Claims that Winston Churchill once stated, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

What is one fact about yourself that might surprise people? [...] What is your favorite quote? I have two favorite quotes: "If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude."—Maya Angelou "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."—Winston Churchill


Summary: Winston Churchill's quote, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty," encapsulates the contrasting perspectives of pessimism and optimism. While a pessimist tends to focus on the problems and challenges that come with each opportunity, an optimist views those difficulties as potential stepping stones for growth and success. This distinction is significant as it directly impacts one's outlook on life, problem-solving abilities, and overall happiness.Introduction: Beyond the plain meaning of Churchill's quote lies a deeper philosophical concept called "the paradox of duality." This concept suggests that contrasting elements, such as light and dark, good and evil, or in this case, pessimism and optimism, are inextricably intertwined. Exploring this paradox through the lens of Churchill's quote allows us to delve into the complexities of human perception and the power of mindset in shaping our lives. Let us embark on this intellectual journey, reflecting on the importance of this quote and uncovering the deeper meaning within.Body: Pessimism, defined as a tendency to see the worst in every situation, often stems from fear and a focus on potential risks or failures.


The Daily Caller News Foundation found no record of Churchill ever saying or writing this expression.


until the 1960s, Indigenous Australians were classified as animals under the Flora and Fauna Act

"I know that until the 1967 referendum altered our constitution to include all Australians as enfranchised citizens, our first peoples were regulated by the Flora & Fauna Act." What I presume Pickering means is not just that the Flora and Fauna Act covered Indigenous people along with everyone else, or even that it mentioned them specially (say, to give them rights to hunt on the land), but that lawmakers classed Indigenous people as "fauna". [...] Minor update, January 2022: The Indigenous actor Shareena Clanton also made the flora and fauna claim on ABC TV’s Q&A, to Josh Frydenberg. "My mother was born in 1965 and she was not considered a human being until the referendum came through from the flora and fauna act in 1967." Nyunggai Warren Mundine pushed back.


- Until the mid-60s, Indigenous Australians came under the Flora and Fauna Act, which classified them as animals, not human beings. This also meant that killing an indigenous Australian meant you weren’t killing a human being, but an animal. "I was a child. It still staggers me that for the first 10 years of my life, I existed under the Flora and Fauna Act of NSW." Linda Burney MP - Forcibly removed from their parents under government policy. Children stolen from their families, creating the Stolen Generation.


Claims that William Shakespeare said, "All glory comes from daring to begin."

The statement appears nowhere in Shakespeare’s writing. It actually comes from writer and politician Eugene Ware‘s 1889 poem.


FACT CHECK: Did Shakespeare Say, ‘All Glory Comes From Daring To Begin’? An image shared on Facebook claims that playwright William Shakespeare said, "All glory comes from daring to begin." The statement appears nowhere in Shakespeare’s writing. It actually comes from writer and politician Eugene Ware‘s 1889 poem.


London Mayor said travel to minority House of worship are exempt from emissions-zone charge

The claim is inaccurate. There is no evidence that this statement was made.


purports Pope Francis said alcoholics, autistic and disabled people should be euthanized to 'fight climate change'

By Lisa Zengarini "Welcoming people with disabilities and responding to their needs is a duty of the civil and ecclesial communities," Pope Francis said during an audience on Saturday with a group of disabled people from Italy in the Vatican on the occasion of the annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), which is celebrated on December 3. [...] Concluding the Pope encouraged Christian communities in their work for people with disabilities, saying their testimony is a concrete sign of peace and hope for a more humane and fraternal world in these times of war.


purports to show the U.S. chasing a Canadian unidentified flying object (UFO) in order to shoot it down

USAF F-84 chased UFO, turned back and [...] UFOs is a secret motion picture film purporting to show a saucerlike UFO climbing steeply over Port Moresby, New [...] Daily papers headlined story that Air Defense Command had ordered its jet pilots to pursue, and if necessary "shoot down, " UFOs sighted anywhere in country (15).


The original video was uploaded to YouTube in 2012. A translation of the video’s description indicates the UFO was digitally added.


Claims that Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."

QUOTE OF THE DAY "Attitude is the 'little' thing that makes a big difference." — Winston Churchill, former British prime minister


FACT CHECK: Did Winston Churchill Say, ‘Attitude Is A Little Thing That Makes A Big Difference’? The Livestrong Foundation posted an image on Facebook that claims Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." [...] While a positive mindset was Churchill’s "stock and trade," there is no evidence he ever called attitude a "little thing that makes a big difference."


Karine Jean-Pierre left a press conference after being asked about classified documents

This video has been digitally altered. The genuine video shows Jean-Pierre giving a response to the question instead of walking away.


White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a Thursday afternoon press conference lawyers had finished searching for classified documents after some were found in President Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, garage. [...] Biden was asked about the classified documents Thursday, telling Fox News' Peter Doocy they were in a locked garage. [...] "As the president said, he takes classified information and materials seriously. And, as we have said, we have cooperated from the moment we informed the Archives that a small number of documents were found. And we will continue to cooperate," Sauber said.


FACT CHECK: Did Karine Jean-Pierre Leave A Press Conference After Being Asked About Classified Documents? A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre walking out of a press conference after being asked about classified documents. [...] A Facebook video allegedly shows Jean-Pierre walking out on a press conference after being asked a question about classified documents. The video opens with Jean-Pierre calling on Fox News journalist, Peter Doocy, to ask a question. The video was also shared to Twitter, where it garnered over 5,500 retweets.


The Progress Pride Flag has been updated to include an autism symbol

There is no evidence for this claim. The creator of the intersex-inclusive Progress Pride Flag created the image, but it does not officially represent the LGBTQ+ community.


A post shared on Twitter claims that the Progress Pride Flag has been updated to show a symbol representing autism. [...] A tweet claims the LGBTQ+ flag has been officially updated to include autism. The image shows the Progress Pride flag with an infinity symbol. [...] Although the image does resemble the Autism Pride Flag, as outlined by Autistic Empire, there is no evidence the Progress Pride Flag has been officially updated to include the symbol shown in the Autism Pride Flag.


purports Vivek Ramaswamy did not say he would pardon Hunter Biden if elected president

Long-shot 2024 GOP contender Vivek Ramaswamy has committed to pardoning Donald Trump—who was indicted in federal court Thursday for allegedly mishandling classified documents—should he win the 2024 presidency. "It would be much easier for me to win this election if Trump weren’t in the race, but I stand for principles over politics," Ramaswamy tweeted Thursday. "I commit to pardon Trump promptly on January 20, 2025 and to restore the rule of law in our country." In the tweet, Ramaswamy lamented "two tiers of justice: one for Trump, another for Biden," and criticized the DOJ’s handling of "peaceful protestors on Jan. 6." The biotech entrepreneur didn’t stop at Trump, though. "I will pardon not just President Trump, but every victim of a politically motivated prosecution. Believe me, there have been others, too," he said in a video accompanying the Tweet.


purports Donald Trump and Gen. James Mattis have recently sent troops to the U.S. border

Though Trump once revered Mattis as "one of the most effective generals that we’ve had in many, many decades," their relationship had clearly drifted in recent months. Trump went as far as saying he was "sort of a Democrat" in an October interview. [...] Troops at the U.S.-Mexico border When the White House released a memo authorizing troops deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border to use lethal force, if necessary, against what Trump called an "invasion" of migrants, Mattis clarified that the troops wouldn’t even have firearms.


claims that George Eliot said, "It's never too late to be what you might have been."

FACT CHECK: Did George Eliot Say, ‘It’s Never Too Late To Be What You Might Have Been’? An image shared on Facebook claims British author George Eliot said, "It’s never too late to be what you might have been." [...] "George Eliot did not make that statement," said retired Boston College professor Rosemarie Bodenheimer in an email to the Caller. "Nor did she believe what it says."


The Daily Caller found no record of Eliot ever saying or writing this expression.


"It’s never too late to be what you might have been" is a quote from Victorian novelist George Eliot. [...] Better still, it’s never too late to become what you might’ve been—and then some more.


President Donald Trump said, "Immigrants, not Americans, must adapt… Take it or leave it."

In September 2019, readers alerted us to text circulating online, attributing anti-immigrant statements to President Donald Trump without evidence. [...] "IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. [...] "If you aren't happy here; then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted you."


Immigration has played an even more divisive role in U.S. politics. About 15 percent of the U.S. population is immigrant, the same share as in 1920 but higher than it was for much of the post-World War II period.32 Roughly 75 percent of that immigrant population is estimated to be here legally.33 Of those here illegally, most overstayed with expired temporary visas rather than illegally crossed borders.34 About 45 percent of respondents told Pew shortly before the 2016 election that having more immigrants hurts American workers, while 42 percent said having more immigrants helps — the deepest division of opinion Pew captured on the issue over the last decade, caused by an increase in the number of respondents who react positively about immigration’s effects on American workers.35 [...] It can be tempting for the U.S. foreign policy community to throw up its hands in frustration in the face of this set of circumstances, but these challenges are not unprecedented in their magnitude, either at home or abroad. Blindly holding to the past is no longer viable. Change is coming too quickly. The United States must adapt to secure its interests and in ways that build domestic support. Three factors are particularly important to helping the nation navigate effectively in the current environment. [...] The United States must adapt to secure its interests and in ways that build domestic support.


