Weekly news roundup
War in Ukraine, more classified documents found at Biden's residence, and flooding across California
Hi Clarity readers,
We launched our AI-powered news platform Clarity last week, and and have been excited to see so many of you using the product. We’ll keep fine-tuning and evolving the platform in the months ahead.
Here’s what captured our collective attention last week.
War in Ukraine
Summary: Russia launched a missile attack on the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine, killing 40 people. Meanwhile, Ukraine rejected Putin's 36-hour ceasefire proposal.
How it’s being reported: The conflict in Ukraine continues to be the #1 national news story, and is also the most-reported story on the left this week. The right, for their part, are continuing to largely ignore the conflict.
How the narratives have varied:
Left: The left has been emphasizing the need for Ukraine to have access to defensive weapons and training. They’ve also been focused on Putin’s war crimes and the consequences of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Center: Center-leaning outlets have mostly been covering the tides of war and ever-evolving front lines.
Right: The right, when they haven’t been ignoring this story, have been highlighting the need for US intervention in the conflict.
More classified documents found at Biden's residence
Summary: The classified documents scandal involving Joe Biden began when a batch of classified material was found in his former think tank office in November 2022. Shortly following that, additional classified documents have been found at his home. This has triggered a DOJ probe.
How it’s being reported: Given the tribal nature of this issue, both the left and right have been reporting on it heavily. It’s the #1 news story on the right this week, and number #2 on the left. Center-leaning outlets have been largely ignoring it.
How the narratives have varied:
Left: The left have been talking about ways Biden could put this scandal behind him. They have also been raising questions about transparency. Obama’s ethics chief called this “an inexcusable neglect of the most basic security protocols”.
Right: The right have been talking about how this scandal could be a factor if Biden were to run again in 2024. They’ve also been talking about comments Trump made mocking Biden, and highlighting differences in treatment between the Trump and Biden cases.
Flooding across California
Summary: Recent storms in California have caused flooding, uprooted trees, and destroyed homes and businesses. The death toll has risen to 17, while high winds and heavy snow have knocked out power to thousands
How it’s being reported: The right have almost entirely ignored this story. I can only assume they believe California had it coming.
How the narratives have varied:
Left: The left are focused on the destruction and policy changes needed to prepare for the next major storm.
Center: The center is focused on the lives lost.
Full analysis here
News bites
China's population has declined for first time in 60 years, signaling a demographic crisis. Republicans and Democrats are sparring over the impending debt ceiling deadline. The U.S. and Japan are strengthening military cooperation in response to China's increasing presence in region.
Thanks for reading, and see you next Thursday!
Re: comment on flooding in California
"I can only assume they believe California had it coming."
While you're probably correct, this sort of conjecture feels out of place in what's supposed to be an unbiased summary.