Canada

Is a photo showing hockey fans spelling out "FUCK TRUDEAU" with placards authentic? No, that's not true: The sign spelled out by fans at a Stanley Cup game actually read "BELIEVE," and was digitally edited. Two different publications posted the original photo with the sign reading "BELIEVE." An online news search did not yield any evidence of a sign with…

Did an authentic video document Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promoting a financial investment scheme in a video? No, that's not true: The video of Trudeau is altered to add audio of a Trudeau-like voice pitching a platform where large returns are promised on a small investment. The original video of Trudeau is from his visit to a company announcing…

Does the ocean being colder along the seafloor prove that Earth's core is frozen, as a video on TikTok suggested? No, that's not true: Scientific literature shows that the Earth's interior is indeed hot, with some estimates suggesting it is comparable to the surface of the Sun. While the Earth's interior is hot, a deep-sea scientist told Lead Stories that…

Does a video on social media show people celebrating Donald Trump's May 30, 2024, guilty verdict at a pub? No, that's not true: The original footage on the screen documented celebrations after a British soccer game in 2016. Use of the recycled pub scene video has itself become a meme of sorts, an ironic element of posts celebrating some political…

Will Alberta, a province in Canada, vote to become the 51st state in the United States on June 30? No, that's not true: Contrary to a website article published in June 2023, there was no vote on June 30, 2023, and no votes have been scheduled for June 30, 2024, according to the official website for the government of Alberta.…

Was an approximately 2-year-old-child, who was never reported missing, found in a town -- and are police keeping the child safe while looking for the child's guardian? No, that's not true: While this situation may have occurred somewhere at some point in time, posts circulating on Facebook in May 2024 are part of a scam and are not true. The…

Does a viral image really show "Barbara O'Neill's cousin" in the courtroom being "sentenced to LIFE IN PRISON"? No, that's not true: It is AI-generated. The claim came from an account with a history of posting inauthentic images under the captions referring to made-up stories. The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on Facebook by "Divina Vitals" on May…

Was canola oil first developed as an engine lubricant during World War II, as a post on Facebook claimed? No, that's not true: Canola oil is made from a species of plant specially bred from rapeseed. Oil from rapeseed was used during World War II as a mechanical lubricant. However, canola oil, as we know it today, was developed in…

Did Boeing send a "hit squad" to murder two whistleblowers who raised safety alarms about Boeing aircraft? No, that's not true: As of this writing, no credible sources confirmed foul play in the deaths of these two men. While inquiries into both deaths are still ongoing, available information about the causes of death points to illness and suicide. The claim…

Are all mainstream commercially branded sunscreens toxic? No, that's not true: The Food and Drug Administration regulates sunscreens to ensure they meet safety and effectiveness standards. While some sunscreens may contain ingredients that some people consider potentially harmful or irritating, all commercially branded sunscreens are not toxic in their formulation. The claim appeared in a post (archived here) on Facebook…