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Is 5G Radiation Harmful And Lethal For Birds And Humans? | Surprisingly, some people feel passionately that 5G signals are harmful to humans, despite there being zero credible evidence and zero physical plausibility. Some people believe that the secret purpose of installing 5G technology is to harm humans. The problem with this type of conspiracy theory (i.e., the widespread poisoning of public spaces by conspiring organizations) is that political and technology leaders are also human and also use public spaces. If the people responsible for implementing 5G technology were really causing harmful electromagnetic radiation to be broadcast into public spaces, they would also be harming themselves, their children and their loved ones. While there may indeed be a handful of evil or mentally ill people that are happy harming themselves and their loved ones while harming others, it is absurd to think that effectively all political and technology leaders, at all levels, in all countries, are happy harming themselves and their loved ones. | insufficient-refutes |
Claims that Marilyn Monroe once stated, "Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." | Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world Quotes 0 ratings, 0.00 average rating, 1 review [...] Showing 1-1 of 1 ― Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world: Marilyn Monroe's Most Beautiful Quotes, Icon of beauty and pin up girl, Lined Notebook , 110 pages, (6"×9") inches | insufficient-supports |
[The] average tenure of a PSNI Chief Constable is about the same as those in England and Wales | PSNI chief constables have averaged 5.2 years in post. Looking only at chief constables who finished their tenure this century, and at the 15 largest forces across the UK, we found that chief constables average 5.7 years in their role. The average tenure for such forces in England and Wales specifically is 5.8 years. For extra context, in the same period Garda Commissioners have averaged 4.1 years in position. | supports |
Sabah is a territory of Philippines | Sabah, known for its resource-rich lands, is a territory occupied by Malaysia but claimed by the Philippines as part of Mindanao. [...] Although the Philippines has never relinquished its claim of sovereignty over Sabah, it has for the most part kept that claim dormant to maintain harmonious ties with Malaysia. [...] "They must be Filipino because Sabah is ours! That’s all there is to it. If Malaysia doesn’t like it, that’s too goddamned bad for them. This question of ASEAN amity – that won’t get in the way of my assertion of what is ours," he said. | insufficient-contradictory |
Juan de Nova Island is a territory of France | Welcome to Juan De Nova Island, a remote and pristine paradise located in the Indian Ocean. This small island, which is a part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and a tranquil atmosphere. [...] Juan De Nova Island does not have a permanent population. However, it is occasionally inhabited by French military personnel and scientists. As a result, the official language spoken on the island is French. As Juan De Nova Island is a French territory, the official currency is the Euro (€). Visitors should note that the island is uninhabited and does not have any tourist facilities or infrastructure. Therefore, obtaining a visa to visit the island is not applicable. | supports |
Study shows myocarditis from COVID-19 vaccination carries serious risk of death | Several other studies have highlighted the association between COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of myocarditis and other cardiac events. Vaccination with mRNA vaccines is associated with an increased risk of myocarditis or myopericarditis, especially in young people, in investigation using data from the US21,22, Denmark11, and England23, with higher increased risk generally found among young males24. We found little evidence of increased risk of death due to cardiac events after an mRNA vaccine for either sex. Whilst there was some indication of a potential increase in risk for men after a second dose of a mRNA vaccine, the result was sensitive to the choice of the risk period. [...] Whilst COVID-19 vaccination has been linked to an increased risk of myocarditis and other cardiac events in young people, we found no evidence of substantially increased mortality risk, either due to cardiac events or overall, from mRNA vaccines, which suggest that cases of myocarditis or myopericarditis due to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to be fatal. We do, however, find evidence of an increased risk of cardiac death after a first dose of a non mRNA vaccine among females. It should also be noted that non mRNA vaccines are no longer used in the UK vaccination programme28. This provides reassurance that mRNA vaccines pose minimal risk of increased mortality in the first twelve weeks post-vaccination in young individuals. However, it is important to continue to monitor mortality after vaccination as more deaths are being registered, and extend the surveillance to other age groups and deaths from other causes. | insufficient-supports |
Vila Real is a territory of Portugal | Vila Real (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈvilɐ ʁiˈal] (listen)) is the capital of the Vila Real District. It is also largest city in the district. The city is in the North region of Portugal. The Vila Real has an area of 378.80 km2 (146.26 sq mi).[1] In 2021, 49,571 people lived there.[2] | refutes |
An African President shared is support for Trump after he was arrested | Brazilian newspaper O Globo, meanwhile, published a piece titled "Trump Turns Dock into Election Box After Criminal Indictment". The paper said his advisers saw the case and vast media attention as "a lucrative campaign ad" and "stimulus for online fundraising". Mr Trump has declared he is running in the 2024 presidential election. [...] "By playing again the broken record that invariably presents him as the victim of a 'witch hunt' and a plot by the 'deep state', Trump is forcing his camp to take his side," the French newspaper wrote in an editorial published last week and promoted again after his arrest. [...] Pro-Kremlin Russian daily Izvestia, however, instead leads its coverage of Mr Trump's arrest with quotes from Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who called the arrest "the crisis of liberalism". "This is when the system, which is declared as absolutely free, ends up devouring or denying itself," she said. | insufficient-neutral |
The Oppenheimer Actor, Cillian Murphy, Corrected Prince Harry On His Nationality !! | A viral video of Cillian Murphy speaking to Prince Harry at the UK premiere of Dunkirk has been altered. The original footage shows only a brief interaction between the two. The audio in the viral clip was taken from a separate interview with Murphy and Tom Hardy for the movie Inception. | refutes |
TRS MLA Harish Rao set to join BJP. | At the end of the newspaper article, it is written that readers are advised to remember this is April Fool’s Day. Also, Harish Rao countered the claim by terming it as ‘fake news’ on his Twitter account. So, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Walmart Has Returned To 24-Hour Operations! | This rumor is unfounded. Walmart isn’t resuming 24-hour operations. Walmart ceased 24-hour operations after the coronavirus pandemic started in 2020, adjusting its store hours to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time. [...] "Walmart has announced starting June 3rd all locations in the U.S. will go back to 24hrs," a May 29 Facebook post said. | refutes |
A Recent Incident: Mob Destroying President Wickremesinghe`s Banner !! | A video circulating on social media shows a group of people destroying a banner featuring President Ranil Wickremesinghe in broad daylight. Many users claim this is a recent incident related to the upcoming presidential election. We conducted a thorough fact-check to verify the authenticity of the claim. [...] K. Kotagala, a provincial newspaper reporter from Walasmulla, confirmed that no recent incident involving the destruction of a Wickremesinghe banner had occurred in the area. He suggested that this might be an older event. [...] The viral video claiming that a banner of President Ranil Wickremesinghe was recently destroyed in relation to the upcoming election is misleading. The event shown in the video is most likely from 2022 during the "Aragalaya" protests, and no such recent incident has been reported in the Tangalle or Walasmulla areas. As per our analysis, the location is near the Thangalle bus stand and clock tower. | refutes |
Abortion is never medically necessary | US: 30,000 Doctors say abortion is never medically necessary to save a mother's life Medical leaders representing more than 30,000 American doctors said intentionally killing an unborn baby in an abortion is never necessary to save a mother’s life. In a letter published at The Public Discourse, leaders of the American College of Paediatricians, American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and other medical groups explained their support of the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. [...] Abortion is never medically necessary under any circumstances. The medical leaders promoted perinatal hospice as a life-affirming, compassionate option for babies with life-limiting conditions, "Perinatal hospice provides optimal care for the mother, honours the life of her child and allows the family the opportunity to acknowledge, love, and mourn its newest member." | supports |
Three-quarters of non-voters in Northern Ireland are pro-Union. | More than three quarters of the half a million people who do not vote in elections in Northern Ireland support the Union, a major academic survey has found. [...] In a report setting out the findings, the lead author of the research project, Professor Jon Tonge from the University of Liverpool, said: "In terms of a border poll, election results may be a less accurate a guide to the desire for reunification especially when it is considered that 76.9% of non-voters who stated a preference are pro-Union. [...] As well as non-voters, a critical group in deciding the outcome of any border poll will be Alliance voters. The survey found that 58.8% of Alliance voters support the Union and 25.6% want Irish unity. | supports |
The United Nations have a New World Order Website | The claim: The United Nations will establish a 'new world order' under its Agenda 21/2030 Mission Goals Is a "new world order" part of the UN's plan? There is evidence that the claim has circulated on social media for years, but a May repost by Facebook user Vernon Adkinson recently went viral. Over 20 goals comprise the "new world order" the United Nations will focus on as part of its "Agenda 21/2030 Mission Goals," according to the claim. Items on the agenda include one world government; a single cashless currency; government-owned and controlled schools, colleges and universities and an end to single-family homes. | insufficient-supports |
