In addition to France, protests, riots, and looting took place in neighboring countries, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain over the weekend, prompting authorities to take action.

France: Protests began in France a month ago, primarily themed around education, and escalated into widespread violence and vandalism over the weekend. As of early Monday, the government said about 1,000 police officers had been injured, and 2,400 people had been arrested. On Tuesday, authorities reportedly arrested a man who they believe was involved in the burning down of a historic town hall in Limoges.

Italy: The Italian government deployed 500 soldiers to Milan on Tuesday after demonstrations escalated into violence and looting over the weekend. Police reportedly detained 271 people in Milan, and 32 have been arrested so far, including 23 minors and 13 foreign nationals. According to various authorities, police have sustained 14 injuries in Milan, 56 in Bologna, and about 100 in Turin. More demonstrations are reportedly planned for Saturday.

Portugal: Police in Lisbon and Porto reportedly cleared activist encampments early Tuesday and arrested 55 who refused to leave the area voluntarily after warnings. At least 35 were reportedly injured over the weekend. According to Reuters (Center bias), Portuguese protestors "are demanding the ⁠centre-right ​government withdraw a bill making evictions easier and ending ​rent caps on new leases." The publication also said Portugal is "grappling with one of Europe's worst housing affordability crises" and noted pushback against overtourism and "so-called digital nomads." 

RELATED: Europeans Protest Against Overtourism, Spray Water Guns at Tourists | AllSides

Belgium: According to Reuters, hundreds of "mostly young people" protested in Brussels on Saturday. Some were reportedly "wearing masks and chanting anti-fascist slogans" and clashed with police. Police arrested at least 195 nationwide, and five officers were injured in Brussels.

Notes on Bias: The left and right have split on diagnosing the motives behind the protests and riots. Media and commentators on the left have routinely described them as reactions to dissatisfaction with affordability and quality of life, whereas many on the right, including President Trump and Vice President Vance, have argued the severity of the riots is the result of too much immigration. An investigation published by Fox News (Right) on Monday claimed there is a large network of left-wing organizations behind the French protests, including some financed by China-based American tech mogul Neville Roy Singham.

Albania: Notably, Associated Press (Lean Left) grouped unrest in Albania into its coverage, writing that "social unrest is setting Europe's streets ablaze." Albania has seen protests since the end of May, kickstarted by Jared Kushner's plan to put a luxury resort on an island near Vlorë that could damage to or disrupt protected coastal areas and nature reserves. Some have argued, however, that the protests have been about deeper political tensions and issues within the country, which has had the same leader since 2013. The unrest has been dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution," though tensions have escalated into violent clashes with police since last Tuesday. BBC News (Center) reported that "many" of the protesters were students "trying to oust embattled Prime Minister Edi Rama" and that 295 people, including 186 police officers, have been injured. 

RELATED: Albanians Protest Against Jared Kushner's Luxury Island Resort Plan | AllSides

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President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance announced a new $25 million Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program (WHIP) on Tuesday.

The Announcement: The Oval Office address detailed the new WHIP, which offers payments of up to $30,000 for fraud tips resulting in successful prosecution or significant federal enforcement action. The program will be administered through the Justice Department, and Americans will be able to submit tips via fraud.gov.

'Fraudsters On Notice': Fox News (Right bias) said that the new initiative "aims to encourage both independent journalists and everyday Americans to flag suspected fraud involving taxpayer money. According to the article, "Trump is putting cash behind his crackdown on taxpayer fraud," adding that the program "puts fraudsters on notice."

 'Midterm Campaign Blitz': Some outlets on the left like USA Today (Lean Left) highlighted that the program was implemented "ahead of the midterm elections." The article mentioned that the program "marries two efforts that Trump has seized on in his midterm campaign blitz: fighting fraud and distributing government funds." This focus on fraud, according to USA Today, "comes as Trump and GOP leaders have struggled to sell their economic agenda ahead of an election where polling indicates cost of living is a top concern."

First Check: Outlets across the spectrum noted that the first check, in the amount of $10,000, will be awarded to independent journalist Nick Shirley for his work in exposing fraud in Minnesota.

RELATED: The Insight: Is Fraud Getting a Pass?

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Washington Post (Lean Left bias) reported the full list of major donors to President Donald Trump's White House ballroom project, which includes previously undisclosed donors who have interests before the government. Outlets on the right, left, and center analyzed the list, with some questioning potential conflicts of interest on behalf of the contributors.

The Details: The Post noted that its reporting "does not establish a connection between the donation commitments and favorable actions by the Trump administration," but that "the documents show that the vast majority of the funds raised came from companies and wealthy individuals with interests before the federal government." Some of the previously undisclosed donors include tech company Nvidia, Julio Herrera Velutini, co-founder of Dish Network Charles Ergen, and CEO of Salesforce Marc Benioff. Apple, Google, and the Adelson Family Foundation are the other top donors. The list does not include any donations from Trump.

For Context: Washington Post reported that Nvidia contributed to the ballroom about three months after its agreement with Trump to sell microchips to China despite national security concerns. According to The Daily Caller (Lean Right), Herrera Velutini donated to the project in October 2025 and was pardoned by Trump in January for his indictment on charges of conspiracy and bribery. Ergen made two donations to the ballroom after a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation into his sales to AT&T was dropped. Benioff made multiple donations to the project, one of which came three days after his company, Salesforce, was awarded a contract with the Defense Department.