The early days of Donald Trump’s presidency have been an anxious time for many Muslim Americans, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Overall, Muslims in the United States perceive a lot of discrimination against their religious group, are leery of Trump and think their fellow Americans do not see Islam as part of mainstream U.S. society. [...] We have to take extra caution scanning our surroundings – know where we are, who is around and what kind of thoughts they might hold for Islam, about Islam or against Islam. Especially when the Muslim ban was introduced the first time around, I literally felt like the persecution had started. Because we had read the history of Europe and what happened to the Jewish people in Germany. These little steps lead to bigger issues later on. So, we really felt like we were threatened. And, fortunately, the justice system stopped implementation. And later on people stopped talking about it, and after a while it seemed like things might be getting better." – Immigrant Muslim man "I see some immigrants – and not just Muslims, they could be Latinos too – who don’t adapt well to their new country and don’t want to be part of American society. They stick with others like themselves because they’re afraid and feel strange here. But that’s not me. I am completely American, and I feel at home here. When I first came here, I went to high school and that helped me to become more fully American and to adapt to the culture.


Claims that 19th century writer Margaret Fuller once stated, "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader."

Sarah Margaret Fuller was the first-born child to Timothy and Margarett Crane Fuller. Hers was a unique childhood, with a father who made special demands when it came to his daughter's rigorous education. Margaret met the challenge; a century and a half later, she might have been classified as a prodigy, or as "gifted." We follow her family through moves in Cambridge and throughout eastern Massachusetts, and through times of having money and then of having little. As she grew older, Margaret became a teacher, a writer, a Goethe researcher, a translator, a leader of formal conversations, and a caretaker to her siblings. She found creative outlets as the premier editor of The Dial (a task akin to herding cats), as the author of Summer on the Lakes, in 1843 and Woman in the Nineteenth Century, and then as a columnist for the New-York Tribune. Naturally, we peek into her relationships with some of her friends and colleagues: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott, Sarah and James Freeman Clarke, William Henry Channing, Horace Greeley, Frederic Henry Hedge, Sam and Anna Ward, Caroline Sturgis Tappan, and Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.


What Are Fun Ways To Teach Reading? "Today a reader, tomorrow a leader," were the wise words of Margaret Fuller—an American activist and journalist of the late 19th century. To say Fuller had a good point would be an understatement. Teaching proper reading skills to...


claims the words "Hail Satan" printed on the bottom of an In-N-Out Burger soda cup

An image shared on Facebook over 800 times allegedly shows an In-N-Out Burger cup saying, "Let’s Go Brandon." [...] Now, social media users are sharing a picture of what looks like an In-N-Out Burger cup bearing the phrase "Let’s Go Brandon" on the bottom rim. However, the photo has been digitally altered to include the expression. (RELATED: Did In-N-Out Burger Print ‘Hail Satan’ On Its Soda Cups?) [...] In 2020, Check Your Fact debunked an image claiming to show the words "Hail Satan" printed on the bottom of an In-N-Out soda cup. More recently, social media users shared a picture doctored to make it look like such cups have "F**k Joe Biden" printed on them.


It has been digitally altered to replace the words “John 3:16” with the words “Hail Satan” on the bottom of the cup.


A graphic appears to show the phrase "Hail Satan" on the bottom of a cup from West Coast burger chain In N Out Burger. It’s not real. [...] A graphic which has circulated for several years appears to show an In N Out cup with the phrase "Hail Satan" in place of the usual Bible citation. The graphic, however, is not real. Someone simply superimposed the phrase "Hail Satan" over the original, which read "John 3:16." [...] In N Out Burger never printed "Hail Satan" on the bottom of its cups. The graphic is fake and has circulated for several years.


Claim that Alexis de Tocqueville said, "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money."

It does not appear in any of de Tocqueville’s writings or speeches. Variations of the quote have appeared in print since at least 1951.


FACT CHECK: Did Alexis de Tocqueville Say, ‘The American Republic Will Endure Until The Day Congress Discovers That It Can Bribe The Public With The Public’s Money’? An image shared on Facebook claims that French author and political scientist Alexis de Tocqueville once said, "The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money." [...] The American republic will endure until the day Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the public’s money – Alexis De Tocqueville — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 3, 2012


President Joe Biden claimed in an Oct. 20 speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using drones and ammunition from Iran and North Korea.

- Biden's speech called out Vladimir Putin by name, but he did not directly address the Russian president's announcement earlier Tuesday that Moscow was suspending participation in New START, a key nuclear arms control treaty and the last such agreement between the two countries. [...] "They’ve targeted civilians with death and destruction, used rape as a weapon of war, stolen Ukrainian children in an attempt to steal Ukraine’s future. Bombed train stations, maternity hospitals, schools and orphanages," Biden said. "No one could turn away their eyes from the atrocities Russia is committing against the Ukrainian people. It’s abhorrent." [...] Biden places the blame squarely on the shoulders of Putin in his speech. It’s a marked contrast to Donald Trump, who has essentially blamed Biden for being weak against the Russian leader. In a speech on Monday, Trump said, "Putin never, ever would have gone into Ukraine if I were president," Trump told supporters at a Florida rally, saying he "actually had a very good relationship" with Putin.


alleges that President Andrew Jackson once stated, "One man with courage makes a majority."

Sing Out, Mr President: Andrew Jackson's One-Man Majority "One man with courage makes a majority." --Andrew Jackson [...] 'One Man With Courage Makes A Majority' by Nico Muhly [...] Clurman assigned the young composer a quotation from Andrew Jackson: "One man with courage makes a majority."


claims Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki purportedly said, 'Chicks who dig home runs aren't the ones who appeal to me'

The quote appeared in a 2009 New York Times article about Suzuki.


FACT CHECK: Did Ichiro Suzuki Say, ‘Chicks Who Dig Home Runs Aren’t The Ones Who Appeal To Me?’ A post shared on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, claims former Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki purportedly said, "Chicks who dig home runs aren’t the ones who appeal to me." [...] The X post, viewed over 400,000 times, claims Suzuki purportedly said, "Chicks who dig home runs aren’t the ones who appeal to me." "Ichiro is a legend for this quote. Absolute legend," the post’s caption reads.


"I’ve got to get a new pair for sure. I mean, those are my only pair. We need to make another pair as soon as possible," Lorenzen said after the game. (RELATED: Did Ichiro Suzuki Say, ‘Chicks Who Dig Home Runs Aren’t The Ones Who Appeal To Me?) [...] Check Your Fact recently verified another Baseball-related story, in which social media users claimed former Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki said "Chicks who dig home runs aren’t the ones who appeal to me."


Joe Biden has called for a national draft

President Joe Biden did receive five draft deferments, but they were granted because he was a student, first in college and then law school. Later, Biden underwent a physical exam and received a Selective Service 1-Y classification — which specified that he could be drafted only in a national emergency — because of his asthma. [...] "Lifeguard/football player Joe Biden got five draft deferments for asthma during Vietnam," a Sept. 16 Facebook post claimed.


A Feb. 27, 2023, video of U.S. President Joe Biden purportedly shows him announcing a new national draft, in which 20-year-olds would be conscripted into military service on account of a growing national security crisis. [...] The video was also shared by @ThePatriotOasis, a Twitter account that describes itself as "Constitutional conservatives," which wrote, "BREAKING: Biden calls for a national draft. Men and women are to be selected to fight in Ukriane [sic]." [...] Of course, Biden has not called for a national draft. If this were the case, it would be front page news. Posobiec, while acknowledging it as a deepfake in the video, does not state this in the tweet, resulting in misleading additional tweets claiming to quote Biden directly. As such, we rate this claim as "Miscaptioned."


This video was digitally altered and was taken from a tweet by a news outlet that acknowledges the video was created by artificial intelligence (AI).


Claims American writer Henry David Thoreau said, "Be yourself- not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be."

The Inspirational Words of Henry David Thoreau [...] I recently read a quote from Henry David Thoreau from his book Walden. It was an intensely profound quote that had great meaning for me. [...] If you live trying to live up to everyone else’s idea of who you are and who you should be, you’ll be living a charade. Don’t live your life as an actor. Be who you are and what you are.


Henry David Thoreau Quotes - "Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify." – Henry David Thoreau - "Be yourself, not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be." – Henry David Thoreau - "It’s the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us. The question is not what you look at but what you see." – Henry David Thoreau - "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." – Henry David Thoreau - "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them." – Henry David Thoreau, Walden - "I was not designed to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest." – Henry David Thoreau - "Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for love of it." – Henry David Thoreau - "When it’s time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived." – Henry David Thoreau - "Simplify your life.


Mel Gibson requests protection from Hollywood elites after Sound of Freedom

The claim is inaccurate. There is no evidence that this occurred.


Though he's not credited on IMDb, Ballard claims Gibson did the final edit for his movie Sound of Freedom. Through this relationship, Ballard claims Gibson rang him at the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, and asked him to help rescue children from the country. [...] Gibson—who over the years has been accused of making racist, antisemitic and sexist comments—was previously accused of making extreme claims about Hollywood's elite. Quotes attributed to Gibson read: "Worldwide, children are stolen and sold to pedophile rings. They're tortured, raped, and murdered as part of satanic ritual ceremonies. The murderers then drink the children's blood and they eat their flesh."


Claims that English author C.S. Lewis once stated, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."

Quote of the Day: "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." – C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia.


