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Misleading: Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana said president-elect will not be sworn in Nigeria’s disputed presidential ballot in February 2023 continues to generate disinformation. In one of the latest claims, a well-known legal expert purportedly said the inauguration of President-elect Bola Tinubu would be delayed until a court had ruled on petitions seeking to overturn the February election result. However, this is misleading: the lawyer, Femi Falana, told Nigerian broadcaster Arise News that legal challenges to the results preferably should be concluded before a new leader was sworn in and called for constitutional reforms to ensure this happens. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Image shows factory, which supplies Russian military air forces, on fire A photo of a burning building is being shared on Twitter alongside claims it shows a fire at a factory supplying aircraft engines to Russia's military amid its war in Ukraine. This is false; the image first appeared in 2018 and shows an oil refinery that caught fire, according to reports from the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Moscow and news articles from the time. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Photo shows anti-Rajapaksa protester arrested for Colombo teen's murder Facebook and WhatsApp posts in Sri Lanka have repeatedly shared a photo of a man who protested against former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa alongside another photo of a suspect in a case involving the death of a teenager in the capital Colombo, falsely claiming they are the same person. A police spokesperson told AFP that only the bottom photo shows the suspect who was arrested in the case. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Doctors discovered that milk supplement Glufarelin cures diabetes Facebook pages designed to appear as if they are from the state-run Philippine General Hospital (PGH) have shared fabricated news graphics alongside false claims that Filipino doctors discovered a milk product that can "cure diabetes". But endocrinologists say there is currently no cure for the disease, and the Philippine food and drug agency earlier warned against consuming the product. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Video shows Dr Vicki Belo's “Time Capsule” beauty serum Facebook pages promoting a cosmetic serum falsely claim it was endorsed by a well-known Filipino doctor. But the posts led to imposter websites that mimicked the online store for the doctor's clinic chain, and the doctor herself has issued warnings against using it since 2021. AFP found no evidence that the product -- which has not been registered with the Philippines' drug regulator -- has been proven to help heal scars or treat other skin conditions. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Obi hires IPOB leader’s lawyer to contest Nigerian poll outcome An online post in Nigeria claims that a lawyer representing Labour Party leader Peter Obi in his poll result challenge also works for detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu. But this is false: Kanu’s lawyer Mike Ozekhome is not part of Obi’s legal team contesting the results of the February election. However, he is an adviser to Atiku Abubakar, who has also disputed the outcome of the presidential polls that saw him declared runner-up to the winner Bola Tinubu. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
Misleading: US is giving free smartphones to migrants Social media posts and articles claim officials are giving undocumented immigrants free smartphones after they arrive in the United States. This is misleading; Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does temporarily provide phones to qualified individuals, but the devices are only used to track migrants and inform them about their cases. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
Missing Context: Covid-19 mRNA vaccines have "no effect on overall mortality" Articles and posts circulating on social media claim a study found the coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna had "no effect on overall mortality" in clinical trials. This is misleading; the research confirmed the shots prevented Covid-19 fatalities -- its purpose was to analyze potential protection from other causes of death, according to the paper authors and independent experts. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: George Soros died of a heart attack in May 2023 Social media posts say that billionaire financier George Soros died in mid-May 2023 after experiencing a heart attack. But this is a hoax; Soros debunked the claims on his personal Twitter account and a spokesperson at his foundation confirmed the rumors are false. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Video shows Muslim soldiers beat up fellow Muslims in Sudan Graphic footage of an attack in Ethiopia has surfaced in Facebook posts falsely linking it to fighting that has gripped neighbouring Sudan since April. The video circulated in Hindu-majority India, where posts said that the perpetrators were Muslims. However, the clip shows an assault in June 2022 in Gambella in western Ethiopia, where a rights watchdog accused security forces of carrying out "door to door executions" of civilians. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: Covid-19 vaccines cause blindness Social media posts warn against coronavirus vaccines, claiming research shows they cause blindness. But the study cited online did not establish vaccination as the cause of a rare retina condition, and ophthalmology experts say the risk of vision impairment is greater following Covid-19 infection. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