How the Media Covered It: Wall Street Journal (Center) clarified that "no laws prohibit presidents from raising unlimited sums of money for nonprofits and public disclosure of donors isn't required." However, it also noted that "Trump's unprecedented fundraising from companies with business before his administration has raised concerns from congressional Democrats about the potential for conflicts of interest." Similarly, the Daily Caller headline led with "Conflict Of Interest?" The outlet also reported details of how various donors are linked to or have benefitted under the Trump administration. Washington Post wrote that "independent experts and scholars have expressed alarm at the potential the arrangement has for influence buying and coerced giving."

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Pending home sales in September decreased by 7.3% month-over-month and 11.3% year-over-year, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors.

The Details: Home sales, future sales expectations and buyer traffic all fell last month, according to CNBC (Lean Left bias). The Realtors report showed pending sales declined in all four major US regions; the West experienced the largest decrease at -9.2% month-over-month and -15% year-over-year. Another report published Tuesday by the US Census Bureau showed single-family home construction last month also fell to its lowest level since September 2025, with housing starts falling 4.56% to 859,000 annualized. Building permits also fell 4%. Homebuilder sentiment was at its lowest levels in 14 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

For Context: Mortgage rates hit a three-year high last month, and the 30-year mortgage rate topped 7.6% for the first time since January 2025. The median existing home price was also $417,500 in September, a 1.3% increase from last year. Last month, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2023 by 0.25%.

RELATED: Report: Median Household Income Reached Record High in 2025

Mortgage Rates: Fast Company (Lean Left) said the report is "the latest confirmation that the housing market is cooling" and could continue to "well beyond 2026." It quoted a top economist in Washington DC who attributed the weakening housing conditions to "fast-rising" mortgage rates. Another source said rising mortgage rates, gas prices and broader inflation were also weighing on home builders, who must contend with "high construction loan costs, building materials and immigration enforcement activity" that could "cause construction delays." CNBC quoted a chief economist who said, "The housing market is about to go into a deep sleep unless Washington can do a 180 on its policies and make the cost of a new home more affordable."

Home Ownership is Still Possible: Several Fox Business (Lean Right) articles focused on optimism, including how and where home ownership is still possible. In one segment, Fox hosts interviewed the National Association of Home Builders CEO who said housing cost increases are slowing down, and that high mortgage rates and inflation are "eating up [the] good news." Another article cited a Redfin analysis that found housing costs could hypothetically return to "normal" in the next five years if mortgage rates fell to 6% and home price growth remained steady at about 2.1%. The same article noted that if mortgage rates remained between 7-8%, a return to "normal prices" could take 10 or more years. One more article described how condos have become the new starter home, which is making home ownership in some metro areas possible.

Wealth Movement: Wall Street Journal (Center) said America's home-buying market is divided between near-record home prices and high mortgage rates, and luxury home buyers who are making "jumbo down payments or all-cash purchases." It described wealthy employees moving into metro areas like San Francisco and Tampa, Fla. thanks to the AI tech boom, which it said "reflects the growing divergence in the fortunes of the country's economic classes." The outlet also reported that "Home builders are shifting their focus toward luxury homes, which generate far wider margins than entry-level homes," and that the low demand for entry-level homes gives others an opportunity to buy.

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Elon Musk said on X Monday that he will give one of his shares of his company SpaceX to every kid in America in 2027, adding that "This will be the first of many."

Share Value: The latest US Census Bureau data showed approximately 73 million children under the age of 18 living in the US. With SpaceX shares closing Friday at $146.03, this could mean Musk would be giving away roughly $10.5 billion in stock.

'Musk Urged Anthropic': Some outlets on the right like Fox Business (Lean Right bias) highlighted Musk's plan as a response to an announcement on X from AI company Anthropic, saying that the company is "committing a portion of Anthropic's shares to the Anthropic Public Benefit Fund, a new wholly owned entity dedicated entirely to the public benefit. It will start off with 5% of our shares. For every 50% increase in the company's value over a set baseline, we can contribute up to an extra 2%, subject to our board's discretion." Anthropic further explained that "this means that roughly 20% of Anthropic's shares are committed to the public good." The article highlighted Musk responding to the announcement, saying "I recommend giving the shares directly to the public." Fox Business said that after "Musk urged Anthropic to distribute shares directly to the public," he "indicated that he intended to follow that approach himself."

'Failed To Give': Outlets on the left like The New York Times (Lean Left) and CNN Business (Lean Left) tended to frame coverage around scrutiny both Musk and his company SpaceX came under following restrictions on SpaceX satellite internet services that Ukraine depended on for battlefield operations against Russia. The Times article also highlighted Musk being a "signatory of the Giving Pledge, a commitment by the world's richest people to give away half of their fortunes," and mentioned that "he has expressed skepticism of traditional philanthropy." According to the article, Musk's "nonprofit, the Musk Foundation, had more than $14 billion assets at the end of last year, but over the past four years has failed to give away the minimum amount required by law."

RELATED: Ukraine's Starlink Dispute With SpaceX Raises Questions About US Role

For Context: Over the past three months, Musk given $276 million to Republican super PAC's and organizations. Outlets on the right, like The New York Post (Right) highlighted what the article called an "eye-popping, nine-figure sum." Conversely, some outlets on the left like The New York Times called the effort a "Midterm rescue mission." At the beginning of last month Michael and Susan Dell began dispersing a total of $6.25 billion to the Trump Accounts of children born from 2016-2024 in ZIP codes where the median income is under $150,000.

