President Donald Trump announced "Economic D-Day" against Iran and its allies Wednesday as many debate who controls the Strait of Hormuz.

Evidence Is Clear: CNN Business (Lean Left bias) opinion writer David Goldman said the "focal point of the Iran war" is "the battle for control of the Strait of Hormuz." The article explained that the "competing rhetoric" between Iran and the US has "caused considerable confusion and doubt." However, according to Goldman, "the evidence is clear" showing that "The United States, patrolling the strait with its navy, is gaining ground—and Iran is losing much of its control of the critical waterway." Goldman, as evidence cited Kpler, a service tracking ships via both transponder and satellites, saying that "more than 80% of liquids transits" through the strait over the last two weeks have utilized the Omani route or have been "dark" transits, meaning they turned off their transponders. Head of crude oil analysis at Kpler said "It increasingly looks like Iran has at least partially lost control of the strait." Goldman mentioned Trump saying that the US has "total control over the strait," and asserted that while this is not true, Iran also does not have total control.

'In Price, Is Knowledge': Bloomberg (Center) opinion writer Javier Blas approached the question of control through the lens of oil prices. Referencing an old market saying, "In price, is knowledge," Blas asserted that "At less than $90 a barrel, it isn't screaming shortage." Blas said that while the release of "strategic reserves is helping," as well as China slashing its oil imports, "that's not the full story." The "market skepticism about [US Energy Secretary Chris] Wright's optimism" over the amount of oil flowing through the strait "is understandable" according to Blas, however, "the naysayers are a bit too sure of themselves." Blas said that with "available data, we can safely say that, at the very least, 5 million barrels a day are transiting Hormuz," which contradicts the figures given by Wright. However, when the emphasis, according to Blas is on "available" data which he explained is quite limited due to the ongoing conflict, we may be missing much of what is really happening, positing that oil is flowing through the strait "perhaps more successfully than we think."

3-Month Low:  CNBC (Lean Left) framed coverage around statements from an Iranian government and military backed agency known as the Persian Gulf Strait Authority saying that "Hormuz remains blocked." The article also cited Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi saying the US "has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures," adding "Case in point: The war on Iran. Now, an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz." CNBC said that "While both sides continue to make contradictory claims," data from Kpler shows ship traffic through the waterway at a "3-month low."

RELATED: Trump Says He Will Make Strait of Hormuz US Territory | AllSides

'Notable Success': Outlets like Axios (Lean Left) and The New York Post (Right) highlighted a "stealth operation" from the US that is reportedly guiding millions of barrels of oil daily through the strait near the Omani coast. The Post mentioned that the operation does not come without costs, explaining that the US is "forced to deploy ships, helicopters and planes to intercept attacks from Iran," further explaining that "intercepting the strikes is notably higher than what it costs Iran to attack using its cheaper suicide drones." Axios called the operation "a notable success even as the broader war remains at a stalemate."

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Alexis Antonio Cedillos-Campos, 19, was arrested in connection with the murder of a 42-year-old woman in Fairfax, Virginia. Media outlets on the right emphasized that Cedillos-Campos was an unauthorized immigrant, while outlets on the left tended to downplay it as a factor in the murder.

The Details: Carmen Lizet Puch was found dead on Monday with several stab wounds and "doused in gasoline." Puch and Cedillos-Campos were coworkers at a restaurant and had an "intimate relationship," according to several media reports. Video footage allegedly showed Cedillos-Campos grabbing a knife, black latex gloves and a water bottle before going to meet Puch at a remote area where the two "intended" to convene.

For Context: According to the Department of Homeland Security, Cedillos-Campos was arrested by Customs and Border Protection in 2024 after illegally crossing a border near El Paso, Texas.

How the Media Covered It: The story was covered mostly by local news outlets which emphasized both the nature of Cedillos-Campos' relationship with Puch and his immigration status. 

Previous Immigration Policy: Fox News (Right) and The New York Post (Right) framed the murder as a consequence of Cedillos-Campos's being in the US illegally under the Biden administration's immigration policy. In its headlines and reporting, Fox described Puch as a mother first compared to some other outlets who referred to her as Cedillos-Campos' coworker on first reference.

Fear Campaign: CNN (Lean Left) reported that the case has brought "renewed scrutiny" to the US's immigration policies, and it emphasized that researchers have found "no connection between immigration and crime." The outlet noted other recent instances of crime committed by unauthorized immigrants and said the Trump administration is carrying out a "yearslong campaign to use certain killings as apparent evidence for stricter border enforcement." ABC News (Lean Left) didn't mention Cedillos-Campos' immigration status until the last sentence of its article.

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US national debt surpassed $40 trillion on Tuesday amid federal budget deficits and decades of borrowing.

Shaky Fiscal Foundation: Alan Rappeport, writing for The New York Times Opinion (Left bias) highlighted President Donald Trump's promises to restore fiscal order, saying that "many of his policies have only exacerbated America's financial woes." However, the article also said that it is debatable "whether the mounting debt load is a problem to be solved or a function of America's economic strength." According to Rappeport, "deficits are also a point of political gamesmanship," asserting that "Republicans [are] most passionate about eliminating them when they are out of power." Regardless, Rappeport explained that "both Republicans and Democrats are responsible for America's borrowing burden," adding that the $40 trillion mark is "an ominous milestone for an economy that sits on a shaky fiscal foundation."