“Charcoal absorbs and neutralizes poisons”; charcoal can treat diarrhea and bloating | FULL CLAIM: "Charcoal absorbs and neutralizes poisons"; "If ever I had a baby who had a bit of diarrhea, I’d give a bit of charcoal [...] when I got a black nappy, I knew that my baby was well" [...] O’Neill’s claim that charcoal can be used to treat diarrhea, even in infants, isn’t substantiated by evidence. The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that "No solid evidence supports claims that activated charcoal helps with [traveler’s diarrhea], bloating, stomach cramps, or gas". It also added that children shouldn’t be given charcoal. However, O’Neill’s claim that "charcoal absorbs and neutralizes poisons" is somewhat accurate, although it exaggerates the effectiveness of charcoal and lacks important nuance. In fact, misunderstandings over activated charcoal’s effects have led it to be wrongly touted as a way to "detox". We explain more below. | refutes |
mages showing the technological upgrades in the Indian Railways before and after the BJP government in the country | Both the pictures shared in the post were taken in 2020 during the BJP government in the country. The first picture shows railway staff cleaning a platform at the Howrah Junction railway station after the nearly seven-week lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020. The other photo shows the staff cleaning a platform of Asansol railway station, as part of the ‘Swachhta Saptah’ in August 2020. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Silver foil making process still involves animal products | HYDERABAD: The officials of the State Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have now started to crack the whip on the process of making silver foil, used on sweets like Kaju kathli and other barfi sweets. [...] "In Chetha Bazar at Charminar, a lot of silver foil is prepared using the traditional method, In this method, where the ‘chandi-ka-warq’ or the silver leaf is made by placing silver inside folded buffalo skin and hammering it until the desired thickness is arrived at," explained an FSSAI official. Though the traditional practice has been a long used method to make silver foil, recently, FSSAI issued guidelines opposing the mode of preparing the silver leaf. According to the latest guidelines, the silver leaf is not supposed to be prepared using any form of animal origin. | supports |
Vila Albornoz is a territory of Uruguay | Vila Thomaz Albornoz é uma povoação na região de fronteira entre Brasil e Uruguai reivindicada por ambos os países. É situada em posição contígua à Vila Masoller no Uruguai e nos mapas internacionais aparece como um território em discussão. A região contestada situa-se no que era chamado Rincão de Artigas, que tem 22 mil hectares, sendo litigado desde 1934. A vila Albornoz foi instalada em 1985, em terras cedidas pelo estancieiro Thomaz Albornoz, para marcar a presença brasileira na área. | insufficient-contradictory |
“Mask study published by NIH suggests N95 Covid masks may expose wearers to dangerous level of toxic compounds linked to seizures and cancer” | Scientific evidence shows wearing a face mask reduces the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a face mask also doesn’t significantly impede the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, as gas molecules are many times smaller than the pores of even an N95 mask. COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through infectious liquid particles spread from infected to uninfected individuals. Masks act as simple physical barriers that reduce the dissemination of these liquid particles, which are generated by people when they cough, sneeze, or speak. | insufficient-neutral |
“For African American families in particular, the homeownership rate remains relatively unchanged since 1968, the year the Fair Housing Act was signed into law.” | Sen. Tim Scott said Black homeownership has been static since 1968 housing law. He’s right. [...] "For African American families in particular, the homeownership rate remains relatively unchanged since 1968, the year the Fair Housing Act was signed into law," the Republican said in an April 11 press release from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. [...] We looked at statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and other government agencies and found they show that Scott is spot-on about Black homeownership rates; they have barely budged since 1968. Scott’s spokesperson said the senator reached his conclusion using the same statistics that we did. | supports |
Blood pressure tracking apps can replace a cuff | FULL CLAIM: Blood pressure tracking apps can replace a cuff [...] A widely-shared Facebook post featured a video of someone dressed as a doctor pushing aside a blood pressure cuff and giving it a thumbs down, before holding her finger to the camera of an iPhone with an app appearing to display live measurements of her heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, and temperature. The post encouraged viewers to download the app Blood Pressure-Monitor Tracker. [...] Despite the way it was shown in the promotional Facebook post, there is no indication that the app is able to to measure blood pressure. Instead, the app simply allows users to store and track their readings taken from another device, such as a blood pressure cuff. | refutes |
Over 95% of people living in south Belfast own their own home. | This claim is inaccurate. The 2011 Census shows that the Belfast South constituency recorded 56.1% of homes being owned outright or owned with a mortgage or loan. On 4 December 2019, Emma Little-Pengelly, a DUP candidate in the General Election for the constituency of Belfast South, stated in a tweet that "over 95%" of people who live in South Belfast own their own home: [...] In response to a tweet challenging that the MP was assuming that south Belfast residents "all own their own homes", Little-Pengelly quickly replied and made that claim that "95% do [own their own home]". | refutes |
When Sajith Premadasa Was Questioned Why He Did Not Accept Invitation to Become President in 2022, He Skipped from Giving Answers !! | 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis and indirect presidential election [edit]Premadasa refused the invitation of President Gotabaya Rajapakshe to accept the premiership during the 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis.[27] Following the resignation of Rajapakshe, he initially announced to run for the indirect presidential election.[28] However, the day before, he withdrew his candidacy and endorsed Dullas Alahapperuma.[29] [...] - ^ "Sajith declines President's invitation to be PM". Newswire. 8 May 2022. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2024. [...] - ^ "Sajith Premadasa withdraws his candidacy from Sri Lanka presidential election". The Indian Express. 19 July 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024. | insufficient-neutral |
Imia/Kardak is a territory of Greece | During classical antiquity, the entire Aegean Sea area was incorporated into the Greek and Hellenistic cultural sphere. Great Ionian cities such as Ephesus, Miletus, Smyrna, or Halicarnassus, all of them in Asia Minor, speak of the cultural unity prevailing in antiquity in this wide geographical contour, which was maintained for several centuries thanks to Byzantium. [...] During World War I, the Ottoman Empire, an ally of the Axis Powers, suffered a significant defeat and would eventually collapse in 1922. After the war, the Treaty of Sèvres (1920) established new borders for the Ottoman territory. In the context of the dispute in the Aegean Sea, the treaty granted Greece certain rights and sovereignty over several islands (Imbros, Lemnos and Tenedos), as well as over Eastern Thrace, the Smyrna region and the west coast of Anatolia. [...] A particularly sensitive moment occurred in Imia in 1995. Imia-Kardak are two uninhabited islets whose control is disputed by both countries. After a series of secret landings by the armies of both sides, tensions around the two islands came close to triggering an armed conflict, which was averted thanks to NATO's diplomatic intervention. The same decade also saw the infiltration of numerous Turkish secret agents into Greece, who set off a series of large-scale fires. In response to these actions, some Greek citizens set fires in forested areas located in Turkish territory. | insufficient-neutral |
Social media ads propagating a downloadable variant of Google’s AI chatbot, Bard | Google Bard, made available to all users as of 10 May 2023, functions exclusively in-browser and is not offered as downloadable software. The links embedded in these advertisements direct to malicious software, posing a risk of potentially compromising sensitive information on the systems where it’s installed. Hence, the claim made in this post is FALSE. | refutes |
ongress President Rahul Gandhi and his party leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Navjot Singh Sidhu and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee are in the same pic with Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan and its Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa | The original photo of the picture posted can be seen in the article of the news agency ‘ARY NEWS’. The photo is from the meeting of Pakistan Army Chief with its PM Imran Khan to discuss their country’s security-related matters. No Indian political leader can be seen in the original pic. So, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Lee Majors bequeathed $6 million to President Donald Trump's 2020 reelection campaign | On Dec. 22, 2019, the website Conservative Tears published an article positing that Lee Majors, the actor who portrayed Steve Austin in the 1970s television show "The Six Million Dollar Man," died and left a symbolic $6 million to the reelection campaign of U.S. President Donald Trump. ‘Bionic Man’ Lee Majors Dead At 83;$6 Million Left To Trump 2020 | supports |
Cerro Murallón is a territory of Argentina | Cerro Murallón is a glacier mountain of the Andes, in Patagonia, located on the eastern edge of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, southwest of Lake Viedma, at the border between Chile and Argentina. On the Argentine side, the hill has been part of the Los Glaciares National Park since 1937, in the Lago Argentino Department in the Santa Cruz Province, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981. On the Chilean side, it has been part of the Bernardo O'Higgins National Park, since 1969, in the commune of Natales in the Última Esperanza Province in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region. According to some sources its height is 2,656 meters (8,714 ft) above sea level,[1] and according to others it is 2,831 meters (9,288 ft) above sea level.[2] Cerro Murallón is named for its immense granite wall it presents.[3] Cerro Murallón was photographed for the first time by the Salesian missionary Alberto María de Agostini in 1949,[4] and its first ascent was made by Eduardo García, Cedomir Marangunic, Eric Shipton and Jack Ewer on January 24, 1961, on its west face. The first climb to the northeast wall was made in 1984 by the Italians Carlo Alde, Casimiro Ferrari and Paolo Vitali.[5][6] | insufficient-contradictory |
