December 2024
January 2025
China Expands Visa-Free Transit Policy, Boosting Inbound Tourism
China significantly expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the allowed stay to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of 54 countries, adding 21 ports, and boosting inbound tourism as evidenced by an 87 percent increase in flight and hotel searches within one hour of the announcement.
China Expands Visa-Free Transit Policy, Boosting Inbound Tourism
China significantly expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the allowed stay to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of 54 countries, adding 21 ports, and boosting inbound tourism as evidenced by an 87 percent increase in flight and hotel searches within one hour of the announcement.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Greece Launches New Obesity Drug Amidst Booming Market
Greece launched tirzepatide, a weekly injectable obesity drug costing \"253.05 EUR\", promising \"20%\" weight loss; high demand is expected, reflecting a \"200 billion USD\" market projection by 2030 and innovation in transdermal delivery systems.
Greece Launches New Obesity Drug Amidst Booming Market
Greece launched tirzepatide, a weekly injectable obesity drug costing \"253.05 EUR\", promising \"20%\" weight loss; high demand is expected, reflecting a \"200 billion USD\" market projection by 2030 and innovation in transdermal delivery systems.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Racist Abuse Follows First Black Lucia's Selection in Finland
Daniela Owusu, a 20-year-old Finnish-Ghanaian woman, became Finland's first Black Lucia on December 13th, sparking thousands of racist messages. The prime minister apologized, and organizers are considering legal action against the perpetrators, highlighting a broader issue of rising racism in Finla...
Racist Abuse Follows First Black Lucia's Selection in Finland
Daniela Owusu, a 20-year-old Finnish-Ghanaian woman, became Finland's first Black Lucia on December 13th, sparking thousands of racist messages. The prime minister apologized, and organizers are considering legal action against the perpetrators, highlighting a broader issue of rising racism in Finla...
Progress
36% Bias Score
UK Government Rejects £10.5 Billion Waspi Women Compensation Plan
The UK government refused a £10.5 billion compensation plan for over 3 million women affected by state pension age increases, citing a 2006 survey indicating widespread awareness of the changes despite acknowledging communication failures; this sparked outrage among campaigners and opposition partie...
UK Government Rejects £10.5 Billion Waspi Women Compensation Plan
The UK government refused a £10.5 billion compensation plan for over 3 million women affected by state pension age increases, citing a 2006 survey indicating widespread awareness of the changes despite acknowledging communication failures; this sparked outrage among campaigners and opposition partie...
Progress
44% Bias Score
Cyprus "Truth Commission" Proposal: A Path to Reconciliation?
A proposed "Truth Commission" in Cyprus aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 745 missing Greek Cypriots and 197 missing Turkish Cypriots from inter-communal violence and the 1974 Turkish invasion, potentially boosting inter-community trust and aiding a stalled peace process; h...
Cyprus "Truth Commission" Proposal: A Path to Reconciliation?
A proposed "Truth Commission" in Cyprus aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 745 missing Greek Cypriots and 197 missing Turkish Cypriots from inter-communal violence and the 1974 Turkish invasion, potentially boosting inter-community trust and aiding a stalled peace process; h...
Progress
36% Bias Score
HELLENiQ ENERGY Consolidates Greek Energy Market Control
HELLENiQ ENERGY finalized the purchase of Elpedison's remaining 50% stake for €164 million plus €31 million conditionally and is selling its 35% share in DEPA Commercial to the Greek state, aiming for a 10% market share in energy supply by 2026 through organic growth.
HELLENiQ ENERGY Consolidates Greek Energy Market Control
HELLENiQ ENERGY finalized the purchase of Elpedison's remaining 50% stake for €164 million plus €31 million conditionally and is selling its 35% share in DEPA Commercial to the Greek state, aiming for a 10% market share in energy supply by 2026 through organic growth.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Moldova's Narrow Pro-EU Victory Amidst Societal Divisions and 'Georgian Scenario' Fears
Moldovan President Maia Sandu won a second term, pushing for EU membership, which narrowly passed a referendum (50.4%). However, societal divisions and the risk of a 'Georgian scenario' remain due to the influence of Russian propaganda and the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Moldova's Narrow Pro-EU Victory Amidst Societal Divisions and 'Georgian Scenario' Fears
Moldovan President Maia Sandu won a second term, pushing for EU membership, which narrowly passed a referendum (50.4%). However, societal divisions and the risk of a 'Georgian scenario' remain due to the influence of Russian propaganda and the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Stellantis and CATL to Build 4.1 Billion Euro Battery Plant in Spain
Stellantis and CATL announced a 4.1 billion euro battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain, expected to create up to 3,000 jobs by 2026, boosting Aragon's GDP by 1.5 percent and furthering Europe's electric vehicle transition.
Stellantis and CATL to Build 4.1 Billion Euro Battery Plant in Spain
Stellantis and CATL announced a 4.1 billion euro battery plant in Zaragoza, Spain, expected to create up to 3,000 jobs by 2026, boosting Aragon's GDP by 1.5 percent and furthering Europe's electric vehicle transition.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Texas Mother Posthumously Awarded Carnegie Medal for Saving Children in House Fire
Giovanna Cabrera, 31, died saving her baby from a house fire in Houston, Texas on February 3, 2024, after rescuing her two other children; she was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for her heroism.
Texas Mother Posthumously Awarded Carnegie Medal for Saving Children in House Fire
Giovanna Cabrera, 31, died saving her baby from a house fire in Houston, Texas on February 3, 2024, after rescuing her two other children; she was posthumously awarded the Carnegie Medal for her heroism.
Progress
28% Bias Score
NATO Intercepts Russian Bombers Over Baltic
NATO fighter jets intercepted two Russian Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers over the Baltic Sea today, during a five-hour flight, prompting increased concern amid heightened regional tensions and Sir Keir Starmer's visit to Estonia.
NATO Intercepts Russian Bombers Over Baltic
NATO fighter jets intercepted two Russian Tu-22M3 nuclear-capable bombers over the Baltic Sea today, during a five-hour flight, prompting increased concern amid heightened regional tensions and Sir Keir Starmer's visit to Estonia.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Sharp Rise in Explosive Attacks in the Netherlands
Dutch police have arrested 500 suspects in 1100 explosive attacks this year, a sharp increase from 212 in 2021, primarily using illegal fireworks ('cobras') due to the country's "fireworks culture", prompting calls for stricter regulations and conflict-resolution programs.
Sharp Rise in Explosive Attacks in the Netherlands
Dutch police have arrested 500 suspects in 1100 explosive attacks this year, a sharp increase from 212 in 2021, primarily using illegal fireworks ('cobras') due to the country's "fireworks culture", prompting calls for stricter regulations and conflict-resolution programs.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Father Kills Son, then Self After Custody Ruling
Lee Borrett, suffering from anger management issues and involved in prior domestic abuse, killed his five-year-old son, Timotej, during a supervised visit in Leicester on July 24, 2023, before taking his own life; a court had recently granted custody to Timotej's mother but allowed supervised visits...
Father Kills Son, then Self After Custody Ruling
Lee Borrett, suffering from anger management issues and involved in prior domestic abuse, killed his five-year-old son, Timotej, during a supervised visit in Leicester on July 24, 2023, before taking his own life; a court had recently granted custody to Timotej's mother but allowed supervised visits...
Progress
24% Bias Score