READ MORE: Elon Musk Gives $276 Million to Republican Groups Ahead of Midterms

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A school voucher program known as Texas Education Freedom Accounts went into effect this school year, giving families state funds to apply to education outside the public school system, such as private or home schools. The program and Texans' reactions to it sparked polarizing media opinions about the efficacy of these types of programs.

Hot Issue in TX: Jessica Grose argued in an article for New York Times (Opinion) (Left) that the new school voucher program in Texas represents the views of billionaires more than the rural and working-class people of the state, so much so that many conservatives may vote blue in the upcoming election. The school voucher program, which is similar to programs used in other states such as Iowa and New York, gives families state money to use for education outside the public school system. Grose's largest arguments against the program include the fact that the state has no say over the curriculum taught at private schools or in home school curricula, and private schools can discriminate against applications for their religion, disability status, and almost any other reason. Additionally, the voucher program is universal, meaning families of any financial status, not just poor families, can access the funds. Grose spoke with a variety of historically conservative voters, particularly those in rural areas and small towns in Texas, who said that they will either vote Democrat or are undecided because of the issue of school vouchers, which the voters believe have ripped away funding from the public schools that educate their children and employ their friends and neighbors.

RELATED: TN to Spend More On School Vouchers Than Per Public School Student, on Average

What The Times Left Out: Becket Adams (Right) wrote a direct rebuttal to The New York Times' opinion for National Review (Opinion) (Right) that argued that the biggest failure in The Times' piece was not only its stance on voucher programs but also its failure to capture the truth about conservative viewpoints. Adams wrote that many journalists living in hubs like New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles "claim to cover the country and the world for a living" but "have little idea what anyone outside of their immediate community wants or believes." Adams argued that Grose's article ignored the "core conservative case" in favor of school voucher programs, which Adams called "school choice," - the freedom of movement they give parents when it comes to their children's education. Ultimately, Adams said journalists should spend more time amongst average Americans to better understand what communities outside of their own in major metropolitan areas want for the country.

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The Justice Department said on Monday that it had arrested 28 people in California as part of an investigation into lawfully permanent residents who were illegally attempting to vote in the midterms.

The Details: The arrests are part of "Operation Protect the Vote." According to federal prosecutors, the 28 defendants are charged with making false statements in naturalization applications and falsely claiming to be US citizens on voter registration applications. Prosecutors also say the applications were approved and that many of those accused had voted in US elections. If found guilty, the defendants could face up to five years in prison.

For Context: Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter said the 28 arrested were part of a list of more than 20,000 people who were likely noncitizen voter registrants. Lawful permanent residents, also known as green card holders, are authorized to live and work in the US, but are generally not eligible to vote in federal elections. According to the DOJ, on Oct. 13, federal officials gave California a list of individuals whose citizenship status they wanted to verify before their mail-in ballots were counted.

'Biggest Voter Fraud Bust in CA History': The New York Post (Right bias) published a breakdown of the arrests and included photos. It described how the different arrests happened and also mentioned previous voting attempts by some of those arrested, including one Belizean national, who it said voted in the 2020, 2022 and 2024 election, a man from the Philippines who it said voted in 2024 and a man from Myanmar who it said voted in 2024. The Post also said the man had previous convictions of grand theft and narcotics possession in the US. Fox News (Right) shared a clip from McCotter who recollected elections that were decided within a small margin of votes, emphasizing the importance of cracking down on voter fraud.

On Trump's Immigration Policy: Associated Press (Lean Left) said the arrests are part of the Trump administration's efforts to root out noncitizen voting, "even though data shows that the problem is incredibly rare, difficult to prove and has not been shown to change the outcome of races." It described federal officials placing the blame of voter fraud from these individuals on California officials. Mother Jones (Left) said the operation makes good on "threats to weaponize the Justice Department and other federal entities." The Hill (Center) said Trumps' immigration crackdown has received "much backlash" and that federal immigration authorities have been involved in multiple violent incidents.

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President Donald Trump officially endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu days before the Israeli election on October 27. Outlets on the left and center examined how Trump's endorsement might affect Netanyahu's chances, while outlets on the right highlighted Israel's importance in the war in Iran.

The Details: Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, "Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran…Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel. BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!" Netanyahu responded on X, saying, "President Trump, my friend Donald - thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons."

For Context: Israeli voters technically vote for a party, rather than an individual candidate, although the leader of the winning party is very likely also to become the prime minister. Netanyahu leads the Likud Party. According to polls cited by The Times of Israel (Center bias), the other leading party is the more centrist Yashar, led by Gadi Eisenkot.

How the Media Covered It: The Times of Israel reported that Trump's endorsement did not lead to an immediate bump in polls supporting Netanyahu. The Times cited a Channel 12 poll that found that the Yashar party is likely to win 24 seats, Netanyahu's Likud party is likely to win 21 seats, and the rest of the seats will be distributed among other smaller parties. New York Times (Lean Left) also quoted analysts who believe any boost from the endorsement will be "short-lived," partially because "the Trump brand is simply not what it used to be in Israel." New York Times claimed that many Israelis' support of Trump has dwindled because of his "mercurial" policies and decisions surrounding the Iran war. Fox News (Right) focused on Trump's statements about the Iran war, highlighting his claim, "If Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so."

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President Trump signed an executive order on Friday that waived sweeping new sanctions against Russia and buyers of Russian energy that would have taken effect on Sunday.

