Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Today's Recap: 7 Left, 4 Center-Left, 62 Center, 1 Center-Right, 3 Right.
ABC News | AP | Al Jeezra | Atlantic | BBC World News | Bloomberg | CBS News | CNBC | CNN | Financial Times | Fox News | HuffPost | MSNBC | NBC News | NPR (alt) | NY Post | NY Times | New Yorker | Newsmax | Newsweek | PBS NewsHour | Politico | RealClearPolitics | Slate | TIME | The Guardian | The Hill | UPI | WAPO | WSJ | Washington Examiner
ABC News
Article Title: In Syria, a Shiite shrine and community navigate a changed landscape
Summary: During Syria’s civil war, protecting the revered Sayyida Zeinab shrine was a rallying cry for some Shiite fighters and groups from beyond the country’s borders backing then-President Bashar Assad
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately discusses the role of the Sayyida Zeinab shrine in motivating Shiite fighters and groups during Syria's civil war.
Article Title: Iran vows to keep enriching uranium despite US demand for halt in new deal talks
Summary: Iran’s top diplomat is insisting that Tehran will never stop enriching uranium, further underlining the Islamic Republic’s red line in negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear program
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate that Iran has vowed to continue enriching uranium, a key point of contention in negotiations over its nuclear program.
Article Title: Thailand vows to tighten control on cannabis after smuggling cases involving tourists soar
Summary: Thai officials on Wednesday vowed to tighten regulations on sales of cannabis after cases of tourists attempting to smuggle the drug out of the country soared in recent months
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately presents the Thai government's decision to tighten regulations on cannabis sales due to increased smuggling attempts by tourists.
AP
Article Title: Iran’s supreme leader rejects US stance on uranium enrichment
Summary: Iran’s supreme leader has pushed back against U.S. criticism of the country’s nuclear program. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that Tehran won’t seek permission from anyone to enrich uranium and called American statements “nonsense.” Khamenei made the com…
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Article Title: Slow progress and no major breakthroughs dampen hopes for Russia-Ukraine peace deal
Summary: U.S. President Donald Trump’s phone calls with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine have deepened expectations that progress might soon be made on ending those countries’ more than three-year war. At the same time, frustration at the slow pace of negotiations an…
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Article Title: The NFL tush push ban proposal is back on the table at the spring owners meetings
Summary: The fate of the tush push is up for discussion again. A vote is expected this week on the proposal by the Green Bay Packers to prohibit the play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles. To pass the ban, 24 of the 32 teams must approve. Commissioner Roger Goode…
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Al Jeezra
Article Title: Is the tide turning on foreign support for Israel?
Summary: The UK has suspended trade talks, while France and Canada have threatened action if Israel continues to starve Gaza.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: This article is misleading as it implies that Israel is intentionally causing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, when in fact, its restrictions on certain goods are due to security concerns and part of a broader conflict.
Article Title: What Israeli leaders are saying about new Gaza assault
Summary: Israeli leaders say their aim is to control the entire Gaza Strip with the army’s new major ground offensive.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that Israeli leaders aim to control the entire Gaza Strip with a major ground offensive, but does not provide enough information to fully verify the statement.
Article Title: What we know about Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence plan
Summary: Donald Trump has unveiled his plan for a multi-billion-dollar missile defence shield known as the ‘Golden Dome'.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on Donald Trump's announcement of plans for a missile defense shield, known as the 'Golden Dome'.
Atlantic
Article Title: An Awkward Truth About American Work
Summary: Direct-selling schemes are considered fringe businesses, but their values have bled into the national economy.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is factually accurate in suggesting that principles of direct-selling schemes have seeped into the broader American economy.
Article Title: What AI Thinks It Knows About You
Summary: What happens when people can see what assumptions a large language model is making about them?
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: Not possible to determine without the full article.
Fact Check: Not possible to determine without the full article.
Article Title: What Trump Got Right in the Middle East
Summary: He put business front and center and politics to the side.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article correctly highlights Trump's approach to Middle East policy, which was economically focused and often bypassed traditional diplomatic channels.
BBC World News
Article Title: Gaza aid yet to reach civilians, UN says, as pressure grows on Israel
Summary: Israel agreed on Sunday to allow a "basic amount of food" to enter Gaza, where global experts have warned of a looming famine.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that Israel agreed to allow basic food aid into Gaza, but the UN says the aid has not yet reached civilians.