Viruses don’t exist, terrain theory explains why diseases occur | FULL CLAIM: Herpes is caused by lack of collagen, flu is caused by salt imbalance, COVID-19 is caused by 5G radiation, rabies doesn’t exist, HIV is caused by AZT, and polio is caused by DDT; "So when it comes to it, none of these viruses have been proven to exist"; terrain theory explains why diseases happen [...] The terrain theory, which can be traced back to French chemist Antoine Béchamp, has been used as a competing explanation with germ theory for why diseases occur. The terrain theory argues that diseases aren’t caused by germs, but by imbalances in the host organism resulting from lifestyle, such as nutritional deficiencies. As such, correcting the imbalance will cure the disease. [...] However, the fact that some principles of the terrain theory explain why certain diseases occur doesn’t mean that germ theory is wrong. Diseases can result from infectious and non-infectious causes. Our understanding of diseases and how to treat them draws on the principles of both theories. The denial of germ theory espoused in the Instagram reel lends users an incorrect understanding of how diseases occur and can be potentially dangerous if it leads them to reject proven treatments and preventative measures. | insufficient-supports |
Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) introduced in Nov 2015. Around 4 crore doses administered to children. | Participating in the Global Polio Endgame Strategy (2013–2018), by introducing a highly effective IPV, in addition to OPV in routine immunization, it was introduced on November 30, 2015, and globally synchronized switch activity from trivalent oral polio vaccine (tOPV) to bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) was achieved on April 25, 2016, with Global Alliance for Vaccine Initiative (GAVI) and NTAGI that recommended IPV introduction as an additional dose along with third dose of DPT in the entire country in the first quarter of 2016.11 This was followed by introduction of the fractional intradermal dose IPV (f-IPV) in two doses at 6 weeks and 14 weeks replacing the single-dose intramuscular schedule. As IPV is an inactivated vaccine, it carries no risk of vaccine-associated paralytic polio (VAPP) and vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPP). Injectable polio vaccine provides excellent humoral immunity and also boosts intestinal mucosal immunity in OPV-primed children. Recent studies in India and Bangladesh have shown that two f-IPV intradermal doses provide similar levels of protection as compared with one full intramuscular IPV dose.12 The primary role of IPV will be to maintain immunity against type II poliovirus while removing all polio virus serotypes globally. | supports |
“the COVID vaccines have killed millions of people worldwide, an estimated 1 death per 1,000 doses on average in a standard population” | FULL CLAIM: "Data from the New Zealand Ministry of Health shows that the COVID vaccines have killed over 10 million worldwide"; "the COVID vaccines have killed millions of people worldwide, an estimated 1 death per 1,000 doses on average in a standard population" On 30 November 2023, entrepreneur Steve Kirsch gave a talk at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, claiming that New Zealand data showed COVID-19 vaccines have "killed over 10 million worldwide". Kirsch, who had been invited to speak by the student group MIT Students for Open Inquiry, has a record of propagating vaccine misinformation. As documented in previous reviews by Health Feedback, Kirsch’s claims frequently rely on methodologically flawed analyses. [...] He concluded that COVID-19 vaccines were responsible for millions of deaths based on the fact that his analysis showed deaths rose in the first six months after vaccination in those aged 60 and above. The same trend was also seen in an overall analysis for all ages (shown in slides 136 to 140). | insufficient-supports |
The models predicted about three times the amount of warming in the world we’ve seen since [1988]. | Models predict that as the world consumes ever more fossil fuel, greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to rise, and Earth’s average surface temperature will rise with them. Based on plausible emission scenarios, average surface temperatures could rise between 2°C and 6°C by the end of the 21st century. Some of this warming will occur even if future greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, because the Earth system has not yet fully adjusted to environmental changes we have already made. [...] Models predict that Earth will warm between 2 and 6 degrees Celsius in the next century. When global warming has happened at various times in the past two million years, it has taken the planet about 5,000 years to warm 5 degrees. The predicted rate of warming for the next century is at least 20 times faster. This rate of change is extremely unusual. [...] The models predict that as the world consumes ever more fossil fuel, greenhouse gas concentrations will continue to rise, and Earth’s average surface temperature will rise with them. Based on a range of plausible emission scenarios, average surface temperatures could rise between 2°C and 6°C by the end of the 21st century. | insufficient-supports |
purports to show 15-minute city speed gates that have been installed in Vancouver | The speed gates were installed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release from the City of Vancouver. A spokesperson for the City of Vancouver said they were aware of the unsanctioned stickers in an email to Check Your Fact. | insufficient-supports |
Senkaku Islands is a territory of People's Republic of China | In the fall of 1968, the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE) noted the possible presence of immense deposits of oil and gas under the waters surrounding the islands. Subsequently, starting with a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on December 30, 1971, Beijing began officially claiming the islands as Chinese territory. In February 1992, China passed the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, with Article 2(2) defining the Senkaku Islands as "Chinese territory." Later, in September 2012, it set up a baseline that surrounds the Senkaku Islands. China not only claims territorial rights over the Senkaku Islands themselves, but in recent years has also become increasingly aggressive in the waters that surround them. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels have routinely made incursions into the territorial waters around the islands, navigated through the contiguous zone, and approached or pursued Japanese fishing boats. In 2021, CCG vessels navigated through Japan’s contiguous zone a total of 332 days. That was second only to 2020, when a new annual record of 333 days was set. Moreover, CCG vessels approached or pursued Japanese fishing boats in the waters surrounding Senkaku Islands on 18 occasions in 2021, double the frequency of 2020. | insufficient-refutes |
Senkaku Islands is a territory of People's Republic of China | After the 1978 treaty, tension sparked again in 1992 as the Chinese government explicitly included the Diaoyu/Senkaku Islands as a part of "the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China", prompting Japanese objection.[12] More recently in 2010, a collision incident between a Japanese Coast Guard ship and a Chinese civilian fishing ship in the disputed waters and the subsequent Japanese arrest of the Chinese civilian resulted in an increase in anti-Japanese sentiment in China.[13] Diplomatically, China canceled scheduled ministerial meetings with Japan.[14]However, possibly the most controversial incident was the Japanese nationalization of the islands. In an effort to thwart the conservative Tokyo Governor’s plan to purchase and develop the islands, the Japanese national government made the purchase instead in order to leave the islands undeveloped.[15] Ironically, the decision that was intended to minimize diplomatic repercussions prompted the Chinese government to publish "Diaoyu Dao, an Inherent Territory of China", a white paper delineating the Chinese official position on the territorial dispute.[16] [...] [17] ""Diaoyu Dao, An Inherent Territory of China" White Paper"; "Senkaku Islands Q&A". [...] [39] ""Diaoyu Dao, An Inherent Territory of China" White Paper"; "Senkaku Islands Q&A". | insufficient-contradictory |
Magnetic poles reversals involve the Earth flipping vertically and momentarily stopping its rotation, causing cataclysmic events during 6 days. | Magnetic poles reversals do occur, but don’t involve the earth’s poles physically changing positions. The liquid core of the planet moves, generating variations of the magnetic field and occasionally, magnetic poles shift. There is no evidence that magnetic poles' reversal have had any influence on climate in the Earth’s history or generated the kind of extreme weather events claimed, by contrast carbon dioxide concentration has been shown to influence global climate in the past and present. | refutes |
The measles outbreak is directly caused by illegal immigration | One of our colleagues noticed that virtually every Washington Post article concerning the measles outbreak is followed by comments that link the outbreak to illegal immigration. As it turned out, a number of prominent politicians have suggested that there might be a link — or that a link cannot be ruled out. (LePage did not mention measles, but suggested there could be in "uptick" in other diseases.) [...] We should note that CDC’s Schuchat said that in 2014, "79 percent of the unvaccinated cases of measles in the U.S. were unvaccinated due to personal belief exceptions." So even if one could trace the source to an illegal immigrant, the main source of the problem is a failure to get vaccinated in the first place. [...] Unlike Limbaugh, Brooks and Carson did not draw a direct link between illegal immigration and the measles outbreak; they merely suggested it is a possibility. But it’s a tricky balance, given that thus far the CDC has not traced this most recent outbreak — or previous ones — to illegal immigration. One cannot have 100 percent certainty in life, and so that always leaves open the possibility of a link. | refutes |
The pandemic was planned; respiratory illness surge in New York and China isn’t airborne but due to chlorine and benzene in food and water | Respiratory viruses like the flu, RSV, the common cold, and SARS-CoV-2 tend to circulate more widely in winter, resulting in more respiratory illnesses in winter months. Chlorine-containing compounds are common antimicrobial agents used in the food industry to kill harmful bacteria and improve the safety of food products. Benzene can occur as a result of naturally-occurring compounds in soft drinks and beverages. Regulatory agencies in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia have found that benzene levels in soft drinks and beverages are generally well within safe limits. | insufficient-neutral |