'Many Available Solutions': Outlets on the right like Fox Business (Lean Right) were more likely to highlight "surging interest costs" and "growth in federal spending on Social Security and Medicare amid the aging of the U.S. population" as reasons behind the rapidly growing debt. The article cited CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation Michael A. Peterson who said "For the millions concerned about affordability, let's start by asking Washington to take notice that the national debt just hit $40 trillion," and "we must change course." Peterson added, however, that "the only good thing about our fiscal challenge is that there are many available solutions, and the budget is entirely within our control." Peterson also noted that US adversaries "like China, Russia and Iran likely enjoy seeing the country devalue its economic future."

RELATED: National Debt Surpasses GDP for the First Time Since World War II | AllSides

Unsustainable Fiscal Trajectory: The Wall Street Journal (Center) said in an analysis that the $40 trillion "threshold carries symbolic weight, but isn't, by itself, economically significant." The article explained that "most investors and economists care less about raw figures than other measures, like the ratio of debt to gross domestic product, which provides a better sense of an economy's borrowing capacity." The focus of economists, according to the article, is on debt held by the public, which was $32.266 trillion on Tuesday. However, "$40 trillion is a big number," and according to The Journal is "likely to at least briefly draw attention to what economists broadly agree is an unsustainable fiscal trajectory."

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The White House on Monday highlighted the largest drop in prescription drug prices in over 60 years on Monday, saying President Donald Trump "delivered" on his promise to slash prices.

Consumer Price Index: The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the July Consumer Price Index (CPI) report on August 12, showing that prescription drug prices fell 0.8% in July and are down 3.1% from a year ago.

Strong-Armed: Outlets on the right like The New York Post (Right bias) tended to highlight the Trump administration's Most Favored Nation policies, saying the annual decline has taken place as these policies "take hold." According to the article, the "populist president won concessions by threatening Big Pharma with massive tariffs if it didn't move to align its prices with those paid by other major industrialized nations." The article also mentioned that "Trump strong-armed major drugmakers into reducing what they sought from government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid while establishing a new platform called 'TrumpRx' that lists discounts for people without insurance who are paying out of pocket."

Magic Trick: Outlets on the left like The Guardian (Left) and Axios (Lean Left) were more likely to highlight "experts" that claimed the drop in prices were likely a result of former President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act. The Guardian said that Trump, while holding "his hands wide apart as if he had just performed a magic trick," touted that the prices were down "more than at any time over 60 years," but added that the article he held attributed the decrease to Biden.  

Related: TrumpRx Website Adds 600 New Generic Drugs

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The USS Abraham Lincoln is set to return to the US after nine months, following reports of mental health crises and suicide, as well as poor conditions such as food shortages and water contamination.

The Details: The naval warship departed from a San Diego, California, port in November, carrying roughly 5,500 soldiers. It was originally set to dock in the Pacific, but was rerouted to the Middle East amid the Iran War. The USS George Washington is reportedly on its way from Japan to serve as the ship's replacement.

Administration Response: US Central Command (CENTCOM) lead Adm. Brad Cooper cited "camaraderie, teamwork and resilience" aboard the ship, which he visited on Friday. He argued that many of the reported concerns were old and rectified. "Of the US Navy's 11 active aircraft carriers," he said, "the Lincoln currently has among the lowest number of cases related to mental health. This doesn't mean it is at all perfect. Find any of the nearly 4 million Navy veterans in America today, and they will likely tell you that service at sea for long periods isn't for everyone." President Donald Trump said the deployment was "not nearly long enough," and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the conditions "completely misrepresented."

How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum criticized officials' handling of this case. The Guardian (Left bias) and The Wall Street Journal (Center) agreed that Trump "downplay[ed]" concerns about the conditions, and Daily Mail (Lean Right) said Cooper "brushe[d] off" the complaints. Some outlets on the right, however, highlighted other angles. Fox News (Right), for example, emphasized that the ship "has among the Navy's lowest mental health cases" and highlighted Cooper's assertion that the issues have been "resolved."

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Median Strategies, a "polling company" Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly referenced during her reelection campaign, has shut down and said that all of its "polls" were counterfeit.

LA Mayoral Race: Median recently published a "poll" that showed the incumbent Bass leading challenger Councilmember Nithya Raman by nearly 12 points. Bass shared the "poll" in a since-deleted post on X and wrote, "Doing the work, showing up, and gaining momentum. Let's do this, LA!" Median claimed the "poll" was based on 560 LA voters between July 30 and August 5 and had a 4.1% margin of error.

LA Times Report: On August 17, The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left bias) said that after "repeated inquiries," Median told it, "Median Strategies was created as a short term social experiment to examine how purported polling information could enter and spread through the political information ecosystem without independent verification. We are not seeking publicity or attribution for the individuals involved and are declining interviews."

More From Median: Median added on its website, "All previously published polling releases have been withdrawn and should not be cited or treated as genuine polling data." The Times said Median began posting on X on August 9 and had 20 followers. It said no one at the company received any "compensation or financial benefit" and that it was not "funded, commissioned, or directed by any candidate, campaign, political party, PAC, media organization, or other outside entity."