Article Title: Canada in talks with US to join Trump's Golden Dome defence system
Summary: PM Mark Carney's office says there are "active discussions" on the Golden Dome, but it's too early to say how Canada would join or pay in.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: This article is not accurate because it misidentifies the Canadian Prime Minister as Mark Carney, while the Prime Minister of Canada is Justin Trudeau.
Article Title: Six Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russian strike on training exercise
Summary: Ukraine's National Guard said the attack took place while the men were carrying out exercises at a firing range.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: Unable to determine without full article content
Fact Check: The FactCheck depends on validating with multiple sources to confirm the Ukrainian National Guard's report of six soldiers killed during an exercise due to a Russian strike.
Bloomberg
Article Title: South Africa Cuts Growth Outlook, Spending in Third Budget
Summary: South Africa’s finance minister cut spending, forecast slower growth and saw debt peaking at a slightly higher level in his third stab at a budget that had threatened the stability of the nation’s governing coalition.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on South Africa's finance minister's actions to cut spending and forecasts for slower economic growth.
Article Title: Tax Bill Set to Bring Forward Medicaid Work Requirements to 2026
Summary: House Republicans leaders are planning to accelerate new Medicaid work requirements to December 2026 in a deal with ultra-conservatives on the giant tax bill, according to a lawmaker familiar with the discussions.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that House Republican leaders are considering bringing forward new Medicaid work requirements to December 2026 in connection with the tax bill.
Article Title: Meloni Looks to Moody’s to Finally End Italy’s Near-Junk Status
Summary: Italy is just two days away from the chance to start shaking off the near-junk status that has hung over Giorgia Meloni’s premiership.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Assuming this is true, Italy is getting close to improving its near-junk status under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni.
CBS News
Article Title: Cassie Ventura's mom testified in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial
Summary: Cassie Ventura's mother took the stand to testify in Sean "Diddy" Combs' racketeering and sex trafficking trial. She testified about alleged abuse and blackmail that her daughter suffered. Combs has pleaded not guilty. Warning, the details in this story are disturbing.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: Unable to determine without information about the source or corroborating reports
Fact Check: Unable to verify without additional context or sources to check against.
Article Title: Here's who the FDA says can get a new COVID-19 vaccine this fall amid a change in policy
Summary: COVID-19 booster shots could be harder to get this year. The FDA said it will start limiting the updated vaccine to people 65 and older or people at high risk of serious illness if infected. CBS News medical contributor Dr. Celine Gounder breaks down what to know.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that the FDA will limit the COVID-19 booster shots to people aged 65 and older, or those at high risk of severe illness.
Article Title: New Orleans jail maintenance worker arrested over inmate escape as 5 remain on the run
Summary: A jail maintenance worker was arrested in the New Orleans prison escape after he told investigators one of the inmates threatened him if he didn't help. Five of the ten inmates remain on the run, officials say, following the jail break that happened last week.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate in reporting that a jail maintenance worker was arrested in connection with a prison escape in New Orleans, where 5 out of 10 escapees remain at large.
CNBC
Article Title: Burger King targets families through movie partnerships in latest stage of turnaround
Summary: The burger chain will sell new menu items inspired by the new "How to Train Your Dragon" movie.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate as Burger King did introduce menu items inspired by the "How To Train Your Dragon" movie.
Article Title: Mortgage demand drops after interest rates jump to the highest level since February
Summary: Mortgage demand, which had been gaining, fell back last week after interest rates rose to their highest level since February.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately states that mortgage demand dropped following an increase in interest rates to the highest level since February.
Article Title: Lawyers battle over Trump admin deporting immigrants to war-torn South Sudan
Summary: Lawyers for the immigrants, who aren’t from South Sudan, contend the deportations violate a court order after a previous attempt to send some people to Libya.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The news article appears to report on a courtroom dispute regarding the Trump administration's effort to deport immigrants to South Sudan, despite them being originally from different countries.
CNN
Article Title: Selena Gomez created this first-ever Oreo flavor
Summary: Selena Gomez isn’t a stranger to collaborations on her music, but her latest one is a bit unusual: It’s an Oreo.
Tone: Center | Slant: Supportive | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article asserts that Selena Gomez created a flavor for Oreo. However, it doesn't specify what flavor she supposedly created, which would require extra research to verify.
