English

James Thomas

Europe Decoded

Fake news batters UK and France ahead of elections

Both sets of votes are expected to shake up each country's political direction, but as usual, there’s plenty of disinformation making the rounds, particularly targeting individual politicians.

Europe Decoded

Did Albania’s PM call the US ‘one of the three evils in the world’?

A video circulating on social media claims to show Prime Minister Edi Rama labelling the US, Soviet Union and Israel as the world’s three “evils”.

Europe Decoded

False claims about Biden’s mental health flooding social media again

As the US presidential election draws closer, swathes of posts ridiculing President Joe Biden’s fitness to serve another term are being shared widely, but the pictures are usually either manipulated or taken out of context.

Europe Decoded

Operation Overload: Pro-Russians flooding newsrooms with fake news

A new report says that the scheme also seeks to amplify certain fake narratives by having reporters publish their debunks and share them far and wide.

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Europe Decoded

No, 97% of people on Spain’s minimum basic income are not migrants

Ahead of the EU and UK elections, commentators and social media users are making factually incorrect claims about immigration in Europe.

Europe Decoded

No, an oversized cross won’t void your ballot in Germany

Rumours on German social media are spreading false claims about ways you can supposedly invalidate your vote in the European elections by accident.

Europe Decoded

Fact-check: Is the EU setting up a European army?

Critics of the EU have long claimed that the bloc has created a joint army or soon will, citing calls from pro-European voices who want an ever-closer union. The Cube unpacks the myth.

Europe Decoded

No, this video doesn't show turbulent Singapore Airlines flight

The video is being shared widely on social media and even in news reports in the context of the Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence and left one man dead, but the footage has been misattributed.

Europe Decoded

Why is Central Europe prone to fake news ahead of European elections?

Recent statistics show that at least half of the population in countries such as Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic are exposed to misinformation online.

Europe Decoded

Fake news on the rise as the European elections draw near

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and new EU anti-money laundering rules have all been the target of misinformation recently.

Europe Decoded

European royals targeted in Palestine-related misinformation online

Social media users are wrongly claiming that the King of Denmark waved a Palestine flag at a protest in Copenhagen, while others incorrectly claim that the King of Spain has accused Israel of genocide. The Cube investigates.

Europe Decoded

Is Russia still using the Crimean Bridge to shore up its military?

Satellite images suggest that traffic on the bridge has dropped significantly since the Ukrainian attack last year, implying that Moscow may be planning to launch an assault on Ukraine using alternative land routes.

Europe Decoded

No, this RTÉ headline on Irish funds for Ukrainian pets isn’t real

A fake screenshot going round on social media says that the Irish government has signed off on another €150 million allocation for Ukrainian pet welfare.

Europe Decoded

Fact-check: What did Orbán claim in his European election speech?

Hungary's prime minister made a range of claims about the state of the country's economy and its position in the Ukraine war while launching his party's European manifesto. The Cube takes a closer at the speech.

Europe Decoded

Fact-check: Does having flat feet bring health problems?

For years, the general population has believed that people with flat feet are more likely to develop future pain and musculoskeletal issues. The Cube takes a look at a study claiming that this isn't the case after all.

Europe Decoded

Fact-check: Can hackers steal fingerprints from selfies?

A video circulating on social media is warning people to avoid doing the peace sign when posing for selfies, in case fraudsters take copies of their fingerprints to hack into their data. The Cube spoke to experts to find out more.

Europe Decoded

No, this video doesn't show the ICJ condemning Germany in Gaza case

A video of the case that Nicaragua has brought against Germany at the ICJ for allegedly facilitating genocide in Gaza has been taken out of context. The Cube investigates.

Europe Decoded

European elections: Top tips to avoid misinformation

Ahead of the European elections, The Cube takes you through some of the ways to spot and protect yourself against dubious claims and harmful discourse online.

Europe Decoded

No, the head of the World Economic Forum is not dead

Rumours have emerged online that the WEF's executive chairman and founder, Klaus Schwab, has been hospitalised, arrested, and may even be dead. The Cube takes a look at where the false claims have come from.

Europe Decoded

Is the EU digital identity wallet going to strip away our privacy?

The EU's new digital identity wallet, designed to streamline personal information storage and sharing, has raised concerns and conspiracy theories. The Cube takes a look at them.

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