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3 sources checked · 2 source groups included · 2h ago

Still Watching

At least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo

Officials say a wooden boat carrying students back from state exams has sunk in central Congo, killing at least 20 people.

2 Left1 Center0 Right
Still watching. Optics is waiting for a cleaner match before calling the split.

STILL WATCHING

As of July 4, 2026 at 7:16 PM, this is how Optics News reads the wording differences in this story.

What happened Witnesses say the boat may have been carrying more than 200 passengers.
The headline split The left frames it as "A boat transporting students from exams sinks in Congo, killing at least 20, authorities...". The center frames it as "At least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo".
Match confidence Medium confidence. 3 sources across 2 bias buckets. Useful framing signal — check the source list before sharing.
Same-event confidenceMedium

3 sources across 2 bias buckets agree on the event.

Framing confidenceModerate

51/99 — meaningful wording shift across the spectrum.

WHAT EACH SIDE EMPHASIZED

Left / center-leftA boat transporting students from exams sinks in Congo, killing at least 20, authorities say

The Seattle Times · Center-left · News report

CenterAt least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo

Al Jazeera English · Center · News report

Right / center-rightNo matching source in this bucket yet.

Optics keeps watching for pickup.

SEE THE HEADLINES

Center-leftHigh
The Seattle TimesNews report · Jul 4, 5:37 PM

A boat transporting students from exams sinks in Congo, killing at least 20, authorities say

Officials say a wooden boat carrying students back from state exams has sunk in central Congo, killing at least 20 people.

Open source
CenterMostly Factual
Al Jazeera EnglishNews report · Jul 4, 7:16 PM

At least 20 drown as boat carrying students after exams sinks in DR Congo

drowncarryingafterexams

Witnesses say the boat may have been carrying more than 200 passengers.

Open source
Center-leftMostly Factual
ABC News - InternationalNews report · Jul 4, 5:49 PM

A boat transporting students sinks in Congo, killing at least 20, authorities say

transportingkillingauthorities

Officials say a wooden boat carrying students back from state exams has sunk in central Congo, killing at least 20 people

Open source
Details51/99 Wording Gap · Medium confidence · 3 sources
51/99 Wording GapMedium confidence3 sources · 2 bias bucketsLive match · 3 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news formatFormats: News report

SOURCE MAP CHANGES

Jul 4, 5:37 PM: The Seattle Times joined the source map.

Jul 4, 5:49 PM: ABC News - International joined the source map.

Jul 4, 7:16 PM: Al Jazeera English joined the source map.

Now: Wording Gap is 51/99 and story health is live match · 3 sources · 2 buckets · comparable news format.