Science & Space: news & fact-checks

China warns against space arms race, urges equal rights for all in outer space

• South China Morning Post: China warns against space arms race, urges equal rights for all in outer space 2 h ago

Good to see you after all this time. Chinese scientists put a face to the Denisovans

• South China Morning Post: Good to see you after all this time. Chinese scientists put a face to the Denisovans 5 h ago

Paper straws worse for the environment than plastic, South Korea study finds

• South China Morning Post: Paper straws worse for the environment than plastic, South Korea study finds 6 h ago

After the 2004 tsunami emptied India’s Trinket Island, abandoned cattle went feral; a 2020 study reported that only about 150 descendants remained

• Hindustan Times: After the 2004 tsunami emptied India’s Trinket Island, abandoned cattle went feral; a 2020 study reported that only about 150 descendants remained 10 h ago

A 2026 study sequenced 30 feral Hong Kong cattle, finding genetic clues to their ancestry and possible adaptations

• Hindustan Times: A 2026 study sequenced 30 feral Hong Kong cattle, finding genetic clues to their ancestry and possible adaptations 10 h ago

Blue Planet III: Moment octopus escapes death after hunt gone wrong

• BBC News: Blue Planet III: Moment octopus escapes death after hunt gone wrong 11 h ago

In 1874, rabbits reached the remote Kerguelen Islands; later research found two sensitive native plants had disappeared from grazed areas

• Hindustan Times: In 1874, rabbits reached the remote Kerguelen Islands; later research found two sensitive native plants had disappeared from grazed areas 11 h ago

Putin cites unspecified genetic research to claim Russians and Ukrainians are ‘one people’

• Meduza: Putin cites unspecified genetic research to claim Russians and Ukrainians are ‘one people’ 20 h ago

Scientists trace van Gogh’s The Starry Night to an actual night sky from 1889

• The Globe and Mail: Scientists trace van Gogh’s The Starry Night to an actual night sky from 1889 1 d ago

Space Debris Found Twice Within Days Amid ‘Growing Casualty Risk’

• The New York Times: Space Debris Found Twice Within Days Amid ‘Growing Casualty Risk’ 1 d ago

False! AI-generated image falsely show Eiffel Tower engulfed in flames

Claim: A Threads user @blackriverfilmfestival shared an image claiming it shows the Eiffel Tower engulfed in flames. Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s research shows that the image is AI-generated. A review of the Eiffel Tower’s live webcam feed…

YouTube and TikTok rarely act on climate misinformation, even when it breaks their own rules

A joint investigation by Science Feedback and Fundación Maldita.es reported more than 300 climate misinformation videos in French and Spanish. YouTube never answered, and TikTok restricted only a small minority of them and overturned none…

RFK Jr. Falsely Claims New Evidence Supports Splitting MMR Vaccine

Following an executive order that called for breaking up the combination measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that a “recent” study “just came out” that “very strongly…

Why the information space has become a minefield for EU CSDP missions and operations

When Armenian voters renewed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's mandate in the June 2026 parliamentary elections, they did more than choose a government. They chose closer cooperation with the European Union. That choice made them a target…

What is RCP8.5? Unpacking misleading claims about climate scenarios

Claim reviewed: The United Nations has admitted its climate change projections are wrong — attributed by the checker to Donald Trump

Fossil fuels receive more government support than renewables

Moreover, fossil fuels are often to blame when energy prices rise, contrary to some claims that climate change is a 'scam'.

Rivian R1S 2024 Review

Claim reviewed: Untitled Snippet contains facts