Europe Decoded

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Fact check: Would Zohran Mamdani's policies be 'normal' in Europe?

Far-left or mainstream, a utopic vision or normal; where would incoming New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s platform sit if it were transported to Europe?

12/11/2025

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How the internet went wild for fake news about the Louvre heist

From sharing pictures of supposed detectives to snaps of suspects purportedly tied to the Louvre heist case, false claims about the case have gone wild across the internet.

11/11/2025

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Fact check: Has Marine Le Pen's appeal been denied?

The far-right leader has vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to overturn her five-year ban from public office. Where does she stand in efforts to appeal her sentence?

10/11/2025

The Cube

Viral video of crying Ukrainian soldier sent to front lines is fake

Videos of a crying Ukrainian "conscript" have flooded European social media networks, particularly in Germany and Hungary, this week. The clip, however, appears to be created with help from Sora, OpenAI's new tool.

07/11/2025

The Cube

Is France going to link its digital ID to your social media accounts?

Misleading narratives about digital IDs are commonplace online, as various European countries and the EU itself gear up to introduce them to the public.

06/11/2025

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Can Italy's plan for the world's longest bridge survive court clash?

Italy's government has vowed to go ahead with the government's plan to build a €13.5 billion bridge across the Strait of Messina despite Italy's Court of Auditors shooting down the plan. Can it be bypassed?

05/11/2025

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Russian propagandists spread sham stories with journalists' identities

As part of a trend that is becoming an increasing headache for the media, pro-Russian actors are spreading propaganda through fake news outlets and by impersonating real journalists.

04/11/2025

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No, picture of heavily guarded German Christmas market isn't real

Misinformation about the festive season has already begun, particularly regarding the alleged closure of German Christmas markets.

03/11/2025

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Did Trump invite the AfD's Alice Weidel to the White House? Not really

Social media is awash with claims that Donald Trump invited Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel to Washington. He didn’t, but a Republican congresswoman did.

31/10/2025

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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.

30/10/2025

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?

29/10/2025

The Cube

AI video circulates showing Western leaders making shock revelations

The video was produced by RT and provides a disclaimer about its true nature towards the end.

28/10/2025

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Fact check: How much do immigrants cost the Netherlands?

As in many European election campaigns, the cost of immigration has been a hot topic ahead of the Dutch vote, with many inflated figures being thrown about in the media and online.

27/10/2025

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How did prisoners film Sarkozy's cell, despite phone ban in prisons?

Footage of Nicolas Sarkozy being taunted by fellow inmates inside Paris' prison de la Santé has gone viral on social media, sparking a public controversy and a debate about prisoners' access to mobile phones.

24/10/2025

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.

23/10/2025

The Cube

Trump shares fake video of Meloni flouting EU trade rules

Trade outside the EU is an exclusive responsibility of the bloc, while the Italian government has denied pursuing bilateral trade talks with the US.

22/10/2025

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Fact-checking claims that no female hostages made it out of Gaza

Commentators on social media have purported that "not a single woman" survived captivity following the release of the last remaining hostages kidnapped by Hamas on 7 October 2023. These claims are misleading.

21/10/2025

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Did pro-Russian supporters fly a Putin hot air balloon in Berlin?

Social media users claim that the alleged stunt was to show support for Russia rather than Ukraine.

20/10/2025

The Cube

Did teenagers wreak havoc in France's National Assembly?

A group of teenagers wearing tracksuits can be seen running around France's National Assembly, walking all over its benches and lighting cigarettes. The internet may be talking about them, but these videos are not real.

17/10/2025

The Cube

Fact check: No, European Parliament didn't silence Polish MEP

A video circulating on social media has prompted questions over how European Parliament procedure works, and how long MEPs are allowed to speak when they interject.

16/10/2025