ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
More news
More news on Europe Decoded
The Cube
Self-styled 'experts' increasingly influencing opinion on social media
Researchers warn social media users can form strong opinions after viewing only a few social media posts on a topic. Across social media, many self-proclaimed experts and influencers are plugging a gap amid declining public trust in traditional experts.
The Cube
Does the UK really have the highest prime minister turnover in Europe?
The resignation of Keir Starmer means that the UK, a European country once known for its ability to return stable governments, will see its seventh prime minister since 2016. Social media users claim this is the highest rate on the continent. Is this true?
ADVERTISEMENT
The Cube
The truth behind the viral video of a drone interceptor
A video widely shared on social media appears to show a handheld device intercepting a drone. While some users have hailed the system as a Ukrainian military innovation, others have claimed it is Russian technology. The Cube traced the footage to determine the origin and purpose of the device.
The Cube
Can EU countries restrict or ban Israeli settlement imports?
Several EU states are weighing measures against goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights – all considered illegal under international law. Some argue that rules that exclude such goods from Israel’s tariff-free trade deal are not being properly enforced.
The Cube
Can French prosecutors review 70,000 child abuse cases in five weeks?
The murder of an 11-year-old schoolgirl in France has sparked outrage at the country's judicial system, prompting the justice minister to launch a mass child abuse case review. But experts are split on how feasible the plan is.
The Cube
How Iran-linked accounts faked Irish, Scottish profiles to sway public
Researchers say that social media accounts affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps posed as Scottish and Irish nationals in order to cultivate their following, before switching their narrative to spread pro-Iranian discourse online.
The Cube
Monetisation still available to EU-sanctioned figures on social media
Researchers from the Dutch non-profit WHAT TO FIX found monetisation tools were still active on social media accounts linked to three individuals sanctioned by the EU over pro-Russian interference activities. Several accounts have since been removed.
The Cube
Can France's Canal+ legally blacklist stars for criticising owner?
In response to a petition signed by French film professionals protesting against the ever-growing hold of conservative businessman Vincent Bolloré on France's media industry, the group's CEO threatened to blacklist them. But is such a threat legal and could it undermine freedom of speech?
The Cube
A large scale disinformation campaign is targeting Armenia's election
For several months, Armenia has been the target of a wide-ranging Russian disinformation campaign ahead of its parliamentary elections in early June. Researchers say the operation is among the most extensive in recent years. The Cube examines how and why false claims have been circulating.
The Cube
Why are Russian embassy antennas raising concerns in Europe?
Austria recently expelled three Russian diplomats over alleged espionage activities in Vienna. Researchers, journalists and former intelligence officials say that antenna systems on Russian diplomatic buildings could be the source of the worry.
The Cube
Debunking claims Ukraine ambassador stole wine at WHCD shooting
Social media users have misleadingly claimed that viral footage shows Ukraine's ambassador to the US stealing bottles of champagne from vacant tables, amid the chaos following the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
The Cube
Does Zelenskyy have a stolen painting in his office?
Claims circulating online suggest Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is displaying a stolen piece of art in his office. But analysis of the footage and its origins shows the allegation is false and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
The Cube
Russian propaganda unit targets Hungary’s elections
A fabricated claim that Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar plans to reintroduce mandatory military conscription is spreading online, with researchers linking it to Storm-1516, a well-established Russian disinformation campaign targeting elections across Europe.
The Cube
Why did Italy deny US bombers access to an Italian airbase?
Claims circulating online suggest Italy denied US military aircraft access to the Sigonella base in Sicily for political reasons linked to the war in Iran. However, official statements and reporting from multiple sources indicate the situation is more procedural than political.
The Cube
Orbán allies baselessly accuse Meta of Hungarian election interference
Meta has found itself embroiled in Hungary's tense election campaign, after supporters of the ruling Fidesz party claimed their posts are being restricted to favour opposition parties. In reality, there is no weight to the allegations.
The Cube
Fact check: How can a country actually withdraw from NATO?
Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of the North Atlantic alliance over European countries' reticence to join the war in Iran. However, questions remain over how exactly he would be able to do so, both under domestic law and NATO treaties.
The Cube
French municipal elections hit with foreign interference allegations
Following his defeat in the Toulouse municipal election, left-wing candidate François Piquemal has called for the vote to be voided, alongside a criminal complaint alleging foreign digital interference. The Cube takes a look at the claims.
The Cube
Family denies Israel's role in French journalist’s death
A social media campaign pushing fake news to exploit the death of a French journalist has emerged in recent days, accusing Israel of killing her in order to censor her reporting on Gaza. According to her family and friends, these claims are baseless.
The Cube
Fact check: Are Pokémon GO players unwittingly helping to train AI?
The hit mobile game Pokémon GO has come under scrutiny following claims that images captured within the app may have been used to train AI systems developed by its creator, without players' consent. However, these images were not collected entirely without users’ awareness.
The Cube
Russia using Iran war as proganda weapon against Ukraine
Russia has consistently spread disinformation about Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion. Now, analysts say the Kremlin is shifting its messaging strategy by exploiting narratives about the war in the Middle East. The Cube debunks some of the false claims.
The Cube
EU migration reform: Could it lead to ICE-style practices in Europe?
