December 2024
January 2025
Madoff Victim Fund Makes Final $131.4 Million Payout
The Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) is making its final $131.4 million payout, totaling $4.3 billion returned to 40,930 claimants, representing nearly 94% of proven losses from Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis.
Madoff Victim Fund Makes Final $131.4 Million Payout
The Madoff Victim Fund (MVF) is making its final $131.4 million payout, totaling $4.3 billion returned to 40,930 claimants, representing nearly 94% of proven losses from Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, which collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis.
Progress
20% Bias Score
Serbian Court Sentences Parents of School Shooter to Prison
In Belgrade, Serbia, the parents of a 13-year-old boy who fatally shot nine students and a security guard on May 3, 2023, received prison sentences on December 30, 2023, for negligence and improper firearm storage; the boy's father received 14.5 years, and his mother received 3 years.
Serbian Court Sentences Parents of School Shooter to Prison
In Belgrade, Serbia, the parents of a 13-year-old boy who fatally shot nine students and a security guard on May 3, 2023, received prison sentences on December 30, 2023, for negligence and improper firearm storage; the boy's father received 14.5 years, and his mother received 3 years.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Magdeburg Market Attack Spurs German Security Inquiry, Government Collapse
A car attack at a Magdeburg Christmas market on December 2024 killed five people, including a nine-year-old child, prompting a Bundestag investigation into potential security failures and leading to the collapse of Chancellor Scholz's government.
Magdeburg Market Attack Spurs German Security Inquiry, Government Collapse
A car attack at a Magdeburg Christmas market on December 2024 killed five people, including a nine-year-old child, prompting a Bundestag investigation into potential security failures and leading to the collapse of Chancellor Scholz's government.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Algerian Novelist Imprisoned, Exposing Crackdown on Free Speech
Franco-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, winner of several prestigious literary awards, was arrested in Algiers on November 16th and charged with "attacking state security," sparking international outrage and highlighting strained Franco-Algerian relations.
Algerian Novelist Imprisoned, Exposing Crackdown on Free Speech
Franco-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, winner of several prestigious literary awards, was arrested in Algiers on November 16th and charged with "attacking state security," sparking international outrage and highlighting strained Franco-Algerian relations.
Progress
40% Bias Score
\$1 Million+ Salaries Needed to Buy Homes in Five California Cities
Realtor.com research reveals that annual salaries exceeding \$1 million are needed to afford homes in five California cities (Atherton, Montecito, Malibu, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills) due to high home prices and a 30 percent income rule for housing.
\$1 Million+ Salaries Needed to Buy Homes in Five California Cities
Realtor.com research reveals that annual salaries exceeding \$1 million are needed to afford homes in five California cities (Atherton, Montecito, Malibu, Hillsborough, Los Altos Hills) due to high home prices and a 30 percent income rule for housing.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Economist Predicts Negative Economic Impact of Restricting Immigration in 2025
The Economist predicts that in 2025, many countries will attempt to restrict immigration to appease voters, which will negatively impact their economies; however, countries like Japan plan to welcome immigrants to address labor shortages.
Economist Predicts Negative Economic Impact of Restricting Immigration in 2025
The Economist predicts that in 2025, many countries will attempt to restrict immigration to appease voters, which will negatively impact their economies; however, countries like Japan plan to welcome immigrants to address labor shortages.
Progress
52% Bias Score
French Politician Identified as KGB 'Agent of Influence'
Newly released Mitrokhin Archive documents reveal French politician Pierre Sudreau's role as a pro-Soviet 'agent of influence' for the KGB between 1960 and 1980, without evidence of financial compensation, highlighting Cold War espionage complexities.
French Politician Identified as KGB 'Agent of Influence'
Newly released Mitrokhin Archive documents reveal French politician Pierre Sudreau's role as a pro-Soviet 'agent of influence' for the KGB between 1960 and 1980, without evidence of financial compensation, highlighting Cold War espionage complexities.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Lions Beat 49ers 40-34, Maintain Playoff Positioning
The Detroit Lions defeated the San Francisco 49ers 40-34 on Monday night, keeping their hopes alive for the NFC's top seed in the playoffs; Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, and Jahymr Gibbs added a late touchdown run.
Lions Beat 49ers 40-34, Maintain Playoff Positioning
The Detroit Lions defeated the San Francisco 49ers 40-34 on Monday night, keeping their hopes alive for the NFC's top seed in the playoffs; Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, and Jahymr Gibbs added a late touchdown run.
Progress
44% Bias Score
2,297 Australian Parent Visa Applicants Died While Waiting for Approval
Over the past three years, 2,297 individuals applying for Australian parent visas died while waiting for approval, with processing times for some visas extending to 31 years; the government is considering options including a lottery system.
2,297 Australian Parent Visa Applicants Died While Waiting for Approval
Over the past three years, 2,297 individuals applying for Australian parent visas died while waiting for approval, with processing times for some visas extending to 31 years; the government is considering options including a lottery system.
Progress
56% Bias Score
Coastal Erosion Displaces Thousands in Papua New Guinea
Rising sea levels and coastal erosion in Papua New Guinea's Gulf province have displaced approximately 40,000 people since 2015, impacting their fishing and farming livelihoods and creating a humanitarian crisis, while a proposed sand mining project threatens to worsen the situation.
Coastal Erosion Displaces Thousands in Papua New Guinea
Rising sea levels and coastal erosion in Papua New Guinea's Gulf province have displaced approximately 40,000 people since 2015, impacting their fishing and farming livelihoods and creating a humanitarian crisis, while a proposed sand mining project threatens to worsen the situation.
Progress
28% Bias Score
Manipur Chief Minister Apologizes for Ethnic Violence, Seeks Reconciliation
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh apologized for ethnic violence since May 2023, causing over 60,000 displacements and 5,000 weapon thefts, appealing for peace and normalcy by 2025 amidst ongoing clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities despite federal government intervention.
Manipur Chief Minister Apologizes for Ethnic Violence, Seeks Reconciliation
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh apologized for ethnic violence since May 2023, causing over 60,000 displacements and 5,000 weapon thefts, appealing for peace and normalcy by 2025 amidst ongoing clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities despite federal government intervention.
Progress
36% Bias Score
2024: Crisis Hits European Industrial Giants
In 2024, European industrial giants like Volkswagen, facing challenges from the shift to electric vehicles and Asian competition, experienced significant setbacks, including plant closures, bankruptcies, and massive layoffs, revealing systemic issues within European industry.
2024: Crisis Hits European Industrial Giants
In 2024, European industrial giants like Volkswagen, facing challenges from the shift to electric vehicles and Asian competition, experienced significant setbacks, including plant closures, bankruptcies, and massive layoffs, revealing systemic issues within European industry.
Progress
56% Bias Score