December 2024
January 2025
ANZ Appoints Former Minister Birmingham to Boost Asia Pacific Engagement
Simon Birmingham, former Australian senator and cabinet minister, joined ANZ bank on February 3, 2024, as head of Asia Pacific engagement and chair of its South Australian branch to boost its institutional division and strengthen its Asian presence, focusing on commercial investment between Australi...
ANZ Appoints Former Minister Birmingham to Boost Asia Pacific Engagement
Simon Birmingham, former Australian senator and cabinet minister, joined ANZ bank on February 3, 2024, as head of Asia Pacific engagement and chair of its South Australian branch to boost its institutional division and strengthen its Asian presence, focusing on commercial investment between Australi...
Progress
56% Bias Score
UNESCO Recognizes Sake as Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO added sake to its intangible cultural heritage list on Wednesday, recognizing the rice wine's cultural significance in Japan and boosting its export potential, currently exceeding $265 million annually.
UNESCO Recognizes Sake as Intangible Cultural Heritage
UNESCO added sake to its intangible cultural heritage list on Wednesday, recognizing the rice wine's cultural significance in Japan and boosting its export potential, currently exceeding $265 million annually.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Former D.C. Police Lieutenant on Trial for Leaking Information to Proud Boys Leader
Former Washington, D.C., police Lt. Shane Lamond is on trial for allegedly leaking confidential information to Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boys chairman, who is expected to testify; Lamond is accused of obstructing justice and lying to investigators about his communications with Tarrio, who is serv...
Former D.C. Police Lieutenant on Trial for Leaking Information to Proud Boys Leader
Former Washington, D.C., police Lt. Shane Lamond is on trial for allegedly leaking confidential information to Enrique Tarrio, former Proud Boys chairman, who is expected to testify; Lamond is accused of obstructing justice and lying to investigators about his communications with Tarrio, who is serv...
Progress
44% Bias Score
French Budget Cuts Projected to Shrink GDP, Cost 242,000 Jobs
The French government's proposed 2025 budget, aiming for a 5% deficit via €60 billion in cuts, is projected to reduce GDP by €31.98 billion and eliminate 242,000 jobs due to a flawed macroeconomic model, primarily affected by the decrease in public spending.
French Budget Cuts Projected to Shrink GDP, Cost 242,000 Jobs
The French government's proposed 2025 budget, aiming for a 5% deficit via €60 billion in cuts, is projected to reduce GDP by €31.98 billion and eliminate 242,000 jobs due to a flawed macroeconomic model, primarily affected by the decrease in public spending.
Progress
52% Bias Score
French Assembly Ousts Government in No-Confidence Vote
On Wednesday, the French National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government by a vote of 331 to 246, triggering a political crisis six months after President Macron dissolved the Assembly due to his party's poor performance in European elections.
French Assembly Ousts Government in No-Confidence Vote
On Wednesday, the French National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government by a vote of 331 to 246, triggering a political crisis six months after President Macron dissolved the Assembly due to his party's poor performance in European elections.
Progress
32% Bias Score
German Housing Construction Crisis Deepens Amidst Weaker Industrial Orders
The Ifo Institute reported a 54% increase in housing construction order shortages in November, exacerbating a chronic crisis. German industrial orders also fell by 1.5% in October, despite a revised 7.2% increase in September due to large orders; experts predict a 0.1–0.2% GDP contraction in 2024.
German Housing Construction Crisis Deepens Amidst Weaker Industrial Orders
The Ifo Institute reported a 54% increase in housing construction order shortages in November, exacerbating a chronic crisis. German industrial orders also fell by 1.5% in October, despite a revised 7.2% increase in September due to large orders; experts predict a 0.1–0.2% GDP contraction in 2024.
Progress
40% Bias Score
France's Debt Concerns Amidst Global Uncertainty
France's rising borrowing costs, reaching 12-year highs against Germany and mirroring Greece's historically, raise market concerns despite France's stronger fundamentals and unlike Greece, not being considered insolvent; this reflects global debt acceleration and market uncertainty.
France's Debt Concerns Amidst Global Uncertainty
France's rising borrowing costs, reaching 12-year highs against Germany and mirroring Greece's historically, raise market concerns despite France's stronger fundamentals and unlike Greece, not being considered insolvent; this reflects global debt acceleration and market uncertainty.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Afghanistan Economy Shows Modest Growth Amidst Trade Deficit and Potential Women's Education Ban
Afghanistan's economy shows modest 2.7% growth in 2023-24, driven by private consumption and falling food prices, but a widening trade deficit and a potential ban on medical training for women threaten long-term stability and development.
Afghanistan Economy Shows Modest Growth Amidst Trade Deficit and Potential Women's Education Ban
Afghanistan's economy shows modest 2.7% growth in 2023-24, driven by private consumption and falling food prices, but a widening trade deficit and a potential ban on medical training for women threaten long-term stability and development.
Progress
40% Bias Score
French Political Uncertainty Triggers Sharp Business Slowdown
Political uncertainty in France following the dissolution of the Assembly has caused a sharp decline in business investment and hiring, impacting companies of all sizes and leading to job losses, as evidenced by a 10% reduction in Somater's workforce and a 75% drop in Societe.com's revenue from the ...
French Political Uncertainty Triggers Sharp Business Slowdown
Political uncertainty in France following the dissolution of the Assembly has caused a sharp decline in business investment and hiring, impacting companies of all sizes and leading to job losses, as evidenced by a 10% reduction in Somater's workforce and a 75% drop in Societe.com's revenue from the ...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Diddy's Holmby Hills Mansion Remains Unsold Amidst Sex Trafficking Scandal
Sean Combs (Diddy) listed his $61.5 million Holmby Hills mansion in September, following a federal raid linked to sex trafficking charges which yielded over 1000 bottles of massage oil and lubricant; the property, purchased in 2014 for $39 million, remains unsold despite its luxurious features.
Diddy's Holmby Hills Mansion Remains Unsold Amidst Sex Trafficking Scandal
Sean Combs (Diddy) listed his $61.5 million Holmby Hills mansion in September, following a federal raid linked to sex trafficking charges which yielded over 1000 bottles of massage oil and lubricant; the property, purchased in 2014 for $39 million, remains unsold despite its luxurious features.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Poliovirus Detected in German Wastewater: Low Domestic Risk, Global Concerns Remain
German wastewater samples revealed poliovirus, likely originating from oral polio vaccines used elsewhere; the risk to the German population is minimal due to high vaccination rates, but the discovery highlights ongoing global eradication challenges.
Poliovirus Detected in German Wastewater: Low Domestic Risk, Global Concerns Remain
German wastewater samples revealed poliovirus, likely originating from oral polio vaccines used elsewhere; the risk to the German population is minimal due to high vaccination rates, but the discovery highlights ongoing global eradication challenges.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Aurubis Reports 19% Earnings Surge Despite Headwinds
Aurubis, Europe's largest copper processor, announced a 19% rise in its 2023/24 pre-tax earnings to €413 million due to lower energy costs and higher prices, while also facing challenges from a major theft and management changes, and projecting lower profits in 2024/25.
Aurubis Reports 19% Earnings Surge Despite Headwinds
Aurubis, Europe's largest copper processor, announced a 19% rise in its 2023/24 pre-tax earnings to €413 million due to lower energy costs and higher prices, while also facing challenges from a major theft and management changes, and projecting lower profits in 2024/25.
Progress
36% Bias Score