January 2025
February 2025
Austria's Political Crisis: Far-Right Party to Lead Coalition Talks
Following failed coalition talks, Austria's interim Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg took office after Karl Nehammer's resignation, with far-right FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl now leading coalition negotiations despite concerns over his controversial past, potentially forming a government with the ÖVP.
Austria's Political Crisis: Far-Right Party to Lead Coalition Talks
Following failed coalition talks, Austria's interim Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg took office after Karl Nehammer's resignation, with far-right FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl now leading coalition negotiations despite concerns over his controversial past, potentially forming a government with the ÖVP.
Progress
44% Bias Score
EU Smoking Rates Remain High, Linked to Socioeconomic Factors
A Eurobarometer survey reveals that 24% of EU citizens smoke, with Eastern European countries having the highest rates and Sweden the lowest; unemployment and financial difficulties are strongly correlated with smoking; tobacco is the leading cause of preventable cancer in the EU.
EU Smoking Rates Remain High, Linked to Socioeconomic Factors
A Eurobarometer survey reveals that 24% of EU citizens smoke, with Eastern European countries having the highest rates and Sweden the lowest; unemployment and financial difficulties are strongly correlated with smoking; tobacco is the leading cause of preventable cancer in the EU.
Progress
12% Bias Score
Mercedes-Benz Sales Dip 3% in 2023: Impact of Electric Vehicle Slowdown and Weak China Market
Mercedes-Benz experienced a 3% decline in 2023 vehicle sales (1.98 million units), primarily due to decreased demand in China and Europe, particularly within its electric vehicle segment, leading to a downward revision of its profitability targets.
Mercedes-Benz Sales Dip 3% in 2023: Impact of Electric Vehicle Slowdown and Weak China Market
Mercedes-Benz experienced a 3% decline in 2023 vehicle sales (1.98 million units), primarily due to decreased demand in China and Europe, particularly within its electric vehicle segment, leading to a downward revision of its profitability targets.
Progress
44% Bias Score
German Pharmacies at 50-Year Low Amidst Funding Crisis and Leadership Disputes
Germany's pharmacies have reached their lowest number in almost 50 years, with 17,041 at the end of 2024, down 530 from 2023, due to chronic underfunding and internal disputes within the industry's representative association, resulting in reduced patient access to essential medications.
German Pharmacies at 50-Year Low Amidst Funding Crisis and Leadership Disputes
Germany's pharmacies have reached their lowest number in almost 50 years, with 17,041 at the end of 2024, down 530 from 2023, due to chronic underfunding and internal disputes within the industry's representative association, resulting in reduced patient access to essential medications.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Walgreens Exceeds Q1 Profit Expectations Amid Restructuring
Walgreens Boots Alliance surpassed first-quarter profit expectations (51 cents per share vs. 37 cents estimated), driven by restructuring efforts including store closures and a $1 billion cost-cutting program, leading to a nearly 25 percent share price increase.
Walgreens Exceeds Q1 Profit Expectations Amid Restructuring
Walgreens Boots Alliance surpassed first-quarter profit expectations (51 cents per share vs. 37 cents estimated), driven by restructuring efforts including store closures and a $1 billion cost-cutting program, leading to a nearly 25 percent share price increase.
Progress
44% Bias Score
ARD Reverses Decision on "ttt" Host Thilo Mischke After Public Backlash
Following an initial selection based on a casting and audience feedback, German public broadcaster ARD appointed Thilo Mischke to host its "ttt" cultural magazine, but later reversed the decision after protests arose regarding past controversies related to his work.
ARD Reverses Decision on "ttt" Host Thilo Mischke After Public Backlash
Following an initial selection based on a casting and audience feedback, German public broadcaster ARD appointed Thilo Mischke to host its "ttt" cultural magazine, but later reversed the decision after protests arose regarding past controversies related to his work.