Sudha Murty was helped by a lecturer named Usha Bhattacharya when she was travelling without ticket On train from Bombay to Bangalore in her childhood.... | A viral forward claiming to be the life story of Infosys chairperson Sudha Murty is being widely shared online. It is claimed that a stranger named Mrs. Usha Bhattacharya paid for the train ticket of a runaway girl named Chitra while travelling from Bombay to Bangalore and took the girl to an NGO so she could be taken care of. It goes on to state that the little girl grew up to be the Infosys chairperson Sudha Murty and wife of co-founder of Infosys, Narayana Murthy. [...] Newschecker also found a video on the popular YouTube channel BeerBiceps in which Sudha Murty recollects her childhood. In the video, Sudha Murty can be heard thanking her parents and teachers for all their support, and also describes her growing up years in Karnataka. She also describes her engineering education in Karnataka, where she was the only woman in her batch. She does not mention any stint in Bombay or about relocating to Delhi, proving that the story is not autobiographical. | refutes |
Pam Ayres wrote the poem "Let’s All Drink To Lockdown" about the coronavirus pandemic | An Evening with Poet Jan Beaumont Jan Beaumont was our guest speaker at our recent dinner meeting. Jan is the author of "Let’s All Drink to Lockdown" the poem that went viral around the world. Her fame with this poem spread such that she has undertaken interviews with the BBC, Australian and NZ radio networks. The poem was at some point wrongly attributed to well known funny English poet Pam Ayres. Jan was very philosophical about the mistake explaining that her main motivation in writing poetry is to make people smile. She has now added to the original poem and written and published over 300 all of which focus on the day-to-day activities in our lives. She shared her life experience and some of the poems in her presentation. She also bought some of her books along which members were keen to purchase. | refutes |
Masks do nothing to prevent the spread of pathogens | Face masks are safe to use and are not associated with oxygen deficiency. Although more research is needed to better establish the efficacy of face masks in reducing disease transmission and the mechanisms behind their efficacy, a growing evidence base indicates that face masks have a beneficial effect in reducing the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19. However, masks do not provide 100% protection and must also be combined with other transmission control measures such as physical distancing and good hand hygiene. | insufficient-refutes |
David Gareja monastery complex is a territory of Georgia | David Gareja is a rock-hewn Georgian Orthodox monastery complex located in Kakheti region on the half-desert slopes of Mount Gareja, approximately 60–70 km southeast of Tbilisi. The complex includes cells, churches, chapels, refectories and living quarters hollowed out of the rock face, but visitors usually visit two spot: Lavra and, on the hill above it, Udabno, which has beautiful frescoes. [...] The complex was founded in the VI century by St. David Garjeli, one of the thirteen Assyrian monks who arrived in the country at the same time. Despite the harsh environment, the monastery remained an important center of religious and cultural activity for many centuries; at certain periods, the monasteries owned extensive agricultural lands and many villages. The renaissance of fresco painting chronologically coincides with the general development of life in the David Gareja monastery. From the late XI to the early XIII centuries, the economic and cultural development of David Gareja reached a peak, reflecting the general prosperity of the medieval Kingdom of Georgia. The monastery complex was destroyed by the Mongols in 1265, revived in the XIV century by Giorgi V the Brilliant, and then destroyed on Easter night 1615 when Shah Abbas’ soldiers killed 6000 monks and damaged many of the artistic treasures kept there. The monastery never regained its former importance, though it remains active even today, attracting visitors with its unique atmosphere. | supports |
Yalu River is a territory of North Korea | An international waterway and a major source of hydroelectric power, the Yalu River forms the boundary between North Korea and the Northeast Region (Manchuria) of China. The river is 491 miles (790 kilometers) long. It begins atop Baitou Mountain at a height of 9,000 feet (2,750 meters) above sea level, winds southward to Hyesan, North Korea, changes course to the northwest for 80 miles (130 kilometers), and then turns to flow southwestward for 200 miles (320 kilometers) to empty into Korea Bay off the Yellow Sea. Its main tributaries are the Herchun and Changjin rivers. The largest hydroelectric plant in eastern Asia is situated on the Yalu at Sup’ung-nodongjagu, North Korea. Although the river’s volume can generate 4,200,000 kilowatts of electricity, the 133-square-mile (344-square-kilometer) reservoir has a potential of 7,000,000 kilowatts. Both North Korea and China rely on the electricity it supplies for their industries and railways. [...] The Yalu is both a political boundary and a cultural dividing line. Only Koreans inhabit the southeastern side, and only Chinese live on the northwestern banks. Because of its economic value and strategic location, the river played a major political role in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. | insufficient-refutes |
More people have travelled in airplanes than in AC trains for the first time | - India is now the third largest aviation market - Passenger traffic growth is in the range of 18-20% over the past three years - More people have travelled in airplanes than in AC trains for the first time - Domestic air passengers crossed 100 million in 2017 - A National Civil Aviation Policy was unveiled in 2016 [...] To verify the claim about the number of people travelling by air being greater than those travelling by AC train, the passenger data provided in the annual reports of the DGCA were compared with data provided in the statistical statements of the Indian Railways. The Indian Railways publishes an annual document titled ‘Statistical Statements’ that gives a breakup of the number of passengers that were carried in that year by the class in which they travelled. This data was aggregated to find the number of people who travelled by AC class in trains between 2012-13 and 2016-17. Total passenger traffic of the AC class is calculated by including the traffic in AC First Class, AC Sleeper Class, AC 3 Tier & AC Chair Car. Total passenger traffic of Airlines is calculated by including both domestic & international passenger traffic. Claim Check: We find that for the first time in 2016-17, unlike the previous years, the number of people who travelled by Airplane is higher than those who travelled in all AC class of trains. Thus, the 3rd claim is also TRUE. | supports |
Qasr is a territory of Lebanon | Qasr lacks a sewage network. There are efforts to establish one connected to the treatment plant planned for the city of Hermel in the land between the two areas. Muhammad Jaafar, a Qasr-Sahlat al-Moi resident, says that Qasr belongs to the Lebanese state "in identity only" as "deprivation envelops everything". The "medical sector" in the town, which is located 12 kilometers away from Hermel and 160 kilometers away from Beirut, consists only of "a modest Ministry of Social Affairs clinic that you could call pro forma" and another clinic belonging to Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization. Anyone who needs a small wound stitched must head to Hermel, says Jaafar: "There is no clinic for an on-call doctor in Qasr." [...] Recently, Lebanese were reintroduced to Qasr via the talk about smuggling to Syria, as though it were a new phenomenon. In reality, smuggling has been one of the most important sources of income in the area since the two countries separated. Qasr is one of the areas along the border line extending from Dabousieh and Arida in North Lebanon to Deir el-Aachayer in western Beqaa, passing through Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali, Mushrifah, Aarsal, Ham, Maarboun, Masnaa, and other areas. In these areas, border commerce – as their people prefer to call smuggling – has been active ever since the Sykes–-Picot Agreement drew the current border between the two countries. | insufficient-contradictory |
Babies under six months shouldn’t drink water as it can result in health risks | FULL CLAIM: Giving water to babies under six months can result in health risks including water intoxication, electrolyte imbalance, reduced nutrient intake, water contamination, and hyponatremia A Facebook reel posted on 13 June 2024 claimed that giving water to babies under the age of six months can result in health risks, including reduced nutrient intake and infections from contaminated water. It also noted that "too much water can cause low sodium levels, leading to brain swelling, seizures, and even death". [...] Infants’ delicate physiology and developing systems aren’t equipped to handle consuming water. Breast milk and formula fulfill all of a baby’s nutritional needs prior to the age of six months. | supports |
Houses being burnt due to election violence !! | Outbreaks of violence following Kenya's disputed general election in December, 2007, left many houses burnt. [...] The violence following the Kenyan election on December 27 has shocked many. The country is still reeling from outbursts that have seen houses being burnt and looted, thousands of people displaced and over 600 deaths. | supports |
Biden said that 21 million Americans are covered through the Affordable Care Act, an increase of 9 million since he took office. | These statistics are accurate, according to spokespeople for the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. | supports |
"Tim Walz signed into law driver's licenses for illegal immigrants in Minnesota." | Gov. Walz signs bill granting driver's licenses to unauthorized immigrants in Minnesota [...] Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill into law at the Minnesota National Guard Armory in St. Paul on Tuesday that will allow unauthorized immigrants to obtain driver's licenses. [...] Minnesota joins 18 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico where residents can access driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. In Minnesota licenses can be used for driving and identification purposes. The new law will allow previously unlicensed drivers to become insured, and studies have shown licenses improve road safety. | supports |