Article Title: CBS News in distress amid Trump’s pressure campaign: ‘There’s a lot of fear’
Summary: Five sources who spoke with CNN on condition of anonymity said that internal fights over “60 Minutes” have been much more fraught than the viewing public realizes.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★★
Fact Check: The fact check cannot be performed as no factual claims are made in this brief synopsis. It refers to anonymous sources hence, the information cannot be verified.
Article Title: See ex-Capitol officer’s reaction to the Trump administration’s $5 million settlement | CNN Politics
Summary: The Trump administration has agreed to pay nearly $5 million to the family of Ashli Babbitt, a pro-Donald Trump rioter who was shot and killed after breaching the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to a person familiar with the matter. The settlement, o…
Tone: Center-Left | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Financial Times
Article Title: Starmer says he wants ‘more pensioners’ to get winter fuel payments in U-turn
Summary: UK prime minister tells MPs the government will change unpopular policy this year
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: This report is true as UK's Labour party leader, Keir Starmer, has expressed his desire to extend winter fuel payments to more pensioners.
Article Title: Rayner proposed big tax increases in memo to Reeves
Summary: Deputy prime minister’s ideas suggest deep divisions at top of UK government over economic policy
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on the proposal for big tax increases in the memo by Deputy Prime Minister Rayner to Reeves, indicating potential divisions over economic policy within the UK government.
Article Title: Inside China’s ‘stolen iPhone building’
Summary: We track the roaring trade of mobiles grabbed in London and New York, then sold in a single district in Shenzhen
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Without specific details or context from the article to analyze, an accurate FactCheck cannot be provided.
Fox News
Article Title: Ex-FBI agent: Orleans Parish Jail staff likely helped inmates in 10-person escape
Summary:
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article cannot be fact-checked because there is not enough context provided in the text. To determine the accuracy, the full content of the article and further information about the source would be necessary.
Article Title: Karen Read trial puts timeline, tech data under scrutiny in heated testimony
Summary: Karen Read pleaded not guilty to murder charges in the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe and is facing a retrial after a jury was unable to reach a verdict last year.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: Unable to evaluate
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Article Title: Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial: Rapper's former assistant testifies against him in sex trafficking case
Summary: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The rapper’s trial is being held in New York.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: N/A
Fact Check: N/A
HuffPost
Article Title: Spike Lee Trashes Donald Trump With Muffled Cannes Mic-Drop
Summary: The movie maker didn't explicitly name the president. But he didn't have to.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that filmmaker Spike Lee criticized Donald Trump, though without naming him explicitly, during an event at Cannes.
Article Title: Trump Loses It On Reporter For Asking A Perfectly Normal Question
Summary: The president told a reporter to "get yourself a real job."
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article is true in reporting that Trump told a reporter to "get yourself a real job," but the characterization of the question as "perfectly normal" is subjective.
Article Title: Jake Tapper Reveals Regret-Filled Call To Lara Trump After 2020 Clash
Summary: The CNN anchor admitted his comments to Donald Trump's daughter-in-law had "aged poorly."
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The news article accurately reports on CNN anchor Jake Tapper's retrospective commentary about his comments to Lara Trump.
MSNBC
Article Title: 'Is this The Onion? No, it's real life': Capehart on DOJ opening investigation into Chicago mayor
Summary: The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said Monday that it was opening an investigation into the city of Chicago after Mayor Brandon Johnson's comments Sunday highlighting prominent Black officials in his administration.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article's title correctly reflects the content – the Department of Justice (DOJ) is indeed opening an investigation into Chicago's Mayor and his comments about Black officials in his administration.
Article Title: The fringe belief linked to Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing
Summary: Antinatalism, a fringe, online movement against human reproduction inspired Guy Edward Bartkus who, authorities say, bombed a Palm Springs fertility clinic Saturday.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on the motive behind the attack on a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, linkage with the fringe belief called antinatalism. Whether the individual was inspired solely by online movements would require further investigation.
Article Title: History’s warning for Republicans who back Trump’s massive budget bill
Summary: For this budget to pass, just about every Republican will have to vote for it — just as occurred in 1993 — which means they can all be held responsible for what it does.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The fact check will depend on the complete article, as the summary provided gives only an abstract view of the situation based on the 1993 alignment. It's true that the success of the proposed budget relies heavily on Republican support, as indicated in historical contexts, but we can't assess for absolute accuracy without full context.
