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Misleading: Australian research shows garlic kills Covid Social media posts -- including one from a former Australian lawmaker -- misleadingly claim a study commissioned by a garlic producer has shown the popular spice works better against Covid-19 than vaccines. But the institute that conducted the study has clarified its findings "do not show medical treatment application" for garlic as the research had only been done in a laboratory. In contrast, vaccines have passed stringent human clinical trials and remain "most effective" in reducing severe coronavirus illness and deaths, scientists say. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)

False: Indonesia's ruling party PDI-P announces Ahok as VP candidate A video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times after it circulated in June 2023 with a false claim that the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has officially nominated former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- also known as Ahok -- as the party's vice-presidential candidate for the country's election in 2024. While the PDI-P has named Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo as its presidential candidate in the election, as of June 30, 2023, the party has not named his running mate. A senior PDI-P politician and Ahok's camp have also told AFP the claim is false. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)

False: A powdered milk product increases breast size. Filipino doctors say consuming milk does not enhance the size of one's breasts, contradicting false claims shared on Facebook to promote a brand of powdered milk. A plastic surgeon and a gynaecologist separately told AFP that only surgical procedures effectively enhance breast size. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)