And please note this: You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. A gentleman nearing retirement age once approached me after I’d given a speech to his corporation. He said, "You know, that was real great motivation for the young guys, but I’ve done all my work. There is nothing else for me to do." [...] In 1993 a columnist in a North Hills, Pennsylvania newspaper discussed the 1992 work by Les Brown and found his quotation compelling enough to reprint it together with another remark from the book:[4]1993 January 1, North Hills News Record, Book gives strategies for turning life around by Robyn-Denise Yourse, (Discussion of book "Live Your Dreams" by Les Brown), Quote Page A10, Column … Continue reading "If you are the same person today that you were a year ago, or even a day ago, you are not growing "You are never too old to set a new goal or dream a new dream," says Brown. . . [...] The website "Essential C. S. Lewis" includes a section dedicated to evaluating the accuracy of quotations attributed to Lewis. The writer William O’Flaherty concluded that the ascription to Lewis was incorrect and Les Brown was the likely creator.[8]Website: Essential C. S. Lewis, Website section: Confirming Quotations, Not Quite Lewis, Article title: (CCSLQ-7) Never Too Old, Article author: William O’Flaherty, Date on website (update): … Continue reading


Stephen Hahn was arrested by the military

Did the military arrest former FDA "Commisioner" Stephen Hahn? No, there's no evidence to substantiate that: The claim was reported on a website that is well-known for making up stories about public figures. The site posts a disclaimer warning readers that it contains "humor, parody, and satire." The headline on the story making the claim also misspelled commissioner as "commisioner." The claim appeared in an article published by Real Raw News on December 30, 2022, titled "Military Arrests Former FDA Commisioner Stephen Hahn | Real Raw News" (archived here). [...] In the United States, under the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, the military does not have the authority to arrest civilians. The document allows exceptions only when it is "expressly authorized by the Constitution or Act of Congress." However, Congress.gov shows no traces of bills involving the military's "arrest of Stephen Hahn."


A post shared on Facebook claims Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn was arrested by the U.S. military for treason. [...] A Facebook post purports Hahn was arrested by the U.S. Navy. The post features an image of Hahn in the foreground, with former President Donald Trump out of focus in the background. "Military Arrests Former FDA Commisioner Stephen Hahn," the post reads in part. "U.S. Navy JAG investigators on Thursday arrested former Food & Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn for having committed treasonous acts against the nation and its people while he served under President Donald J. Trump throughout the Coronavirus Plandemic, JAG sources told Real Raw News."


purports to show British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak partying

The video shows a Sunak lookalike, not the British Prime Minister, according to articles from Bol News and Daily Mail.


purports to show Donald Trump crying and talking about classified material at a recent event

By — Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett By — Kyle Midura Kyle Midura Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/audio-of-trump-discussing-classified-material-further-complicates-his-legal-troubles Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Audio Newly leaked audio appears to show former President Donald Trump discussing sensitive documents with people who didn’t have security clearance during a 2021 meeting. The two-minute recording could hold key evidence in Trump's indictment over his handling of classified information after he left the White House. Geoff Bennett discussed the latest with former U.S. Attorney David N. Kelley. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: A newly leaked audio recording appears to show former President Donald Trump discussing sensitive documents with people who didn't have security clearances during a 2021 meeting in Bedminster, New Jersey.In this audio first obtained by CNN, the former president seems to acknowledge he knowingly held onto a document about a potential attack on Iran.Donald Trump, Former President of the United States: This totally wins my case, you know. Staffer: Mm-hmm. Donald Trump: Except it is, like, highly confidential. Staffer: Yes.(LAUGHTER) Donald Trump: Secret. This is secret information.


The recording indicates Trump understood he retained classified material after leaving the White House, according to multiple sources familiar with the investigation. On the recording, Trump’s comments suggest he would like to share the information but he’s aware of limitations on his ability post-presidency to declassify records, two of the sources said. [...] The recording that’s now in the hands of prosecutors shows they are not only looking at Trump’s actions regarding classified documents recovered from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, but also at what happened at Bedminster a year earlier. [...] Earlier this year, Trump’s legal team told Congress that classified material was inadvertently packed up at the end of the administration. Most recently, Trump told CNN at a town hall that materials were "automatically declassified" when he took them.


claims that author Isaac Asimov once stated, "Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in."

The writer Isaac Asimov summarizes this point well, "Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the light won’t come in." The chemist Albert Szent-Györgyi, who discovered vitamin C, said, "Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else and thinking something different." The renowned physicist Arthur Eddington more precisely counseled, "The contemplation in natural science of a wider domain than the actual leads to a far better understanding of the actual." All of these legendary thinkers force us beyond our current assumptions and this is the foundation of critical thinking…and genius.


Alan Alda - Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.commencement address, Connecticut College, 1 June 1980; often wrongly attributed to Isaac Asimov


Pam Ayres wrote the poem "Let’s All Drink To Lockdown" about the coronavirus pandemic

Pam Ayres has been a writer, broadcaster and entertainer for over 40 years. She is the author of several bestselling poetry books, including The Works, Surgically Enhanced, You Made Me Late Again! and The Last Hedgehog. Pam's autobiography, The Necessary Aptitude, was a bestseller when it was published in 2011. On radio she is a regular on Just A Minute, has made six series of her own Ayres On The Air and has appeared twice on the legendary Desert Island Discs. Pam performs her solo stage show throughout the UK and lives in the Cotswolds, where she is an enthusiastic gardener for wildlife.


FACT CHECK: ‘Let’s All Drink To Lockdown’ – Did Pam Ayres Write This Poem About The Coronavirus? A post shared on Facebook claims poet Pam Ayres wrote the poem "Let’s All Drink To Lockdown" about the coronavirus pandemic. [...] People have widely shared the poem "Let’s All Drink to Lockdown" on social media with attribution to Ayres in recent weeks. The poem compares an elderly woman’s experiences during the coronavirus pandemic to those during previous points in her life, such as the "sex and drugs and rock ‘n roll" of the 1960s.


Ayres tweeted that she didn’t write the poem. It was actually written by Jan Beaumont, a New Zealand woman.


claims that German philosopher Immanuel Kant once said, "Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life."

Science, with its emphasis on empirical data and objective truths, can sometimes overlook the subtleties and nuances of existence. Wisdom, in contrast, navigates through ambiguity, embracing the uncertainties inherent in human experience.In conclusion, Immanuel Kant's quote, "Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life," sheds light on the distinction between science and wisdom. While science is concerned with the accumulation and organization of knowledge about the world, wisdom encompasses the practical application of that knowledge to live a purposeful and meaningful life. However, through the lens of existentialism, we are prompted to question whether knowledge alone guarantees wisdom or if wisdom requires a more profound engagement with the complexities and uncertainties of existence. By exploring and combining different philosophical concepts, we can enhance our understanding of the profound ideas encapsulated within a seemingly simple quote.


FACT CHECK: Did Elon Musk Tweet That The Earth Is Flat? A post on shared on social media purportedly shows a screenshot of a tweet from SpaceX and Twitter CEO Elon Musk saying that the earth is flat. [...] "The world is flat and I can’t get past the firmament!" the alleged tweet reads. "Anyone want to buy SpaceX"


claims Mitt Romney has purportedly threatened to leave the Republican Party and join the Democrats

The anticipated pivot, however, has not materialized. And the anti-immigrant demagoguery he used to wage his GOP primary battle may have cost him the general election war. A recent poll by Latino Decisions shows that Latino voter support for President Obama has actually increased to 70 percent while Gov. Romney’s numbers remain mired in the low twenties—22 percent—in this poll. [...] More recently, in obvious recognition of the dire straits he is in with this community, Gov. Romney has started running Spanish-language ads claiming that he will pursue "bipartisan," "permanent" immigration solutions. This line of thinking echoes comments he made in front of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials in late June, where he told the audience he will "work with Republicans and Democrats to find a long-term solution" to immigration. But what kind of solutions and what sort of immigration agenda can we expect if Gov. Romney is elected? [...] The audience laughed at the proposal, but Gov. Romney’s stance is not a new one. Eric Fehrnstrom, one of the Romney campaign’s top advisors, told The Washington Examiner:


Romney’s 2023 Federal Election Commission (FEC) Statement of Candidacy form, filed on Apr. 11, lists his party as Republican. The Utah Republican Senator’s spokesperson denied the claim’s validity in an email to Check Your Fact.


Kansas City Chiefs co-owner Clark Hunt told his players, coach and staff that he would "immediately fire" anyone who does not stand for the playing of the national anthem.

CLAIM: Kansas City Chiefs CEO and owner Clark Hunt told NFL players, coaches and staff that they are all "simply paid performers on a stage" and he will "immediately fire" anyone who does not stand, with their hand over their heart, during the playing of the national anthem. [...] Brad Gee, the director of football communications for the Kansas City Chiefs, also confirmed to The Associated Press that the contents of the viral letter are inaccurate. Hunt has publicly stated in years past that he prefers players to stand during the national anthem but several Chiefs players have sat or taken a knee during the national anthem, without being fired, including star tight end Travis Kelce. In 2017, after President Donald Trump called on NFL owners to fire players who didn't stand during the national anthem, Hunt responded with a formal statement, saying he believes in "honoring the American flag" but encouraged everyone to "work together to solve these difficult issues."


claims Nancy Pelosi purportedly made a comment about how the Democratic Party uses a tactic called the 'wrap-up smear'

Q: Did Nancy Pelosi describe how the Democrats use a tactic called the "wrap-up smear" to attack political opponents? [...] A clip of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi explaining a political tactic called a "wrap-up smear" has been widely circulated recently. The problem is, it has been taken out of context. [...] Turning Point USA. "WOW… Nancy Pelosi ACTUALLY Outlines The "Wrap-Up Smear" The Left Used To Try & Destroy Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh…" Facebook. 9 Oct 2018.


a 1990s episode of "The Simpsons" predicted the death of George Floyd

The drawing in the article was created by an independent artist. No such scene appears in any episode of “The Simpsons.”


Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Crime / Did Simpson Actually Predicte George Floyd Death In 1990? (1011 Views) George Floyd's Death: Thousands Join UK Protest / George Floyd: Minneapolis In Chaos As Shops Are Looted And Burnt (video) / George Floyd: Minnesota Police Officers Fired After Death Of Unarmed Black Man (2) (3) (4)


Here are 17 times The Simpsons made eerily accurate predictions about the future. [...] This installment saw Marge offer to read a depressed Bart a book titled Curious George and the Ebola Virus. This moment was widely circulated during the 2014 American Ebola outbreak when YouTube user Thecontroversy7 created a video laying out a theory revolving around The Simpsons‘ predictive tendencies. [...] On the other hand, episode co-writer Bill Oakley told The Hollywood Reporter in March that any comparisons the storyline seems to invite to coronavirus are purely coincidental. "There are very few cases where The Simpsons predicted something," he said. "It’s mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself. Most of these episodes are based on things that happened in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s that we knew about."


purports Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert's net worth is 'over $12 million.'

Jesus G. ``Chuy'' Garcia, IL Lauren Boebert, CO [...] Lauren Gilbert Leslie F. Goldstein


Claims that Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci said, "I awoke, only to find that the rest of the world was still asleep."

There is no evidence that da Vinci authored this saying. It may be a version of a statement written about him by Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud.


That night when all others slept, Giovanni, tormented by insomnia, rose and went into the court, where was a stone bench under a tent of vine branches. The court was square, and in its centre was a well; behind the bench was the wall of the house, opposite the stable; to the left a stone wall with a wicket-gate which opened on the street of the Porta Vercellina; to the right the wall of a little garden and a door always locked and leading to a separate building. Here Astro alone was allowed ingress, and here Leonardo was wont to work in complete seclusion. [...] 383 'I know not,' said Leonardo, awaking with an effort from his musing; 'we of this age have not less force than the ancients; only 'tis force of another sort.' [...] Eutychius awoke. He opened the windows, and to him was wafted the fragrance of leaves and grasses washed by rain. The sun had not yet risen, but gold and purple decked the place of his coming—the skyey verge above the woods, and the river, and the fields. The town still slept in twilight; only the belfry of St. Hubert glistened with a pale green light. The hush was full of great expectation. Far away on the sand-banks of the Loire the white swans were calling.


FACT CHECK: Did Da Vinci Say, ‘I Awoke, Only To Find That The Rest Of The World Was Still Asleep’? [...] There is no evidence that da Vinci authored this saying. It may be a version of a statement written about him by Austrian psychologist Sigmund Freud. [...] "In Merezhkovsky’s admirable simile, he was like a man who had awoken too early in the darkness, while everyone else was still asleep," Freud wrote, crediting Russian author Dmitry Merezhkovsky with the imagery.


claims that Bertrand Russell once stated, "War does not determine who is right - only who is left."

"War does not determine who is right—only who is left," a reader writes: "In the World war, the United States is left—holding the bag." [...] War never determines who is right, but only who is left. [...] War may not determine who is right but it does definitely determine who is left.


FACT CHECK: Did Bertrand Russell Say, ‘War Does Not Determine Who Is Right – Only Who Is Left’? A post shared on Facebook claims that British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell once stated, "War does not determine who is right – only who is left." [...] While there is no evidence that Russell wrote this quote about war, he may well have agreed with the sentiment. A lifelong peace activist and proponent of nuclear disarmament, Russell often wrote about the subject of war. In his book "Fact and Fiction," he wrote, "Either Man will abolish war, or war will abolish Man."


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.


FACT CHECK: Biden Claims 21 Million Americans Are Covered By ACA, A 9 Million Increase Since Taking Office President Joe Biden said in April 3 remarks that 21 million Americans are covered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an increase of 9 million since he took office. [...] During the same remarks, Biden claimed 21 million Americans are now covered through the Affordable Care Act, a 9 million increase since he took office in 2021. "Today, 21 million Americans are covered through the Affordable Care Act, 9 million more than when I took office," he said.


Today, more Americans have health insurance than under any President. The President's efforts to lower health insurance premiums have led to record-breaking enrollment in the Affordable Care Act's Marketplaces, with over 21 million people signing up for coverage – 9 million more than when the President took office. The Biden-Harris Administration isn't stopping there and is building on this incredible success by: [...] - Expanded health insurance through the ACA Marketplaces to an additional nine million Americans and helped over one million people in Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and South Dakota gain Medicaid coverage.


claims Lewis Carroll once wrote, "You know what the issue is with this world? Everyone wants a magical solution to their problems, and everyone refuses to believe in magic."

When it comes to superstitions, social scientists have generally agreed on one thing: they are fundamentally irrational. "Magical thinking" (as it has been called) is defined as the belief that an object, action or circumstance not logically related to a course of events can influence its outcome. In other words, stepping on a crack cannot, given what we know about the principles of causal relations, have any direct effect on the probability of your mother breaking her back. Those who live in fear of such a tragedy are engaging in magical thought and behaving irrationally. A statement about the yin and yang of magical thinking is frequently shared online, attributed to either author Lewis Carroll (the pen name of Charles Dodgson) or the most famous of his literary works, "Alice in Wonderland" (i.e., "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"): However, the phrase "Everyone wants a magical solution for their problem, and everyone refuses to believe in magic" does not appear in any of Carroll/Dodgson's published works (either literary or non-fiction) or papers, nor was it contemporaneously recorded as something he once said. This quote actually stemmed from a Carroll-inspired character who appeared in a modern television series.


30 Navy SEALs died when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan on March 11

NATO copter downed; Navy SEALs among the 30 U.S. dead [...] The Taliban asserted responsibility for the attack and the deaths of the 30 U.S. service members and eight Afghans on board. In addition to the 22 SEALs, there were eight U.S. troops from the Army and the Air Force. [...] KABUL — A NATO helicopter was shot down during an overnight operation against the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan, killing 30 U.S. service members, including about 20 SEALs from the elite SEAL Team 6 counterrorism unit that carried out the mission to kill Osama bin Laden, the coalition said.


Foods such as Pop-Tarts, cake mixes and ice cream contain antifreeze

Unlabeled propylene glycol, a form of antifreeze, lurks in commercial ice cream, risking health issues for those that consume it. [...] Antifreeze, then, is simply ice cream manufacturers’ answer to hard as a rock ice cream and the ice crystals that inevitably form as it is shipped long distances and moved between many different freezers before it finally makes it to your supermarket. [...] So, if you aren’t into eating antifreeze with your ice cream, check out my recipe plus a video demonstration on how to make healthy ice cream!


FACT CHECK: No, There Is Not Antifreeze In Foods Such As Pop-Tarts, Ice Cream Or Cake Mixes A video shared on Instagram claims food such as Pop-Tarts, ice cream and cake mixes contain antifreeze. [...] The Instagram post claims several common foods contain a chemical that is toxic to humans. The video shows a man listing off foods he claims contain antifreeze, such as Pop-Tarts, ice cream from Blue Bunny and ColdStone Creamery, Dunkin iced teas, Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines cake mixes and Fireball whiskey.


claims Ancient Greek philosopher Plato once stated, "Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

The aphorism "Be Kind, For Everyone You Meet Is Fighting A Hard Battle" is widely attributed (at least online) to Plato of Athens. I am having a difficult time finding the particular line in the dialogues where he makes this statement. Is this quote apocryphal? [...] "I was just trying out the Google Blog Search,mentioned today by Mark Goodacre, and up came this slogan that I have seen from time to time, always attributed to PhiloBe Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. The problem is, however, that I have never read this in any of Philo's works. I may have overlooked it, that's possible,- of course. But searches in both the Greek text and in Whiston's old translation have given no 'hits'. [...] "For what it's worth, here's the closest thing I found by searching JSTOR. In The Biblical World (retitled the next year as The Journal of Religion) v. 54 n. 6 (1920) page 606 Ozora S. Davis, in an article on preaching quoted II Peter 1:57 and then commented on each phrase, including: "_brotherly kindness_--Everyone is fighting a hard battle."


On leadership and management "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." [...] Plato, a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived approximately 427 to 348 B.C. Plato was taught by Socrates and was Aristotle’s teacher.


Sir–A thought to help us through these difficult times: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. [...] Not until trouble and heartache and sorrow came into my own life could I fully comprehend the words of Ian McLaren: "Let us be kind, one to another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle." [...] "Be pitiful, for every man is fighting a hard battle," was the tender Christmas message sent by Ian Maclaren to the readers of The British Weekly.


purports Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is enacting a bill that would require bloggers to register with the state

FACT CHECK: Is Ron DeSantis Enacting A Bill Requiring Bloggers To Register With The State Of Florida? A post shared on Facebook purports Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis supports a bill that would require bloggers who mention politicians to register with the state. [...] The post claims DeSantis was supporting a bill that would force bloggers to register with the state before writing about him. "DeSantis enacting a law that requires any blogger that mentions a politician to register with the state, so their words can be reviewed for ‘accuracy’ you know who else did that? PUTIN did it!" the Facebook post purports.


Sen. Josh Hawley shares proof of Chinese spying in hearing with FBI director Christopher Wray

The caption is inaccurate. The video does not feature such comments.


an Oxford University student named Boston Regan has become one of the youngest PhD graduates in the world.