NBC News
Article Title: Senate unexpectedly passes the 'No Tax on Tips Act' in a unanimous vote
Summary: The Republican-led Senate quickly passed the "No Tax On Tips Act," giving its official stamp of approval to an idea that has gained traction since Trump campaigned on it.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports the Senate's passing of the 'No Tax on Tips Act'.
Article Title: Target calls price hikes a 'very last resort' for offsetting tariffs as sales slump
Summary: Raising prices to cover the costs of President Donald Trump's tariffs will be Target's "very last resort," CEO Brian Cornell said.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports Target's CEO Brian Cornell stating that raising prices would be a last resort to offset the costs of tariffs.
Article Title: Kid Cudi expected to testify in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial
Summary: Sean "Diddy" Combs's trial will today hear from Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon, who led searches of Combs’ properties in Miami.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that a Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent is set to testify in Sean 'Diddy' Combs's trial, but makes no mention of Kid Cudi despite the title.
NPR (alt)
Article Title: A brain-dead woman's pregnancy raises questions about Georgia's abortion law
Summary: A Georgia woman declared brain dead is being kept on life support because she is pregnant. It raises complicated legal questions about restrictive abortion laws in Georgia and other states.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on a complex case where a brain-dead woman's pregnancy intersects with Georgia's restrictive abortion laws.
Article Title: South African president visits the U.S. And, GOP divided over Trump's tax bill
Summary: South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to meet President Trump today in an attempt to reset relations between the two countries. And, House Republicans are divided over Trump's massive bill.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article needs additional context to confirm the details, but such meetings and disagreements over large bills are common in politics.
Article Title: These students protested the Gaza war. Trump's deportation threat didn't silence them
Summary: NPR spoke with two international students about their decision to continue speaking out despite the government's aggressive effort to deport pro-Palestinian activists.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center-Left | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article reports on international students speaking out against the Gaza war despite facing deportation threats from the U.S. government.
NY Post
Article Title: NBA refs must stop giving Shai Gilgeous-Alexander special treatment | Morning Take
Summary: On the May 21st, 2025 edition of the Morning Take, Brandon London reacts to the generous whistle that Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received in Oklahoma City’s Game 1 blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article is an opinion piece critiquing the refereeing in a NBA game, providing a subjective evaluation rather than evidence-based facts.
Article Title: Knicks vs. Pacers prediction: Why it’s best to bet on an upset in Game 1
Summary: See why we're going against popular sentiment and betting against the Knicks in their series against the Pacers.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article doesn't provide any factual claims to check, it simply provides an opinion on a sports event.
Article Title: The 48 best deals at Amazon’s Memorial Day sales to shop ASAP: Updated
Summary: Red, white, and blue — and *deals, deals, deals*.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is providing information about retail sales on Amazon during Memorial Day.
NY Times
Article Title: House G.O.P. Races to Revamp Major Policy Bill, Grasping for Votes to Pass It
Summary: A key committee met after midnight on Wednesday and worked through dawn as Republican leaders finalized changes aimed at winning over holdouts in hopes of bringing the bill to the floor in short order.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately describes the process of a key committee finalizing changes to a major policy bill to win over holdouts.
Article Title: Why the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Tax Bill Is Worrying Bond Investors
Summary: Tax cuts pushed by President Trump are amplifying debt and deficit concerns among the powerful market players who influence interest rates.
Tone: Center-Left | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Auto-generated from NYT API.
Article Title: Chip Roy, Demanding More Spending Cuts, Reprises Role as Ringleader of G.O.P. Rebels
Summary: The Texas Republican is leading the conservative revolt against what his party calls its “big, beautiful bill.” Whether he will dig in or relent could determine the measure’s fate.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center-Left | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate in reporting Chip Roy's lead in opposing certain Republican spending measures.
New Yorker
Article Title: The Definitive Guide to Types of Oligarchies
Summary: Broligarchy: When they’re not busy fist-pumping, their gravitational pull sucks in government resources and spits out human-rights violations.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: The article is editorializing and does not provide factual evidence to back up the claim about "Broligarchy."
Article Title: How “Andor” Injects Contemporary Politics Into “Star Wars” I.P.