NY Post Fooled: Median also claimed 16% of its LA mayoral "poll" respondents said they voted for Republican Spencer Pratt, and that of them 85% would vote for Bass in the general election. The New York Post (Right) relayed this information in a headline, "Spencer Pratt's voters could be deciding factor in LA mayor showdown according to latest poll." The outlet has since changed its coverage, without an editor's note. The new headline reads, "Karen Bass team demands 'full force of law' over bogus poll," and the story focuses on Median's shuttering and its fraudulent nature. Bass's team told The Times and The Post that the poll was written about by media outlets, legitimizing it in their eyes.

Wisconsin Primary: Median also released a "poll" on the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary, where progressive socialist Rep. Francesca Hong narrowly lost to Milwaukee County executive David Crowley. Median's "poll" showed Hong leading by more than 20 points.

Perspectives: Political consultant Rick Taylor told The Post, "There would have been no reason for anyone to have doubted it. Whoever is responsible for this ought to be exposed, and we need to make sure this never happens again." Journalist Bill Scher noted that on August 11 he expressed skepticism at the legitimacy of Median and wrote, "STOP CITING POLL DATA FROM UNVERIFIED SOURCES."

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President Donald Trump said the US will "substantially reduce" joint military exercises with South Korea, both citing his "very good relationship" with the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, while also noting that South Korea did not agree to help the US denuclearize Iran. Opinion writers from the left, right, and center criticized Trump's decision.

From the Right: Tom Nichols (Lean Right bias), writing for The Atlantic (Left), argued that Trump is trying to "make South Korea pay" for his humiliation in Iran. Nichols wrote that "Trump and the United States have suffered one embarrassment after another" in the Iran conflict and that scaling back US support for South Korea is "an insane decision." He argued that though Trump fears and respects Russian, Chinese, and North Korean autocratic rulers, Trump "is seeking to assuage the psychic injury of his loss in Iran… by kicking America's allies, the nations he can punish without fear that they will kick him back."

From the Center: An opinion contributor for The Hill (Center) wrote that Trump's actions regarding North Korea vs. Iran are a "paradox." The writer argued that the current conflict with Iran was "undertaken with the mistaken belief that Tehran was about to produce nuclear weapons" and that the danger was "somehow…resurrected" despite the alleged success of Trump's Operation Midnight Hammer during summer 2025. They added that even though North Korea already had nuclear weapons, "nuclear weapons in the hands of an assumed maniac curiously disappeared as a problem and danger." The writer questioned if a "rapprochement" similar to Trump's reconciliation with Kim will be possible between the US and Iran but remains unsure.

From the Left: An analysis from the New York Times (Lean Left) suggested that it "remains unclear" whether North Korea's leader will embrace Trump's gesture and that further rounds of diplomacy between Trump and Kim face "much steeper hurdles," particularly because of North Korea's support from Russia and China and Kim's insistence that the US "abandon its insistence on denuclearization." The deputy director at the Asia Society Policy Institute also told The Times, "Trump's description of the D.P.R.K. as 'unthreatening and respectful' is alarming to allies, who have watched the regime steadily improve its missile and nuclear capabilities, while also gaining an additional patron in Russia for its support in the war on Ukraine."

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Democratic Socialist and Jacksonville Rep. Angie Nixon won Florida's Democratic Senate Primary against retired Army Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman on Tuesday.

The Details: Vindman reportedly acquired over $16 million in campaign funding, compared to Nixon's $975,000. While Vindman spent roughly $2.2 million on advertising, Nixon spent about $60,000. Nixon, who Reason (Center bias) said "was really not favored to win at all," asserted during her campaign, "Floridians don't want the establishment in Washington DC deciding who their Democratic nominee and US senator is going to be." Though Vindman refused to debate her during the primary race, he endorsed her impending campaign in his concession speech. Nixon beat Vindman with about 56% of votes and is now set to face incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody (R) in November's general election.

RELATED: What to Make of DSA's Rise and Revisions | AllSides

How The Media Covered It: Outlets on the right more prominently emphasized Nixon's affiliation with the DSA, often framing it negatively. Reason joined in calling her "an underfunded, ultraprogressive, card-carrying [DSA member]." The Wall Street Journal (Center), on the other hand, used the softer term "progressive" when describing her in its headline. Reason criticized Nixon's win as "a reminder that we're being swept up in a wave of populist, socialist candidates who appeal to people without an understanding of basic economic concepts." It called it "insane that the platform was seemingly attractive enough to springboard a total underdog candidate to primary success" but noted, "It's also possible that Vindman just wasn't an attractive candidate to the state's Democrats." New York Post (Right) agreed that because of Vindman's shambolic battles and impeachment attempt against President Donald Trump, "many Florida Democrats seemed to believe that Vindman's time had passed."

RELATED: Impeachment Witness Alexander Vindman 'Escorted' From White House | AllSides

Nixon's Platform: Nixon officially joined the DSA, which gained success in Philadelphia, Colorado, Michigan and New York City primary races so far, prior to launching her campaign. Her campaign priorities include publicly-funded Medicare, childcare, employment leave, and college; a $25 federal minimum wage; student loan forgiveness; abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); a billionaire tax; cancellation of federal funding to Israel; and a rent freeze.