The Details: The sanctions were included as part of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which passed the Senate in July and the House in September with bipartisan support. The sanctions would have included 500% tariffs on Russian goods, 100% tariffs on most countries that bought Russian crude oil or natural gas, and the prohibition of US citizens investing in Russia's energy sector, among other things.

Doubled Down: Trump wrote on Sunday, "My decision on Russia is a very simple one. I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table." He added that he wants to maintain a status quo where Russia "is doing very little, if anything" to help Iran "compared to what they could be doing" and that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries have hurt American businesses.

Previously: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) passed away in July, and his sister has since replaced him. The sanctions package passed the Senate in July just after his funeral. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attended both his funeral and the Senate vote.

More Recently: As diesel prices have surged worldwide, earlier this month, President Trump struck a diesel deal with Russia, which media outlets across the spectrum framed mostly negatively. Trump also called for Ukraine to "get a new president." Last week, Ukraine reported losing access to its Starlink internet service, and media outlets have framed differently whether SpaceX CEO Elon Musk or the Trump administration was more to blame.

Media Framing: Outlets across the spectrum noted that Trump's order drew bipartisan pushback. Outlets from the left generally framed the decision more critically than those on the right. For instance, The New York Post (Right bias) wrote in its headline and lead that Trump "cited" the "national interests of the United States" in the order, whereas NBC News (Lean Left) framed Trump as "arguing" in favor of such. Some outlets, like Fox Business (Lean Right) and BBC News (Center), noted in headlines that Trump wasn't waiving all of the Russia sanctions, while most other outlets didn't include this distinction.

Perspectives: The Wall Street Journal's Editorial Board (Lean Right) described the waiver as "assistance" to Putin, of whom Trump is now the "best friend in the world after, perhaps China's Xi Jinping." UnHerd (Center) contributor Jennifer Kavanagh argued that despite the ongoing "narrative" that Trump goes back and forth between favoring Ukraine and Russia, his "decision-making on Ukraine is far more consistent than this framing implies." She added, "What has always mattered most for Trump is what is best for him and his political future. Right now, that's anything that will push gas prices down to help his party avoid big losses in the midterms… Trump is on no one's side but his own."

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Scenes of unrest and devastation have emerged from France, where, after weeks of protests, riots have swept across many of the country's major cities.

Leading Up: Protests began nearly a month ago when students protested in support of striking teachers and for better overall conditions and resource allocation at their schools. The unrest spread across the country in the following weeks and turned into riots over the weekend – with hundreds of thousands reportedly involved. The unrest drew increased worldwide media attention on October 6 when President Trump wrote on Truth Social, "What's happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration. This isn't about schools, this is about Islam wanting to take over a once great Country!"

Latest Developments: French police have reportedly arrested over 1,800 so far this weekend. Rioters have looted businesses, attacked police, and burned down buildings. Notably, a 143-year-old town hall in the city of Limoges was burned and collapsed. Vice President JD Vance shared the footage and wrote, "Western liberals imported the third world into France and other countries in the name of diversity and compassion. They ignored fundamental questions of assimilation and compatibility. They were told it would lead to this, and they didn't listen… And I hope Americans are paying attention. This is the future congressional Democrats seek for your country." Videos of the unrest have circulated widely on social media platforms like X.

For Context: As of Sunday, the unrest has reportedly spilled over into neighboring countries Spain, Italy, and Portugal. The riots come as polls have found President Emmanuel Macron's disapproval rating has risen to over 80%. Macron said on Saturday, "We will all stand united against the sowers of chaos, who seek only to bring down our institutions and prevent those who peacefully express their demands from doing so."

Blame Game: Several media outlets across the spectrum have framed a root cause of the prolonged protesting and now rioting as French citizens' dissatisfaction with schooling and the cost of living. ZeroHedge (Lean Right) wrote, "Corporate media continues to run the narrative that 'demonstrators' are merely kids demanding greater education funding, higher teacher salaries, and protection of pensions and public services from budget cuts. This is the far left, which wants nothing more than to burn down the West." Right-wing leader Marine Le Pen blamed both Macron's policies and the "far-left." Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon criticized police for escalating violence and targeting union leaders. French commentator Arnaud Bertrand (Not rated) said, "Pretty funny to see everyone blame this (rightly condemned, to be clear) on whatever their political bogeyman is: I've just seen people say that this is because of, take your pick, 'communism,' 'Islamism,' 'third worldism,' 'Russia,' and 'China.' As if France needed any outside help to riot..." He went on to argue that France is in a fiscal, societal, and political crisis.

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Katie Zacharia has been removed from the White House Press Secretary position after five days.

The Details: A White House official announced on Friday that Zacharia had been "let go" and later that she was "transitioning" out of the position. President Trump told reporters he'd suggested she reconsider the job following public scrutiny, reportedly telling Zacharia, "I'm not sure you can ever be happy in this stuff. There's nothing easy about this stuff." Zacharia was announced as press secretary on Oct. 12 and held her first briefing on Oct. 13.

For Context: According to Reuters (Center bias), Zacharia received a call about the press secretary role on Oct. 7 and was offered the job on Oct. 9. She was set to succeed Karoline Leavitt. Zacharia was previously pressed by reporters on her legal background. On Thursday, Wall Street Journal (Center) published an exclusive report that Zacharia didn't pass the bar exam despite referring to herself as a lawyer in public appearances.

