January 2025
February 2025
High Levels of Persistent Pollutant TFA Found in French Tap Water
A study found high levels of the persistent pollutant trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the tap water of 24 out of 30 French municipalities tested, exceeding EU limits in 20, with Paris showing 6200 ng/l and Moussac 13000 ng/l; the difficulty of removing TFA highlights limitations in current water treat...
High Levels of Persistent Pollutant TFA Found in French Tap Water
A study found high levels of the persistent pollutant trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in the tap water of 24 out of 30 French municipalities tested, exceeding EU limits in 20, with Paris showing 6200 ng/l and Moussac 13000 ng/l; the difficulty of removing TFA highlights limitations in current water treat...
Progress
40% Bias Score
Austrian Authorities Arrest René Benko on Asset Concealment Charges
Austrian authorities arrested René Benko, founder of the insolvent Signa Group, at his Innsbruck villa on suspicion of concealing assets from creditors and authorities; investigations also involve a Munich project with alleged misappropriation of funds from a foreign sovereign wealth fund, totaling ...
Austrian Authorities Arrest René Benko on Asset Concealment Charges
Austrian authorities arrested René Benko, founder of the insolvent Signa Group, at his Innsbruck villa on suspicion of concealing assets from creditors and authorities; investigations also involve a Munich project with alleged misappropriation of funds from a foreign sovereign wealth fund, totaling ...
Progress
48% Bias Score
Nine Charged Over Anti-Semitic Attack in Sydney
Nine people, including the son of slain bikie boss Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi, were charged with multiple offenses following an anti-Semitic attack in Sydney's Woolahra in November, causing approximately \$100,000 in damage; authorities investigate if overseas actors funded the attack.
Nine Charged Over Anti-Semitic Attack in Sydney
Nine people, including the son of slain bikie boss Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi, were charged with multiple offenses following an anti-Semitic attack in Sydney's Woolahra in November, causing approximately \$100,000 in damage; authorities investigate if overseas actors funded the attack.
Progress
40% Bias Score
Met Police Removed From Special Measures After Reform Efforts
The Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest force, has been removed from special measures after over two years of enhanced monitoring following improvements in response times, child sexual exploitation investigations, and officer training, as announced by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary on...
Met Police Removed From Special Measures After Reform Efforts
The Metropolitan Police, Britain's largest force, has been removed from special measures after over two years of enhanced monitoring following improvements in response times, child sexual exploitation investigations, and officer training, as announced by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary on...
Progress
44% Bias Score
China's Visa-Free Policy Fuels Record Tourism Surge
China's inbound tourism is booming, with bookings for the 2025 Spring Festival up 203% year-on-year thanks to a new visa-free policy, drawing visitors from countries like the US, Indonesia, and Canada who highlight positive experiences and the appeal of Chinese culture.
China's Visa-Free Policy Fuels Record Tourism Surge
China's inbound tourism is booming, with bookings for the 2025 Spring Festival up 203% year-on-year thanks to a new visa-free policy, drawing visitors from countries like the US, Indonesia, and Canada who highlight positive experiences and the appeal of Chinese culture.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Dutch Pension Fund PME Considers €5 Billion Divestment from BlackRock over Climate Concerns
PME, a major Dutch pension fund, is considering withdrawing €5 billion in assets managed by BlackRock due to BlackRock's reduced climate engagement, raising concerns about alignment with PME's sustainability goals.
Dutch Pension Fund PME Considers €5 Billion Divestment from BlackRock over Climate Concerns
PME, a major Dutch pension fund, is considering withdrawing €5 billion in assets managed by BlackRock due to BlackRock's reduced climate engagement, raising concerns about alignment with PME's sustainability goals.
Progress
44% Bias Score
Commerzbank and Unicredit Clash Over Unsolicited Takeover Bid
Unicredit's acquisition of approximately 28 percent of Commerzbank shares, including 9.5 percent direct ownership and 18.5 percent through financial instruments, has sparked a dispute with Commerzbank denying prior merger talks while Unicredit claims numerous meetings took place, and seeks the new G...
Commerzbank and Unicredit Clash Over Unsolicited Takeover Bid
Unicredit's acquisition of approximately 28 percent of Commerzbank shares, including 9.5 percent direct ownership and 18.5 percent through financial instruments, has sparked a dispute with Commerzbank denying prior merger talks while Unicredit claims numerous meetings took place, and seeks the new G...
Progress
52% Bias Score
Aschaffenburg Knife Attack: Child and Bystander Killed
In Aschaffenburg, Germany, a knife attack killed a child and a bystander, injuring several others; the detained attacker is an Afghan national facing deportation.
Aschaffenburg Knife Attack: Child and Bystander Killed
In Aschaffenburg, Germany, a knife attack killed a child and a bystander, injuring several others; the detained attacker is an Afghan national facing deportation.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Massive Underground Mountains Challenge Understanding of Earth's Mantle
Two enormous structures, at least 500 million years old and potentially billions of years old, have been found 2,000 km beneath the Earth's surface beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean using seismic wave analysis, challenging existing understanding of mantle convection.
Massive Underground Mountains Challenge Understanding of Earth's Mantle
Two enormous structures, at least 500 million years old and potentially billions of years old, have been found 2,000 km beneath the Earth's surface beneath Africa and the Pacific Ocean using seismic wave analysis, challenging existing understanding of mantle convection.
Progress
16% Bias Score
Milei Prioritizes US Alliance, Considers Leaving Mercosur and International Organizations
Argentine President Javier Milei prioritizes a strong US alliance, potentially leaving Mercosur and international organizations like the Paris Agreement and WHO, generating uncertainty among Western allies.
Milei Prioritizes US Alliance, Considers Leaving Mercosur and International Organizations
Argentine President Javier Milei prioritizes a strong US alliance, potentially leaving Mercosur and international organizations like the Paris Agreement and WHO, generating uncertainty among Western allies.
Progress
64% Bias Score
Notre Dame's Near-Championship Run Highlights Potential and Areas for Improvement
Notre Dame's football team reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game but lost to Ohio State 34-23, marking a significant achievement despite lacking star players and highlighting areas for future improvement in their offensive and defensive strategies.
Notre Dame's Near-Championship Run Highlights Potential and Areas for Improvement
Notre Dame's football team reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game but lost to Ohio State 34-23, marking a significant achievement despite lacking star players and highlighting areas for future improvement in their offensive and defensive strategies.
Progress
28% Bias Score
Dutch Pension Fund Considers €5 Billion Divestment from BlackRock Over Climate Concerns
Dutch pension fund PME is considering withdrawing approximately €5 billion from BlackRock due to concerns about the firm's reduced commitment to climate-focused investing, prompting a letter seeking clarification and potentially shifting investments to another firm.
Dutch Pension Fund Considers €5 Billion Divestment from BlackRock Over Climate Concerns
Dutch pension fund PME is considering withdrawing approximately €5 billion from BlackRock due to concerns about the firm's reduced commitment to climate-focused investing, prompting a letter seeking clarification and potentially shifting investments to another firm.
Progress
44% Bias Score