Missing Context: Vietnam did not display US flag to humiliate Blinken Misleading posts claiming Vietnam "humiliated" US Secretary of State Antony Blinken by not displaying the American flag when he met Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the capital Hanoi in April have been shared hundreds of times. A spokesperson for Vietnam's foreign ministry told AFP that the absence of the US flag during the meeting was in line with the country's diplomatic protocol that only the Vietnamese flag is displayed when the visiting guest has a lower position than the host. (Source: Agence France-Presse - AFP)
False: A White House press release says that Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the National Institutes of Health, received tens of millions of dollars in research money from Pfizer. Social media users are sharing a misleading image to suggestBiden’s pickto lead one of the world’s leading biomedical research agencies has concerning ties to the pharmaceutical industry. (Source: Associated Press - AP News)
Videos show empty gr...: Videos show empty grocery store shelves in Florida because truckers are boycotting the state over a new immigration law. While both clips show Florida stores, neither has anything to do with the new law or a boycott. One is from October and shows shortages during Hurricane Ian, while another shows a recent refrigeration issue at a single Walmart Supercenter. (Source: Associated Press - AP News)
False: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention admitted that 98 million Americans were given a “cancer virus” through the polio vaccine. An old rumor was given new life this week when an Instagram user posted a screenshot of an article making the erroneous claim. (Source: Associated Press - AP News)
False: Tesla CEO Elon Musk is suing Alyssa Milano, an actor and activist, for defamation in a $200 million lawsuit. Facebook users are sharing the made-up story on a dubious website. (Source: Associated Press - AP News)
A 35% pay uplift for...: A 35% pay uplift for junior doctors would cost at least £2 billion, not £1 billion. Amid the ongoing dispute between the Government and junior doctors over pay, there have been a number of competing claims about how much a 35% pay uplift would cost. The British Medical Association (BMA) has claimed that between 2008/09 and 2021/22 junior doctors had a 26% real-t (Source: Full Fact)
For resettlement sch...: For resettlement schemes, the UK is second only to Sweden. For taking people from the United Nations, the UK ranks fourth in the world. "These are very large numbers by historical and European standards, for resettlement schemes, we're second only to Sweden, for taking people from the United Nations, we're fourth in the world." Robert Jenrick MP, 10 May 2023 . During an interview on Sky News on Wednesday, 10 May, (Source: Full Fact)
Partly False: A pesticide called Monitor is used to grow potatoes for McDonald's french fries. Several social media posts claim that a pesticide called Monitor is used to grow potatoes for McDonald's french fries. But this is not true in the UK, EU and US at least, where the pesticide has not been approved for use for years. Many of the posts quote claims that were origina (Source: Full Fact)
Partly False: The pesticide Monitor is so toxic that farmers are not allowed to enter their field for five days. Several social media posts claim that a pesticide called Monitor is used to grow potatoes for McDonald's french fries. But this is not true in the UK, EU and US at least, where the pesticide has not been approved for use for years. Many of the posts quote claims that were origina (Source: Full Fact)
Partly False: Potatoes treated with Monitor are stored in atmosphere-controlled sheds for six weeks after harvesting because they are inedible and need to "off-gas" the chemicals. Several social media posts claim that a pesticide called Monitor is used to grow potatoes for McDonald's french fries. But this is not true in the UK, EU and US at least, where the pesticide has not been approved for use for years. Many of the posts quote claims that were origina (Source: Full Fact)
False: FedNow is a new “monetary system” that’s “going to cost you.” The FedNow Service is a new instant payment service being launched in July by the Federal Reserve.It’s for financial institutions such as banks and credit unions to transfer funds. It has no relationship to a central bank digital currency.It is not a consumer-based payment app, and fees listed on a FedNow website would be paid by depository institutions choosing to use the service, the Federal Reserve said. (Source: PolitiFact)
Full-Flop: “(I will oppose) any attempt to restrict or deny women’s basic health care needs.” Cotham previously said North Carolina needed lawmakers who would be "unwavering and unapologetic in their support of abortion rights."A campaign mailer and Planned Parenthood questionnaire say Cotham would oppose "any" new abortion restrictions.Among other things, the new abortion law in North Carolina reduces the cutoff for many abortions from the 20th week of pregnancy to the 12th week. (Source: PolitiFact)
False: “We are about 1 degree Celsius above the coldest it’s been in the last 10,000 years” and “that’s why we shouldn’t be panicking.” The claim was not made by a climate change expert.Research shows that for a decade, the Earth’s temperature has likely been the hottest in the past 125,000 years. (Source: PolitiFact)
