AP Fact Check

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Compounds shown in 2019 news clip not linked to Hamas, despite online claims

CLAIM: A news clip shows compounds in the U.S. where Hamas was “training hidden in plain sight.”

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False.

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week

Social media users shared a range of false claims this week. Here are the facts: Over-the-counter cold and cough medications aren’t being pulled from drugstore shelves for nefarious reasons — some products that contain phenylephrine as a single ingredient are being voluntarily removed at CVS stores

Video does not show the Nile River filled with red water. It’s footage of a lagoon in Chile

CLAIM: A video shows that the Nile River recently turned red, portending catastrophes.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The video does not show the Nile River.

Voluntary removal of popular cold-and-cough medications from store shelves fuels conspiracy theories

CLAIM: Over-the-counter cold and cough medications are being pulled from drugstore shelves in an effort to start the “next plandemic” or force people to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

No, NATO has not urged Ukraine to surrender, despite what social media posts claim

CLAIM: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has called on Ukraine to surrender to Russia.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The 31-nation alliance has made no such call.

Voting locations in Arizona’s Maricopa County didn’t close early unexpectedly, despite claims online

CLAIM: Voting locations in Maricopa County, Arizona closed early without notice on Election Day.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: Missing context.

A short film from Lebanon is being misrepresented to accuse Palestinians of staging injuries

CLAIM: A video shows a makeup artist applying dirt and fake blood to a young girl on a stretcher, proving that people in Gaza are faking injuries in the latest Israel-Hamas war.

Mel Gibson did not post on social media about ‘the end’ of Israel

CLAIM: An image shows a social media post by actor Mel Gibson about “the end” of Israel and the country’s desire to “destroy everything” in its way.

A 13-year-old satirical blog post about Netanyahu’s ‘psychiatrist’ is being shared as real news

CLAIM: News reports say Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s psychiatrist died by suicide.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The claim comes from a 2010 satirical blog post.

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week

Social media users shared a range of false claims this week. Here are the facts: Reports of a gas leak at a Kentucky polling place were not an election-rigging tactic to gain more votes for Democratic Gov.

No, Dior didn’t replace Bella Hadid with an Israeli model over her comments on the Israel-Hamas war

Social media users are sharing a baseless claim that Dior has ditched supermodel Bella Hadid due to recent comments on the latest Israel-Hamas war, and replaced her in a new campaign with Israeli model May Tager.