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A personalized mRNA vaccine combined with Keytruda immunotherapy, developed by Moderna and Merck, successfully prevented skin cancer from recurring or spreading in patients during a phase 3 clinical trial.

The Details: Each vaccine is designed "specifically for each patient based on the unique set of mutations within their tumor to train and activate the immune system to recognize and fight cancer," according to Moderna and Merck. The trial enrolled 1,137 high-risk patients that had surgically removed melanoma. The patients were randomized, with half receiving Keytruda immunotherapy plus the mRNA vaccine and half receiving just Keytruda. In January, the companies announced at the mid-stage of the trial that the vaccine reduced the risk of recurrence of cancer or death by 49% after five years. Shares in Moderna went up 60% in premarket trading after the announcement.

For Context: The National Cancer Institute found that in 2023, 1.5 million Americans were living with melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. mRNA vaccines were first made available to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, and since then, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved other mRNA vaccines for the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

How the Media Covered It: CNN (Lean Left bias) focused on the stock market gains for the companies, noting that "Barclays analysts said they expect the therapy could generate about $3 billion for treating ​melanoma by 2035." Reuters (Center) reported that Moderna "struggled to generate new products beyond its COVID-19 vaccine and faced pushback over its mRNA ​technology from President Donald Trump's administration," making this new vaccine a potential "reversal of fortune" for the company. Epoch Times (Lean Right) highlighted views from supporters and critics of mRNA vaccines, writing that proponents "say the technology is superior to older vaccine platforms, in part because it can be quickly reconfigured," while critics are concerned about potential "serious side effects, including cancer."

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The Trump administration on Tuesday filed for a removal of restrictions on 44 million acres of the National Forest System, potentially making room for logging and mining to take place.

The Details: The US Forest Service filed for a rescission of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The department said the "one-size-fits-all restriction" has prevented forest managers from easily accessing areas and completing work to prevent wildfires across the country. If passed, the land could be open for development through roadway creation, logging, mining and oil and coal drilling.

For Context: Former President Bill Clinton passed the "Roadless Rule" before leaving office in 2001 to limit development in national forestlands. Last year, the Trump administration took the first steps to repeal the rule as part of President Trump's "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation" executive order, which removes "unnecessary regulatory burdens."

Proposal and Implications: Newsweek (Center bias) provided overall objective coverage of the proposal and arguments on both sides. The outlet noted that if repealed, new roads and development projects wouldn't automatically be authorized. Instead, decisions would return to local forest planning processes and land managers who would decide what appropriate activities would take place under existing environmental laws and regulations. The outlet included a map of the areas most impacted by the Roadless Rule.

Concern from Environmental Groups: Outlets on the left noted arguments by the USDA in favor of the move, but generally amplified opposition from environmental groups and political leaders. The Scientific American (Lean Left) quoted a leader from the Natural Resources Defense Council who said "The Trump administration is moving to gut our most iconic national forests." The Washington Post (Lean Left) cited concerns from advocacy groups that the move could lead to more human-caused fires if they get access to those areas. The outlet also noted wildfires have been amplified by climate change. The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left) warned that development could "fragment habitats and increase erosion and sediment pollution in drinking water."

Creating Opportunity: The story was less covered by outlets on the right. The Daily Caller (Right) noted 76% of voters support the Roadless Rule. The outlet quoted a spokesperson from the Center for Energy and Conservation at Independent Women who said the discussion "needs more nuance" as the land can "be open to both commercial and recreational uses." The spokesperson also said it's "ludicrous to insinuate the Trump administration would shut down access to forestlands." Another article from the Daily Caller framed the move as combatting a Clinton-era policy and said it comes after "another destructive wildfire season." The outlet also highlighted praise from Republican Western governors.

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Following the death of Jason Arday, the youngest-ever black professor at Cambridge University, media outlets are attempting to explain what went wrong, from intense media scrutiny and DEI policies to failures in academic institutions and accusations of racism.

The Details: Plagiarism concerns over Arday's PhD thesis and journal articles rose last year. Arday resigned on Aug. 5 following scrutiny over his academic work and personal background. On Aug. 14, first responders found Arday, 41, unresponsive in Battersea, South London, where he had reportedly died. The official cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed. 

Media Scrutiny: According to The Independent (Lean Left), 249 national press articles were written about Arday over 22 days. An opinion writer for the Independent argued, "Investigative journalism is at its best when it exposes abuses of power, corruption and misconduct," however, "There is a profound difference between interrogating power and allowing the machinery of investigation to bear down, relentlessly, on one academic."

Against Censorship: An opinion in UnHerd (Center) criticized some higher education professionals and organizations for using Arday's death to "amplify an existing censorship agenda." The writer argued that incidents of network harassment "are to be deplored," but advancing censorship and identity politics "will do little to aid progress in this area." An opinion from Michelle Goldberg (Left) in the New York Times (Lean Left) similarly argued that "those pressing for new controls on the press are making a serious mistake." Goldberg linked conservative media's interest in the story to backlash against DEI, but warned that progressive efforts to "stifle questions about those initiatives" could make backlash worse. She also argued that responsibility extended beyond sensational media coverage and faulted institutions like Cambridge for elevating Arday's profile while ignoring warning signs that he was "a fabulist."