'1/11th of a Scaramucci': The Hill (Center) highlighted social media commentary that compared Zacharia to Anthony Scaramucci, who served as press secretary for 11 days during Trump's first term. It shared Scaramucci's X post saying, "Records are made to be broken. But I take no pleasure in other people's pain." The Hill also shared posts from users who joked about whether Zacharia would last "one Scaramucci" after her first press briefing on Tuesday was "heavily scrutinized." Scaramucci had also wrote on X earlier this week, "The clock is running. Thus far 1/11th of a Scaramucci."

Republican Skepticism: CNN (Lean Left) wrote, "White House press secretary Katie Zacharia's first week was all about Katie Zacharia, when the role should have been about the president and his agenda." The outlet said a "pair of tough Fox News interviews foreshadowed Zacharia's change in fortune," as the questions "reflected serious skepticism about Zacharia's ability to represent the president going forward." CNN described Zacharia being "on the defensive" and said Fox News (Right) host Sean Hannity (Right) "sounded like he was belatedly vetting Zacharia for the job — unintentionally highlighting Trump's lack of vetting."

In Defense of Zacharia: Breitbart (Right) focused on the White House's suggestions that the move was to protect Zacharia. It highlighted quotes from Trump that Zacharia had "been treated very badly by the media…she's been treated very rough." Breitbart also quoted Trump saying, "She's a nice person, very nice person. I've watched her for years on television. But, I said, 'Is this for you Katie? Because honestly, you don't need this.'" It noted Hannity's interview with Zacharia, but emphasized internal praise among the Trump administration for her.

'Fired' vs 'Let Go': In their headlines, outlets on the left more often said Zacharia had been "fired" compared to outlets on the right, which used the White House's phrasing that she'd been "let go" or was "transitioning out."

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The Trump administration filed a lawsuit Thursday against California to block roughly 20,000 voters alleged of being noncitizens.

The Lawsuit: The lawsuit asks a federal judge to keep election officials from counting ballots submitted by the listed voters unless their citizenship status can be verified. Los Angeles County is where most of the alleged ineligible voters are registered, and election officials said they had not opened the thumb drive containing the list of voters "because doing so would conflict with established data privacy and information security protocols," according to The New York Times (Lean Left bias).

'Outraged': Outlets on the right tended to frame the lawsuit around election integrity, with Just The News (Lean Right) calling the issue a "major election integrity showdown." Other outlets like Blaze Media (Right), while also framing the events around election integrity, highlighted California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) being "outraged over [the] Justice Department lawsuit."

'Sad, Desperate Attempt' or 'Opportunity To Self-Correct': Attorney General Todd Blanche said on X that the list of "more than 20,000 individuals who @USCIS and @HSI_HQ identified are likely noncitizens and who are on California's voter rolls" is "of serious concern." Blanche added that "We provided California an opportunity to self correct its records and we requested that it segregate the suspected illegal ballots for the upcoming election." Gov. Newsom also took to X, saying "This is a sad, desperate attempt by Trump to use his politicized Justice Department to try to suppress California voters just three weeks before Election Day." He added that "Courts have made clear the federal government has no role in running state elections."

'Highly Unusual' and 'Highly Inappropriate': Outlets on the left were more likely to frame the lawsuit around previous losses in court, and alleged issues of inaccuracy with other lists created for other states. The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left) highlighted the timing of the lawsuit, citing "experts" saying it is "highly unusual, particularly given that California voters have already begun voting in the Nov. 3 midterms via mail ballots." The article added that state officials said "It's also highly inappropriate and based on questionable federal data that has proved wildly inaccurate in other states."

RELATED: California Vote Count: Delayed For Accuracy or Fraud?

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Eric Deters, a former lawyer and Republican candidate, has sued former US ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle. The defamation lawsuit involves statements related to text messages that reportedly showed her asking him to pay $100,000 toward her personal debts.

The Details: Deters filed the lawsuit in Kentucky state court on Thursday, saying Guilfoyle and her legal team made false statements about his allegations. The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) previously reported on messages that appeared to show Guilfoyle asking Deters to send money to her American Express account. Guilfoyle's lawyer questioned whether the messages were authentic and said she was owed money for travel and events organized by Deters. Deters denied owing her money and says he previously paid her $300,000 in speaking fees.

For Context: Guilfoyle resigned from her post earlier this week, at the request of the White House, after a series of revealing reports from The Wall Street Journal. Days prior, n anonymous US official told Associated Press (Lean Left) President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio were "extremely pissed off" by Guilfoyle's alleged conduct. She has called the allegations false and said she would defend her reputation. President Trump said the administration did not like what it was reading about the situation. According to one of The Journal's reports, Guilfoyle told Greek officials that the US played a role in the collapse of the Romanian government earlier this year

What Happens Next: Deters said he plans to question Guilfoyle and Donald Trump Jr., Trump's eldest son, who was previously engaged to Guilfoyle. Deters has also said he would drop the lawsuit if Trump takes action on a separate legal case involving Abubakar Atiq Durrani, a doctor who is accused of fraudulently performing unnecessary spine surgeries on hundreds of patients at Cincinnati-area hospitals.

How The Media Covered It: Media outlets across the political spectrum covered the lawsuit and Guilfoyle's resignation, but New York Post (Lean Right) used more dramatic language and emphasized Deters' broader allegations and demands. CBS News (Lean Left) focused on the defamation lawsuit, the disputed text messages and the competing claims from Deters and Guilfoyle's legal team. The Post gave more attention to Deters' demand that Trump help secure a physician's extradition in exchange for dropping the lawsuit, along with his claims that he has more damaging information about Guilfoyle. 