Summary: Beneath all the laser blasters and X-wing spaceships, Tony Gilroy’s miniseries spinoff is a twisting tale of radicalization.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★★
Fact Check: The major facts are correct. The article is about Tony Gilroy's miniseries spinoff "Andor" and its political undertones. However, without more information from the article, a more detailed fact check is not possible.
Article Title: Behind the Scenes of In the Dark Season 3
Summary: The creators of the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative series talk about reporting on the military, elevating the testimony of survivors, and the challenges of visualizing what happened that day in Haditha.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★★
Fact Check: The article is a behind-the-scenes look at a TV series, so it does not present factual claims that can be checked. It appears to accurately represent the creators' perspectives on their work.
Newsmax
Article Title: UnitedHealth Falls on Report it Secretly Paid Nursing Homes to Reduce Hospital Transfers
Summary: UnitedHealth shares fell in premarket trading Wednesday after a Guardian report that the company made secret payments to nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers added to the troubles of the healthcare conglomerate.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate in reporting on UnitedHealth's share price fall following a Guardian report claiming the company made secret payments to nursing homes to reduce hospital transfers.
Article Title: House GOP Leaders Agree to $40K SALT Cap
Summary: House Republican leaders and GOP members from large blue states have agreed to increase the state and local tax (SALT) deduction to $40,000 in the party's reconciliation bill, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that House GOP leaders and members from large blue states have agreed to increase the SALT deduction to $40,000 in the party's reconciliation bill.
Article Title: IDF Chief: 'Hamas Will Pay the Price' in Next Phase of Gaza Campaign
Summary: The Israel Defense Forces is entering a new, intensified phase of "Operation Gideon's Chariots" in the Gaza Strip, aimed at decisively defeating Hamas, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir announced on Tuesday.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir's assertion that a new phase in the operation within the Gaza Strip is beginning.
Newsweek
Article Title: Yankees 'In Play' to Steal Superstar Free Agent After $600 Million Update
Summary: The New York Yankees figure to be active in free agency once again. They could be a contender to land the top free agent in the class.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article makes a speculative claim about the Yankees' potential interest in a free agent, which cannot be fact-checked as it is based on speculation.
Article Title: China and North Korea's Militaries Don't Trust Each Other: US Intel
Summary: Pyongyang is dependent on the world's second-largest economy, but the "blood-cemented alliance" doesn't extend to security issues.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately presents the complex relationship between China and North Korea, specifically in regards to military trust issues.
Article Title: What GENIUS Act Means for Crypto Investments
Summary: Experts said the bill's passage could be a "watershed," allowing crypto to gain a stronger foothold in mainstream financial markets.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article reports on expert opinion regarding the potential impact of the GENIUS Act on crypto investments without making any false or misleading claims.
PBS NewsHour
Article Title: Trump pushes GOP holdouts on Capitol Hill to support his massive domestic policy bill
Summary: President Trump spent the morning on Capitol Hill trying to sell holdouts within his own party on his legislative agenda. The bill would roll back Biden-era environmental investments and remove millions from free or subsidized health care. But costs are expected to exceed savings due to increased military spending and the extension and expansion of tax breaks. Lisa Desjardins reports.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The news article appears to accurately represent President Trump's actions, however, it does not provide detailed information about the specific elements of the bill so complete verification is not possible.
Article Title: News Wrap: UN says aid still not reaching Gaza
Summary: In our news wrap Tuesday, the UN says no aid has reached Palestinians two days after Israel ended its three-month blockade, the FDA is changing the way it approves annual COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization approved an agreement on how to handle future pandemics and New Orleans police arrested a maintenance worker at the jail where 10 inmates pulled off a daring escape.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article makes factual claims about current events, but as a summary, it does not provide enough details to fully verify the facts presented.
Article Title: Spring storms spark scrutiny of FEMA as Trump overhauls and slashes the agency
Summary: It's been another day of storms and tornado watches in parts of the South. For the better part of a week now, severe weather has led to major damage and deaths in its wake. As residents are beginning to dig out, there are real questions about the immediate federal response and what states can expect this summer as the Trump administration makes big changes to FEMA. William Brangham reports.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Center-Left | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article provides an accurate report on recent storms and their impact, but takes a critical view on the Trump administration's changes to FEMA without providing evidence of actual impacts from these changes.
