Sunday 18 October 2026 · Edition of the day

The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories: 2
Average plausibility: 66%
How to read the score: It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.

RegionAll Global Africa North America South America Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East

TopicAll Politics Conflict & Security Business Science Health

01PoliticsAfrica

Former DRC president Kabila joins rebellion, Al Jazeera reports

The report links Joseph Kabila’s move to uncertainty over the war in eastern Congo, but provides few details.

Al Jazeera reports that former DRC president Joseph Kabila has joined a rebellion. Its summary says the move raises questions about the war in eastern Congo and prospects for peace. The excerpt does not name the rebellion or describe Kabila’s role.

What holds up

✓The supplied headline explicitly reports Kabila joining a rebellion and identifies him as a former president.
✓The summary places the development in the context of the war in eastern Congo, but offers no independent corroboration.

What doesn't yet

?The excerpt does not explain what joining entails, when it occurred or what evidence establishes it.
?The asserted implications for peace are not supported by details or attributed assessments in the supplied summary.

Ask before you share

→What statement, action or documentation establishes Kabila’s affiliation?
→Which rebellion is involved, and what role has Kabila taken?

Sources & original reporting

[1]Al Jazeera · Published 18 Oct 2026 · aljazeera.com

02PoliticsAfrica

South African families renew efforts for justice over apartheid-era crimes

NPR reports a new wave of legal efforts seeking truth, accountability and reparations as survivors and perpetrators age.

NPR reports that families of victims of some of South Africa’s worst past crimes are still seeking justice more than three decades after apartheid ended. Its summary describes renewed legal efforts pursuing truth, accountability and reparations. It highlights the ageing of survivors and perpetrators.