There is no record of Regan graduating from Oxford University. He appears to a fictional character invented to sell an essential oil product.


Claims that President Abraham Lincoln once stated, "We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

Rose bushes have thorns, and we bear with them for the sake of the roses. All of us have faults, but we are judged by the good we do. It is not enough to congratulate on the thorns we have, but we should look into our lives for the roses. [...] Viewpoint: A philosopher said: "I can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or I can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. It’s all how you look at it." Much in life depends upon the point of view. Are you looking at the thorns or the roses? [...] REMEMBERED QUOTE: You can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice that thorn bushes have roses. It’s all how you look at it. — J. Kenfield Morley.


The saying appears nowhere in Lincoln’s writings.


White House Press Secretary said she was concerned about Brazil and China relationship

A post shared on Twitter purports that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed concern about a new economic relationship between Brazil and China. 📝 «We are deeply concerned about the transition of Brazil and China to national currencies in mutual payments. This is a violation of the rights of our citizens, who count on a stable dollar exchange rate on the world market" she said [...] The Facebook post claims that Jean-Pierre has shared the White House’s concern about China’s involvement in Brazil. The post shares a photo of the press secretary and does not provide information on when this statement was made.


The claim is inaccurate. There is no evidence that Jean-Pierre made this statement.


Claims that President Abraham Lincoln once said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it."

Hey everybody, Steve and Dan Fouts here. We are teaching different with American president Abraham Lincoln using a quote attributed to him on self-determination. Here’s the quote, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." A really thought provoking quote. It’s short, to the point, and talks about what it is that we can control in our life, and how that affects how our future is going to unfold. Lincoln has a pretty clear opinion on this. What would you say the claim is? [...] I think you’ll get a lot of students agreeing with Abraham Lincoln on this quote. There are always a few students who, when you ask them what they want to be when they grow up, give you their wildest dreams. They’re going to say what it is they want to do that makes them happy. I just remember students, who really liked sports, telling me, I want to make it to the NBA, I want to make it to the NFL. It’s really an inspiring quote because it says you have the ability to take control over that. Just asking students what their dreams are is a great way to start this conversation. As teachers, parents, and coaches, we’re continually sending this message to kids that they have success in their hands, that they just have to work hard to get it. They can create their own reality. They can do it. I think this is definitely reinforced by adult role models.


claims shoppers wore Ku Klux Klan hoods at an Alabama mini mart purportedly owned by a family involved in a recent riverfront brawl

In May 2020, social media users shared photographs of a man shopping at a grocery store during the COVID-19 coronavirus disease pandemic wearing not a standard face mask, but a white head covering that appeared to be a Ku Klux Klan (KKK) hood: [...] Customer Alisa Wentzel told CNN she spotted the shopper, whom she believes was a man, as soon as she entered the store. He was waiting in the checkout line, she said, wearing the hood.


Photos of hooded shoppers taken in California and Colorado, not Vasser’s Mini-Mart in Selma, Alabama [...] Some protesters have called on people to boycott Vasser’s Mini-Mart in Selma, Alabama, after its owner, Zachery Chase Shipman, was allegedly involved in a recent brawl on the riverfront in Montgomery, Alabama, the Selma Times-Journal reported. Shipman later turned himself in and was charged with misdemeanor assault. [...] "That is an authentic Klans mask," one man said in a TikTok video posted Aug. 9 on Facebook as a photo shows someone standing in front of a produce stand wearing a white hood. "They own this mini-mart, and they’re doing this. Which means they’re active Klan members."


purports over 1,000 children are still missing in Maui following the recent wildfire

Maui fires: More than 1,000 still missing as search continues - Published More than 1,000 people still remain unaccounted for after a wildfire ripped through Hawaiian town of Lahaina two weeks ago, officials said. [...] "Every day the numbers will change," Mr Merrill said. The latest missing estimate comes a day after Maui mayor Richard Bissen said the number was thought to be around 850.


The Maui Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have released a list of “Unaccounted For Persons” who are believed to be missing following the wildfire, but the purported individuals’ ages are not provided.


Cuban authorities found the S.S. Cotopaxi found fully intact and floating toward the island nation more than 90 years after its disappearance

Did a ship that vanished in the Bermuda Triangle more than 90 years ago suddenly reappear near Cuba, as claimed by various stories circulating online? The S.S. Cotopaxi hasn’t been seen since Nov. 29, 1925, when it left Charleston, South Carolina, bound for Havana with a crew of more than 30 and a load of coal. The steamer ran into a violent tropical storm. The Associated Press wrote two days later that the ship reported water in its hold and said it was listing badly. It later sent out distress signals and wasn’t heard from again. [...] However, Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Woodall, a spokesman for Miami’s US Coast Guard office, which works closely with Cuban authorities, told the AP on Monday that his agency has received no reports of the S.S. Cotopaxi being recovered.


Havana – This morning the Cuban Coast Guard announced that they intercepted one unmanned ship which was heading for the island. It is presumed that the ship is the SS Cotopaxi, a tramp steamer that vanished in December 1925 and is connected with the legend of the Bermuda Triangle. [...] After exhaustive search of the ship, the captain’s logbook was discovered. That book actually was associated with the Clinchfield Navigation Company. This company us owner of the SS Cotopaxi. Still, the book did not brought any clue concerning what did happened to the ship over the last 90 years. [...] It is interesting that on 29 November 1925, the SS Cotopaxi departed Charleston, South Carolina, and headed towards Havana, Cuba. This ship had a crew of 32 men, under the command of Captain W. J. Meyer. The ship was carrying a cargo of 2340 tons of coal. The ship was reported missing only 2 days later, and was unheard of for almost 90 years.


Biden said he taught political theory at the University of Pennsylvania for 4 years

U.S. President Joe Biden was a "full professor" at the University of Pennsylvania for four years. [...] In mid-to-late 2023, a number of posts on X and TikTok circulated showing U.S. President Joe Biden saying he taught "political theory" at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) for four years. The posts argued that Biden was lying, and that he "never taught a single class at UPenn." Questions about Biden's role at UPenn have circulated for years. In mid-April 2022, for instance, his critics latched on to a speech in which he claimed to have been a "full professor" for four years at the university.


"I've been to a lot of university campuses," Biden said April 14. "Matter of fact, for four years, I was a full professor at the University of Pennsylvania. And this is really an impressive place with a lot of impressive students." [...] Biden served as Benjamin Franklin Presidential Professor of the Practice at the University of Pennsylvania between his tenure as vice president and the start of his presidential campaign. However, the duration of the position was closer to two years than four, since he was on leave while running for president. Also, his duties might not conform to the full range of activities that the public might associate with the term "full professor," including teaching semester-long classes, conducting independent research, and handling administrative responsibilities. [...] Biden said, "For four years, I was a full professor at the University of Pennsylvania."


Joe Biden is slammed for lying that he taught political theory at the University of Pennsylvania for four years - despite serving as honorary professor for two and never teaching a single class - Biden, at 80, the nation's oldest-ever president, was speaking at Prince George Community College in Maryland Thursday - 'I taught at the University of Pennsylvania for four years and I used to teach political theory,' he claimed - However, while Biden served from 2017 to 2019 as the Benjamin Franklin Presidential Professor of the Practice, there is no record of him teaching classes President Joe Biden made a bizarre claim in a speech that he'd taught political theory at an Ivy League university - despite only serving there as a visiting fellow and honorary professor. [...] 'We got to fight for it,' Biden said. ''I taught at the University of Pennsylvania for four years and I used to teach political theory. And folks, you always hear, every generation has to fight for Democracy.'


Claims that Hillary Clinton wrote, "I believe the primary role of the state is to teach, train and raise children. Parents have a secondary role."

The Daily Caller found no record of the statement in “It Takes a Village” or any of her other books.


Hillary Rodham Clinton wrote this book with her heart in the right place. I believe that she does have a lot of compassion for children. That being said, there were times that I had great difficulty reading her book about the well being of children, knowing that she was a war hawk in the US’s illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003. On page 290 of her book, Clinton states that it is the responsibility of the government to "Keep America the world’s strongest force of peace, freedom, and prosperity." Her vote for war did nothing to embrace these ideals. War does not effect any person more than it effects a child. Of the vast problems that children in the United States face, their problems pale in comparison to the challenges that many Iraqi children are dealing with.


Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on July 23 that Ukraine has taken back 50% of the territory it lost since February 2022.

Ukraine has seized back about 53% of its territory it initially lost when Russia invaded in February 2022, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Blinken claimed during a July 23 interview on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ that Ukraine had taken back 50% of the territory it had lost since Russia’s invasion started in February 2022. [...] "Analysts can employ several methods to calculate control of terrain with varying results depending on the cartographical projection used and other factors. An estimate using ISW’s control of terrain data and the Mercator projection indicates that Ukrainian forces liberated about 53 percent of the land that Russian forces captured since February 2022," the assessment reads. "Estimates made using different data sources, measurement methods, or projections will generate different numbers. Factors, such as higher confidence about unconfirmed Russian claimed territorial gains, can impact such estimations as well."


