Iranian Rial Plummets to Record Low Amid Sanctions and Energy Crisis
The Iranian rial hit a record low of 777,000 to the dollar on Wednesday, down from 703,000 on the day Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in 2016, amid an energy crisis that caused widespread closures and sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.
Iranian Rial Plummets to Record Low Amid Sanctions and Energy Crisis
The Iranian rial hit a record low of 777,000 to the dollar on Wednesday, down from 703,000 on the day Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in 2016, amid an energy crisis that caused widespread closures and sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program.
Progress
40% Bias Score
US Congress Targets China's Role in Fentanyl Crisis
The US Congress is considering three bills targeting China's role in the fentanyl crisis, proposing actions like disrupting drug trafficking, imposing sanctions on Chinese entities, and creating special units to combat smuggling; in 2022, fentanyl caused 200 daily deaths in the US.
US Congress Targets China's Role in Fentanyl Crisis
The US Congress is considering three bills targeting China's role in the fentanyl crisis, proposing actions like disrupting drug trafficking, imposing sanctions on Chinese entities, and creating special units to combat smuggling; in 2022, fentanyl caused 200 daily deaths in the US.
Progress
60% Bias Score
Indictment Charges Former Congressman David Rivera with Foreign Agent Lobbying for Sanctioned Venezuelan Tycoon
Former U.S. Congressman David Rivera was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent while lobbying the Trump administration to lift sanctions on sanctioned Venezuelan media tycoon Raúl Gorrín, allegedly receiving over \$5.5 million and using shell companies and an unnamed former U.S. offici...
Indictment Charges Former Congressman David Rivera with Foreign Agent Lobbying for Sanctioned Venezuelan Tycoon
Former U.S. Congressman David Rivera was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent while lobbying the Trump administration to lift sanctions on sanctioned Venezuelan media tycoon Raúl Gorrín, allegedly receiving over \$5.5 million and using shell companies and an unnamed former U.S. offici...
Progress
44% Bias Score
Russia's Intensified Attacks on Ukraine Result in Mass Casualties and Widespread Power Outages
Russian shelling in southern Ukraine killed two and wounded six on December 14, while a separate attack killed a child in Donetsk. A massive Russian missile strike on December 13 targeted Ukraine's energy grid, causing widespread power outages. The war's death toll surpasses one million, and NATO Se...
Russia's Intensified Attacks on Ukraine Result in Mass Casualties and Widespread Power Outages
Russian shelling in southern Ukraine killed two and wounded six on December 14, while a separate attack killed a child in Donetsk. A massive Russian missile strike on December 13 targeted Ukraine's energy grid, causing widespread power outages. The war's death toll surpasses one million, and NATO Se...
Progress
44% Bias Score
UK Pledges £35 Million for Ukraine Energy Grid Repairs Amidst New Russia Sanctions
The UK announced £35 million in emergency aid for Ukraine—£20 million for energy grid repairs and £15 million for humanitarian assistance—alongside new sanctions against 20 vessels carrying Russian oil, following Russia's 11 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year.
UK Pledges £35 Million for Ukraine Energy Grid Repairs Amidst New Russia Sanctions
The UK announced £35 million in emergency aid for Ukraine—£20 million for energy grid repairs and £15 million for humanitarian assistance—alongside new sanctions against 20 vessels carrying Russian oil, following Russia's 11 attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this year.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Syria's Secret Cash Transfers to Moscow Amidst Russian Troop Withdrawal
The Central Bank of Syria secretly transferred nearly two tons of cash to Moscow between March 2018 and September 2019, depositing the funds in a bank controlled by a sanctioned Russian arms exporter, raising concerns about the Assad regime's efforts to protect its wealth and illicit gains amid a se...
Syria's Secret Cash Transfers to Moscow Amidst Russian Troop Withdrawal
The Central Bank of Syria secretly transferred nearly two tons of cash to Moscow between March 2018 and September 2019, depositing the funds in a bank controlled by a sanctioned Russian arms exporter, raising concerns about the Assad regime's efforts to protect its wealth and illicit gains amid a se...