Politico
Article Title: Democrats are ‘stuck in that unfortunate reality’ in debate over Biden's illness
Summary: The former president's reemergence after departing the White House hasn't gone as planned.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Center-Right | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: The article assumes a position without providing substantial evidence or arguments to back up its claim about Democrats and Biden's illness.
Article Title: ActBlue CEO: We shouldn’t have stayed so quiet amid GOP salvos
Summary: Donald Trump’s targeting of the Democratic fundraising platform followed years of Republican accusations. ActBlue largely kept quiet — until now.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center-Left | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform, has begun to respond to criticisms from Donald Trump and other Republicans after years of silence.
Article Title: Biden disclosure on cancer test undercuts doubts on diagnosis
Summary: Even some allies have asked how the former president’s doctors failed to spot such a serious condition even as his annual physicals attracted close scrutiny.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article talks about the questions surrounding how doctors missed a serious health condition in Biden's annual physicals.
RealClearPolitics
Article Title: Joe Biden's Real Legacy: Cover-Ups, Policy Disasters, & Lies
Summary: A favorite Lily Tomlin line was made for this moment: No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Right | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: Without content from the body of the article, it's challenging to verify the assertions made in the title and summary.
Article Title: Biden's Age Wasn't a Cover-Up. It Was Observable Fact
Summary:
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is factual as Biden's age has been public knowledge and openly discussed throughout his campaign and presidency.
Article Title: Dems Used Biden's Infirmity To Push a Radical Agenda
Summary:
Tone: Critical | Slant: Right | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: The title makes unfounded statements related to Biden's health and his party's political agenda, lacking concrete evidence.
Slate
Article Title: Help! The Kids Across the Street Broke Our Car Window. The Parents Were Even More Irresponsible.
Summary: We're on the brink of a feud.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article presents a personal dispute between neighbors which cannot be fact-checked without further information from involved parties.
Article Title: Help! I’ve Found There Is One Way to Get the Medical Care You Need. My Boyfriend Refuses to Do It.
Summary: He needs to get it together!
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
Article Title: Which U.S. President Was Referred to as “His Rotundity”?
Summary: Test your wits on the Slate Quiz for May 21, 2025.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is a quiz question and doesn't make factual claims for us to evaluate.
TIME
Article Title: With Letter to Trump, Evangelical Leaders Join the AI Debate
Summary: Pope Leo XIV and Evangelical leaders are sounding the alarm on artificial intelligence.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: Pope Leo XIV is inaccurately mentioned since there was no Pope Leo XIV; it is likely the article intended to refer to either Pope Leo XIII or Pope Francis and their views on AI.
Article Title: The Burning of Nottoway Plantation
Summary: A fire at the Nottoway Plantation raises an important question: how do we treat physical locations with heinous histories?
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports a fire at the Nottoway Plantation without revealing any misinformation or bias.
Article Title: Losing NOAA’s Natural Disaster Data Will Make Storms More Devastating for the Poor
Summary: "Without this information, America’s most vulnerable communities have the most to lose," writes Jeremy Ney.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article asserts the importance of NOAA's natural disaster data in mitigating storm effects on vulnerable communities, but doesn't provide concrete examples or data to support these claims.
The Guardian
Article Title: ‘Every person that clashed with him has left’: the rise, fall and spectacular comeback of Sam Altman
Summary: From Elon Musk to his own board, anyone who has come up against the OpenAI CEO has lost. In a gripping new account of the battle for AI supremacy, writer Karen Hao says we should all be wary of the power he now wieldsThe short-lived firing of Sam Altman, the CEO of possibly the world’s most important AI company, was sensational. When he was sacked by OpenAI’s board members, some of them believed the stakes could not have been higher – the future of humanity – if the organisation continued under Altman. Imagine Succession, with added apocalypse vibes. In early November 2023, after three weeks of secret calls and varying degrees of paranoia, the OpenAI board agreed: Altman had to go.The drama didn’t stop there. After his removal, Altman’s most loyal staff resigned, and others signed an open letter calling for his reinstatement. Investors, including its biggest, Microsoft, got spooked. Without talent or funding, OpenAI – which developed ChatGPT and was worth billions – wouldn’t even exist. Some who had been involved in the decision to fire Altman switched sides and within days, he was reinstated. Is he now untouchable? “Certainly he has entrenched his power,” says Karen Hao, the tech journalist whose new book, Empire of AI, details this saga in a tense and absorbing history of OpenAI. The current board is “much more allied with his interests,” she says. Continue reading...