Babies under six months shouldn’t drink water as it can result in health risks | Fact check: Giving water to babies is unsafe before 6 months, can lead to brain damage, death [...] "BABIES CANT HAVE WATER BEFORE 6 MONTHS," reads the post. "Please educate yourself before you harm your baby. Water dilutes the sodium levels in babies and can cause seizures, coma, brain damage or death." [...] Pediatricians told USA TODAY giving water to babies under 6 months old can be hazardous to their health because their kidneys can't process much water. They recommended the exclusive use of breast milk or formula for the first six months. | supports |
Michelle Obama called country music "intellectually devoid" and "music for morons." | In Milwaukee, Michelle Obama said: [...] Asked the day after the Wisconsin primary, which her husband won, if she wanted to clarify her remarks, Obama said: [...] Fox News, "Michelle Obama Takes Heat for Saying She’s Proud of My Country for the First Time," Feb. 19, 2008 | insufficient-neutral |
Fuddruckers is “closing ALL locations.” | Hamburger chain Fuddruckers has denied rumors that it is closing all its locations. [...] Another news post by The U.S. Sun revealed that social media buzzed on May 23, 2024, with the phrase "Fuddruckers closing all locations." The uproar originated from a now-removed TikTok post asserting Fuddruckers' complete closure in 2024. The video also claimed similar fates for chains like Pizza Hut and Applebee's. With over 50 locations spanning the US, Mexico, and Canada, Fuddruckers' purported shutdown garnered attention. However, it's important to note that while Fuddruckers isn't shuttering all outlets, it has indeed closed some in the past year. | refutes |
The Associated Press reported “prosecutors are reconsidering bringing charges against former President Donald J. Trump on child rape and molestation charges.” | The Associated Press didn’t report this. | refutes |
SJB and JVP to make an interim government under the premiership of Karu Jayasuriya | According to our investigation, we were able to find out that the viral messages of a alleged meeting at President House with SJB and JVP where an agreement was made for both parties to form a collation government under the premiership of former speaker Karu Jayasuriya is misleading. | refutes |
Maggi Noodles in Unhealthy !! | High salt content in Maggi is unhealthy. High salt consumption causes hypertension and heart disease. Eating high-sodium meals consistently is thought to raise the risk of major health problems. Salt usage is unhealthy, as shown by Maggi sodium criticism. While vital, too much sodium may disturb the body's delicate equilibrium. Hypertension and excessive sodium levels are connected. Hypertension uncontrolled may cause stroke and heart disease. Thus, Maggi's salt content is a health problem, not simply a taste one. Moderation is necessary since high-sodium foods like Maggi increase cardiovascular risk. Salt's health effects stress the necessity of nutrition. Maggi's convenience and taste make it popular, but watch salt consumption. A balanced diet and avoiding sodium-related health risks need this knowledge. [...] Maggi may replace healthier meals because to its convenience of preparation. This may lead to unhealthy eating habits because individuals overlook a balanced diet. Maggi appeals to fast-food eaters because to its ease of preparation. Maggi's convenience may make consumers rely on instant noodles for their primary meal. Maggi may substitute healthier meals due of its ease. Frequently replacing Maggi with healthier meals may cause bad eating habits. Instant noodles may fulfill cravings and time constraints but lack health benefits. Too much Maggi may deplete vitamins, minerals, and proteins, causing a nutritional imbalance. | supports |
Macau is a territory of People's Republic of China | Macau is a special administrative region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. It was leased to Portugal in 1557 as a trading post in exchange for a symbolic annual rent of 500 tael. Despite remaining under Chinese sovereignty and authority, the Portuguese came to consider and administer Macau as a de facto colony. Following the signing of the Treaty of Nanking between China and Britain in 1842, and the signing of treaties between China and foreign powers during the 1860s, establishing the benefit of "the most favoured nation" for them, the Portuguese attempted to conclude a similar treaty in 1862, but the Chinese refused, owing to a misunderstanding over the sovereignty of Macau. In 1887 the Portuguese finally managed to secure an agreement from China that Macau was Portuguese territory.[1] In 1999 it was handed over to China. Macau was the last extant European territory in continental Asia. [...] Historical records show that Macao has been Chinese territory since long ago. When Qinshihuang (the first emperor of the Qin dynasty) unified China in 221 BC, Macao came under the jurisdiction of Panyu County, Nanhai Prefecture. Administratively, it was part of Dongguan Prefecture in the Jin dynasty (AD 266–420), then Nanhai County during the Sui dynasty (AD 581–618), and Dongguan County in the Tang dynasty (AD 618–907). In 1152, during the Southern Song dynasty, the Guangdong administration joined the coastal areas of Nanhai, Panyu, Xinhui and Dongguan Counties to establish Xiangshan County, thus bringing Macao under its jurisdiction. | supports |
Blank COVID-19 vaccine safety inserts show there are no safety and effectiveness studies for these vaccines | A Facebook reel posted on 3 August 2023 showed a person speaking to a CVS pharmacist, asking for COVID-19 vaccine inserts. Upon finding a blank sheet of paper except for text indicating the paper was left "intentionally blank", the person asked "How is it informed consent when all of the […] placebo safety studies are not listed from their manufacturer?" and claimed that it showed people "don’t know what we’re injecting into ourselves". [...] Inaccurate to claim there’s no safety and effectiveness studies on COVID-19 vaccines [...] Earlier fact-checks by Reuters and AFP reported that blank COVID-19 vaccine inserts aren’t evidence that there aren’t any safety or effectiveness studies about the vaccines. FDA spokesperson Alison Hunt told AFP that information for approved vaccines is provided in package inserts. But in the case of the authorized vaccines, the information was communicated via patient Fact Sheets that were posted on the FDA website. | refutes |
Wearing Masks Will Increase Mortality !! | Data synthesis DerSimonian Laird random effects meta-analysis was performed to investigate the effect of mask wearing, handwashing, and physical distancing measures on incidence of covid-19. Pooled effect estimates with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed, and heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and the I2 metrics, with two tailed P values. [...] Mask wearing and covid-19 incidence—Six studies with a total of 2627 people with covid-19 and 389 228 participants were included in the analysis examining the effect of mask wearing on incidence of covid-19 (table 1).364357606366 Overall pooled analysis showed a 53% reduction in covid-19 incidence (0.47, 0.29 to 0.75), although heterogeneity between studies was substantial (I2=84%) (fig 5). Risk of bias across the six studies ranged from moderate36576066 to serious or critical4363 (fig 2). Mask wearing and transmission of SARS-CoV-2, covid-19 incidence, and covid-19 mortality—The results of additional studies that assessed mask wearing (not included in the meta-analysis because of substantial differences in the assessed outcomes) indicate a reduction in covid-19 incidence, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and covid-19 mortality. Specifically, a natural experiment across 200 countries showed 45.7% fewer covid-19 related mortality in countries where mask wearing was mandatory (table 1).49 Another natural experiment study in the US reported a 29% reduction in SARS-CoV-2 transmission (measured as the time varying reproductive number Rt) (risk ratio 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.58 to 0.75) in states where mask wearing was mandatory.58 | refutes |
Waiting periods for gun purchases may not make a difference, because "If somebody's decided that they're gonna take their life, they're gonna take their life." | "I don’t know that that saves anything," Wanggaard said of the waiting period. "If somebody’s decided that they’re going to take their life, they’re going to take their life." [...] When asked whether Wisconsin should reinstate the 48-hour waiting period for handgun purchases, Wanggaard said no because he doesn’t know "that that saves anything," and "if somebody’s decided that they’re going to take their life, they’re going to take their life." [...] PolitiFact Wisconsin, "No statistical evidence that a waiting period for handgun purchases reduces violence, lawmaker says," April 27, 2015 | insufficient-neutral |
Says gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch “worked with Scott Walker to sign five abortion restrictions into law that took away services and threatened doctors with prison time for providing safe and legal abortions.” | Former Gov. Scott Walker signed a number of abortion restrictions while in office that former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, now running for governor, supported. They include a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, limits on medication abortions, prohibiting the procedure from being covered through the health care exchange, requiring providers to have hospital admitting privileges and preventing providers from getting money from state family planning grants. The abortion ban after 20 weeks carried with it a punishment of up to 3.5 years in prison for a provider who performed the procedure after that timeframe. Although Walker, not Kleefisch, pushed these restrictions through, she has long been a pro-life candidate, and pro-life groups gave her credit for some of them. | insufficient-supports |
Karnataka football team made to wait outside CM Siddiramaiah’s residence and made to sit outside for 3 hours | Karnataka Congress leaders eye chief minister's post if Siddaramaiah vacates seat In Karnataka, amid rumours that CM Siddaramiah may resign and the Chief Minister post may become vacant, Congress leaders are lining up for the post. | insufficient-neutral |
Semliki River is a territory of Uganda | Also referred to as Semuliki, River Semliki is the main River on the border of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and is about 140 kilometers (87 miles) long. With its source in Lake Edward (in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the Uganda-DRC border) and mouth in Lake Albert, River Semliki flows northwards within the Albertine Rift, west of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Along the lower banks of this River, it forms part of the International border between Bundibugyo District in western Uganda, near Semliki Forest National Park and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This river powers its waters into Lake Albert, west of the border in Orientale Province of Congo. [...] After leaving Virunga, River Semliki flows underneath another road connecting the Democratic Republic of Congo settlement of Oicha, through several settlements within the Semliki Valley, lying west of the Uganda-DRC border as well as Bundibugyo district (in Uganda) and along the western border of Semliki Forest National Park in Uganda. After leaving Semliki National Park, it nears the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve before flowing west of the International border and also entering the southern end of Lake Albert at the spot southeast of Bunia (in DRC). [...] The Semliki River and Forest is inhabited by the Bakonzo and Bamba people who are mainly cultivators and the Batuku who are generally pastoralists as well as some Batwa pygmies who mainly survive on the waters of the meandering river. All these tribes have interesting cultures and customs that can be enjoyed during Uganda safaris. | insufficient-neutral |
