news_skill

Overview

This skill provides verified news briefings with source links and local publication times. It prioritizes traceable facts, uses a whitelist of authoritative outlets for conclusions, and avoids fabrication. The output is concise, source-backed, and timestamped so users can verify each item.

How this skill works

When asked for headlines or a daily briefing, the skill searches reputable sources, reads the original pages, and extracts the headline, link, and the local published time shown on the source. It uses whitelisted official and major media outlets to support conclusions and uses broader web evidence only for background or cross-checks. If reliable sources or timestamps cannot be found, the skill explicitly states that and omits unverified items.

When to use it

• User asks for "today's news", "latest updates", or a daily briefing
• User requests breaking news or real-time numeric/event updates
• User needs verifiable sources and publication times for headlines
• User asks for news about a specific country, region, or topic
• User requests source links and timestamps for verification

Best practices

• Ask a single clarifying question if the region or scope is unclear (default: mixed domestic + international + finance/tech).
• Only draw definitive conclusions from whitelisted authoritative sources; use other sources for leads and context.
• Always include source name, a direct link, and the local published time as shown on the source page; mark as "source not timestamped" if unavailable.
• If no reliable source is found for an assertion, state that clearly rather than guessing or fabricating.
• Limit each news item to one verified sentence summarizing only what the source supports.

Example use cases

• Provide a morning briefing of top domestic, international, and finance/tech headlines with links and times.
• Confirm the latest official statement from a government agency, citing the agency site and local publish time.
• Verify a breaking market number or economic release by linking to the official statistics office or central bank page.
• Cross-check a viral claim by locating original reporting from a whitelisted outlet and listing the source and timestamp.
• Deliver region-specific updates when the user requests news for a particular country or city.