'DEI Devotion': The Federalist (Right) blamed what it described as leftist academics' devotion to upholding DEI, and that those same people are now "maintaining that he was the victim of those who called out the DEI scam." It argued that Arday wouldn't be dead "if not for having been elevated to a position he had not earned and was not equipped to maintain under legitimate scrutiny or pressure." An opinion writer for The Daily Wire (Right) said Arday's story shows that "DEI hires are held to a lower standard than those hired via a competitive process." The outlet said that "By facilitating and even applauding his delusions, the credulous, obsequious DEI machine did Arday no favors." Both outlets highlighted other instances of plagiarism in higher ed from black professors.

'Racism': The Conversation (Lean Left) said Arday's death reflects the "intense skepticism Black scholars face." The outlet said "When an appointment symbolizes racial progress, serious allegations can spread suspicion beyond the individual" and pointed to what it said was "a double standard" in higher-ed treatment of minority faculty members. Townhall (Right) denounced claims of racism and poked fun at several online posts that blamed "White Lies" for Arday's death. The outlet said, "It's clear that the Left is not going to let this narrative that racism is to blame for Arday's downfall go." The Daily Wire also wrote that Arday and his defenders followed a common playbook: deny the allegations and then "accuse critics of racism."

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President Trump said the United States has delayed imposing a new 50% tariff against Canada for three days as the two sides are close to reaching a trade deal.

Key Quotes: Trump wrote on Truth Social, "I have paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada, that were scheduled to kick in tomorrow morning for a three day period, based on the fact that Canada and the U.S.A., subject to the finalization of documents, have a DEAL!" Canada's Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a letter posted on X, "Substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done." The Office of the US Trade Representative said on X, "The deal will include comprehensive market access for all American goods, economic security commitments, digital trade alignment."

The Details: The announcement was made less than two hours before a 50% tariff on almost $20 billion of Canadian imports was set to take effect. Affected products would have included Canadian imports like alcohol, dairy, cement, apparel, and hockey equipment. The Trump administration announced the tariffs in June, claiming there was Canadian trade "discrimination" against US businesses. In spring 2025, the US and Canada both levied 25% tariffs against each other's aluminum and steel imports as well as automotive imports.

Trade Context: In 2025, US trade volume with Canada was over $700 billion, down from over $900 billion in 2024. During Trump's first term, his administration, alongside Canada and Mexico, replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with a new trilateral free trade agreement, the USMCA. Last month, the Trump administration declined to renew the USMCA and said it would pursue independent trade deals with each country.

Keystone XL: Trump also said, "The great Keystone XL Pipeline, long ago killed by Sleepy Joe Biden, may be awoken from the grave!" BBC News (Center bias) noted that both the Biden and Obama administrations blocked the pipeline and that "environmentalists and indigenous groups have long opposed the pipeline."

How The Media Covered It: Canadian public broadcaster CBC (Lean Left) said the impending deal brings "some degree of momentary relief to companies on both sides of the border who worried the fees would devastate small businesses, disrupt supply chains and drive up the cost of living for everyday families" but that "there is no guarantee Canada can dodge tariffs long-term." Fox Business (Lean Right) noted that Canada has had a 25% tariff in place on American auto-related products since 2025, though it did not note that the US also has one in place on Canada.

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Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans through companies like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm have grown steadily since 2020, and these loans now offer options to finance regular household bills like rent, gas, and utilities. Are BNPL loans good for Americans, or a risky symptom of today's economy?

Loans for Electricity and Rent: New York Times (Lean Left bias) noted that Americans spent $160 billion through BNPL loans in 2025, nearly twice the spending from 2023. The Times highlighted that more and more consumers are using these loans for daily essentials rather than consumer indulgences, noting a LendingTree survey that found that half of the company's users "said they could not make ends meet otherwise." Though BNPL companies frame their loans as an alternative to interest-heavy credit card debt, The Times also highlighted concerns that these companies have created "hundreds of billions of dollars in consumer debt that isn't captured in traditional economic analyses and snapshots" because their loans exist outside the mainstream credit ecosystem.

What Do These Companies Think? Ryan Metcalf, Flex's vice president of public affairs, told The Times, "We can't solve income, or the price of rent and affordability. What we can help people solve is a timing issue. It's harm reduction."

Interest Free? Straight Arrow News (Center) reported that BNPL companies "quietly" add interest fees through late payments, payment rescheduling fees, and other hidden costs. According to Straight Arrow News, one-third of BNPL borrowers accrue interest on their loans, and about half of users have paid late fees as a result of a missed payment. Missed payment fees are typically $7-8, which often surpasses the cost of interest, Straight Arrow claimed. In line with The Time's findings that more and more borrowers are using BNPL loans for things like rent and utilities, Straight Arrow News cited stats showing that 46% of users have used pay-later loans on groceries.