“99.2% of U.S. COVID deaths in June were unvaccinated people” | COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have proved highly effective at preventing severe disease and death in vaccinated individuals. Over 95% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths from the past few months occurred among unvaccinated people and could have been avoided by vaccination. | insufficient-supports |
ADHD is a fake disease invented by Big Pharma to drug children for profit | The article in question, published by www.worldpublicopinion.org, claims that the ‘inventor’ of ADHD, Dr Leon Eisenberg, made a ‘deathbed confession’ that ‘ADHD is a prime example of a fictitious disease.’ [...] ‘The alarmed critics of the Ritalin disaster are now getting support from an entirely different side. The German weekly Der Spiegel quoted in its cover story on 2 February 2012 the US American psychiatrist Leon Eisenberg, born in 1922 as the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, who was the "scientific father of ADHD" and who said at the age of 87, seven months before his death in his last interview: "ADHD is a prime example of a fictitious disease." Since 1968, however, some 40 years, Leon Eisenberg’s "disease" haunted the diagnostic and statistical manuals, first as "hyperkinetic reaction of childhood", now called "ADHD". The use of ADHD medications in Germany rose in only eighteen years from 34 kg (in 1993) to a record of no less than 1760 kg (in 2011) – which is a 51-fold increase in sales! In the United States every tenth boy among ten year-olds already swallows an ADHD medication on a daily basis. With an increasing tendency.’ | insufficient-contradictory |
Heixiazi is a territory of Russia | Heixiazi Island is located next to the Russian city of Khabarovsk, and covers an area about 327 to 350 km², which is about one-third the size of Hong Kong. It is situated at the mouth of the Ussuri and Amur rivers, and bounded closely by Yinlong Island (Tarabarov Island), Mingyue Island and 93 islets (Wen Wei Pao, March 10). [...] Liu said that what China intends to do with the island after it is under the PRC’s jurisdiction is something that Beijing is carefully considering, however, China will not heavily garrison the island, nor will either side make any significant arrangements without due considerations for the other party. Liu’s comments were meant to dispel unconfirmed reports that surfaced last year that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is planning to fortify the area (China Review News, April 13, 2007). There were also reports that China is planning to turn the area into a port for border trade, and there may be a need for border patrols. Feasibility studies to turn the area into a free trade zone were reportedly complete, and Singapore was invited to participate to offer technical advice and development of the area (China Review News, April 13, 2007). Currently, the planning and development of Heixiazi Island is the responsibility of the Jiamusi city government in Heilongjiang province. Liu revealed that China and Russia are currently finalizing mapping and survey data information, and the borders will be officially set up by the end of the year. | insufficient-supports |
30,000 rupees is provided towards tuition fee and 20,000 as contingency allowance. | Saksham Scholarship Scheme for economically weaker differently abled students to pursue technical education Saksham Scholarship Scheme was launched in 2014-15, with the objective of encouraging economically weaker differently abled students to pursue technical education at Diploma and Degree levels. Scholarship amount of Rs. 30,000 is provided towards tuition fee reimbursement and Rs. 20000 as contingency allowance. Under the scheme, 1000 scholarships per annum are available. Number of application received from eligible candidates under the scheme every year, remained low despite wide publicity. Year-wise details of applications received are given in the table below: A committee of experts was set up, to suggest measures for improving the performance of the scheme. The committee recommended that a provision be made under the scheme to support differently abled student for purchase of Aids and Assistive Devices, in cases where tuition fee was either exempted or less than Rs.30,000/- | supports |
Doctors are ‘injecting poison’ into babies every two months. | Vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety, and common side effects, such as soreness, are signs of the body developing protective immunity. Childhood vaccination has saved hundreds of thousands of lives, and lower uptake can lead to disease outbreaks. Toxic chemicals, such as mercury, aluminum, and formaldehyde, are either in a safe form, found in only trace quantities that are safe, or have been removed entirely. | insufficient-refutes |
Qasr is a territory of Lebanon | It is a different story however when it comes to the neighboring border town of Al Qasr. Due to the interlaced geography of the area, Al Qasr happens to be situated on both Lebanese and Syria territories, and that is the root of the ongoing friction between the residents of this town and the 11th division of the Syrian Arab army. [...] The local residents of Al Qasr are becoming more vocal in their opposition to the new measures and are threatening to take things further. [...] Says 42 year old Mahdi Jaafar (a pseudonym), a lifelong inhabitant of Al Qasr and a Hezbollah supporter and fighter. "We have spilled our blood and given the lives of our children to fight terrorism. Our martyrs are hundreds of times more than what the Russians have lost, and if they think they can besiege us in this manner, they are mistaken." | insufficient-neutral |
Disinvestment crossed target of 72,500 crore rupees. | The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal. In this infographic, the government makes four claims about the reforms and setting up of institutions in the economy. This article is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
Hindus who wish to express their support for the Uniform Civil Code should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023 | Update (08 July 2023): The Law Commission of India has also issued a disclaimer notice stating that certain phone numbers circulating on social media, which are erroneously linked to the Uniform Civil Code, are not associated with them. Individuals can express their views on the Uniform Civil Code by visiting the website of the Department of Legal Affairs or by sending an email to the Law Commission of India. In light of PM Modi’s recent remarks strongly advocating for the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and criticizing opposition parties for allegedly inciting minority communities against it, a post is circulating widely on social media platforms claiming that Hindus who wish to express their support for the UCC should give a missed call to ‘9090902024’ before 06 July 2023. Let’s verify the accuracy of this claim. [...] Fact: The Government of India has not launched any missed call initiative for expressing support or opposition to the Uniform Civil Code. Individuals can share their views on the UCC on website of Department of Legal Affairs or by sending e-mail to Law Commission of India. Moreover, the number ‘9090902024’ is linked to a BJP campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls, where users can give a missed call to show support for the nine years of the Modi Government. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
Chiefs' Coach Andy Reid "fires 3 top players for anthem kneeling." | Chiefs’ Coach Andy Reid Draws Line, Fires 3 Top Players For Anthem Kneeling: "Stand for the Game, Not Against the Anthem" Travis Kelce Andy Reid Coach Kneeling In a move that reverberated through the sports world and beyond, Kansas City Chiefs’ Head Coach Andy Reid made headlines last week when he dismissed three of his top players from the team for kneeling during the national anthem. This decision, encapsulated in Reid’s stern declaration "Not on my field," has ignited a firestorm of debate, drawing attention to the ongoing struggle between sports, politics, and personal beliefs. | supports |
Poppers are the cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma | AIDS-related illnesses, like tuberculosis and Kaposi’s sarcoma, are the main causes of death among people living with HIV with inadequate access to HIV care. Early in the HIV epidemic, it was proposed that poppers were linked to cases of Kaposi’s sarcoma in people with AIDS. However, research has debunked this hypothesis, showing that Kaposi’s sarcoma develops in people who are HIV-positive irrespective of poppers use and heavy poppers use isn’t linked to an increased risk of developing Kaposi’s sarcoma. In reality, Kaposi’s sarcoma is an opportunistic cancer that appears in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with advanced AIDS. | refutes |
Congress Party is celebrating after China blocked India’s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council. | A post containing few pics of Congress top leaders and party men in jubilant mood are being circulated on Facebook. The post contained the narration that Congress Party is celebrating China‘s blockade of India‘s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post. [...] The third image corresponds to the Congressmen celebrations for their victory in 2018 State Elections.An article with the image can be found in ‘GULF NEWS INDIA‘ dated on December 11,2018. Finally, pictures in the post are old images which correspond to the Congress party‘s celebrations after its victory on various occasions. | refutes |
“There is a huge boom in cancer, especially in female breast cancer in the younger ages of 45 and below.” | "Something’s going on here … ’22 and ’23, there is a huge boom in cancer, especially in female breast cancer in younger ages of 45 and down below," states TikTok user James Bishop, a self-proclaimed "numbers guy" who identifies himself as a husband, father, musician, retired firefighter, paramedic and educator. But Bishop is wrong. The supposed "boom" in breast cancer is based on a comparison between projected case numbers in women under 45 a few years ago to later projected estimates for all women or those under 50. [...] For 2019 through 2021, Bishop correctly says that ACS projected about 26,500 new cases of breast cancer each year for women under 45. But for 2022, he misleadingly gives a projection — 47,550 — for women under 50. He does not make it clear that this number reflects a wider age range, instead claiming that the cases are "double." | refutes |
