Category Narratives

US celebrities tricked into recording videos urging Zelensky to go to rehab – Truth or Fake

In a new Russian disinformation campaign uncovered by Microsoft, celebrities such as Elijah Wood, Priscilla Presley and Mike Tyson have been tricked into recording a video via the Cameo app that was later doctored and used for anti-Zelensky propaganda. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreUS celebrities tricked into recording videos urging Zelensky to go to rehab – Truth or Fake

Fake: Ukrainian Government Tried to Sell Scythian Gold at Sotheby’s – Bloomberg

This news is fake, and the story of the attempted sale of Scythian gold is made up. Bloomberg did not publish such stories either on its website or in its social media. Currently, the archaeological objects known as Scythian gold from Crimea, returned to Ukraine from the Netherlands, are under close guard at the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.

Read MoreFake: Ukrainian Government Tried to Sell Scythian Gold at Sotheby’s – Bloomberg

FactChecking the Fourth GOP Primary Debate

Christie derided Ramaswamy's plan for ending Russia's war in Ukraine, saying it would concede to Russia "all the land they've already stolen" and keep Ukraine from joining NATO (although Christie misspoke, saying the plan would keep Ukraine out of Russia). In exchange, Christie said, Ramaswamy would trust Russian President Vladimir Putin "not to have a relationship with China."

Ramaswamy shot back, "That's not my deal."
But it seems to be a mostly accurate synopsis of what Ramaswamy had proposed in June and refers to as the "reasonable peace deal."

Read MoreFactChecking the Fourth GOP Primary Debate

Researchers: Disinformation campaign spread after wildfires slowed disaster response

A disinformation campaign that sprung up almost immediately after wildfires ravaged Maui was spread by China and Russia, researchers have concluded. And, they say, that campaign made the government’s response to the disaster even more difficult.

From weather warfare to floating bodies on another island to thousands of missing children to a Maui land grab, experts say online posts about the wildfires might have started as genuine concern. But they also said China and Russia are now using artificial intelligence to amplify false messages and spread fear, division and distrust in government.

Read MoreResearchers: Disinformation campaign spread after wildfires slowed disaster response

Reddit post: damn corrupt americans, only sending weapons in ukraine instead of sending them to hawaii to kill the fires there

Imagine if Biden sent all that aid to Hawaii instead of Ukraine.
Daily reminder: when you read news about "the US sending X billion dollars of aid to Ukraine", they aren't sending them money. They are sending older, used equipment worth X billion, which doesn't cost the US taxpayer a single cent. They might even save money, as the government no longer has to pay for the old equipment's storage, guarding, decommissioning, etc.

Read MoreReddit post: damn corrupt americans, only sending weapons in ukraine instead of sending them to hawaii to kill the fires there

Ukraine’s Zelensky accused of buying two yachts with Western aid money – Truth or Fake

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is accused of buying two luxury yachts in October with Western aid money, in the name of two of his closest aides. But is there any truth to these claims? We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreUkraine’s Zelensky accused of buying two yachts with Western aid money – Truth or Fake