By — News Desk News Desk Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/watch-live-secretary-of-state-blinken-gives-remarks-on-rising-tension-between-ukraine-russia Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Secretary of State Blinken says U.S. has made no concessions to Russia on Ukraine World Jan 26, 2022 12:34 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has made no concessions to the main Russian demands over Ukraine and NATO in a long-awaited written response delivered to Russia on Wednesday in Moscow, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. Watch Blinken’s remarks in the player above. Blinken said the U.S. response, delivered to the Russian Foreign Ministry by U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, gave up no ground on "core principles" such as NATO’s open-door membership policy and the alliance’s military presence in Eastern Europe. Blinken said the document made clear that the U.S. is standing by its oft-stated positions. "There is no change, there will be no change," he said. But, he said the written response to Russia also contains "serious" offers for a diplomatic path to de-escalate soaring tensions over Ukraine by addressing Russian concerns on other matters.


Elon Musk filed $60 Million suit against The View

The claim stems from a satirical site. There is no evidence Musk is suing the show or network.


Republican North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said during a July 9 interview that there were 110,000 overdose deaths in 2022.

There were an estimated 109,680 overdose deaths in 2022, according to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Douglas James Burgum (/ˈbɜːrɡəm/ BUR-gəm;[1] born August 1, 1956) is an American businessman and politician serving since 2016 as the 33rd governor of North Dakota.[2][3] He is among the wealthiest politicians in the United States and has an estimated net worth of at least $1.1 billion. He is a member of the Republican Party.[4] [...] - ^ Garrity, Kelly (July 9, 2023). "Doug Burgum: 'We are in a Cold War with China, we just won't admit it'". Politico. Retrieved July 9, 2023. [...] - ^ McCullough, Caleb (June 9, 2023). "North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum brings focus on economy in first Iowa campaign visit". Quad City Times. Retrieved July 31, 2023.


Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said, "Children should be raised by the state."

There is no evidence Ocasio-Cortez ever made such a statement. The claim stems from an article published on a satirical website.


Claims that Thomas Jefferson said, "Most bad government has grown out of too much government."

Subject:English Grammar "Most bad government has grown out of too much government."—Thomas Jefferson [...] Interpretation of Thomas Jefferson's Quote Thomas Jefferson's quote, "Most bad government has grown out of too much government.", suggests that when a government becomes


There seems to be a cottage industry in misquoting Thomas Jefferson. He didn’t say, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." Nor, "My reading of history convinces me that most bad government has grown out of too much government," nor any variations of those or dozens of other pithy phrases wrongly attributed to our illustrious third president. [...] Cain said that Thomas Jefferson said, "You might be able to fool the people for a while, and they may go astray, but sooner or later the American people are going to wake up and they will correct the course." Jefferson did write a line that resembles that in some important ways, but Cain put a fair number of words into Jefferson’s mouth. At PunditFact, we believe quotations should be relatively word-for-word accurate. If someone went to the trouble to leave their thoughts for posterity, the least we should do is honor what they actually said. [...] Wall Street Journal, To Quote Thomas Jefferson, 'I Never Actually Said That', Dec. 6, 2012


purports Elon Musk published a 'Rest In Peace (RIP)' tweet for late financier Jeffrey Epstein

FACT CHECK: Did Elon Musk Publish An ‘RIP’ Tweet For Jeffrey Epstein? A post shared on Twitter purports Elon Musk published a "Rest In Peace (RIP)" tweet for late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. [...] "The woke left can’t decide if I’m anti-semitic or friends with a Jewish man (RIP) and it’s driving them crazy," the purported tweet from Musk reads. "Did he just RIP Jeffrey Epstein???" The Twitter post’s caption reads. The post has received over 600,000 views at the time of publication.


purports to show Muslim refugees terrorizing New York

- The purported rationale for this unconstitutional surveillance is captured in a 2007 NYPD Intelligence Division report titled "Radicalization in the West: The Homegrown Threat." The report claims to identify a "radicalization process" by which individuals turn into terrorists – a "process" so broad that it seems to treat with suspicion anyone who identifies as Muslim, harbors Islamic beliefs, or engages in Islamic religious practices. For example, its purported radicalization "indicators" include First Amendment-protected activities including "wearing traditional Islamic clothing [and] growing a beard," abstaining from alcohol, and "becoming involved in social activism."


CNN published an article claiming Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy made "several unproven claims" in his impeachment inquiry announcement.

FACT CHECK: Did Kevin McCarthy Make ‘Several Unproven Claims’ In His Impeachment Inquiry Announcement?


70,000 Americans have died from fentanyl overdoses

Last year, more than 70,000 Americans died from a fentanyl overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's a higher death toll than U.S. military casualties in the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan combined. [...] The CDC says other signs of a fentanyl overdose are an inability to awaken the person; constricted "pinpoint" pupils that don't react to light; shallow breathing or difficulty breathing, such as choking sounds, gurgling, or snoring from someone who cannot be awakened; and discolored skin, especially in the nails or lips. Dr. Campman added that a rare subset of fentanyl overdose victims die a more rapid death due to "wooden chest syndrome," where they suddenly can't breathe.


Nearly 70,000 people in the US died of drug overdoses that involved fentanyl in 2021, almost a four-fold increase over five years. By 2021, about two-thirds of all overdose deaths involved the potent synthetic opioid, according to the report. Multiple drugs can be reported on one death certificate, and fentanyl is often found along with others, according to the CDC. [...] Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid intended to help patients, such as those with cancer, manage severe pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and typically prescribed in the form of skin patches or lozenges. But most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose and death in the United States are linked to illegally made fentanyl, according to the CDC. [...] In 2021, fentanyl was involved in about 22 deaths for every 100,000 people – more than twice as many as the age-adjusted death rate from overdoses involving methamphetamine or cocaine, and more than seven times higher than those involving heroin.


This statistic is accurate. A report from the National Institutes of Health verifies the number, which a spokesperson for Scott provided in an email to Check Your Fact.


Media outlets, such as the Telegraph and the Independent, reported that an artificial intelligence (AI) controlled drone killed its operator in a simulation.

46 Phillip Sherwell, "U.S. Drone Pilot Haunted by Horrors of Remote Killings; Operator Sickened by Death Count," London Daily Telegraph, October 25, 2013, available at <https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/10403313/Confessions-of-a-US-drone-operator-I-watched-him-die.-It-took-a-long-time.html>. [...] 48 Christian Enemark, Armed Drones and the Ethics of War (London: Routledge, 2014), 22. [...] 51 Enemark, Armed Drones and the Ethics of War, 25.


Claims that novelist George Orwell once said, "People sleep peacefully in their Beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

While Orwell did express a similar sentiment, he did not write or say the quote in the Facebook post.


― Slingshot ― Slingshot "I once saw an episode of QI where they debated a supposed George Orwell quote: ‘People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf’." [...] ― Grunt Life ― Grunt Life "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." —George Orwell" [...] ― Decisively Engaged ― Decisively Engaged "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do them harm. George Orwell PART ONE"


Perhaps you could help out famous Science Fiction author William Gibson, who recently tried to trace down the origin of the following sentence, often attributed to George Orwell: "People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." [...] This is the closest passage in Orwell’s writings that has been found to the following quotation popularly attributed to him: "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." (Or sometimes, "We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.")


purports to show Jeffrey Epstein and Ted Kaczynski at a boys summer camp together

No, Pic Doesn't Show Jeffrey Epstein, Ted Kaczynski Attending Summer Camp Together


purports Ghislaine Maxwell worked at Disney World in 1985

There is no evidence suggesting Maxwell worked at Disney World in 1985.


Rapper Notorious B.I.G predicted Covid-19 pandemic in 1994

The COVID-19 pandemic was something truly unpredictable that caught pretty much the whole world off guard, and even now we’re still struggling to cope with it. But what if I told you that someone might have actually predicted it was going to happen? A TikTok video by tythecrazyguy recently went viral because it seems that Ty has possibly uncovered that a rapper predicted the pandemic. [...] However, it looks like that isn’t the only prediction that the rapper has made. Dr. Creep made a post on Facebook after his song "PANDEMIC" went viral, and the rapper seemed frustrated that people are only discussing this now when it isn’t even the only thing he’s predicted. [...] This could mean that the rapper predicted not just the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the lockdown following the outbreak of the virus. How creepy is that?


Claims that George Washington once said, "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty, teeth and keystone under independence."

The Washington state legislature finds that the right to keep and bear arms embodied in the federal and state Constitutions is a fundamental freedom that existed long before the founding of this nation and state and this right should continue to be protected, nurtured, and expanded. The legislature further finds that the founding fathers of our nation and state wanted to have firearms in the hands of ordinary citizens as a means of protecting freedom and deterring potential despots from undermining our constitutional republic by force. The American revolution was won by an armed populace against the British standing army. [...] George Washington, America's first president, said, "Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. From the hour the Pilgrims landed, to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference — they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." [...] As a result of these lessons from history, it is the intent of the legislature to promote freedom and protect public safety by enacting the Washington state firearms civil rights act and by imposing civil and criminal penalties on any person or public official who unlawfully or unconstitutionally interferes with the right of a citizen to keep and bear arms, or who criminally possesses or uses a firearm.


claims Henry Ford once said, "If I asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses."

The Daily Caller News Foundation found no evidence that Ford ever said or wrote this expression.


