January 2025
February 2025
ECB to Cut Interest Rates Amidst Inflation Slowdown, but US Tariffs Cloud Outlook
The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, reducing the deposit facility rate to 2.75%, its lowest since February 2023, amidst decreasing inflation and economic slowdown; however, rising US tariffs create uncertainty for future policy decisions.
ECB to Cut Interest Rates Amidst Inflation Slowdown, but US Tariffs Cloud Outlook
The European Central Bank (ECB) is expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points on Thursday, reducing the deposit facility rate to 2.75%, its lowest since February 2023, amidst decreasing inflation and economic slowdown; however, rising US tariffs create uncertainty for future policy decisions.
Progress
32% Bias Score
Merz's Strict Immigration Proposals Spark German Political Tensions
Following a fatal stabbing in Aschaffenburg, CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced plans to introduce stricter immigration laws to the Bundestag this week, including permanent border controls, detention of those facing deportation, and entry bans for individuals without valid documents, regardless of ...
Merz's Strict Immigration Proposals Spark German Political Tensions
Following a fatal stabbing in Aschaffenburg, CDU leader Friedrich Merz announced plans to introduce stricter immigration laws to the Bundestag this week, including permanent border controls, detention of those facing deportation, and entry bans for individuals without valid documents, regardless of ...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Illegal "Korean Lift" Liposuction Procedures Pose Severe Health Risks in France
Unlicensed practitioners in France offer illegal "Korean Lift" liposuction procedures, advertised on Instagram, posing severe health risks due to unsanitary conditions and lack of medical expertise; authorities are investigating.
Illegal "Korean Lift" Liposuction Procedures Pose Severe Health Risks in France
Unlicensed practitioners in France offer illegal "Korean Lift" liposuction procedures, advertised on Instagram, posing severe health risks due to unsanitary conditions and lack of medical expertise; authorities are investigating.
Progress
56% Bias Score
France Creates Specialized Prosecutor's Office to Combat Drug Trafficking
The French Senate approved a bill creating a National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (Pnaco) to combat drug trafficking, including asset seizure measures and strengthened investigative techniques, with concerns raised about potential impacts on individual liberties and the absence of preve...
France Creates Specialized Prosecutor's Office to Combat Drug Trafficking
The French Senate approved a bill creating a National Anti-Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office (Pnaco) to combat drug trafficking, including asset seizure measures and strengthened investigative techniques, with concerns raised about potential impacts on individual liberties and the absence of preve...
Progress
48% Bias Score
Louvre Museum to Undergo €800 Million Renovation
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €700-800 million renovation of the Louvre Museum in Paris, including a new Mona Lisa exhibit hall, a new entrance to alleviate congestion from the current 9 million annual visitors, and a potential increase in ticket prices for non-EU citizens to fund the...
Louvre Museum to Undergo €800 Million Renovation
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €700-800 million renovation of the Louvre Museum in Paris, including a new Mona Lisa exhibit hall, a new entrance to alleviate congestion from the current 9 million annual visitors, and a potential increase in ticket prices for non-EU citizens to fund the...
Progress
56% Bias Score
Audi Brussels Plant Closure: €300 Million Severance Deal Reached
Audi's Brussels plant, which produced the Q8 e-tron, closed after failed negotiations and worker protests, resulting in a €300 million severance package for approximately 3,000 employees; the EU's delayed response highlights broader issues within the European automotive industry.
Audi Brussels Plant Closure: €300 Million Severance Deal Reached
Audi's Brussels plant, which produced the Q8 e-tron, closed after failed negotiations and worker protests, resulting in a €300 million severance package for approximately 3,000 employees; the EU's delayed response highlights broader issues within the European automotive industry.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Technological Solutions Target High Dolphin Mortality in Bay of Biscay Fishing Nets
In the Bay of Biscay, 4,500–8,500 dolphins die annually in fishing nets, prompting a one-month fishing ban and the development of acoustic beacons and AI-powered trawling nets to reduce bycatch and protect marine ecosystems.
Technological Solutions Target High Dolphin Mortality in Bay of Biscay Fishing Nets
In the Bay of Biscay, 4,500–8,500 dolphins die annually in fishing nets, prompting a one-month fishing ban and the development of acoustic beacons and AI-powered trawling nets to reduce bycatch and protect marine ecosystems.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Kremlin Tightens Grip on Russian Culture, Dismissing Museum Directors
In Russia, several museum directors have been dismissed or resigned under pressure since the beginning of the year, highlighting the Kremlin's tightening control over cultural institutions and suppression of dissenting voices; this includes the directors of the Pushkin Museum, Gulag Museum, and the ...
Kremlin Tightens Grip on Russian Culture, Dismissing Museum Directors
In Russia, several museum directors have been dismissed or resigned under pressure since the beginning of the year, highlighting the Kremlin's tightening control over cultural institutions and suppression of dissenting voices; this includes the directors of the Pushkin Museum, Gulag Museum, and the ...
Progress
64% Bias Score
Ukraine's Arms Procurement Crisis: Internal Conflict Paralyzes Weapon Deliveries
On January 24, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov criticized the slow delivery of weapons, blaming the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), whose head rejected the accusations, causing a major internal conflict and paralyzing arms procurement, jeopardizing Ukraine's defense.
Ukraine's Arms Procurement Crisis: Internal Conflict Paralyzes Weapon Deliveries
On January 24, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov criticized the slow delivery of weapons, blaming the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA), whose head rejected the accusations, causing a major internal conflict and paralyzing arms procurement, jeopardizing Ukraine's defense.
Progress
60% Bias Score
Severe Flu Season in France Exceeds Previous Years' Mortality Rates
France is experiencing a severe flu season with higher than usual hospitalizations and deaths, exceeding previous years' levels and prompting 100 hospitals to activate emergency plans by mid-January; the Inserm reported 611 flu-related deaths in the second week of January alone.
Severe Flu Season in France Exceeds Previous Years' Mortality Rates
France is experiencing a severe flu season with higher than usual hospitalizations and deaths, exceeding previous years' levels and prompting 100 hospitals to activate emergency plans by mid-January; the Inserm reported 611 flu-related deaths in the second week of January alone.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Kinshasa Protests, Goma Seized: Congo Conflict Escalates
Protests erupted in Kinshasa targeting multiple embassies, accused of supporting the M23 rebels who seized Goma, triggering a humanitarian crisis with the WFP suspending food distribution due to escalating violence that killed 17 and injured 370.
Kinshasa Protests, Goma Seized: Congo Conflict Escalates
Protests erupted in Kinshasa targeting multiple embassies, accused of supporting the M23 rebels who seized Goma, triggering a humanitarian crisis with the WFP suspending food distribution due to escalating violence that killed 17 and injured 370.
Progress
52% Bias Score
Trump Orders Creation of US Missile Defense System
President Trump ordered the creation of a US missile defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, instructing the Secretary of Defense to deliver a plan within 60 days to counter ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles, potentially including space-based interceptors; this follows Trump'...
Trump Orders Creation of US Missile Defense System
President Trump ordered the creation of a US missile defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, instructing the Secretary of Defense to deliver a plan within 60 days to counter ballistic, hypersonic, and advanced cruise missiles, potentially including space-based interceptors; this follows Trump'...
Progress
40% Bias Score