False: New Washington state law allows “government to take away minors from parents if they refuse to agree to gender-transition surgery.” The law is aimed at providing shelter for homeless youths seeking gender-affirming care.The law does not allow the government to remove minors from their parents if the parents refuse to allow them to get such care. (Source: PolitiFact)
False: The IRS does not have 400% more staff or law enforcement agents than border patrol The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not have 400% more “agents” than the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), contrary to claims being shared online. While it is unclear what posts specifically refer to as “agents,” 2022 data published by both agencies shows the IRS has (Source: Reuters)
False: Miller Lite beer owned by Molson Coors, not Anheuser-Busch or AB InBev Beer brand Miller Lite is owned by Molson Coors Beverage Co, not Anheuser-Busch InBev. Posts online sharing a Miller Lite campaign video from March falsely claim the brand is owned by AB InBev. In April, transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney’s sponsorship with Bud Light, a beer b (Source: Reuters)
Altered: Photo of Nigeria’s Obi visiting president-elect Tinubu is digitally altered An image that purports to depict Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu standing next to one of his closest political rivals, the Labour Party’s Peter Obi, is circulating online. “Obi visited Tinubu. The Labor Party Presidential candidate H.E Peter Obi visited the President Elect T (Source: Reuters)
False: CNN did not announce end to live audiences at town hall events after Trump event CNN did not announce that there would be no live audiences at future town hall events after hosting former U.S. President Donald Trump this month, a spokesperson for the news channel said, reacting to a claim posted online. The claim was shared on social media after CNN hosted a (Source: Reuters)
Miscaptioned: Actor Alec Baldwin posted on Instagram, “God, it felt good to shoot that bitch,” after filming ended for the movie “Rust” in May 2023, more than a year after cinematographer Halyna Hutchins died on set from a gunshot wound. About this rating In October 2021, while filming the movie "Rust," actor Alec Baldwin was practicing with a revolver on set when it accidentally fired a live round that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. In April 2023, New Mexico prosecutors decided to drop involuntary mansl (Source: Snopes)
False: Jean-Pierre said, 'We’ve seen a 90% decrease in illegal immigration since President Biden took office' Post distorts Karine Jean-Pierre's statement on immigration under Biden | Fact checkShow Caption Hide Caption Republicans request Title 42 extension, border preps for migrant surge The Trump-era immigration policy Title 42 is set to end on May 11th as U.S. southern border prepares for a surge of migrants. "President Joe Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, was caught in a lie on Monday when she claimed that illegal immigration had come down by 90% since Biden took office," reads the post. "Jean-Pierre made the claim during a press briefing, saying that 'we’ve seen 90% decrease in illegal immigration since President Biden took office.'" Jean-Pierre did not say illegal immigration has gone down by 90% since Biden took office, as the post claims. Fact check: As Title 42 ends, post falsely claims Biden has no plan for migrants at US-Mexico borderAnother claim in the post is also wrong. (Source: USA Today)
False: COVID-19 vaccines 'speed up the aging process' No evidence COVID-19 vaccines speed up the aging processDr. Stuart Ray, a professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said there is no evidence COVID-19 vaccines cause accelerated aging. "On the contrary, they reduce the risk of severe COVID-19," Ray said in an email to USA TODAY. "To the extent that severe COVID-19 is associated with accelerated aging, the COVID-19 vaccines would be expected to reduce that risk." Fact check: FDA still recommends COVID-19 vaccine, contrary to viral claimThere are multiple studies that show links between severe cases of COVID-19 and accelerated aging. The COVID-19 vaccines lower the risk of developing a severe illness, "saving millions of lives and preventing many of the complications of severe COVID-19 disease," Ray said. (Source: USA Today)
False: CNN announced it will no longer have live audiences at town hall events No audience change announced for CNN town halls after Trump event | Fact checkShow Caption Hide Caption Critics: CNN Trump forum turned into campaign rally CNN is facing a fierce backlash over its town hall forum with President Donald Trump, an event that swiftly turned chaotic in a stark display of the tightrope facing journalists covering a presidential candidate who refuses to play by the rules. “CNN announces today there will be no more live audiences at town halls,” reads the post. CNN faced criticism after Trump town hall, but executives stood by eventThere is no mention of such a change on CNN’s website or any of its social media pages. The claim came as CNN faced backlash after hosting a prime-time town hall event with former President Donald Trump on May 10. Fact check: Image altered to show CNN headline about climate changeThe live audience supported Trump, at times laughing and applauding in response to his statements throughout the 70-minute event. (Source: USA Today)