That "Henry Ford" Quote… "If I’d have asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said, ‘A faster horse.’" — Henry Ford? While there’s doubt that Ford ever said this, it’s something he might have said. Designers tend to hear this when we suggest doing User Research to determine needs and pain points. "If I’d have asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse is what Henry Ford said and he was extremely successful so it’s a waste of time" Please read this article from HBR about why his initial success was predicated on price reduction and the implementation (smartly) of the assembly line (something he didn’t invent) because it discusses his initial success with the first mass produced car, but also points out that General Motors ate his lunch in the 20’s. [...] So imagine you’re sitting in a conference room and you suggest that doing User Research will help advance the product and someone says: "If I’d have asked customers what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse"…


Henry Ford on Customer Feedback "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses." –Henry Ford It’s unclear whether or not Henry Ford actually ever said the quote above, but according to an article in the Harvard Business Review, it’s an accurate reflection of how Ford thought about customer feedback. [...] That’s not the Henry Ford story most of us are familiar with.


a conference titled "The Elite Global Leaders Conference" will be held at the Vatican on Oct. 23 and will focus on "humanity-empowering technology."

On October 14th, 2021, the Facebook account "Marji Georgia" published a post, claiming that on October 23, the pedophile globalists at the forefront of the "world codification" are going to host a large-scale conference in the Vatican. According to the post’s author, the main topic of the conference will be transhumanism. The post is accompanied by a photo saying that the speakers of the event scheduled for October 23rd in the Vatican will be the authors of "The transHuman Code": David Ferguson and Carlos Moreira. [...] According to the poster, an event called "Elite Global Leaders Conference" will be held in the Vatican on October 23rd, which will focus on the role of technology in human empowerment. The names of the two keynote speakers at the conference, David Ferguson and Carlos Moreira, are marked in red. These are the people who authored the book "The transhuman Code: How to Program Your Future." No similar conference can be found on the list of Vatican events, and no meeting is scheduled for October 23rd in general. Similarly, Neither Carlos Moreira nor David Ferguson has not announced participating in a similar conference.


Global Leaders At Fifth International Vatican Conference Working On Ways For People To Live Healthy Lives Well Past 100 [...] This is the fifth International Vatican Conference and this year it's all virtual. For three days, more than 100 global leaders in science, faith, medicine and technology are discussing the latest breakthroughs in medicine, health care delivery and prevention, as well as the human implications and cultural impact of technological advances.


Claims "Dumber and Dumber" actor Jim Carrey said, "Society is collapsing."

FACT CHECK: Did Jim Carrey Say, ‘Society Is Collapsing’? An image shared on Facebook claims "Dumb and Dumber" actor Jim Carrey said, "Society is collapsing." [...] The meme, which has been shared more than 24,000 times, purports that Carrey believes society is collapsing. The alleged statement continues, "People are starting to recognize that the reason they feel like they’re mentally ill is that they’re living in a system that’s not designed to suit the human spirit."


A celebrity did say this, but it was actually British comedian Russell Brand.


purports to show Russian President Vladimir Putin telling Americans they interfere with their own democracy

The video was created by the non-partisan anti-corruption organization, RepresentUs. A spokesperson for the organization confirmed the footage of Putin included in the video was not real.


purports CNN reported Liz Cheney endorsed Ron DeSantis for president

Liz Cheney says she would find it ‘very difficult’ to support Ron DeSantis for president [...] That hesitance is due to Mr DeSantis’s outspoken embrace of Donald Trump, Ms Cheney said, which she called "dangerous" given the revelations about his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and non-response to the mob attack on Congress which he himself had inspired. [...] Liz CheneyRon DeSantisDonald Trump


Claims that Benjamin Franklin once said, "A Nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved; it is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins."

6 Reasons American Heritage is Worth Your Time "A nation of well informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved.


Introduction "This will be the best security for maintaining our liberties . . . a nation of well-informed men, who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them, cannot be enslaved, It is in the regions of ignorance that tyranny begins." The above quote containing the words and visions of Benjamin Franklin exhorts citizens of the newly-formed republic to be aware in order to preserve personal freedoms and it clearly underscores the goal of this unit.


Claims a white Russian billionaire offered to pay $1 billion for NBA superstar LeBron James and tennis champion Serena Williams to have a child together

On Saturday’s U.S. Open women’s finals, a year after she almost died on the delivery-room table, tennis champion Serena Williams ran smack dab into one of the proud defenders of the patriarchy so affronted at a Black woman using her voice that he abused his authority to punish her by all the means he had. [...] But the events of Saturday night are bigger than Serena. It is evocative of a culture of misogyny and disrespect for women in sports that tennis perpetuates. The longstanding gap in prize money, unaddressed until her sister Venus, went to bat for women’s equality. The lack of accommodation for maternity leave, emblematic of that larger social issue of how women are expected to have children, but not be given any support for it—often penalized at work and "mommytracked" instead. Another player, Alize Cornet penalized for changing her shirt on-court, when no man has been. Serena’s French Open black bodysuit—which was created for her to address medical issues postpartum—was dismissed by the French Tennis Federation as "disrespectful" and then outlawed. There has been a constant policing of women’s bodies and a wash of respectability politics.


Claims Socrates said, "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers."

John Fugelsang ✔@JohnFugelsang https://twitter.com/JohnFugelsang/status/418377601804025856 'When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.' -Socrates. [...] So 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.


No, Socrates didn’t call slander the 'tool of the losers' A viral image on Facebook quotes Socrates as saying, "When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers." [...] Snopes, "Did Socrates say: ‘When debate is lost, slander becomes tool of the loser’?," April 12, 2016


Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin fired two players for kneeling during national anthem

A post shared on social media purports that the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers Mike Tomlin has fired two players for kneeling during the National Anthem. [...] The Facebook post purports that Tomlin fired his players for disrespecting the National Anthem. The post shows side-by-side images, one of Tomlin and the other a Steeler player kneeling. The caption reads, "Mike Tomlin Just Fired Two Players After They Knelt During National Anthem


claims President Donald Trump volunteered his airline Tower Air to bring American soldiers home during Operation Desert Storm

A viral Facebook post depicts President Donald Trump as a generous airline owner who donated his planes to transport American soldiers home from Saudi Arabia in 1991. But the details don’t square with what happened. [...] "Finally, the buses came and took the young man to the airport. The planes waiting were from Tower Air. The owner of Tower Air had volunteered his planes and staff to bring soldiers home for the cost of fuel only. Happily, the young veteran got home just in time for Easter weekend in 1991 and spent that time emotionally healing with friends and family surrounding him… "The Airline owner – Donald J Trump. [...] TruthorFiction, Did Donald Trump’s Tower Air Transport Soldiers Home From the First Gulf War?, March 4, 2016


Trump was never the owner of Tower Air. His airline, Trump Shuttle, operated flights between New York, Boston and Washington D.C. from 1989 to 1992.


A viral Facebook post claims President Donald Trump volunteered his airline Tower Air to bring American soldiers home from Operation Desert Storm. Trump was never the owner of Tower Air. His airline, Trump Shuttle, operated flights between New York, Boston and Washington D.C. from 1989 to 1992. [...] Yet, while Tower Air did charter overseas passenger and cargo flights for the Department of Defense in the 90s, the airline was never owned by Trump. Tower Air was founded by Morris Nachtomi, Zev Melamid, Mordechi Gill and Sam Fondlier, according to Airline History records. It ceased operations in 2002.


purports U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger is allegedly 'missing in action' and hasn't been seen since Jan. 6, 2023

A post shared on Facebook purports U.S. Marines allegedly rescued their commandant, Gen. David H. Berger, from a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) "safehouse." [...] The Facebook post purports U.S. Marines allegedly rescued Berger from a CIA "safehouse." The post further claims that the Marines stormed the "safehouse" near Cedarville, California, following a tip from an ex-CIA operative. [...] The article is a follow-up to an earlier article posted on the site purporting Berger was "missing in action" after he allegedly disappeared from Camp Pendleton on Jan. 6. (RELATED: Did David Berger Step Down As Marine Corps General Following A Conversation With Donald Trump?)


The claim stems from a satirical website. There is no evidence supporting the purported claim.


Former President Donald Trump claimed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis "sort of mandated" the COVID-19 vaccine.

Former President Donald Trump took aim at Ron DeSantis Saturday, claiming the Florida governor and his team are "trying to rewrite history" regarding their Covid-19 pandemic response, and called the potential presidential run by his GOP rival "very disloyal." [...] "I had governors that decided not to close a thing and that was up to them," he said. The former president also took aim at DeSantis’ shifting posture on vaccines, saying the Florida governor had "changed his tune a lot." That claim comes after DeSantis called on state lawmakers this month to make permanent existing penalties for companies that require all employees get the Covid-19 vaccination.


While DeSantis has expressed support for COVID-19 vaccines, he did not mandate them. DeSantis signed legislation that banned COVID-19 vaccine passports and vaccine mandates in 2021.


Claims that former South African President Nelson Mandela once stated, "Fools multiply when wise men are silent."

FACT CHECK: Did Nelson Mandela Say, ‘Fools Multiply When Wise Men Are Silent’? The Facebook page U.S. Democratic Voices shared an image that claims former South African President Nelson Mandela once stated, "Fools multiply when wise men are silent." The Daily Caller News Foundation found no evidence that Mandela ever made this statement.


purports to show a mom remove an LGBTQ+ pride flag from a classroom

The video is a skit from comedian Jibrizy. The video does not authentically show a mom removing an LGBTQ+ pride flag from a classroom.


Claims that author Ernest Hemingway once said, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

There is no evidence that Hemingway said this quote. The first known attribution to the novelist appeared years after his death.