Progress
60% Bias Score
U.S. Threatens Sanctions Against Turkey Over Syrian Ceasefire
U.S. Senators Van Hollen and Graham threaten Turkey with sanctions mirroring a 2019 bill if Ankara fails to pressure Syrian opposition fighters into a ceasefire with U.S.-backed Kurds, citing concerns over regional security and the resurgence of ISIS.
U.S. Threatens Sanctions Against Turkey Over Syrian Ceasefire
U.S. Senators Van Hollen and Graham threaten Turkey with sanctions mirroring a 2019 bill if Ankara fails to pressure Syrian opposition fighters into a ceasefire with U.S.-backed Kurds, citing concerns over regional security and the resurgence of ISIS.
Progress
36% Bias Score
Belarus Rejects Prisoner Exchange Offers, Holding Dozens of Western Nationals
Belarussian KGB official Konstantin Bychek confirmed the imprisonment of numerous Western citizens on espionage charges, rejecting prisoner exchange offers due to the alleged absence of Belarusian citizens imprisoned abroad for similar offenses. This strategic move, involving at least 19 foreign nat...
Belarus Rejects Prisoner Exchange Offers, Holding Dozens of Western Nationals
Belarussian KGB official Konstantin Bychek confirmed the imprisonment of numerous Western citizens on espionage charges, rejecting prisoner exchange offers due to the alleged absence of Belarusian citizens imprisoned abroad for similar offenses. This strategic move, involving at least 19 foreign nat...
Progress
56% Bias Score
Indictment Charges Former Congressman David Rivera with Foreign Agent Lobbying for Venezuelan Tycoon
Former Congressman David Rivera was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent while lobbying the Trump administration for sanctioned Venezuelan tycoon Raúl Gorrín, allegedly receiving over \$5.5 million and using shell companies to hide payments between June 2019 and April 2020, leading to...
Indictment Charges Former Congressman David Rivera with Foreign Agent Lobbying for Venezuelan Tycoon
Former Congressman David Rivera was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent while lobbying the Trump administration for sanctioned Venezuelan tycoon Raúl Gorrín, allegedly receiving over \$5.5 million and using shell companies to hide payments between June 2019 and April 2020, leading to...
Progress
56% Bias Score
Two Charged in Export of Tech Used in Drone Attack Killing U.S. Troops
Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi are charged with exporting sensitive technology used in a January 2024 drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers and injured over 40, allegedly using a Swiss front company to circumvent American export controls.
Two Charged in Export of Tech Used in Drone Attack Killing U.S. Troops
Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi are charged with exporting sensitive technology used in a January 2024 drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. soldiers and injured over 40, allegedly using a Swiss front company to circumvent American export controls.
Progress
48% Bias Score
Lazarus Group Impersonates VC, Steals $34 Million in Crypto
The Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, stole over $34 million in cryptocurrency from an unnamed startup by impersonating a Hong Kong-based venture capitalist via a malicious script in November 2023, leveraging a fake Telegram account; the FBI recovered $3.2 million.
Lazarus Group Impersonates VC, Steals $34 Million in Crypto
The Lazarus Group, a North Korean state-sponsored hacking group, stole over $34 million in cryptocurrency from an unnamed startup by impersonating a Hong Kong-based venture capitalist via a malicious script in November 2023, leveraging a fake Telegram account; the FBI recovered $3.2 million.
Progress
24% Bias Score
Poland to Pressure Russia in Ukraine Peace Talks, Strengthen Sanctions
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, on December 16th in Brussels, advocated pressuring Russia, not Ukraine, into peace talks, promising increased EU sanctions against Russia, especially its "shadow fleet," during Poland's upcoming EU presidency, starting January 1st, and scheduling key meetin...
Poland to Pressure Russia in Ukraine Peace Talks, Strengthen Sanctions
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, on December 16th in Brussels, advocated pressuring Russia, not Ukraine, into peace talks, promising increased EU sanctions against Russia, especially its "shadow fleet," during Poland's upcoming EU presidency, starting January 1st, and scheduling key meetin...
Progress
36% Bias Score