AllSides News Briefing: February 27, 2023

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Hello! I’m AllSides Managing Editor Henry A. Brechter. It’s Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. Here’s your AllSides balanced briefing for today.

TOP STORY: SUPPORT FOR THE COVID-19 LAB LEAK THEORY

Based on new classified intel, the Energy Department (DOE) now believes that the COVID-19 pandemic most likely began with a leak from a Chinese laboratory.

According to multiple reports, the FBI believes the theory with "moderate confidence," and the DOE holds "low confidence," while the National Intelligence Council supports the natural animal-to-human transmission origin theory. Other agencies, including the CIA, remain undecided. Meanwhile, the Wuhan lab has been scrutinized over concerns about loose safety protocols and U.S.-funded "gain of function" research. 

Some left-rated sources focused more on the division between federal agencies on the origin theory. Right-rated sources often highlighted voices who've supported the theory since early in the pandemic, and framed mainstream news sources as biased for previously described the lab leak theory as a "debunked conspiracy."

See more with our Headline Roundup on this story.

MORE TOP STORIES FOR FEB. 27

See news from left, center, and right-rated sources with our balanced Headline Roundups on these stories:

• CIA Director William Burns said the CIA believes China is considering supplying Russia with weapons to be used in Ukraine.

• China has presented a potential treaty to end the war in Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has requested a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

• Major publications dropped the long-running 'Dilbert' comic after creator Scott Adams made racially-charged remarks.

DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES

How could the "15-minute cities" concept alter urban life?

The idea of making all daily necessities, such as work and shopping, reachable by a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any point in a city is sparking debate.

Some voices see the idea as a no-brainer way to improve urban quality of life and to manage cars "to make their use less dominant." Others like the concept, but believe it requires too much government oversight from incompetent governments. Some simply think parts of the plan are implausible, with one writer arguing that "living next to an office complex doesn't guarantee that there's a job for you there."

See more perspectives on this idea with our balanced Headline Roundup.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR THIS WEEK

See search results on these stories from sources on left, center, and right with our Balanced Search tool.

• The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Biden's student loan forgiveness plan on Tuesday.

• SpaceX and NASA now plan to launch astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday after calling off a scheduled launch at the last minute Monday morning.

• Teams from multiple federal agencies are canvassing homes in East Palestine, Ohio, to provide support for residents affected by the toxic train derailment.

TODAY'S WEATHER

See today’s weather radar and temperature maps for your area from the NOAA.

GOOD NEWS

With the help of nonprofit Paws of War, a U.S. Army lieutenant stationed overseas will be reunited with a stray dog he met on base once he returns home to Indiana.

Have comments on this briefing? Email us!

Henry A. Brechter is the Managing Editor of AllSides. He has a Center bias.

This briefing was reviewed by Politics Editor Beth Hicks (Right bias) and News Editor Joseph Ratliff (Lean Left bias).