Balamuthia mandrillaris infections are extremely rare and largely preventable, but the few cases that do occur are usually fatal.
Hoax-Slayer→ Wave of Bomb Threat Extortion Emails Demand Payment in Bitcoin
Individuals and organizations all around the world are receiving emails that claim that an explosive device has been placed in the buildings they work in. The post Wave of Bomb Threat Extortion Emails Demand Payment in Bitcoin appeared first on Hoax-Sl
Truth or Fiction?→ Did ‘Migrants’ Demand $50,000 Each to Leave the United States?
On December 12, 2018, the Federalist Papers Project — a known purveyor of corrosive disinformation — published “Migrants DEMAND $50,000 Each to go Home, Or Else …” (filed under “opinion”), an article littered
Snopes→ Did a Banned Federal Study Show That Refugees Bring in More in Government Revenues Than They Cost?
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study compared the tax revenues generated by refugees to the overall cost of resettlement.
FactCheck.org→ Ruth Bader Ginsburg Taken Way Out of Context
Quick Take In a 2012 interview with an Arabic-language television station, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg suggested that as Egypt prepared to write a new constitution, Egyptians look to more recently written constitutions than the United Sta
Snopes→ Did Sweden Rename ‘Christmas’ to ‘Winter Celebration’ in Order to Avoid Offending Muslims?
The so-called "war on Christmas" seemingly hasn't ended; it just changes location from time to time.
Snopes→ Man Puts Up Sculpture of Middle Finger as a Message to Town
Ted Pelkey says he's been trying for about 10 years to move his truck repair and recycling business but has been unable to get a permit.
Snopes→ Renewed Battle Over Using Fetal Tissue in Medical Research
Republicans said alternatives to fetal tissue are available and should be used instead. Democrats said that view is at odds with science.
Snopes→ Motorists Nab Cash Spilled By Armored Truck, Causing Crashes
"People went a little bit crazy when they saw the money."
Snopes→ MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski Apologizes for Homophobic Comment
She apologized via Twitter, saying it was a "SUPER BAD choice of words."
Snopes→ Customs Finds 70 Finches in Hair Rollers
Officials believe the birds were brought to the U.S. to participate in singing contests.
Snopes→ In Plea Deal, Russian Woman Admits to Being a Secret Agent
The case has offered insight into how Moscow seeks to influence American policy.
Snopes→ French Police Try to Catch Attack Suspect, Operation Ongoing
Police union officials identified the suspected assailant as Frenchman Cherif Chekatt, a 29-year-old with a thick police record for crimes including armed robbery and monitored as a suspected religious radical.
Snopes→ As Protectors Abandon Trump, Investigation Draws Closer
Both Michael Cohen and American Media Inc. now say they made hush money payments to a porn star and a Playboy Playmate for the purposes of helping his 2016 White House bid, a campaign finance violation.
FactCheck.org→ Meme Spreads Bogus Pelosi Quote on Border Wall
Quick Take A long-circulating meme spreads a quote falsely attributed to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi about President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall. Full Story In the Oval Office this week, a heated (and fact-challenged) exchange unf
PolitiFact→ PolitiFact’s 2018 Lie of the Year coverage
Here are links and summaries of our 2018 Lie of the Year coverage. The 2018 Lie of the Year: Online smear machine tries to take down Parkland students. Read our special report on how attacks after the Florida school shooting were the mos
PolitiFact→ PolitiFact’s 2018 Lie of the Year coverage
Here are links and summaries of our 2018 Lie of the Year coverage. The 2018 Lie of the Year: Online smear machine tries to take down Parkland students. Read our special report on how attacks after the Florida school shooting were the mos
PolitiFact→ Why PolitiFact doesn’t use the word ‘lie’ — except once a year
Editor's note: PolitiFact Editor Angie Drobnic Holan wrote this column for the media news website Poynter.org. You might expect a website that fact-checks American politics to use the word "lie" a lot. But at PolitiFact, we don&rsquo
PolitiFact→ Why PolitiFact doesn’t use the word ‘lie’ — except once a year
Editor's note: PolitiFact Editor Angie Drobnic Holan wrote this column for the media news website Poynter.org. You might expect a website that fact-checks American politics to use the word "lie" a lot. But at PolitiFact, we don&rsquo
Washington Post→ President Trump’s claim that Democrats gave Iran $150 billion
He has repeatedly suggested that President Barack Obama gave $150 billion in taxpayer funds to Iran. That's false.
Hoax-Slayer→ Fake Christmas Giveaway Pages Flooding Facebook
Keep an eye out for fraudulent Christmas themed Facebook Pages promising valuable prizes in exchange for liking, sharing, and commenting. The post Fake Christmas Giveaway Pages Flooding Facebook appeared first on Hoax-Slayer.