A proposed law designed to streamline migrant returns from the EU has sparked concern that it will empower European authorities to adopt measures akin to those used by the controversial US immigration agency ICE. The Cube investigates.
The Cube
Did French border guards mock influencers returning from Dubai?
Social media posts have showed French border guards stationed in airport arrivals with signs that appear to read, “to all the influencers and other people in tax havens such as Dubai, the tax authorities wish you a smooth return to France". But is this real?
The Cube
Do the Epstein files show he was working for Russia?
From internet users to US lawmakers, speculation abounds regarding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties to intelligence agencies. Questions about his links to Russian elites have come to the forefront following the release of the latest batch of files.
The Cube
Did the EU bypass Hungary's veto on Ukraine’s €90 billion loan?
On 24 February, the European Parliament announced that it had signed off on a €90 billion loan to support Ukraine. On social media, some users claimed this showed Brussels had overridden Hungary’s opposition to the loan. However, this is only one part of the legislative process.
The Cube
Did Francesca Albanese really call Israel 'the enemy of humanity'?
Last week, France, Germany and others called for the resignation of Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, over an alleged anti-semitic comment about Israel. Her supporters say the claim is based on misinformation.
The Cube
Fact check: Is the EU censoring Americans and meddling in elections?
A report by Republican lawmakers in the US has slammed the European Commission for allegedly posing as a 'foreign censorship threat', claiming it unfairly targets conservative and populist views and tries to manipulate elections in EU member states. The Cube takes a look at the allegations.
The Cube
Epstein files: How far is Europe's political elite implicated?
The release of more than three million extra documents related to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has prompted resignations, accusations and a wave of online vitriol towards members of Europe’s political elite. But who is actually named in the files, and to what extent?
The Cube
Will ICE handle security at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy?
On 27 January, the US's controversial ICE agency said that its investigative arm would be involved in security-related support for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The announcement sparked political protests, but what's the truth behind the outrage?
The Cube
Will the Mercosur agreement really bring 'toxic' food to our plates?
From farmers burning tyres outside the European Parliament to motorway blockades across the continent, tensions around the EU-Mercosur trade agreement don't look set to go away. Many critics argue that it will lead to a flood of "toxic" products on the European market, but how true is this?
The Cube
Are Romanians really protesting against an 'anti–free speech' law?
Thousands of people took to the streets of Bucharest last week to protest against a law that they say threatens freedom of expression in Romania. However, an investigation by The Cube suggests that the legislation is intended to combat extremist activity.
The Cube
Fact check: Is Ursula von der Leyen 'auto-increasing' her own salary?
Recent claims circulating on social media allege that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been “automatically increasing” her own salary. The Cube examined the claims to clarify how the salaries of EU officials are actually determined.
The Cube
Is the EU trying to control your wallet?
Numerous rumours about the digital euro have been circulating on social media for months. According to some users, the currency will be used to monitor financial transactions or could even threaten individual freedoms. The Cube has debunked some of these claims.
The Cube
Fact check: Is Sweden as unsafe as Trump says?
The US president recently said that Sweden "has gone from being a country free of crime to a country that now has a lot of crime". The Cube took a look at its homicide statistics and compared them to those in other European countries and the US to see how true this is.
The Cube
Musk vs the EU: Fact-checking the billionaire's X claims on Europe
Elon Musk made and reshared a series of misleading and sensationalised claims related to Europe on his X platform in the aftermath of a fine imposed on X by the European Commission for failing to comply with its transparency duties.
The Cube
Fact check: Is China using TikTok to 'dumb down' European children?
Macron recently claimed that China offers its children a more educational version of TikTok, while the version available in Europe is designed, in his view, to dull the minds of young people. The Cube compared the content found in both versions of the app.
The Cube
Is Belgium too small a country to use its new fighter jets?
French media have been mocking Belgium for buying fighter jets that it will be unable to use for training exercises due to its airspace being too small, but this has always been taken into account, according to Belgian authorities.
The Cube
Fact check: Can you rely on AI chatbots for voting advice?
The Dutch Data Protection Authority has issued a firm warning that users should not use chatbots to decide who to vote for as the country gears up for a snap general election. But what are the risks, and what can potential voters use instead?
The Cube
French left-wing politician accused of concealing luxury watch on TV
Argentina's radical right-wing President Javier Milei has fuelled online claims alleging that Louis Boyard, a politician from the far-left France Unbowed party, removed his luxury watch before a TV interview. However, these claims are misleading.
The Cube
Are product barcodes that begin with '729' made in Israel?
In a bid to encourage a boycott against Israeli goods, online users, including French MEP Manon Aubry, have relayed a claim alleging that barcodes beginning with the digits "729" are produced in Israel – but this is not entirely accurate.
Space
Is EU's first space commissioner launched on low-orbit mission?
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's second term will see the first-ever commissioner for defence and space. But his mission and support do not match the recognition seen at the policy level, analysts and industry representatives argue.
Europe News
EU Parliament set for showdown between Orbán and opposition leader
Buoyed by a bombshell opinion poll result showing his six-month old party has almost closed the gap on Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz, which has ruled Hungary since 2010, the insurgent opposition leader Péter Magyar plans to put the nationalist premier on the spot in the European Parliament next week.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT