As the flickering lights of the menorah cast a warm glow in Jewish homes around the world, Hanukkah beckons a time of reflection and celebration. This eight-day Festival of Lights holds a prominent place in Jewish cultural and religious life, invitin
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Truth or Fiction?→ Global New Year Celebrations Debunked
As the Earth completes another journey around the sun, many of us mark the occasion by celebrating the New Year on January 1st. This widely recognized commemoration is rooted in the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, which currently serves as the in
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Reports About ‘EMP Threat’ or ‘Blackout Warfare’ Are NOT Classified, NOT From Department of Homeland Security, NOT Secret, NOT Leaked
Were reports that talk about a supposed imminent "EMP Threat" or "Blackout Warfare" against the U.S. "leaked" from the Department of Homeland Security, and were these documents "classified" in any way? No, that's not true: The reports tha
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Joe Rogan Did NOT Discuss Teddy Daniels Documentary About Supposed Impending Attack On US
Did Joe Rogan discuss a "scathing documentary" about an impending attack on the United States during an episode of Rogan's podcast partly shown in a video posted on Facebook? No, that's not true: A transcript of the full episode featuring
Truth or Fiction?→ Do All Jews Globally Support Israeli Government Policies?
The Jewish diaspora, an extensive network of Jewish communities dispersed globally over centuries, exhibits a fascinating blend of shared heritage and diverse perspectives shaped by their local surroundings and histories. This rich tapestry of cultur
Truth or Fiction?→ Debunking Myths: Is The Israel-Palestine Conflict Primarily Religious?
In the world of geopolitics, few conflicts are as complex, enduring, and influential as the strife between Israel and Palestine. Far more than a mere religious dispute, the controversy traces its roots back to the dawning of the 20th century, interwe
Truth or Fiction?→ Fact Check: The Thanksgiving Reenactment Tradition in Virginia
In the heartland of America’s rich past, the state of Virginia carries an iconic tradition that ties closely to the nation’s Thanksgiving history. It is believed that the Berkeley Plantation contributes immensely to this history as the ho
Truth or Fiction?→ Unraveling the History of the Turducken Tradition
Often, food traditions speak volumes about our cultural history and Thanksgiving has bestowed upon us an impressive array of culinary delights, amongst which is the puzzling yet intriguing Turducken. A gastronomical feat, the Turducken, a chicken stu
Truth or Fiction?→ Christmas Eve Special Meals Across Cultures
Throughout the world, the celebration of Christmas Eve is marked by a rich tapestry of cultural customs and familial traditions. Many cultures indeed celebrate with a special meal on Christmas Eve, ranging from the sumptuous Feast of Seven Fishes in
Truth or Fiction?→ Santa Claus Roots: Is Saint Nicholas the Inspiration?
The cultural phenomenon of Santa Claus, recognized universally as the benevolent figure with a red suit and a hearty laugh who delivers gifts on Christmas eve, has deep historical roots. Anchored in fact, narrative, art, and social impact, this mythi
Truth or Fiction?→ Unveiling the Truth: Are Christmas Markets Truly a European Tradition?
Christmas markets, with their enchanting aroma of spiced mulled wine, the warm glow of sparkling decorations, and the hum of festive activity, have long been a hallmark of the holiday season in numerous countries. This essay offers fascinating insigh
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: NO EVIDENCE Trump Endorsed A Nearly $300 Water Filter In November 2023
Did former President Donald Trump advertise a water filter on Facebook? No, that's not true: Outside of the post making such a claim, Lead Stories did not find any evidence confirming that. A video with a Trump-sounding narration likely u
Truth or Fiction?→ Fact Check: Origin of Folding Chairs & Urban Living
Chairs, mundane as they may seem, are a reflection of the societal norms, technological advancements, and lifestyle changes throughout human history. Their designs and utility bear testament to the evolving human needs and innovativeness in addressin
Truth or Fiction?→ Unveiling the Truth: Who Invented the Loudspeaker
The loudspeaker, an integral part of our daily lives, traces its origins back to the burgeoning period of electronic revolution. It stands as a marvel of scientific ingenuity, designed to convert electrical audio signals into corresponding sound wave
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Oprah Did NOT Promote ‘Minimum Wage Subsidy Card’ — Audio Was Edited
Did American TV producer and host Oprah Winfrey endorse a "minimum wage subsidy card" that helps those with hourly wages below $26 pay for gas and groceries? No, that's not true: Lead Stories found no proof of such an incentive. The video
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: US National Debt Was NOT Paid Off In 2017 — Last Time Was 1835
Does a viral video show proof that the U.S. national debt was paid off in 2017? No, that's not true: The U.S. Treasury website shows the current U.S. national debt, which is about $33.7 trillion, a number accepted by U.S. financial market
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: House Speaker Mike Johnson Did NOT Say ‘Homosexual Relationships’ Were ‘More Satisfying Than Hetero Relationships’
Did House Speaker Mike Johnson say that "homosexual relationships" were "more satisfying than hetero relationships"? No, that's not true: There is no evidence that Johnson ever publicly made that statement. The fake quote may have been in
Truth or Fiction?→ Presidential Turkey Pardon: 1980s Tradition Decoded
What begins as a simple act of clemency towards a feathered friend, has evolved to become one of the quintessential customs at the White House during Thanksgiving. The U.S. Presidential turkey pardon, whimsical yet full of symbolism, is a tradition t
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Putin Did NOT Bomb Cloning Lab in Ukraine — Story Is From Site That Makes Things Up
Did Russia bomb "a cloning lab" in Ukraine's Donetsk, occupied by Russia in November 2023? No, that's not true: The website that published the claim relied on a fictitious single source, and that site carries a disclaimer saying it publis
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: ‘Stand With Israel’ Replacing ‘Stand With Ukraine’ Billboard Was NOT Displayed On New York’s 7th Avenue — It’s CGI Fake
Does a video show a large billboard ad of an ABC News "Stand With Ukraine" message being replaced with a "Stand With Israel" message in New York City's Times Square district? No, that's not true: This video of the intersection of 50th Str
Truth or Fiction?→ Exploring the Birth of the Bicycle: Its Creation and Impact
The bicycle, an iconic symbol of personal freedom and mobility, is a simple yet transformative invention that has reshaped societies the world over. Deeply ingrained into the fabric of many cultures, the bicycle’s journey from being a rudimenta
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Photos Do NOT Actually Show Lionel Messi Holding Up Palestinian, Israeli Flags — They’re Manipulated
Do two separate images show professional soccer player Lionel Messi holding up a Palestinian flag and an Israeli flag, seemingly in support of both? No, that's not true: Both the images are altered to show Messi with the respective flags.
Truth or Fiction?→ Demystifying the Existence of Pandas: An In-depth Analysis
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Truth or Fiction?→ Dolphin Cooperation: Male Allies in Mating
With a rich tapestry of social structures, intriguing communication strategies, and fascinating mating dynamics, dolphins present one of the most intricate examples of marine animal societies. Often overlooked are the alliances formed among male dolp
Truth or Fiction?→ NFL Player Suspension Over Anthem Protests: A Business Analysis
The NFL player protests, characterized by their act of kneeling during the national anthem, represent a paradigmatic case of how socio-political factors can interplay with business dynamics. The protests, driven by a quest for racial justice and equa
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: October 2023 Titanic Magazine Cover Does NOT Show Cartoon Of People In Zelenskyy Masks Begging For Candy
Does the cover of the October 2023 issue of the German satirical magazine Titanic feature a cartoon of people wearing masks depicting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with a title that translates to "This time there won't be enoug
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Elon Musk Did NOT Promote An Automatic Investment Platform On SABC News South Africa
Did Elon Musk promote an investing platform on SABC News South Africa? No, that's not true: This video post uses inauthentic audio dubbed over an authentic video of Musk speaking during a Fox News interview in April 2023. No such report o
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Jada Pinkett Smith Promoting ‘Health Spending Card’ — Fake Audio Is Combined With Video Clips of Pinkett Smith
Does a video on Facebook show actress Jada Pinkett Smith endorsing a "health spending card" promotion? No, that's not true: The audio in this post is fake, as she was talking about her health in at least one of the video clips used in thi
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: NO Record Confirms Trump’s IQ Was Tested At 73 While In Military School
Did recently discovered New York Military Academy papers confirm in 2023 that former President Donald Trump's IQ was measured at 73 at the time? No, that's not true: The claim is a recycled rumor that has been circulating on the internet
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Black Flag Over Iran’s Razavi Shrine Was NOT Call For War To All Muslims In October 2023 — Claim Misrepresented Its Meaning
Was a black flag that appeared over Razavi Shrine in Iran in October 2023 meant to express a "call to all of Islam for War"? No, that's not true: In this particular case, it was a symbol of mourning, as the Facebook account for the shrine
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Greta Thunberg Did NOT Discuss ‘Biodegradable Missiles’ In BBC Interview — Audio From Interview Has Been Altered
Did climate activist Greta Thunberg advocate for "biodegradable missiles" in an interview with the BBC? No, that's not true: A clip that circulated on social media in October 2023 featured altered audio from an BBC interview in 2022 in wh
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: There Is NO ‘Universal Health Program’ Giving Everyone $2,000 IRS Checks ‘Every Month’ Just By Giving Their Name
Does a "universal health program" give away $2,000 IRS checks each month to those who are enrolled in a "free health plan" that only requires a person's name? No, that's not true: The IRS told Lead Stories that such a promise is a scam. N
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Photo Of Cheering Atlético Madrid Fans And Huge Palestinian Flag Is NOT Genuine — It’s AI Image
Is an image of cheering Atlético Madrid soccer team fans with a giant Palestinian flag authentic? No, that's not true: A representative for the sports team was quoted as saying that this image was not authentic. An AI image detector site
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Greta Thunberg Did NOT Post A Photo Of Herself Holding A Poster Reading ‘6 Million Wasn’t Enough’ — Her Photo Was Doctored
Did the Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg post a photo of herself holding a placard that reads "6 Million wasn't enough"? No, that's not true: She never posted the photo in question. Thunberg did express her pro-Palestinian st
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Elon Musk Did NOT Announce A New Trading App Investing Platform On The BBC
Did BBC News broadcast "breaking" news that Elon Musk has a new trading app that will allow Britons to make so much money that they won't have to work anymore? No, that's not true: The BBC's website includes no such report and the footage
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show ‘The New Iron Beam In Full Display’ — It’s From A Video Game
Does a video on social media capture a brand-new Israeli defense system in action during the October 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict? No, that's not true: At the time, Iron Beam was not known for being employed by the Israeli forces. The video
AllSides→ Clip shows Arma 3 gameplay, not downed Israeli helicopters
https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/clip-shows-arma-3-gameplay-not-downed-israeli-helicopters-2023-10-12/
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show White Phosphorus Bomb Used In Gaza — Scene Was Originally Recorded In Ukraine
Does a video shared to social media in October 2023 show "white Phosphorus bombs" dropped on Gaza? No, that's not true: The video was shot in Ukraine and was posted to social media in March 2023, which predates the October 7, 2023, start
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Video Does NOT Show Hamas Fighters Parachuting Into SuperNova Rave Ahead Of Attack — Video Is From An Event In Egypt
Does a video of parachutists landing in a crowd show Hamas militants dropping among Israeli citizens ahead of an attack at a musical festival on October 7, 2023? No, that's not true: The clip was originally posted to TikTok on September 2
Lead Stories→ Fact Check: Arma 3 Video Game Clips Falsely Presented As Footage Depicting 2023 Conflict Between Israel And Hamas
Do several videos shared on social media in October 2023 genuinely show combat footage from the military conflict between Israel and Hamas? No, that's not true: A reverse image search revealed that one such clip originated from the combat