Yet, with the addition of existential theory, we see that the act of writing also involves a universal aspect – an endeavor to create meaning not just for oneself, but for others as well. The act of bleeding onto the page becomes a shared experience, as readers connect with the writer's vulnerability and find solace or inspiration in their words.In this light, Hemingway's quote takes on a deeper significance. It serves as a reminder that writing is not solely about the author's catharsis or self-expression; it is also a potent form of communication that can transcend boundaries of time, place, and culture. When a writer 'bleeds' through their words, they invite readers to share in their experiences and emotions, creating a profound sense of connection and understanding.In conclusion, Ernest Hemingway's quote, 'There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed,' carries a multifaceted meaning. It initially captures the personal and raw nature of writing, emphasizing the vulnerability and honesty required to create meaningful work.


The Bloody Typewriter: What Every Writer Needs to Know According to Hemingway "There’s nothing to writing, all you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." Ernest Hemingway supposedly said that. Many attribute the quote to other writers. But Hemingway is the focus of this blog, so we’re going to say it’s a Hemingway quote, for now. [...] To sit down and "bleed" at your keyboard will likely result in crap. You’ll need to bleed and then sweat, working hard to make the bleeding worth your reader’s time.


purports CNBC published an article linking AMC Theatres to the recent Silicon Valley Bank collapse

FACT CHECK: Did CNBC Publish An Article Linking AMC Theatres To The Recent Silicon Valley Bank Collapse?


CNBC did not publish article linking US movie theatre group AMC to Silicon Valley Bank collapse [...] (Reuters) - Social media users are sharing a screenshot of a purported CNBC report that links U.S. movie theater chain AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc to the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse, but the CNBC report is fabricated. [...] The screenshot shows an apparent CNBC.com article carrying the byline of CNBC reporter Tanaya Macheel, dated March 12 and titled "AMC Theatres linked to Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse: What happened?"


Thanks to a community on Reddit, AMC Theatres saw blockbuster success with Wednesday morning's opening of the stock market, as shares of the movie theater chain soared up by almost 300 percent. The "SaveAMC" campaign not only spread quickly on Reddit, but also trended high on Twitter and TikTok.


purports the National Gallery in London is removing a famous painting because one of the figures resembles Russian President Vladimir Putin

Dubbed "Putin’s Palace," the 190,000 square-foot mega-mansion was purportedly built for his personal use with funds from billionaire oligarchs, whom he allegedly allowed to flourish in Russia’s notoriously corrupt economy so long as they shared the wealth – with him. [...] Krivonogikh has declined to comment about Putin to reporters, but her daughter – who had tens of thousands of Instagram followers before recently deleting her account – has acknowledged to interviewers that she shares a resemblance to the President. [...] In the eyes of some longtime Putin observers, the enigmatic Russian leader has shifted his focus from pursuit of wealth to consolidation of power.


President Joe Biden claimed in a Sept. 11, 2023 speech that he was in New York City where the World Trade Center towers fell the day after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Biden was likely in Washington D.C. the entire day. A White House spokesperson pointed to a visit to the site on Sept. 20, 2001.


In a Sept. 11, 2023, speech commemorating the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Biden said he visited the ruins of the World Trade Center at ground zero the day after the attacks took place. The evidence says otherwise. In a commemorative speech on Sept. 11, 2023, the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in which thousands of people died, U.S. President Joe Biden said he remembered standing at ground zero in New York City the next day and looking at the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center: [...] The Congressional Record shows that Biden was in Washington, D.C., that day, not New York City. Not only was he in attendance at a Senate session, but as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee managed the discussion prior to a vote that would unanimously confirm a joint resolution condemning the 9/11 attacks.


purports Bill Gates turned off his Twitter comments after Elon Musk allegedly exposed him in the latest Twitter files

Elon Musk’s Twitter Files don’t mention, let alone "expose" Bill Gates — fact check - Social media posts claim Elon Musk’s Twitter Files "exposed" Bill Gates "so hard" that the Microsoft co-founder turned off comments on his tweets. But the Twitter Files, released in December 2022, don’t discuss Gates. And Gates turned off comments in July 2020. "Elon Musk EXPOSED Bill Gates in the latest twitter files so hard that he has now turned off comments on his Twitter," reads a claim circulating on social media in South Africa and elsewhere in January 2023. [...] 🚨 Elon Musk EXPOSED Bill Gates in the latest twitter files so hard that he has now turned off comments on his Twitter. pic.twitter.com/wcSljoVqS4 — Anti WEF (@ANTlWEF) January 16, 2023


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted, "I am disgusted with 'President' Trump allowing people to keep more of the money they earn."

Q: Did Nancy Pelosi say, "I am disgusted with ‘President’ Trump allowing people to keep more of the money they earn"? [...] The phony tweet says: "I am disgusted with ‘President’ Trump allowing people to keep more of the money they earn. It is this type of wide spread theft of public resources that keeps America from being great ‘Mr. President’." The fake tweet dates to Dec. 20, 2017, the day that Congress passed tax changes championed by President Donald Trump.


There is no record of Pelosi ever tweeting this statement. The tweet has been fabricated.


President Obama released 500,000 pedophiles from background check database

No, Obama did not remove 500,000 pedophiles from a background check database | Fact check The claim: Obama removed 500,000 pedophiles from a background check database A May 1 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of a 2018 news article with the headline "Obama Removed 500,000 Pedophiles From Background Check Database."


The claim is inaccurate. Certain fugitives from the database following a definition change, which doesn’t single out pedophiles.


Claims the WHO advised the public to not have unprotected sex with animals to prevent the coronavirus?

Explanation: Posts presented an edited version of an image posted by WHO on Twitter in January 27. In the original publication, the organization advised people to avoid contact with wild and farm animals.


Public spending in Northern Ireland is 45% higher than it is in Ireland.

Using public expenditure as a measure of public spending, total public expenditure per person in Northern Ireland in 2015–16 was 10% higher than in Ireland. More recently, it was near par with Ireland. As a part of national output (GDP), government consumption contributed an estimated 45% more, per person, in Northern Ireland than it did in Ireland. But government consumption excludes aspects of spending, like investment in roads and social welfare.


Face coverings/masks became “mandatory” in shops in Northern Ireland as of 1 August 2020.

Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the Northern Ireland Executive’s decision to make the wearing of face coverings mandatory in shops. Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed the NI Executive decision on face coverings. [...] "This is particularly important in light of the fact that shielding is due to be paused from July 31. As people who have been shielding start resuming everyday activities, the wearing of face coverings in shops is a practical way to reassure them and help them keep safe.


The Department of Health (England) needs the consent of families to release information of deceased relatives.

- if you are aware of any wishes (written or verbal) of the deceased individual relating to their information being shared - if there is anything in the record which would either cause distress to the family or benefit them to know - if there is any third party information in the record; for example, information about other family members - if there is anything in the record which if disclosed might cause harm to another person - to explain any clinical abbreviations or terminology in the record, to help the person who has asked for a copy of the record understand it [...] Where confidential information about a deceased person is required for a purpose beyond individual care, such as research, service evaluation or national clinical audit, the requester should obtain approval from the Health Research Authority, under section 251 of the NHS Act 2006. [...] You will also need to consider the likelihood of information sharing being of benefit to the family of the deceased; for example, sharing certain information could reduce the emotional or mental harm experienced by grieving relatives. For example, where a person died of COVID-19 and their relatives were unable to visit them because of the infection control measures in place; or where a parent asks for information about the circumstances and causes of their child's death.


135. There are circumstances in which you must disclose relevant information about a patient who has died. For example: [...] 138. Archived records relating to deceased patients remain subject to a duty of confidentiality, although the potential for disclosing information about, or causing distress to, surviving relatives or damaging the public's trust will diminish over time. [...] Usually, if an individual who is known to the deceased is requesting information in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death, it will be appropriate to rely on the above GMC guidance.


41% of those living with HIV in Northern Ireland are heterosexual.

The claim is accurate. Furthermore, Northern Ireland has observed the fastest growth in diagnoses over the past 10 years, when compared to the average both in Ireland and in the United Kingdom.


Number living with HIV in Northern Ireland rises 10% [...] The annual HIV in Northern Ireland report highlighted a continuing rise in new HIV diagnoses, up by 3%, from 80 in 2010 to 82 in 2011. [...] Gay men are the group still most at risk of acquiring HIV within the UK, while the majority of heterosexual cases are acquired abroad.


There is no evidence of tea curing or alleviating the symptoms of COVID-19. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, there are no medicines that have yet been shown to prevent or cure COVID-19. A weekend news report in the Sunday Life quotes Basile ‘G-Star’ Sery – who was selling medicinal tea on Facebook – telling its reporter that it can "aid" people suffering from COVID-19. Sery is also quoted saying "Coronavirus is mucus blocking the oxygen supply and the tea can flush out the mucus… It can help with coronavirus because it’s an anti-inflammatory. It’s the same as you’ll find in health shops."


The medicinal value of tea drinking in the management of COVID-19 - PMID: 36647394 - PMCID: PMC9833859 - DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12968 The medicinal value of tea drinking in the management of COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presently the largest international public health event, individuals infected by the virus not only have symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and lung infection at the time of onset, but also possibly have sequelae in the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, nervous system, mental health and other aspects. However, numerous studies have depicted that the active ingredients in tea show good antiviral effects and can treat various diseases by regulating multiple pathways, and the therapeutic effects are associated with the categories of chemical components in tea. In this review, the differences in the content of key active ingredients in different types of tea are summarized. In addition, we also highlighted their effects on COVID-19 and connected sequelae, further demonstrating the possibility of developing a formulation for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and its sequelae through tea extracts. We have a tendency to suggest forestalling and treating COVID-19 and its sequelae through scientific tea drinking.