Study in Italy shows nearly 1 in 3 COVID vaccine recipients have neurological side effects, indicating an “unacceptable” safety profile | Study in Italy didn’t show COVID-19 vaccines have an "unacceptable" safety profile, contrary to claim by Peter McCullough [...] In late October 2023, a claim that a study found "nearly 1 in 3 COVID-19 vaccine recipients suffered neurological side effects" made the rounds on the Internet. The claim originates from an Epoch Times article, which is in turn based on a Substack article by cardiologist Peter McCullough. McCullough has figured prominently in the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. The Epoch Times posted the same claim on Instagram, receiving more than 11,000 likes. In his Substack article, McCullough cited a study by researchers in Italy, which surveyed vaccinated people to measure the number of neurological adverse events occurring after COVID-19 vaccination. He claimed the study showed "a shocking 31.2% of respondents to this large dataset sustained neurologic injury after two injections with verified data in health registries" and called the safety profile of the COVID-19 vaccines "unacceptable". | insufficient-refutes |
Says Donald Trump said “good” during the final presidential debate in reference to families being separated at the border. | More in this seriesThroughout the spring of 2018, as the number of family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border exploded, President Donald Trump's administration insisted that the government took thousands of kids from their parents because the families had committed a federal crime. [...] Spokesmen for ICE and Customs and Border Protection declined to comment, citing pending litigation. But the court documents in a case called Ms. L vs. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) show that this happened to dozens of others. The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union in February, mentions at least 40 other examples of families who were separated at the border, even though they weren't prosecuted for crossing illegally. Ms. L and her young daughter presented themselves to border agents at a bridge between Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego last year and were separated anyway. [...] In past statements, the government has claimed it would only separate families at ports of entry if it's not sure of the familial relationship, or is worried about issues like child abuse. | insufficient-neutral |
Claims Steve Harvey made a long statement calling President Donald Trump "the only guy who seems to understand what the people want." | No credible sources link this statement to Harvey. The statement originally came from an anonymous letter published on a conservative website. | refutes |
North Borneo is a territory of Malaysia | North Borneo (usually known as British North Borneo, also known as the State of North Borneo)[2] was a British protectorate in the northern part of the island of Borneo, (present-day Sabah). The territory of North Borneo was originally established by concessions of the Sultanates of Brunei and Sulu in 1877 and 1878 to a German-born representative of Austria-Hungary, businessman and diplomat, Gustav Overbeck. [...] History [edit]Foundation and early years [edit]North Borneo was founded in 1877–1878 through a series of land concessions in northern Borneo from the Sultanate of Brunei and Sulu to an Austrian-German businessman and diplomat, Gustav Overbeck.[3][4][5] A former American Trading Company of Borneo territory on the western coast of northern Borneo had already passed to Overbeck,[6] requiring him to go to Brunei to renew the concession of the land he bought from Joseph William Torrey.[7][8][9] William Clark Cowie played an important role as a close friend of the Sultanate of Sulu in helping Overbeck to buy additional land on the eastern coast of Borneo.[10][11][12] Meanwhile, the Sultanate of Bulungan's influence also reached Tawau on the south-eastern coast,[13] but came under the influence of the more powerful Sultanate of Sulu.[14] [...] I. The State of North Borneo comprises the territories specified in the said Royal Charter, and such other territories as the Company have acquired, or may hereafter acquire, ‘under the provisions of Article XV of the said Charter. | insufficient-refutes |
Business rates on Main Street in Larne are the same as Regent Street in London. | Business rates are charged on all commercial buildings in the same way as council tax is charged for a home. However, the rates are calculated through the value and rent of the properties in 2008. | insufficient-neutral |
Claims that Thomas Jefferson said, "Do you want to know who you are? Act! Action will delineate and define you!" | Accessibility in the News- Knowledge is Power "Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Action will delineate and define you.." ― Thomas Jefferson | insufficient-neutral |
India with 5288 tops the list of countries with most universities | Over 31,000 universities exist around the WorldWorld, each with a distinct personality that may impress anyone. India’s Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is the World’sWorld’s largest university with 3.5 million students enrolled. Countries with the educational institutions on the lists provide tertiary, quaternary, and postsecondary education to students all around the WorldWorld. India has the most number of universities in the World. According to data from July 2021, India had 5,288 universities. Due to its vast population, the country has many universities. However, India is ranked 24th in the WorldWorld regarding educational system strength. [...] Rajasthan, with 85 institutions, is the state with the most universities, and it also has the most private universities, with 52. The state with the most recognized universities (28) and most state universities (35) is Tamil Nadu. Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is a popular destination for overseas students in India. | supports |
Los Monjes Archipelago is a territory of Colombia | Los Monjes Archipelago (Archipiélago Los Monjes): The Los Monjes Archipelago is a series of 24 rocky islets located north of the Gulf of Venezuela. It is notable for its ecological importance and marine biodiversity. Los Hermanos Archipelago (Archipiélago Los Hermanos): Los Hermanos Archipelago comprises a chain of eight rocky, barren islets off the northern coast of Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea, part of the Lesser Antilles. [...] Los Frailes Archipelago (Archipiélago Los Frailes): The Los Frailes Archipelago is a group of ten islands located about 250 km (155 mi) north of the coast of Venezuela. The islands are uninhabited and are a protected area for seabirds. | insufficient-neutral |
purports the Department of Defense pays for troops' abortions | After the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization landed last year, ending the federal right to an abortion, the Biden administration issued new rules to assist service members and military dependents who had to travel across state lines for abortion services. However, House members voted 221-213 Thursday night to pass an amendment eliminating these abortion provisions from the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense spending bill. It was part of a hotly contested debate over the bill, which ultimately passed Friday along partisan lines, 219 to 210. The amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, prohibits the Defense Department from paying or reimbursing expenses related to abortion services. Jackson argued that the Biden administration’s move to pay for service members’ out-of-state travel expenses related to abortion care was a violation of federal law that restricts the department from funding abortions. | refutes |
“Texas ranks 3rd highest among states for the number of people who have recovered from” the coronavirus. | Looking just at the cumulative recovery statistics from the available states — 14 states have not published current data on recoveries — Texas ranks third. But it is important to note that there are many different definitions of what constitutes a recovery. For example, the Texas figure is an estimate based on hospitalizations and recovery times. Given the size of Texas' population, it makes sense to compare recovery statistics as a rate, as opposed to looking at the cumulative recoveries. Looking at the percentage of recoveries per positive coronavirus test, Texas ranks 16th among the states that have published data. | insufficient-supports |
Each of these ingredients [thimerosal, ovalbumin, formaldehyde, sodium deoxycholate] is a known neurotoxin | This article published in Health Nut News, shared more than 120,000 times, was originally published on the website Complete Health and Happiness. The article discusses the purported dangers of ingredients in the flu vaccine. It claims that the flu vaccine contains several "contaminants", specifically thimerosal, ovalbumin, formaldehyde and sodium deoxycholate, which it labels as known neurotoxins. [...] The other ingredients mentioned in this article, ovalbumin and sodium deoxycholate, are also not known neurotoxins. Ovalbumin is the main protein found in egg white, which is consumed daily by many people in much greater quantities than is found in the flu vaccine, without any ill effects. It can, in rare cases, trigger an allergic reaction, not unlike other food allergies (e.g. peanuts, shellfish). Sodium deoxycholate is a bile salt and a form of deoxycholic acid, which has been used in cosmetic surgery in an injectable form, and at higher levels than in the flu vaccine, to reduce subcutaneous fat. Neurotoxicity is not a known side effect of such treatment. | refutes |
Payment of wages to workers within 15 days in 85% of the cases as compared to long delays in the past. | The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal making two claims relating to timely payments & women participation in the MGNREGS. This article is a fact check of these claims. | insufficient-neutral |
Pulam Sumda is a territory of India | Pulam Sumda is a small hilly village which lies in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India. Pulam Sumda is a part of Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, India, and claimed by Zanda County, Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, China.[1] The Jadh Ganga, an important tributary of the Bhagirathi River, flows through this place. Some of the nearby villages are Jadhang, Sang and Nelang, which all lie in the valley of the Jadh Ganga.[2][3] See Geography of Dhumku, Nelang, Pulam Sumda, Sumla and Mana Pass area and Geography of Mana. | supports |