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Earlier this week, claims spread on social media that Ukrainian strikes on Russian data centers had torpedoed online traffic to conservative voices such as Tucker Carlson (Right bias) or Germany's populist right-wing AfD party. Now, mainstream media outlets across the spectrum have pushed back on the claims as potential misinformation.

Ukrainian Strikes: On Oct. 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "When our strikes reached Yandex's data centers, it suddenly became a little easier to breathe on many social media platforms. A lot of people noticed it. There was less hate, less division, and fewer provocations. Because there were fewer bots. And it's pretty clear where those bots were coming from." BBC News (Center) reached out to Zelenskyy's office and reported, "Zelensky's office told BBC Verify the president was 'talking about the atmosphere on social media' rather than a fall in bot activity. It added it had seen 'reports of fewer provocative and hateful comments' from many social media users."

Western Commentators: Conservative commentator Matt Tardio, who appears to be very critical of Russia and supportive of Israel, claimed on Oct. 13 that several Western commentators who have been critical of American foreign policy regarding both Russia and Israel saw dramatic declines. Specifically, he singled out Tucker Carlson, Max Blumenthal (Left), Douglas Macgregor, Scott Ritter, Ben Swann, and Rick Sanchez. Several prominent individuals, including Bill Browder, an American who previously managed huge investments in Russia, and writer and former British politician Louise Mench, spread the claims and criticized Carlson. Laura Loomer (Right) wrote on Oct. 12, "I for one am thankful to see less Russian bots online sharing Tucker Qatarlson's content and accusing everyone of being a pedophile and an Israeli spy."

RELATED: Laura Loomer Pivots on Ukraine After Press Trip to the Country | AllSides

AfD: Czech Member of the European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský claimed on Oct. 11 that AfD-related online activity saw a steep decline, though he noted it was unconfirmed. On Oct. 12, Polish cybersecurity outlet Niebezpiecznik claimed the graph was fake and generated with AI by a 24-year-old flight attendant. German state media outlet DW News (Center) published a fact check on Oct. 14 that concluded, "There is no clear evidence linking the attacks to a decline in bot activity." DW noted, "Particularly striking is that the graph extends to October 15… when the graph first appeared online on October 11. Data for a future date cannot exist."

Critical Commentators: Glenn Greenwald (Center) wrote on Oct. 13, "Nothing is easier than feeding people fake stories about Russia and then having them spread it mindlessly and uncritically. Even after we watched the US media and Democratic Party do exactly this for 3 years, only for it to be exposed as a hoax, it just continues unimpeded." Ilya Zolovsky, senior editor of the US NGO Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, wrote on Oct. 12, "Last night I was struck – really, almost radicalized – watching in real time as experts at the heights of their careers boosted emotionally satisfying narratives that were pretty much entirely wrong." In his own analysis, he concluded the claims were "based on data that has been misunderstood or appears to be entirely made up."

RELATED: Is Europe Preparing for a Wider Conflict With Russia? | AllSides

Russian Media: Kremlin-funded RT (Lean Right) published an analysis in which it compared the "'Russian bots' lie" to the long-running media narrative that Russia has been engaged in "hybrid war" against EU states. It noted that some of the first prominent organizations and commentators to pour cold water on the claims have previously been very critical of the Russian establishment. RT concluded the story "fell apart the moment it was subjected to some basic scrutiny."

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Ukraine accused Elon Musk's SpaceX for throttling Starlink technology which impeded both frontline operations and defense capabilities against Russian attacks.

For Context: Starlink services are crucial for both communications and the operation of drone technology and intelligence gathering in Ukraine's fight against Russia. The military version, however, called Starshield, is owned and operated by the US government, according to Musk. Musk took to social media on Wednesday, refuting claims that he had anything to do with the technology slowdown, saying "Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the Us military and ultimately POTUS." He further explained that "Starlink is a commercial service owned and controlled by SpaceX. Usage of Starlink is limited to civilian or defensive activities and cannot be used for offensive military action, as doing so would be inappropriate for a commercial company." Sources reported that services were cut off for objects that traveled more than 100 miles an hour but have since been restored to full capacity according to reporting from Axios (Lean Left bias).

'Close Trump Ally': NBC News (Lean Left) highlighted Ukrainian officials saying the "timing could not be a coincidence given that Musk is a close Trump ally."

US-Ukraine Relationship: Axios highlighted the "strained" relationship between the US and Ukraine, saying "the Trump administration sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week by lifting sanctions on Russian oil sales." The article also mentioned that after services were fully restored, "Ukraine conducted a strike overnight against a Russian oil refinery—defying President Trump's demand that it stop hitting those facilities."

'Get a New President': President Donald Trump, after securing the new deal with Russia for oil and diesel fuel, said "it's time for Ukraine to get a new president." The US has contracts that ensure intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and according to a Wall Street Journal (Center) report, no explicit threats were made to stop sharing intel. However, a Reuters (Center) report claimed the "US has threatened to cut off intelligence and arms supplies to Ukraine."