The Most Financially Destructive Force in America: Ted Jenkin, writing for Fox News Opinion (Right) in August 2025, took a stronger stance, arguing that "Buy now, pay later is the worst thing for consumers since payday loans." Jenkin noted that credit card balances hit an all-time high of $1.12 trillion, and with the normalization of BNPL loans, "we've built a nation that's not just living paycheck to paycheck—it's now borrowing paycheck to paycheck." Ultimately, Jenkin argued that "we need to stop pretending that BNPL is some kind of harmless financial tool" and instead acknowledge that "it's the fast track to delinquency and bankruptcy for people who can least afford it."

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Jason Arday, a former sociology professor at Cambridge University and the recent subject of a controversial plagiarism investigation, was found dead on Friday.

The Details: First responders found Arday, 41, unresponsive in Battersea, south London, where he had reportedly died on scene. The Metropolitan Police later stated, "At this time ​his death is being treated as unexpected but is not believed to be suspicious. The ​case is being investigated by officers from the Met's Central South Command Unit."

RELATED: Star Cambridge Professor Resigns After Mainstream Media Reveal Fraud, Sparking Dialogue on DEI and Academia | AllSides

Family Statement: "The campaign of misinformation was ​too much ⁠for Jason, who was a gentle man and who always wanted to see the best in everyone. We ⁠won't ​comment further at this point beyond asking the press ​to leave us alone now, and to stop the campaign of harassment which has been waged against Jason ​and his family for too long."

How The Media Covered It: The initial plagiarism investigations resulted in staunch media criticisms in recent weeks, sparking debates about university ethics and diversity initiatives (Arday became the youngest black professor at Cambridge in 2023 and was raised by Ghanaian immigrant parents). Coverage of his death, however, was largely similar across the political spectrum, likely due to the sensitivity of the news. Associated Press (Lean Left bias) did still note Arday's race in its headline, while Washington Examiner (Lean Right) did not.

RELATED: AllSides Analysis: How News Outlets Stylize "Black" and "White" in Coverage of Race

For Context: Several major British outlets released investigation findings about Arday in recent weeks. He resigned on August 5. The Telegraph (Center) reported that he repeatedly lied about authoring the book, "Being Young, Black and Male: Challenging the Dominant Discourse," and labeled Arday "a poster boy for the university's diversity drive."

RELATED: Cambridge Dictionary Updates its Definitions of 'Man' and 'Woman'

The Guardian (Left) cited a keynote address of Arday's in which he called conservatives "the cancer that we need to eradicate from academia." It reported, "Prominent academics of color that the Guardian spoke to said the claims of plagiarism were legitimate, and that Arday's alleged actions risked undermining others who study race." The University of Cambridge subsequently announced its own investigation following the outlets' reports.

Arday told The Times (Center) on July 31, "I am accountable for the mistakes I've made. I hold myself accountable, and other people should hold me accountable. We're talking about academia here. I didn't murder somebody. I think the cruelty that I've experienced – and the positioning of me as this kind of liar and fantasist – is totally unacceptable." Read more context of this story here.

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A Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) "anti-hate" task force consisting of team presidents and general managers met Wednesday to discuss eligibility rules for transgender athletes without reaching any conclusive decisions.

The Meeting: According to ESPN (Lean Left bias), a league spokesman said the "meeting covered a wide range of topics, including ongoing discussions on transgender athletes and the continued hate and vitriol directed at players online. We will continue to engage all league stakeholders in the coming weeks and months. We will approach these important conversations thoughtfully and in alignment with the values of our league. There are no immediate eligibility matters affecting the WNBA and we strongly denounce the bad-faith efforts to use these topics to demean or marginalize others."

Create A Narrative: Outlets on the left, like The Guardian (Left) tended to highlight the WNBA criticizing "those trying to create a narrative about transgender women playing in the league." The article mentioned that a person familiar with the discussion said the "meeting focused on the online hate and abuse directed at WNBA players." The Guardian also cited the WNBA's collective bargaining agreement stating that "only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA," explaining however, that it "does not include any more specific language about gender identity or sex assigned at birth."

Keeping Boys and Men Out: Outlets on the right, like National Review (Lean Right) tended to frame coverage around Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, saying that "the topic has come to the forefront of the league" after she "told ESPN that she supports keeping boys and men out of girls' and women's sports." Cunningham said "I think I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men."

Insanity: The New York Post Editorial Board (Right) criticized the WNBA, saying "An organization with the word 'women' in its name should be able to say what a woman is, but the Women's National Basketball Association can't bring itself to affirm something so basic, for fear of defying pieties about 'gender identity.'" According to the editorial board, "Letting men play would destroy the WNBA, and everyone knows it," adding that "the same is true of male rapists who claim to identify as female in order to be placed in women's prisons, and of other predators who seek to invade women's spaces." The board asserted that "It's insane to say such claims must not be denied, but the extreme 'pro trans' position is insane."