Snopes→ Teen Pleads Guilty to Murder in Death of Father, Boy
A 16-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of murder for fatally shooting his father in their home and a 6-year-old boy at the South Carolina elementary school he once attended.
Snopes→ Crews Rescue Man Stuck in Grease Vent of Empty Restaurant
Officials say he had been trapped there for two days.
Snopes→ There’s A Safer Option for Animals Crossing the Road
Washington state is finishing work on its largest wildlife bridge. At least one animal has already used it.
Lead Stories→ Fake News: Oscars Committee Did NOT Announce Jordan Peterson as New Host
Did the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announce Dr. Jordan Peterson will host the 91st Oscars ceremony? No, of course not: the story was put out by a Christian themed satire website, it is not real. It mocks the recent withdrawa
Internet Archive→ President Trump Signs Opportunity & Revitalization Council Order : CSPAN : December 12, 2018 6:18pm-6:40pm EST
President Trump signed an executive order establishing an Opportunity and Revitalization Council with the aim of creating economic opportunity zones in distressed communities. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson was set to lead the new c
Lead Stories→ Fake News: Saudi Arabia Is NOT About To Behead 6 School Girls For Acting Indecently With Their Male Friends
Is Saudi Arabia about to behead six schoolgirls for acting indecently with male friends? No, that's not true: the story recently went viral again via the newest site in a network of Macedonian fake news websites that keeps recycling the same
Snopes→ Is a Butterfly Sanctuary in Danger of Being Bulldozed to Build President Trump’s Border Wall?
President Trump's proposed border wall is expected to have a significant impact on the surrounding environment.
Lead Stories→ Fake News: Mother Did NOT Force Son to Swallow Semen After Catching Him With Gay Porn
Did a 44-year-old abusive mother from Tuscaloosa, Alabama named Dolly Callahan force her teenage son to drink his own semen after she caught him masturbating to gay porn? No, that's not true: the story was made up by a Canadian entertainment
Snopes→ Did Jon Voight Urge Americans to ‘Fight for Donald Trump’?
The Academy Award-winning actor is a prominent Hollywood conservative and vocal supporter of the 45th president.
FactCheck.org→ Websites Distort Story of Former Federal Judge
Quick Take Conservative websites falsely claim that former federal Judge Alex Kozinski “struck down” President Donald Trump’s original travel ban. He actually opposed its suspension. Full Story Before federal Judge Alex Kozinski
Truth or Fiction?→ Is This a Real Photo of a Rattlesnake That Died in a Wildfire?
On November 18, 2018, after destructive wildfires tore through northern California, the following image was shared to Facebook: Its caption read: A rattlesnake frozen in death during the California wildfires. His last defiant act was to strike at the f
Snopes→ Did 449,000 Californians Turn Down Jury Duty Because They Are Undocumented Immigrants?
Facebook users spread an unscourced and uncorroborated anti-immigrant statement.
Snopes→ Street Paved with Chocolate After Factory Mishap
After hitting the chilly pavement, the milk chocolate quickly hardened.
Snopes→ Rats Are a Growing Problem in Washington D.C.
The nation's capital is facing a spiraling rat infestation, fueled by mild winters and a human population boom.
Snopes→ Judge Gives Ex-Trump Lawyer Michael Cohen 3 Years in Prison
Cohen was sentenced three years in prison in New York, for dodging taxes, lying to Congress and violating campaign finance laws.
Truth or Fiction?→ Can Airbags Send Your Knees ‘Through Your Eye Sockets’ When Deployed?
When the meme below appeared on Facebook via the page The Pink Shorts Movement on November 28 2018, we were skeptical: The text read: DID YOU KNOW: Airbags deploy between 100 & 220 MPH. If you ride with your feet on the dash, you may send your knee
PolitiFact→ Christine Lagarde – If women worked as much as men, would US GDP jump 5 percent?
The Truth-o-Meter says: Half-True | If women worked as much as men, would US GDP jump 5 percent? Most economist agree that hefty tax cuts and more government spending have –– at least in the short run –– boosted America&rsqu
PolitiFact→ Christine Lagarde – If women worked as much as men, would US GDP jump 5 percent?
The Truth-o-Meter says: Half-True | If women worked as much as men, would US GDP jump 5 percent? Most economist agree that hefty tax cuts and more government spending have –– at least in the short run –– boosted America&rsqu
Snopes→ Julian Castro Moves Toward 2020 White House Run
The move gives the 44-year-old former San Antonio mayor an early start to what's shaping up as a crowded Democratic field without a clear front-runner to challenge President Donald Trump.