False: There is no mention of race in the Australian Constitution. The claim there is no mention of race in the Australian Constitution is false. Race is mentioned prominently in Section 51 (xxvi) and Section 25. Constitutional experts also told AAP FactCheck that while the 1967 referendum sought to remove discrimination against Indigenous Australians in the constitution, the changes in part gave the Commonwealth the power to regulate races. (Source: Australian Associated Press - AAP)
False: Gina Rinehart is offering share investments in Hancock Prospecting in a series of Facebook videos. Videos claiming to show Australian billionaire and mining magnate Gina Rinehart promoting shares in her company are fake. The videos have been manipulated, using clips from various news interviews that have been edited with alternative voiceovers and stock footage. (Source: Australian Associated Press - AAP)
False: A South Indian man is flying in the sky with the power of yoga. Social media is rife with the video of a man levitating in the air with the viral claim that this can only be possible with the power of Yoga. Vijay Bharat News, A Karnataka-based media outlet, wrote an article titled "The young man showed by flying in the sky on the power of Yog (Source: Alt News)
False: Pak PM congratulated Congress over Karnataka victory Following the victory of the Congress in the Karnataka assembly elections, the screenshot of a tweet has been viral on social media platforms. It apparently shows the Prime Minister of Pakistan expressing his gratitude to the people of Karnataka for electing the Congress on May 1 (Source: Alt News)
False: Image shows pilot who carried out the IAF air strike at Balakot Contact UsMore about them (Source: BOOM Live)
False: Video shows Indians are beating Pakistanis in London. An old video of a brawl that took place in United Kingdom's Birmingham city has recently been shared with a false claim that the clip shows Indians thrashing Pakistani extremists in London.BOOM found that the video is from 2019 and shows a brawl between two warring families in a (Source: BOOM Live)
False: Video shows Muslims cutting a cow on BJP flag after Congress' win in Karnataka A disturbing video showing people slaughtering a cow lying on a Bharatiya Janata Party flag is circulating with false claims that it shows jubilant minorities celebrating the Congress victory in the Karnataka elections by killing a cow.BOOM found that the video shows visuals of p (Source: BOOM Live)
False: Video shows an MLA arguing with a police officer after Congress victory in Karnataka A video showing a group of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders including Nampally MLA Jaffar Hussain Meraj at the Superintendent of Police's office in Jagtial arguing with the police and demanding action against the Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) after he had al (Source: BOOM Live)
False: BJP lost by a margin of 2000 votes in 58 seats 41 seats by a margin of 1000 A viral claim on social media claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost 58 seats with a margin of less than 2,000 votes and 41 seats with a margin of 1,000 votes in the recently concluded Karnataka assembly elections is false and not backed by official data from the Ele (Source: BOOM Live)
False: Video shows Muslim man threatening police in Karnataka after Congress victory A 2018 video from Chopda city in Maharashtra of a Muslim man threatening a police constable is viral with the false claim that it shows a recent incident from Karnataka after the Congress won a majority in the assembly election.The Congress Party won 135 seats in the Karnataka as (Source: BOOM Live)
False: Image of Syrian singer Sariya al-Sawas with her four children born to different husbands from various nationalities A social media post claiming that Sariya al-Sawas, a Syrian singer, has children with different husbands from various nationalities is doing rounds on social media platforms. The post has a picture of Sariya al-Sawas, standing alongside four children. It further states that her e (Source: Factly)
Misleading: Recent video of a Hindu woman thrashing a Muslim man accusing him of harassment after the release of ‘The Kerala Story’ movie A video is being shared on social media claiming it is the recent visuals of a Hindu woman thrashing a Muslim youth for harassing her by sending vulgar or lewd messages in Coorg, Karnataka. Sharing the video, the post claims it is the testimony of the revolution in Hindu women af (Source: Factly)
False: Video clips of Bollywood celebrities Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar supporting Imran Khan after his arrest A video clip in which Bollywood celebrities Hrithik Roshan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar are seen expressing their support for Imran Khan after his recent arrest is viral on social media. Let's verify the authenticity of this video through this fact-checking article.Claim: Video (Source: Factly)
False: An auto driver was thrashed for voting for the BJP in the recently held assembly elections in Karnataka A viral video circulating on social media claims that an auto driver and his auto in Karnataka were physically attacked for voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent assembly elections in the state. In this fact-check article, we will examine the authenticity of t (Source: Factly)
False: Video of Muslims celebrating the Congress party’s victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections by slaughtering a cow on a BJP flag A video depicting a group of individuals slaughtering a cow atop a BJP flag is circulating widely on social media, with a claim that it shows the visuals of Muslims celebrating the Congress party's victory in the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections. Let's verify the claim made in t (Source: Factly)