Culture War Dopamine or Calling Out Hypocrisy: Opinion writer for MS Now (Left) Mike Wise claimed that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White, two former NBA players who recently declared themselves eligible for the 2027 WNBA draft, are operating on "culture war dopamine." According to Wise, culture war dopamine is "that euphoric feeling that follows making an outrageous statement on the controversy du jour," and "addicts are known to swap logic and reason for Fox News appearances."  Wise explained that "These aren't merely political stunts mocking the league and the women who play in it, but maliscious attempts to demean a marginalized population in the apparent hope that a NewsNation or Fox News producer will call for an interview so these budding hot-takers can be given some attention on what is a non-issue." The New York Post article referenced above pushed back on this, saying "Kanter and White aren't acting in bad faith, exactly; they're calling out the hypocrisy of a women's sports league bowing to a perverse ideology that allows some depraved men to pose as women."

Related: Former NBA Player Enes Kanter Freedom Declares for 2027 WNBA Draft

Word Choice: Coverage from the left tended to choose language such as "assigned at birth" while outlets on the right elected to say, "biological male" or "biological female." 

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Rep. Max Miller (R-OH) is facing calls to resign and end his reelection campaign following domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife Emily Moreno.

How The Media Covered It: Outlets on the left framed Republicans' response to Miller as related to the party's purportedly shifting standards under President Donald Trump. On the right, sources examined the warning signs Republican leaders allegedly overlooked before helping Miller reach Congress, while some other outlets on the right emphasized the electoral risk of keeping him on the ballot.

A Test of the GOP's Standards: An opinion writer for The Atlantic (Left) tied Republicans' response to what she viewed as the party's changing standards under Trump. Contrasting the reaction to Miller with how Republicans treat allegations against political opponents, she wrote, "Perhaps only in President Trump's Republican Party does believing all women—or even some women, some of the time—become politically fraught."

The Warning Signs Republicans Overlooked: An opinion piece by The Dispatch (Lean Right) argued that Republicans helped elevate Miller despite earlier allegations and public accounts of troubling behavior. Pointing to Trump's endorsement of Miller against former Rep. Anthony Gonzales, McCormack concluded that Trump "ought to have known that Miller was a snake."

A GOP Seat at Risk: Washington Examiner (Lean Right) opinion writer Tiana Lowe Doescher argued that Miller's departure is both a moral and political necessity. Warning that his campaign could cost Republicans a competitive House seat, she wrote, "Miller probably cannot win even if he wanted to," and could "drag down the rest of the party with him."

For Context:

• Miller won reelection in 2024 with just over 50% of the vote.
• The Cook Political Report rates Ohio's 7th District as R +5, and has now moved the 2026 race from "likely Republican" to "Toss-Up."
• Ohio redrew its congressional districts in October 2025, and the new boundaries will be used through the 2026 elections.

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Legal questions arise following a surrogate mother who refused to terminate the pregnancy at the request of the legal intended parents after the fetus was found to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Right and left media split in how they covered the story, with right outlets emphasizing anti-abortion stances and left outlets highlighting the legal intended parents' grief and rights.

The Details: Omar Ahmed and Nausheen Gilkar contracted McKenna West as their surrogate while West was living in Alaska. When the fetus was discovered to have hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the legal intended parents opted to terminate the pregnancy rather than have the child undergo multiple surgeries at birth to attempt to correct the life-threatening condition. The surrogate refused to have an abortion, instead traveling to Texas to birth the child. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has intervened to ensure the newborn receives the necessary medical care within the state. West is also seeking custody of the child.

For Context: The surrogacy contract between West, Ahmed, and Gilkar allowed the intended legal parents to end the pregnancy via abortion, according to New York Times (Lean Left bias). Paxton secured a temporary restraining order that requires the child to stay in Texas to receive medical care until a hearing in late August. The order also requires the legal parents to provide "medically indicated, lifesaving treatment" to the baby. The county also issued a restraining order against the surrogate mother, West, banning her from presenting herself as the child's parent in any circumstance. Texas law states a woman who gives birth to a baby is that child's legal parent, meaning that at the hearing in late August, a judge will decide whether the legal contract Ahmed and Gilkar signed with West gives them legal parental rights and the right to make medical decisions for the baby.

How the Media Covered It: The Post Millennial (Right) described the baby's condition as a "treatable heart defect," while New York Times described it as "rare and life-threatening." Post Millennial also referred to the baby as "Gabriel," which was a name chosen by West, despite the legal intended parents choosing a different name for the child. New York Times quoted Ahmed and Gilkar's attorney, saying, "As if the heartbreak of his condition were not enough, they are devastated to see their family tragedy transformed into political theater by the Texas Attorney General's office and McKenna West." It also quoted the president of anti-abortion group Live Action, who said, "They [the parents] were treating her baby like a product. The product had a defect, and so they were trying to send it back."

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The Trump administration has finalized a rule that ends the use of federal Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funds for gender surgeries and treatments for minors.

The Details: The rule, released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), prohibits Medicaid funding for "sex-rejecting procedures for children under 18" and blocks CHIP agencies from using funds for the same procedures for people under 19. Beneficiaries currently receiving hormone therapy can continue to claim benefits for six months after the rule comes into effect, which is expected on October 12. CMS projects that the move will save $235 million over a decade, with $138 million at the federal level and $97 million at the state level.

