The advent of the internet brought about a revolution which has since been the backbone of technological evolution and a cornerstone of globalization, becoming an essential component of our daily living. Unraveling its inception poses an intriguing e
Truth or Fiction?→ Traditional Use of Red and Green in Christmas Celebrations
The festive season of Christmas is frequently adorned with the vibrant hues of green and red, capturing the essence of joy, harmony, and tradition. A ubiquitous presence in every Yuletide decoration, these colors hold a rich historical legacy intertw
Truth or Fiction?→ Unfolding the Poinsettia – The Christmas Plant
The poinsettia, a vibrant, red plant native to Mexico, is commonly revered as a quintessential emblem of the Christmas season. Its vivacious hue and peak blooming period, coinciding perfectly with the holiday season, has secured its place as a Christ
Truth or Fiction?→ English Language: Most Spoken in the World or Not?
The global linguistic landscape is a dynamic tableau, teeming with a melange of languages, each carrying its unique cultural resonance and communicative texture. A prominent feature in this variegated linguistic tapestry is the English language, whic
The Dispatch→ Our Liberty Theme Park
Too many politically conservative Christians misunderstand America’s chief end.
The Dispatch→ Our Best Stuff on 2024, Congress, and War in Israel
Plus, thoughts on Veterans Day.
FactCheck.org→ Trump’s False Claim That U.S. Military Moving to Electric Tanks
Former President Donald Trump has a new talking point in his rally speeches, claiming that the Biden administration is moving the military to all-electric-powered tanks. For Trump, the attack line is a trifecta: He’s making President Joe Biden seem
The Dispatch→ Recall or Referendum?
What the off-year election tells us about 2024.
The Dispatch→ Close to the Edge
When things are disruptive to your cognitive peace, you have to think evil forces are responsible for them.
The Dispatch→ Reflections on a Brain-Melting Masterpiece
Jorge Luis Borges’ 1940 short story mirrors the intrusiveness of identity politics.
The Dispatch→ This Veterans Day, Strike Up A Conversation
Meaningful dialogue begins with everyday interactions.
Health Feedback→ James Thorp spreads false claims that COVID-19 vaccines harm fertility, pregnancy, infant survival in The Sentinel Report interview
REVIEW On 1 November 2023, host Alex Newman interviewed gynecologist James Thorp for the U.S. TV show The Sentinel Report. During the interview, Thorp claimed that “Americans are dropping dead” from COVID-19 vaccines and that the spike protein f
PolitiFact→ Instagram posts – Pennsylvania voting machine error did not reveal ‘election fraud’
On Nov. 7, 2023, Pennsylvania voting machines were “flipping votes,” which is evidence of “election fraud.”
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Michael B. Jordan Promoting ‘Health Spending Card’ — Audio Is Fake
Does a video on Facebook show actor Michael B. Jordan endorsing a "health spending card" promotion? No, that's not true: Jordan's public relations team confirmed to Lead Stories that this claim is false. Lead Stories previously has debunk
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Depict British Police Showing Peace Signs To Pro-Palestinian Protesters
Does a video show British police officers expressing support for a pro-Palestinian rally in London during the 2023 Hamas-Israel war? No, that's not true: London's Metropolitan Police told Lead Stories that the men in the footage were not
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: NASA Satellite Did NOT Photograph Megalodon On Shark Week Show — Dramatized Scenes And Actors Playing Scientists
Did a documentary produced for the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" provide "new evidence" from a NASA satellite photo that shows a living megalodon off the coast of Brazil? No, that's not true: The megalodon was a species of megatooth sh
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: NO Evidence Potato Poultices Heal Tissue Inflammation
Is a "potato poultice" a proven effective treatment for tissue inflammation? No, that's not true: Though potatoes contain certain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Lead Stories found no evidence that externally applied potato
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Pickup Truck Saving Plane And Its Passengers — It’s An Old Nissan Commercial
Does a video on social media show a truck saving an airplane and passengers by catching the aircraft's crippled landing gear in its bed? No, that's not true: The clip is from a 2011 Nissan commercial for its Frontier pickup. The dramatic
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Photo Does NOT Show Swastika On Door Of Stabbed Jewish Woman In France In 2023 — It’s From The US In 2017
Does an image shared on social media document a 2023 attack on a French Jewish woman in her home during this year's escalation of Israeli-Palestinian tensions in the Middle East? No, that's not true: The photo predates the 2023 Hamas-Isra
PolitiFact→ Dispelling a common myth about fentanyl as election workers get letters with traces of the substance
The FBI is investigating letters sent to election offices in five states, including some that contained fentanyl. Although the threats to election workers are real, experts say that only touching fentanyl will not lead to overdose.
ABC News / AP Fact Check→ A short film from Lebanon is being misrepresented to accuse Palestinians of staging injuries
CLAIM: A video shows a makeup artist applying dirt and fake blood to a young girl on a stretcher, proving that people in Gaza are faking injuries in the latest Israel-Hamas war.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Australian Government Did NOT Announce Investment Opportunity — It’s Scam Video
Did the Australian TV network 9News report that the Australian Securities Exchange and Reserve Bank of Australia had announced a new financial platform that could enable investors to earn 30,000 Australian dollars each month? No, that's n
PolitiFact→ Facebook posts – No evidence of a serial killer in Cincinnati, police say
“There is a serial killer in Cincinnati.” Seven bodies were found “chopped up.”
The Dispatch→ Party People
How to win with a very old, very unpopular president. Maybe?
The Dispatch→ House GOP Gives Mike Johnson (Some) Leeway in Averting a Shutdown
Plus: Are censures in the House too frequent?
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Joe Rogan Did NOT Claim That Scientists Captured A Wendigo And Tried To Keep It Secret
Did comedian-commentator Joe Rogan say on his podcast that scientists captured a Wendigo, a monster from Native American folklore, and tried to keep it a secret? No, that's not true: Rogan never mentioned the mythological creature on his
The Dispatch→ The Dangerous Radicalism of Longing
Missing what we’ve never had creates a powerful push for cheap substitutes.
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Palestinians Staging Fake Injuries
Does a video of workers applying makeup and appearing to help a young girl on a stretcher show Palestinians staging fake injuries in the midst of the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict? No, that's not true: The video depicts behind-the-scenes foo
PolitiFact→ TikTok posts – A stealth bomber recently spotted in New York is unrelated to Israel, contrary to online claims
A “B-2 stealth bomber seen over New York” means “Hezbollah may declare war on Israel.”
ABC News / AP Fact Check→ Mel Gibson did not post on social media about ‘the end’ of Israel
CLAIM: An image shows a social media post by actor Mel Gibson about “the end” of Israel and the country’s desire to “destroy everything” in its way.
PolitiFact→ Facebook posts – Claim that New York fraud case is unrelated to Trump property is disputed by case itself
New York’s fraud case against Trump “has nothing to do with his home in Mar-a-Lago.”
ABC News / AP Fact Check→ A 13-year-old satirical blog post about Netanyahu’s ‘psychiatrist’ is being shared as real news
CLAIM: News reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's psychiatrist died by suicide. AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The claim comes from a 2010 satirical blog post.
PolitiFact→ Facebook posts – Un video no muestra a maquilladores y actores fingiendo heridas en Gaza en 2023
Video muestra gente en Gaza en 2023 maquillándose heridas.
Full Fact→ No evidence clip of Sadiq Khan supposedly calling for ‘Remembrance weekend’ to be postponed is genuine
The Mayor’s office says the audio, which purports to be of a private conversation, is fake.
ABC News / AP Fact Check→ No, Ohio’s new abortion-rights measure doesn’t allow for ‘financial’ exemptions to restrictions
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False.
Full Fact→ A YouGov poll found 41% think London protest rules are ‘too relaxed’
Conservative MP Danny Kruger claimed on the Today programme the poll found by “two to one” the public believe police are “too soft” on pro-Palestinian protesters.
Full Fact→ Suella Bravermen did not use parliamentary expenses to pay her parents’ energy bills
The claims related to her London home and were within the rules governing such payments.
Full Fact→ Facebook has not banned the Lord’s Prayer
Meta has confirmed that posting the text of the Lord’s Prayer is not against the social network’s policies.
Full Fact→ CCTV footage of hospital explosion is from Syria in 2016, not Gaza
A video showing multiple clips of CCTV footage has been shared across social media platforms.
The Dispatch→ Is Tim Scott Running on Fumes?
After the debate in Miami, the South Carolina senator remains stuck behind.