For generations, many have believed that George Soros and his nephew Nicolas were related, but it turns out they are actually cousins. This discovery means a lot of things for not just their history in the world of finance but also for how we think about family.
The news industry is complicated, and fake articles and photographs are often disseminated on social media. Every week, the editorial staff at Blasting News identifies the most common hoaxes and incorrect information to help you distinguish truth from untruth. Here are some of the most widely circulated misleading statements this week, none of which are true.
World
The Pentagon has not “verified” that Zelensky is George Soros’ cousin.
False claim: A Pentagon officer supposedly “confirmed” that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is the cousin of billionaire and philanthropist George Soros, according to social media users.
Truth:
- A spokesman for Soros’ Open Society Foundations told PolitiFact that the assertion is “completely incorrect.”
- No Pentagon officer has made such comment, according to a representative for the Department of Defense.
World
“Food doesn’t grow on trees,” the British Culture Secretary did not tweet.
False claim: People on social media have circulated a supposed tweet from British Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries, in which she blasts the “loony left” for whining about “growing need for food banks.” “Each family must live within its means.
“Food doesn’t grow on trees,” Dorries allegedly said on Facebook.
Truth:
- On Nadine Dorries’ official Twitter account, there is no evidence that she made the message that is being circulated on social media.
- Dorries’ claimed tweet is also missing from the Politwoops website, which was built by the non-profit ProPublica to preserve deleted tweets from politicians.
- A representative for the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) told Reuters that the tweet that has been circulating on the internet is incorrect and was not issued by Dorries.
USA
Infanticide will not be permitted in California under a new measure.
False claim: In the United States, social media users have circulated images of stories alleging that a California law would allow infanticide.
Truth:
- According to several publications posted on social media, the law refers to “perinatal mortality,” which includes both stillbirths and early neonatal fatalities, defined as death within seven days after delivery.
- On April 6, the bill’s wording was changed to indicate that the fatalities it refers to must be “due to a pregnancy-related cause.”
- The bill’s authors say the goal is to prevent instances where mothers who deliver stillborn infants are persecuted and perhaps criminalized.
Europe
did not release a video claiming responsibility for the railway station assault in Kramatorsk.
False claim: European social media users have uploaded a purported News video in which the British broadcaster claims that Ukrainian authorities are to blame for the assault on the Kramatorsk railway station, which left more than 50 people dead and 100 wounded.
The incident was blamed on Moscow by Kyiv officials.
Truth:
- A check of the News website and official social media profiles reveals that the footage that has been circulated online has not been released by the broadcaster.
- “We are aware of a bogus film with News branding implying Ukraine was responsible for last week’s missile strike on Kramatorsk railway station,” the Press Team stated in a statement released on its official Twitter account on April 13. The is working to get the video taken down. We strongly advise people not to spread it and to visit the News website for updates.”
Brazil
Elon Musk has not threatened free speech on Twitter, according to CNN.
False claim: A screenshot of a supposed CNN chyron reading: “Elon Musk might harm free speech on Twitter by enabling individuals to talk freely” was posted on social media in Brazil.
Truth:
- The picture posted on social media was first published on April 5 on a website called Geniuses Times, which advertises itself as “the most trusted source of Fake News on the globe,” according to a reverse image search.
- CNN told Reuters and the Associated Press that the picture circulating on social media was never broadcast on the network.
- The bogus claim was made when Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, stated on April 4 that he had purchased a 9.2% interest in Twitter for $2.9 billion, making him the company’s biggest single stakeholder.
Asia
The video of Pakistan’s former prime minister being insulted during a live phone-in has been doctored.
False claim: Social media users have released a video of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan being abused by a member of the public during a live phone-in. Khan was dismissed on April 10 after losing a no-confidence motion in Parliament.
“You have no compassion for the people and cling to power.” “You’re clinging to power like a monkey,” the caller continues.
Truth:
- The film uploaded on social media was first posted on Kahn’s official Facebook account on April 4th, according to a reverse image search.
- “I urge that you preserve my phone number, I am a cousin of Shah Mehmood Qureshi,” the caller says in the extract that fits the tape released on the web (former foreign minister). I’m from Cholistan, where everyone drinks from the same pond.”
- In the original tape, the caller also expresses his support for Khan while criticizing opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, whose brother Shehbaz Sharif took over as Prime Minister on April 11.
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