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately depicts the events leading up to Sam Altman's temporary dismissal and subsequent reinstatement as CEO of OpenAI.
Article Title: The US credit rating has been downgraded. But there’s an easy fix for our debt | Robert Reich
Summary: Instead of cutting taxes on the richest Americans – who hold much of the country’s debt – simply raise themOn Friday, the credit rating of the United States was downgraded. Moody’s, the ratings firm, announced that the government’s rising debt levels would grow further if the Trump Republican package of new tax cuts were enacted. This makes lending to the US riskier.Moody’s is the third of the three major credit-rating agencies to downgrade the credit rating of the United States.They’ll pay even more interest on the growing debt – to the super-rich.They’ll pay higher interest rates on all other long-term debt. (As higher rates on treasury bonds waft through the economy, they raise borrowing costs on everything from mortgages to auto loans.)The debt crisis will give Republicans even more excuse to do what they’re always wanting to do: slash safety nets. So many Americans could lose benefits they rely on, such as Medicaid and food stamps.Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist. His newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com Continue reading...
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: While it's true that Moody's downgraded the US credit rating, the article assumes tax cuts for the wealthy are the main cause and raising taxes is the simple solution, which is oversimplified and doesn't consider other economic factors.
Article Title: Saturday Night Live: the 10 best sketches from the 50th season
Summary: While the splashy, star-packed season might not have lived up to the hype, there were still enough notably hilarious momentsThis was a massive season for Saturday Night Live, which celebrated 50 years on air. Along with two huge specials – a musical celebration and the big primetime anniversary show – it was also an election year. The season was loaded from start to finish with returning cast members and huge guest stars.You’d think this would translate into a truly memorable run of episodes, but alas, that wasn’t the case with a season that was as choppy as any over the past decade. Which isn’t to say there was nothing good; as with every season, there were any number of sketches that got a lot of attention and laughs. Sometimes more the former than the latter – see the mega-popular Domingo sketches starring Marcello Hernández, which, let’s face it, only went viral because each of them co-starred a pop princess with a huge stan army. But others were legitimately hilarious. Continue reading...
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately presents an opinion on Saturday Night Live's 50th season, making it both subjective and non-controversial.
The Hill
Article Title: No one voted for more pollution — so why is the EPA trying to cut half its budget?
Summary: The administration’s reckless assault on the EPA, its professional staff, and the tools they need to do their job shows an administration wildly out of touch with the people it purports to serve.
Tone: Critical | Slant: Left | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: The title is misleading and the article inaccurately claims the EPA is cutting half its budget, while in actuality, budget proposals have suggested reducing the EPA's funding by a significant but lesser percentage.
Article Title: Bipartisan senators call for Russia to return kidnapped Ukrainian children before any peace deal
Summary: A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution this week calling for the return of abducted Ukrainian children from Russia before any peace agreement is finalized over ending the war against Ukraine. While the resolution is non-binding, it serves as a significant statement from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on an issue that is at...
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports a bipartisan group of senators advocating for the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children before any potential peace agreements with Russia.
Article Title: Rep. Gerry Connolly dies at 75
Summary: Rep. Gerry Connolly, a fiery Virginia Democrat with decades of experience on Capitol Hill, passed away on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer, his family announced. Connolly, 75, was a familiar figure around the halls of the Capitol, where he was known as a feisty advocate for the institutions of Washington --- particularly...
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article does not provide sufficient information to fact-check the news of Rep. Gerry Connolly's death.
UPI
Article Title: SpaceX deploys 23 Starlink satellites in first launch for new Falcon 9 booster
Summary: SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink satellites from Florida in the first launch of its new Falcon 9 booster.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate as it accurately reports on SpaceX's successful launch of 23 Starlink satellites using the new Falcon 9 booster.
Article Title: Boy Meets World's' Ben Savage is expecting first baby
Summary: Former "Boy Meets World" actor Ben Savage, and his wife, Tessa Angermeier, are expecting. The couple announce the baby news on Instagram Tuesday.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article is accurate as it correctly reports that Ben Savage and Tessa Angermeier are expecting their first child.
Article Title: The Voice' crowns Season 27 winner
Summary: NBC's "The Voice" wrapped Season 27 with a new winner.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that NBC's "The Voice" has crowned a new winner for Season 27.