False: Video showing Hindu women assaulting a Muslim man for misbehaving with them A video showing a man being assaulted by a group of women is being widely shared across social media platforms with a claim that the video shows Hindu women in Kerala attacking a Muslim man for misbehaving with them. Through this article let's fact-check the claim made in the pos (Source: Factly)
Still Singing: Shirley Caesar just passed away after a long battle with cancer Still SingingWas Shirley Caesar, a Grammy award-winning gospel singer and celebrated pastor, deceased as of May 9, 2023? No, that's not true: Caesar made at least one public appearance after May 9, 2023. There is also no indication that her health was failing at the time of writi (Source: Lead Stories)
Digital Art: white women have tails Digital ArtIs a photograph of what appears to be a woman with a tail an authentic record of a real appendage, providing support for claims about the origins of white people? No, that's not true: The image was digitally edited and is a work of art. It doesn't support this conspira (Source: Lead Stories)
False: Men brutally slaughtered a cow over the BJP flag after the Congress’ win in the assembly elections in Karnataka. Authors Vasudha Beri Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joi (Source: Newschecker)
False: P-500 Paracetamol tablets contain Machupo virus, which has high mortality rate Authors Kushel HM Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.ClaimP-500 Paracetamol tablets contain Machupo virus, which has high morta (Source: Newschecker)
False: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that we should throw out the Hindus and ‘Hindutavaadis’ once again. A video of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is being shared on the internet with users claiming that Gandhi said both Hindus and 'Hindutvavadis' should be thrown out of the country.The video's caption was in Kannada and is being shared after Congress' win in the Karnataka assembly el (Source: WebQoof - The Quint)
False: This video shows a man threatening a cop in Karnataka. A video showing a man threatening a uniformed police personnel while standing in middle of a crowd is going viral on social media to claim that this incident is from Karnataka.The video is being linked to Karnataka and Congress' recent win in the state's 2023 Assembly elections i (Source: WebQoof - The Quint)
False: This video from Karnataka shows cow slaughter over a BJP flag. (Trigger Warning: Disturbing visuals and description of animal abuse.)A graphic video showing a man cutting a cow's throat and keeping a Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) flag under it is going viral on social media as a recent clip from Karnataka.The claim links the video with the (Source: WebQoof - The Quint)
False: eating apples can relieve migraine pain Are apples scientifically proved to alleviate migraine pain?Can eating apples reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches?No, There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that eating apples can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. However (Source: Thip Media)
False: Video shows the Philippine Coast Guard driving away a Vietnamese fishing vessel in Palawan in May 2023 A video posted on YouTube used an old clip and claimed to show the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) driving away a Vietnamese fishing vessel in Palawan. This is false.Shown in the video were Indonesian authorities confronting a Vietnamese vessel illegally fishing in the Natuna Sea in (Source: Vera Files)
False: In places where a one-child policy is in effect, children of couples with more than one offspring are incinerated A TikTok video shared by multiple Facebook (FB) users falsely claimed that where a one-child policy is in effect, children of couples with more than one offspring are incinerated. The clip used in the video was taken from a futuristic movie."Grabe ganito pla [sic] sa lugar pag 'o (Source: Vera Files)
False: Authorities from California are coming to the Philippines to arrest Manny Pacquiao, in connection with a civil suit filed by Paradigm Sports Management. Three videos on social media carried erroneous claims related to former senator Manny Pacquiao's loss in a legal battle with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM).Posted on May 12 by Facebook (FB) page Show Business 2023 and YouTube channels Viral TV and Pinoy Celebrity, the videos cl (Source: Vera Files)
No Basis: Manny Pacquiao asked for President Ferdinand Marcos’ help to resolve the case with Paradigm Sports Management Three videos on social media carried erroneous claims related to former senator Manny Pacquiao's loss in a legal battle with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM).Posted on May 12 by Facebook (FB) page Show Business 2023 and YouTube channels Viral TV and Pinoy Celebrity, the videos cl (Source: Vera Files)
False: Manny Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee was emotional while visiting him in prison, after he lost in a legal battle with Paradigm Sports Management Three videos on social media carried erroneous claims related to former senator Manny Pacquiao's loss in a legal battle with Paradigm Sports Management (PSM).Posted on May 12 by Facebook (FB) page Show Business 2023 and YouTube channels Viral TV and Pinoy Celebrity, the videos cl (Source: Vera Files)