Key Quotes: CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said, "Children deserve our protection, not experimental interventions that pose serious risks and convey no proven benefits. By cutting off federal funds for these sex-rejecting procedures, we're following the science, saving taxpayer dollars, and, most importantly, protecting children from potentially irreversible harm so they can truly flourish." Several outlets quoted Ma'ayan Anafi of the National Women's Law Center for an opposition perspective. Anafi called the move "politically motivated" and said it's "not about following the science. It's about promoting this administration's anti-transgender agenda. This stigma is really the primary function of this rule."

For Context: The Hill (Center bias) noted a 2024 study that found less than one percent of minors received some sort of gender surgery before adulthood. The Hill added that the study also found more cisgender male minors received gender surgeries than transgender minors. It cited breast reductions as an example, noting that 97% of them were males seeking treatment for gynecomastia. CMS projects that the move will save $235 million over a decade, with $138 million at the federal level and $97 million at the state level. In January 2025, a week after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order, "Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation."

Related Storylines: On Thursday, the Department for Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report that alleged hospitals used false diagnostic codes to bill insurance companies for gender-related care for minors. Subsequently, Vice President JD Vance ordered the Justice Department to investigate healthcare providers for fraud related to gender treatments.

How The Media Covered It: The Federalist (Right) referred to gender surgeries for minors as "​​child genital mutilation surgeries" and framed them as carrying significant risk. The publication also only included quotes from the Trump administration and framed the rule as final, with "​​the force and effect of law." The Guardian (Left), on the other hand, prominently said that "legal challenges could delay or block [the rule] entirely." Outlets from the left were more likely to refer to gender surgeries and treatment as "gender-affirming care."

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hired more than 2,000 video gamers to serve as air traffic controllers amid ongoing shortages.

The Details: The accelerated hiring was part of a campaign launched in April by the Transportation Department to fill positions by recruiting gamers. In an X post, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the department has met 94% of its hiring goal.

Decline in Controllers: The number of air traffic controllers has declined 6% over the last decade, meanwhile there's been a 10% increase in the number of flights that rely on the air traffic control system, according to the US Government Accountability Office. The New York Post (Right) reported that the FAA has struggled to staff control towers since pandemic-era mass layoffs, which have coincided with an increase in plane collisions. In May, the FAA said it was reducing its target for air traffic control staffing from 14,633 to 12,563 in an effort to modernize scheduling and increase the time employees spend managing traffic. 

How the Media Covered It: The story was covered more by outlets in the center and on the right. AllSides found left-leaning coverage from only CBS News (Lean Left), USA Today (Lean Left), VICE (Left) and The Independent (Lean Left). CBS covered the story more objectively compared to other left coverage.

The Skills Needed: Outlets on the right emphasized Duffy's praise for the campaign. Zero Hedge (Lean Right), National Desk (Right), New York Post, Daily Caller (Right) and CBS all cited Duffy's claims that video gamers have skills like quick-thinking, focus and managing complex situations that are needed in air traffic control. They all also noted that additional training is needed and that controllers must meet federal eligibility requirements. Both Zero Hedge and CBS reported that the typical entry-level education for a controller is an associate's degree, with no related field work experience.

Safety Concerns: Vice covered the story more cynically, writing that the news was "surely meant to impress us but is actually deeply concerning." The outlet called the campaign a "half-cocked theory" and concluded with, "Maybe gaming skills help some people become good air traffic controllers, but planes are not video games, and passengers are not NPCs who can die and be save-scummed back to life." The Independent quoted a former FAA official who said video game experience "doesn't replace aptitude, or discipline, or decision making under pressure." It also cited anonymous online users who voiced concerns over safety, saying, "If they f*** up people die. They can't just restart a new game."

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly plans to spend $20 million on gloves that can deliver electric shocks as a "de-escalation device." Outlets on the left emphasized mistrust of ICE due to past instances of violence and excessive use of force. Outlets on the right downplayed the effects of the devices and highlighted the need for more safety and protective tools for immigration officers.

The Details: The G.L.O.V.E. device, which stands for "Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter," could be distributed to ICE agents by March 2027. The gloves deliver about 380 volts of electricity when they come in contact with skin after they have been activated, though they cannot transmit electricity through hair, clothes, fur, or other barriers. For comparison, a TASER device typically delivers around 2,000 volts when in contact with the body, according to Newsweek (Center bias). John Peters, the president of the Institute for the Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, said, "It's immediate and sharp, and it will distract you. I call it like a bee sting."

For Context: The G.L.O.V.E. manufacturer notes that "no more than two gloves should be applied at one time, and generally for no longer than 15 seconds." It also warns "against using them on certain higher-risk individuals, including children, pregnant women, the elderly and disabled people," according to Newsweek.

Concerns About Abuse: A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) told Associated Press (Left), "ICE spent the last year showing this country they are too quick to use force. Now they will be able to deploy electric shocks with the slight push of a button that maybe nobody else can see them do. Introducing gloves that can so easily be used to deliver terrible pain in encounters is a recipe for harm to the public." Left outlets tended to describe the gloves as delivering "painful electrical shocks," while outlets on the right tended to highlight Peters' quote comparing it to a bee sting.

A Useful Deterrent During Arrests: Daily Wire (Right) noted that ICE's investment in the devices "comes as sources within ICE have described an uptick in violence by the individuals they're trying to arrest." It highlighted that ICE agents have seen a 1,300% increase in assaults and a 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, based on numbers provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

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