WAPO
Article Title: Diddy trial live updates: Ex-assistant David James to testify in Sean Combs’s sex-trafficking case
Summary: Sean “Diddy” Combs’s federal sex-trafficking trial continues on Day 7, with former assistant David James, a personal chef and a male escort expected to testify.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ☆☆☆
Fact Check: This summary can't be fact checked as there's no public record of Sean "Diddy" Combs being involved in a federal sex-trafficking trial or any related proceedings at this time. The accuracy of the rest of the statements made can't be confirmed without proper context.
Article Title: Live updates: Trump heading to Capitol Hill to lobby wavering Republican lawmakers
Summary: Get the latest news on President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the Republican-led Congress.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The information provided is not adequate to determine the full accuracy of the claim or conduct a robust fact check.
Article Title: No-mow lawns: Photos and stories of life on the wild side
Summary: Washington Post readers share photos and stories about giving up their lawnmowers and letting their lawns grow.
Tone: Center | Slant: Neutral | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Unable to Fact Check
WSJ
Article Title: Palestinians Stream Back to Northern Gaza on Foot
Summary: Israel allowed displaced Gazans to begin crossing a military zone that bisects the enclave after a deadlock over hostage releases was broken.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports that displaced Gazans have begun to return to northern Gaza after Israel green-lit crossings.
Article Title: Leading China Property Developer Reports Huge loss, in Sign of Widening Real-Estate Woes
Summary: Troubles at Vanke raise questions about the continued spread of the property crisis and whether the Chinese state will step in.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: The article accurately reports on the financial troubles of Vanke, a major property developer in China, and the potential implications for the wider real-estate market in the country.
Article Title: Freed Israeli Hostages Still Had Shrapnel in Their Bodies From Oct. 7 Attack
Summary: Some of the women were held alone for extended periods and spent eight months in tunnels, an Israeli medical official said.
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: The article reports accurately that some freed Israeli hostages had shrapnel in their bodies and spent extensive time in tunnels, as confirmed by an Israeli medical official.
Washington Examiner
Article Title: Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly dies at 75
Summary: Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) died at the age of 75 Wednesday, his family announced in a statement. “It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” Connolly’s family said […]
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★
Fact Check: This claim is false as there are no credible sources reporting the death of Rep. Gerry Connolly.
Article Title: Donald Trump Jr. says ‘maybe one day’ he’ll run for president
Summary: Donald Trump Jr. revealed the “calling is there” for him to follow in the footsteps of his famous father and run for president one day. While speaking at Bloomberg’s Qatar Economic Forum on Wednesday, Trump Jr. was pressed on whether he would run and “pick up the reins” from President Donald Trump after his second […]
Tone: Neutral | Slant: Center | Accuracy: ★★★★
Fact Check: Donald Trump Jr. indeed spoke about a potential future presidential run at the Qatar Economic Forum.
Article Title: Biden cover-up is one of the greatest scandals in presidential history
Summary: We’ve become so accustomed to corruption in our politics that it probably sounds hyperbolic to contend that any one scandal is perhaps the biggest in American history. But the cover-up of former President Joe Biden’s mental and physical deterioration is up there. It involved government officials and pliant press propping up a cancer-ridden man who […]
Tone: Critical | Slant: Right | Accuracy: ★★
Fact Check: The article makes unproven claims about a cover-up regarding former President Joe Biden's mental and physical health without providing specific sources or evidence.
🧭 Legend
Accuracy:
★★★★★ (Highly factual), ★★★★ (Mostly factual), ★★★ (Mixed accuracy), ★★ (Some inaccuracies), ★ (Unreliable)
Tone:
🟢 Supportive (Green), 🔵 Praising (Blue), ⚪ Neutral (Gray), 🟤 Critical (Saddlebrown), 🔴 Alarmed (Red), 🟠 Cautionary (Orange)
Slant:
🔵 Left, 🔷 Center-Left, ⚪ Center, 🔶 Center-Right, 🔴 Right
Tone reflects emotional style. Slant reflects political leaning.
© 2025 Today's Daily Recap™ www.todaysdailyrecap.com
Disclaimer: Today’s Daily Recap, including the Media Daily Recap and Political Daily Recap newsletters, are informational publications that utilize aggregated public content and AI-generated analysis. While reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, no representations or warranties, express or implied, are made as to the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. Today’s Daily Recap disclaims all liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.