'Pointed To The Trump Admin': Fox News (Right) highlighted Ukraine's "scrambl[ing] to reverse new Starshield restrictions put in place by the trillionaire's [Musk's] company that disrupted operations and threatened Kyiv's ability to intercept Russian attack drones," adding that "Musk pointed to the Trump administration." The article also mentioned that "Musk did not say whether President Donald Trump, War Secretary Pete Hegseth or another U.S. official personally authorized the new restriction or explain why it was imposed."

RELATED: Elon Musk Gives $276 Million to Republican Groups Ahead of Midterms

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President Trump on Thursday called off the public execution of Fort Hood shooter and former Army Maj., Nidal Malik Hasan.

The Details: In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote he didn't want to subject "good and well-meaning" people to the sight. The public execution was set to take place on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m., the same time Hasan had opened fire at Fort Hood in 2009. It received bipartisan criticism from election officials and the public, with 71% of Americans saying they were opposed to having executions broadcast live. Hasan is still set to be executed by firing squad on Dec. 3, and Trump said the victims' families would be allowed to attend in person.

Fort Hood Shooting: Hasan killed 13 people and injured 32 others after opening fire at Fort Hood, Texas. According to The Hill (Center bias), Hasan, an American-born Muslim, said he'd "switched sides" in the US-Afghanistan war. During the attack, he was also shot by police and paralyzed.

For Context: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced last week that Hasan's execution by firing squad would be made public and live streamed. Hegseth defended the decision to reporters, saying, "people need to understand that there's serious consequences for these types of things." The last public execution in the US was over 60 years ago.

Praise for the Cancellation: Fox News (Right) highlighted praise from Fort Hood survivors, who called the decision "a positive move" and that the cancellation "proves that we are a better people, a better nation, and that we're not barbaric." The Blaze (Right) said the cancellation had many Christians "expressing gratitude," specifically Catholics. It said that group "took exception" to the public execution despite it being "praised by many."

A 'Rebuke' of Hegseth: The Washington Post (Lean Left) framed the decision as Trump "a significant rebuke" of Hegseth, who it said "has remained in the president's good graces through numerous controversies." It described what appeared to be internal division between Trump's allies over the public execution, saying Hegseth "touted his live-stream plan," while Vice President Vance, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump all expressed concern or said they wouldn't be watching. The Associated Press (Lean Left) also noted praise for the cancellation from Catholic members and reported that Trump "had for days distanced himself from Hegseth's announcement."

Quote Placement and Photo Bias: At the top of their articles, the Washington Post and Associated Press both included a quote from President Trump saying the execution "might have been a strong deterrent for the World to witness how America deals with Terrorists and SCUM like Hasan." Fox News included the quote lower down in its coverage. Washington Post also used a photo of Hegseth looking uncomfortable as its story photo, which could reflect photo bias considering its story angle.

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President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that "Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland."

The Announcement: Trump made the announcement about the "massive" exploration in Greenland on his Truth Social account, saying "There are Experts that are saying that the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World and, even more importantly, from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none. Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived. It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!"

'Pushed Back': Some outlets on the left, like CNN (Lean Left bias) highlighted that the deal between the US, Denmark, and Greenland signed last month does not change the fact that Greenland is autonomous and has a "right to self-determination." The article also mentioned that "if the US wants to explore Greenland's resources, it would have to do so within the Arctic Island's legislation." CNN cited Greenland's deputy mining minister Jørgen Hammeken-Holm saying that while "there are activities by US companies" taking place within Greenland, that it is "very far away from 'massive' exploration." According to CNN, "Greenland's government pushed back against President Donald Trump's claim" of "massive" exploration beginning.

'Strategically Important Arctic Island': Fox News (Right) framed the announcement around the "strategically important" nature of the island, providing details on the agreement such as restrictions on military installations by non-NATO countries and "safeguards against potentially threatening foreign investments in sensitive sectors, including natural resources and critical infrastructure." The article also highlighted a White House official saying, "American leaders have recognized the strategic importance of Greenland for over a century, adding that "Only President Trump had both the vision and the ability to convert that recognition into a strategic victory for the United States."

'Our New And Beautiful Greenland': Newsweek (Center) said that Trump "touted a new program to explore oil, gas and mineral deposits," while highlighting that he referred to the development by saying "our new and beautiful Greenland." The outlet also mentioned that "The deal followed months of threats by Trump to take over the island, by force if necessary." However, the outlet mentioned later in the coverage that both "Denmark and Greenland" had "welcomed the deal Trump announced last month, saying it means that Arctic security would come under the protection of NATO, rather than just the U.S. and Copenhagen."

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American Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle has resigned at the White House's request after a series of reports from The Wall Street Journal (Center bias) alleged misconduct.

WH Position: Elina Shirazi of The Daily Mail (Lean Right) asked the new White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia during her expedited first briefing on Tuesday about a "timeline" for when Guilfoyle may be fired. Zacharia replied, "We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well." Trump told reporters, "She was doing a good job, but… I didn't like what I read."

Guilfoyle's Statement: Guilfoyle announced her resignation on X. She said as ambassador she "helped secure historic agreements to expand American liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, advanced the Vertical Corridor to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy, strengthened our defense and security partnership with a critical NATO ally, and expanded opportunities for American businesses." On The Journal's reporting, she said, "These allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity… I will not allow false accusations to define my decades of public service." She added, "I will always be a loyal supporter of President Trump and his mission to Make America Great Again."

