Buildings
L 20%
Center 42%
Right 38%
What happened: Bushfires across Victoria have destroyed over 300 structures including homes, businesses and sheds, burning through approximately 395,100 hectares of land. Police confirmed the first fatality on Sunday after discovering human remains about 100 metres from a vehicle near Longwood, with the victim yet to be formally identified.
What it means: A state of emergency remains active with thousands of firefighters and over 70 aircraft battling blazes fueled by extreme heat and dry winds. Tens of thousands are without power, air quality is poor to very poor across most of Victoria including Melbourne, and emergency warnings urge residents in multiple communities to take shelter immediately as it may be too late to leave safely.
47 Articles •
London Homicides Drop to Lowest Rate Since 1997
Left 38%
Center 28%
Right 34%
The numbers: London recorded 97 homicides in 2025, an 11% drop from 109 in 2024 and the lowest since 2014. The homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 residents is the lowest on record and significantly below New York (2.8), Berlin (3.2), and Paris (1.6).
What it means: Fewer homicides mean fewer families devastated by violence, with public confidence rising to 81% rating police as doing a good or fair job. However, shoplifting surged 54% since 2023 and phone theft rose 25%, while budget cuts threaten to reduce police officers from 33,766 to 31,258 by March.
79% of sources are Original Reporting
27 Articles •
Sudan Government Returns to Khartoum After 3-Year Exile
Left 40%
Center 30%
Right 30%
What happened: Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced yesterday that Sudan's government is officially returning to Khartoum after operating from Port Sudan for nearly three years since the civil war began in April 2023. The army recaptured the capital last March after two years of intense fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, prompting a gradual government return.
Why it matters: The return affects millions of displaced Sudanese, with 1.2 million already back in Khartoum finding barely functioning services, destroyed homes, and makeshift cemeteries. The UN estimates $350 million is needed to rehabilitate essential infrastructure, while the conflict has created the world's largest displacement crisis with 11 million people forced from homes and at least 150,000 dead.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
26 Articles •
South Africa's ANC Unveils Reform Plan Ahead of Local Polls
Left 33%
Center 42%
Right 25%
What happened: President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a six-point reform blueprint at the ANC's 114th birthday celebration last week, declaring 2026 the year of decisive action. The plan prioritizes fixing local government, tackling unemployment exceeding 30%, fighting corruption through Zondo Commission recommendations, and addressing crime ahead of local elections scheduled between November and January.
Why it matters: After losing its parliamentary majority in 2024 with support dropping 17 percentage points to 40%, the ANC faces critical local elections this year. Only 41 of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits, meaning improved service delivery, water supply, electricity reliability, and job creation depend on whether the party can implement reforms and restore accountability at the local level.
96% of sources are Original Reporting
Daily Briefing
Portland Border Patrol shooting involved gang affiliated suspects; Greenland rare earths has major price tag; Pandora launches
44 Articles •
Netanyahu's Chief of Staff Detained Over Leak Obstruction Claims
Left 27%
C 15%
Right 58%
What happened: Israeli police detained Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu's chief of staff and ambassador-designate to the UK, yesterday on suspicion of obstructing an investigation into a classified military document leaked to Germany's Bild in September 2024. Former Netanyahu spokesman Eli Feldstein alleges Braverman summoned him to an underground parking garage at Tel Aviv's Kirya military complex and offered to 'shut down' the probe.
Why it matters: The leaked document was allegedly used to shape public opinion during Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, claiming Hamas wasn't interested in a deal to justify military pressure over diplomacy. The case threatens Braverman's UK ambassadorial appointment and raises questions about potential obstruction of justice at the highest levels of Netanyahu's government, with indictments expected against multiple senior advisers.
91% of sources are Original Reporting
150 Articles •
Six Skiers Die in French Alps Avalanches Despite Warnings
Left 28%
Center 46%
Right 26%
What happened: Six skiers died in multiple avalanches across the French Alps over the weekend, including a British man in his 50s at La Plagne and victims at Courchevel, Val-d'Isère, Vallorcine, and Arêches-Beaufort. About 52 rescuers deployed dogs and helicopters, but some victims buried under 2.5 metres of snow took 50 minutes to locate and could not be revived.