Progress
64% Bias Score
Germany's New Tribunal for Nazi-Looted Art Faces Criticism
Germany established a new arbitration tribunal for Nazi-looted art restitution, allowing unilateral appeals to address past obstacles. This replaces the Advisory Commission, sparking criticism due to its potential exclusion of victims who sold assets under duress and a lack of public discussion rega...
Germany's New Tribunal for Nazi-Looted Art Faces Criticism
Germany established a new arbitration tribunal for Nazi-looted art restitution, allowing unilateral appeals to address past obstacles. This replaces the Advisory Commission, sparking criticism due to its potential exclusion of victims who sold assets under duress and a lack of public discussion rega...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Rome's Jubilee: Initial Success, but Economic Impact Remains Uncertain
Rome's Holy Year Jubilee, launched December 24th, has drawn nearly 500,000 visitors, exceeding initial projections of 30 million. However, January 2025 saw a 60-75% drop in short-term rentals, with experts cautioning against overestimated economic impacts despite projected €4-4.5 billion in revenue.
Rome's Jubilee: Initial Success, but Economic Impact Remains Uncertain
Rome's Holy Year Jubilee, launched December 24th, has drawn nearly 500,000 visitors, exceeding initial projections of 30 million. However, January 2025 saw a 60-75% drop in short-term rentals, with experts cautioning against overestimated economic impacts despite projected €4-4.5 billion in revenue.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Weak Canadian Dollar Impacts Returns on US Stock Investments
The falling Canadian dollar negatively impacts returns on hedged U.S. stock investments, but benefits unhedged investments, as exemplified by the 36% return of the unhedged iShares Core S&P 500 ETF versus 23.4% for its hedged counterpart in 2022. This is due to several factors including weak economi...
Weak Canadian Dollar Impacts Returns on US Stock Investments
The falling Canadian dollar negatively impacts returns on hedged U.S. stock investments, but benefits unhedged investments, as exemplified by the 36% return of the unhedged iShares Core S&P 500 ETF versus 23.4% for its hedged counterpart in 2022. This is due to several factors including weak economi...
Progress
48% Bias Score
European Stocks Lag US in 2024, But Recovery Potential Emerges in 2025
In 2024, European stocks underperformed US equities due to a significant valuation gap (over 40 percent) resulting from a strong US market boosted by Trump's win and positive earnings, while Europe faced challenges including negative earnings revisions and slower growth; however, interest rate cuts ...
European Stocks Lag US in 2024, But Recovery Potential Emerges in 2025
In 2024, European stocks underperformed US equities due to a significant valuation gap (over 40 percent) resulting from a strong US market boosted by Trump's win and positive earnings, while Europe faced challenges including negative earnings revisions and slower growth; however, interest rate cuts ...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Oil Tanker Drifts off Rügen, Raising Concerns about Russian Shadow Fleet
A Panama-flagged oil tanker, the Eventin, carrying 99,000 tons of oil, suffered a mechanical failure and drifted for hours off Rügen before being secured by German authorities; the incident highlights concerns about the Russian shadow fleet used to export Russian oil, circumventing sanctions.
Oil Tanker Drifts off Rügen, Raising Concerns about Russian Shadow Fleet
A Panama-flagged oil tanker, the Eventin, carrying 99,000 tons of oil, suffered a mechanical failure and drifted for hours off Rügen before being secured by German authorities; the incident highlights concerns about the Russian shadow fleet used to export Russian oil, circumventing sanctions.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Musk-Weidel X Conversation: Misinformation and Missed Opportunities for AfD
Elon Musk's 70-minute conversation with AfD leader Alice Weidel on X, featuring factual inaccuracies and differing communication styles, aimed to connect with American and right-wing audiences rather than German voters, potentially hindering its political effectiveness for Weidel and AfD.
Musk-Weidel X Conversation: Misinformation and Missed Opportunities for AfD
Elon Musk's 70-minute conversation with AfD leader Alice Weidel on X, featuring factual inaccuracies and differing communication styles, aimed to connect with American and right-wing audiences rather than German voters, potentially hindering its political effectiveness for Weidel and AfD.
Progress
40% Bias Score