December 22, 2025 – US Headlines

1Playoff bound! Bears clinch 2025 postseason berth

Story gist: The Chicago Bears clinched a 2025 NFL postseason berth after the Detroit Lions lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The San Francisco 49ers also secured a playoff spot.
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Bears, 49ers clinch playoff spots after Lions lose to Steelers
— The New York Times
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Center
Playoff bound! Bears clinch 2025 postseason berth
— Chicago Bears
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like NYT frame factually, emphasizing Bears and 49ers clinching via Lions’ loss with neutral tone. Center coverage from Bears’ site uses celebratory ‘Playoff bound!’ headline, focusing solely on Bears’ achievement. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting any perspective on the Bears’ success.

2Expert Predictions: Week 16 Picks for Patriots at Ravens

Story gist: In NFL Week 16, the New England Patriots played at the Baltimore Ravens. Live updates reported Marlon Humphrey intercepting a pass from Drake Maye, with Baltimore leading.
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Patriots vs. Ravens live updates: Drake Maye intercepted by Marlon Humphrey, Baltimore leads – The Athletic
— The New York Times
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Center
Expert Predictions: Week 16 Picks for Patriots at Ravens
— Official website of the New England Patriots
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Athletic (NYT) frame the story with live updates emphasizing Patriots’ setback via Drake Maye’s interception and Ravens’ lead, using action-oriented tone. Center coverage from the Patriots’ official site focuses neutrally on expert predictions, omitting game negatives. Right-leaning outlets are absent, providing no conservative framing of the matchup.

3US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

Story gist: US officials report pursuing a third oil tanker near Venezuela.
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Trump administration latest: US moves to intercept third vessel near Venezuela
— CNN
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Center
US pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say
— Reuters
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN frames as ‘Trump administration latest’ with ‘intercept,’ emphasizing Trump-era aggression. Center Reuters neutrally states ‘US pursuing third oil tanker… officials say,’ focusing on facts without actors. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential pro-US action or anti-Venezuela perspectives.

4Russia says talks on US peace plan for Ukraine ‘are proceeding constructively’

Story gist: Russia stated talks on a US peace plan for Ukraine are proceeding constructively. US envoy reported productive discussions with Ukrainian and European officials, noting Ukraine’s commitment to a just and sustainable peace.
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Ukrainian and European officials had ‘productive’ talks on ending war, US envoy says
— The Guardian
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Center
Witkoff says Ukraine remains ‘fully committed to achieving a just and sustainable peace’
— thehill.com
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Right
No major right-leaning outlet from our monitored sources covered this story
Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Guardian frame talks as ‘productive’ between Ukrainian, European officials and US envoy, emphasizing war-ending potential. Center outlets like The Hill focus on Ukraine’s ‘full commitment’ to just peace via US figure Witkoff. Right-leaning coverage absent, omitting skeptical views on US mediation or Ukrainian concessions.