Why it matters: Avalanche danger remains at level 4 out of 5 across the region in coming days, with authorities strongly discouraging off-piste skiing until the snowpack stabilizes after heavy snowfall. Some victims were not carrying avalanche transceivers and could only be located via mobile phones, highlighting critical safety equipment gaps during peak January resort season.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
113 Articles •
Meta Names Dina Powell McCormick President and Vice Chair
Left 31%
Center 43%
Right 26%
The details: Meta appointed Dina Powell McCormick as president and vice chairman this week, reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. She will lead AI infrastructure strategy, secure capital partnerships, and work with governments to fund massive data center projects, including a 5-gigawatt Louisiana facility that Zuckerberg compared to Manhattan's size.
Why it matters: Meta plans to spend $600 billion on AI infrastructure over the next several years and needs external financing to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Microsoft. McCormick's finance expertise from Goldman Sachs and government connections from serving two Republican presidents could help Meta secure the hundreds of billions needed to stay competitive in the AI race.
90 Articles •
Australia Wildfires Burn 865K Acres, Destroy 300 Buildings
L 20%
Center 42%
Right 38%
What happened: Bushfires across Victoria have destroyed over 300 structures including homes, businesses and sheds, burning through approximately 395,100 hectares of land. Police confirmed the first fatality on Sunday after discovering human remains about 100 metres from a vehicle near Longwood, with the victim yet to be formally identified.
What it means: A state of emergency remains active with thousands of firefighters and over 70 aircraft battling blazes fueled by extreme heat and dry winds. Tens of thousands are without power, air quality is poor to very poor across most of Victoria including Melbourne, and emergency warnings urge residents in multiple communities to take shelter immediately as it may be too late to leave safely.
47 Articles •
London Homicides Drop to Lowest Rate Since 1997
Left 38%
Center 28%
Right 34%
The numbers: London recorded 97 homicides in 2025, an 11% drop from 109 in 2024 and the lowest since 2014. The homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 residents is the lowest on record and significantly below New York (2.8), Berlin (3.2), and Paris (1.6).
What it means: Fewer homicides mean fewer families devastated by violence, with public confidence rising to 81% rating police as doing a good or fair job. However, shoplifting surged 54% since 2023 and phone theft rose 25%, while budget cuts threaten to reduce police officers from 33,766 to 31,258 by March.
79% of sources are Original Reporting
27 Articles •
Sudan Government Returns to Khartoum After 3-Year Exile
Left 40%
Center 30%
Right 30%
What happened: Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced yesterday that Sudan's government is officially returning to Khartoum after operating from Port Sudan for nearly three years since the civil war began in April 2023. The army recaptured the capital last March after two years of intense fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, prompting a gradual government return.
Why it matters: The return affects millions of displaced Sudanese, with 1.2 million already back in Khartoum finding barely functioning services, destroyed homes, and makeshift cemeteries. The UN estimates $350 million is needed to rehabilitate essential infrastructure, while the conflict has created the world's largest displacement crisis with 11 million people forced from homes and at least 150,000 dead.
81% of sources are Original Reporting
26 Articles •
South Africa's ANC Unveils Reform Plan Ahead of Local Polls
Left 33%
Center 42%
Right 25%
What happened: President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a six-point reform blueprint at the ANC's 114th birthday celebration last week, declaring 2026 the year of decisive action. The plan prioritizes fixing local government, tackling unemployment exceeding 30%, fighting corruption through Zondo Commission recommendations, and addressing crime ahead of local elections scheduled between November and January.
Why it matters: After losing its parliamentary majority in 2024 with support dropping 17 percentage points to 40%, the ANC faces critical local elections this year. Only 41 of 257 municipalities achieved clean audits, meaning improved service delivery, water supply, electricity reliability, and job creation depend on whether the party can implement reforms and restore accountability at the local level.
96% of sources are Original Reporting