WSJ Reporting: Over the past few weeks, The Journal published three separate exclusive reports on Guilfoyle's conduct. The first report detailed her "persistent promotion" of the Greek energy firm Aktor as she worked to promote an international US liquefied natural gas pipeline in the region. It also spawned a separate storyline that Guilfoyle had reportedly boasted about being involved in the April collapse of the Romanian government. Top Democrats called for a probe into Guilfoyle following the report. The second report revealed that she asked a Trump donor to pay down a $100,000 credit card bill of hers in exchange for access to the president days before her confirmation hearing. The third report claimed she bragged about a pair of wealthy Greek businessmen who funded luxury vacations for her.

RELATED: Did the Trump Administration Help Topple Romania's Government Earlier This Year? | AllSides

Rumblings: On Monday, Associated Press (Lean Left) reported speaking to an anonymous "senior US official" who said Trump and Rubio were "extremely pissed off" with Guilfoyle after reading The Journal's report and were considering firing her.

How The Media Covered It: Outlets from the left generally authored more charged headlines than outlets from the right or center. The New York Times (Lean Left), which described The Journal's reporting as "damaging," wrote, "'Honey Please': The Steep Rise and Sudden Fall of Kimberly Guilfoyle." The Daily Beast (Left) wrote, "​​Trump Delivers Brutal Parting Diss to Kimberly Guilfoyle." Jacob Sullum of Reason (Center) argued that Guilfoyle's alleged corruption "pales" in comparison to Trump's "presidential profiteering." He described the $100,000 that she allegedly sought as "pocket change" compared to ways Trump has capitalized on his office. The National Review's (Right) Editorial Board called Guilfoyle's alleged corruption "disturbing, but not unexpected" and suggested, "The Republican worry has to be that if Democrats take the House, their investigations will expose similar self-dealing, and not 5,000 miles away in a picturesque European country."

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The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled that California can't enforce ICE agents to display identification while on duty.

The Details: A three-judge panel unanimously voted that the state's No Vigilantes Act violated the Constitution Supremacy Clause, which established that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state law. The judges said that states generally can't regulate federal operations without congressional approval. The law would've required non-uniformed and plainclothes law enforcement officers to display visible identification, such as their name, badge number or agency.

For Context: California had enacted the No Vigilantes Act and the No Secret Police Act in response to ongoing ICE raids, saying the goal was to increase "transparency and accountability" for federal agents. The Justice Department sued to block the law last fall, arguing it unconstitutionally regulated federal operations. Over a dozen other states have pursued similar laws.

Other California Laws: The New York Post (Right bias) said that despite legal challenges, "Democrats in California have continued with their crusade against ICE agents." The outlet said Wednesday's ruling could be "a blow" to other newly enacted laws also targeting federal agents. The Post Millennial (Right) described the ruling as a "blow to Gavin Newsom." It noted the Justice Department's concerns that California's laws could expose federal agents and put officers at risk of doxxing. The Post Millennial also reported that one of the judges in the opinion was appointed by former President Obama and another was appointed by President Trump.

'Disappointment': The Hill (Center) quoted California Attorney General Rob Bonta who said he was "disappointed" by the ruling and that law enforcement's refusal to identify themselves "undermines our collective safety." The Hill framed the debate as California lawmakers fighting against the Trump administration, citing other times that Bonta has accused the Trump administration of stepping "well outside the boundaries of normal practice" with law enforcement.

Voter Sentiment: The Los Angeles Times (Lean Left) contextualized the ruling within a September poll showing a 40% disapproval rating of Trump's handling of immigration. The outlet said the decision comes as ICE "is quietly shedding many of the 12,000 new recruits it hired last year" and that despite "public outrage over Trump's militarized mass deportation efforts…[immigration] remains a potent election issue." The LA Times also highlighted voter concerns over the spread of measles, the cost of living, the Iran war and data center proliferation.

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Cornell University banned its fraternity houses from hosting parties and social events as the investigation and lawsuit around Jane Doe's alleged gang rape by seven fraternity members continues.

The Details: University President Michael Kotlikoff announced the directive on Tuesday, barring all fraternities on the university's Interfraternity Council from hosting events for the rest of the school year. He also announced that the university will add staff to the Office of Civil Rights who will specifically help individuals report sexual misconduct and navigate the investigation process.

For Context: Cornell and seven former members of Cornell's chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity are in the midst of a civil suit brought by victim Jane Doe, who alleged she was coerced into taking drugs at a Chi Phi fraternity party and then sexually assaulted by seven male members of the fraternity in 2024. The victim accused the university of inadequately responding to the reported crime.

Pushback Against the Ban: An attorney for one of the defendants in Doe's lawsuit said, "Shutting down Greek social events doesn't mean students will stop getting together. Some gatherings may simply move off campus, where there's even less oversight… If Cornell wants to make students safer, it needs to do the harder work: establish consistent safety standards across campus, educate students about alcohol and consent, enforce the rules, improve reporting, and investigate allegations fairly."

How the Media Covered It: NPR (Lean Left bias) wrote that the details of Doe's allegation "sparked fury across the nation" and noted that Cornell's new directive came after student groups hosted protests on the campus. It also reported that Doe's lawyer claimed that Doe has been sent death threats since filing the lawsuit. BBC (Center) wrote that fraternities have existed at US colleges and universities "for decades," but that the organizations have "become notorious for binge-drinking, partying, and dangerous hazing rituals" over the years. Fox News (Right) reported that some of the accused men in the case have asked for New York Attorney General Letitia James to be taken off the case due to the fact that she previously made X posts in support of Doe.

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