Bird flu in the U.S. is a "scamdemic" timed to coincide with the 2024 presidential elections “by design.” | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Highlights in the History of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Timeline – 2020-2024," April 4, 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "H5N1 Bird Flu Detections across the United States (Backyard and Commercial)," April 10, 2024 [...] The Associated Press, "What to know about the latest bird flu outbreak in the US," April 3, 2024 | insufficient-neutral |
Aves Island is a territory of Venezuela | Isla de Aves ([ˈisla ðe ˈaβes]; Spanish for "Island of Birds" or "Birds Island"), or Aves Island, is a Federal Dependency of Venezuela. It has been the subject of numerous territorial disputes (now resolved) with the United States (through the Guano Islands Act of 1856), neighbouring independent islands such as Dominica, and European states controlling their nearby dependent islands, such as the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. [...] Isla de Aves was included in Venezuela's territorial reorganization done by President Joaquín Crespo in 1895. By 1905, Isla de Aves was a municipality called "Municipio Oriental" part of Colón Federal Territory. | refutes |
Pfizer admits that vaccinated people can shed the vaccine on unvaccinated people | Misrepresents source: The section on "Occupational Exposure" in the Pfizer trial protocol isn’t unique to the COVID-19 vaccine. It deals with unintended exposure to the vaccine, for example if a vial of vaccine broke and spilled onto a vaccinated person who then came into contact with others. It doesn’t constitute an admission that vaccinated people "shed" the vaccine. FULL CLAIM: "Pfizer admitted you can shed the vaccine from one vaccinated to an unvaccinated" [...] Another iteration of this claim seized on the clinical protocol for the Pfizer clinical trials to claim that Pfizer admitted that "shedding" from the vaccine occurs, as seen in this video of the Alex Jones Show from 2021 which was later reposted to Facebook in March 2023. The claim was made by podcaster and former Fox News host Kate Dalley. | refutes |
Chiefs' Coach Andy Reid "fires 3 top players for anthem kneeling." | The ritual of players taking a knee during the national anthem has been a symbol of peaceful protest against racial injustice, with athletes using their platform to amplify social issues. However, Coach Andy Reid’s recent decision to terminate three top players over this act has brought a new dimension to the ongoing discourse. [...] The abrupt termination of three top players sent shockwaves through the NFL community and beyond. Social media erupted with a mix of support and criticism for Coach Reid’s decision. The move raised questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the expectations placed on athletes in their professional capacities. [...] Coach Andy Reid’s bold move to fire three top players for anthem kneeling has stirred the waters of the NFL, emphasizing the ongoing tension between sports and activism. This incident will likely leave a lasting impact on the league’s approach to issues of expression, solidarity, and the role of athletes in advocating for social change. As the dust settles, the NFL faces a critical juncture in defining its stand on matters beyond the gridiron. | supports |
Lough Foyle is a territory of United Kingdom | Disputed status [edit]Lough Foyle is a disputed territory between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom; after the Partition of Ireland in the early 1920s, each side claimed that it was in their own territory. Although this dispute is still ongoing, there are currently no negotiations as to its ownership. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) underlined its view on 2 June 2009 that all of Lough Foyle is in the United Kingdom, a spokesperson stating: 'The UK position is that the whole of Lough Foyle is within the UK. We recognise that the Irish Government does not accept this position...There are no negotiations currently in progress on this issue. The regulation of activities in the Lough is now the responsibility of the Loughs Agency, a cross-border body established under the Good Friday Agreement.'[9] In November 2016, James Brokenshire, MP, the UK's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, reiterated the UK's view that all of Lough Foyle is in the UK,[10] whilst Charles Flanagan, TD, the Republic of Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that the Republic of Ireland did not recognise Britain's claim to the entirety of Lough Foyle.[11] | insufficient-contradictory |
Harvard study finds that wind turbines create MORE global warming than the fossil fuels they eliminate | "Wind beats coal by any environmental measure, but that doesn’t mean that its impacts are negligible," said David Keith, the Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and senior author of the papers. "We must quickly transition away from fossil fuels to stop carbon emissions. In doing so, we must make choices between various low-carbon technologies, all of which have some social and environmental impacts." [...] To estimate the impacts of wind power, Keith and Miller established a baseline for the 2012‒2014 U.S. climate using a standard weather-forecasting model. Then, they covered one-third of the continental U.S. with enough wind turbines to meet present-day U.S. electricity demand. The researchers found this scenario would warm the surface temperature of the continental U.S. by 0.24 degrees Celsius, with the largest changes occurring at night when surface temperatures increased by up to 1.5 degrees. This warming is the result of wind turbines actively mixing the atmosphere near the ground and aloft while simultaneously extracting from the atmosphere’s motion. [...] The Harvard researchers found that the warming effect of wind turbines in the continental U.S. was actually larger than the effect of reduced emissions for the first century of its operation. This is because the warming effect is predominantly local to the wind farm, while greenhouse gas concentrations must be reduced globally before the benefits are realized. | insufficient-supports |
Claims Socrates said, "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers." | It appears that the widespread attribution to Socrates of the 'When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers' bit of wisdom only began after 2008, with the rise of quote-sharing via social media memes: 'When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.' -Socrates. [...] So as far as we can tell, the phrase "when the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser" emerged roughly around 2008 and appears to have no traceable history prior to that. Despite its popularity on social media, no one has ever found a single direct link to any material attributed to Socrates matching the quote. Its abrupt appearance and lack of historical support suggests that Socrates' signature was tacked to the commentary to give it an air of ancient wisdom. | refutes |
President Donald Trump's campaign claimed that 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was wrong to say that he was in Hong Kong right before the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. | Walz misleadingly claimed to have been in Hong Kong during Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing Multiple news reports indicate that Democratic vice presidential nominee Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz misleadingly claimed he was in Hong Kong during the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, part of a broader pattern of inaccuracies that Republicans hope to exploit. [...] Minnesota Public Radio reported Monday that publicly available accounts contradict a 2014 statement made by Walz, then a member of the U.S. House, during a hearing that commemorated the 25th anniversary of the massacre. Walz suggested that he was in the then-British colony of Hong Kong in May 1989, but he appears to have been in Nebraska. Public records suggest he left for Hong Kong and China in August of that year. | insufficient-supports |
Ireland’s two wealthiest people are worth more financially than the poorest 50% of the population. | Reputable information exists that supports this claim | insufficient-neutral |
The cost of social division to the public purse in NI ranges between £400m and £830m every year. | This estimate of costs comes from a major paper published by Ulster University. That 2016 report clearly outlines how it arrived at the £400m-£830m range of costs, including important points about its methodology. While it remains the most recent calculation of the cost to public services of NI’s divided society, the passage of time needs to be taken into account. | supports |
Brahmins hold a significant majority in high-level government positions | The names and job titles of officers employed in significant government offices like the Prime Minister’s Office, the President’s Office, and various ministries are publicly accessible. However, these disclosures do not provide information regarding their specific categories or classifications. Similar assertions have circulated for years, suggesting that these prominent offices are predominantly controlled by Muslims or Christians, while neglecting Hindus. Nevertheless, these claims lack substantiation and lack a verified source. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. | refutes |
purports 156 House Republicans voted to raise the retirement age for Social Security to 70 | President Biden has taken action to strengthen Medicare and protect Social Security – bedrock programs that Americans have paid into and that tens of millions of seniors depend on to support their livelihoods. Congressional Republicans, however, have a different record. For years, Republican Members of Congress have repeatedly tried to cut Medicare and Social Security, move toward privatizing one or both programs, and raise the Social Security retirement age and Medicare eligibility age. And just last week, House Republicans introduced legislation to repeal President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which would give tens of billions of dollars in subsidies back to Big Pharma, raise seniors’ prescription drug prices, and raise taxes on an estimated 14.5 million people – all while increasing the deficit. [...] - The Republican Study Committee – which includes a majority of House Republicans – released a formal budget that, according to Politico, included "raising the eligibility ages for each program, along with withholding payments for individuals who retire early or had a certain income, and privatized funding for Social Security to lower income taxes." - And in 2015, most House Republicans, including Speaker McCarthy, Rep. Scalise, and a host of others in current leadership, voted to raise the retirement age to 70, which would cut Social Security benefits for tens of millions of seniors who paid into the system for years. | insufficient-supports |
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