Mary Alexander

The fearmongering theme of a message circulating on social media since mid-March 2024 is stark. It reads simply: “WW3 ALERT.” WW3 refers to a possible third world war. The message claims that China has said it will “intervene militarily” if the United States and the North Atlantic Trea...

HIV can be cured with gene therapy. That’s the false claim circulating on Facebook in the southern African country of Zambia since late March 2024. “HIV CURE GENE THERAPY. DR.MICHAEL MWEYA IS HERE FOR YOU,” reads one version of the claim, with a WhatsApp contact number. “HIV CURE. You ...

The April 2024 total solar eclipse over North America has sparked many myths, false claims and conspiracy theories. One is a warning that “tonight”, “cosmic light rays” will “pass near” the Earth, causing us “harmful effects of radiation”. A total solar eclipse occurs when the ...

The wealthy Asian country of Japan has banned mRNA Covid vaccines after they were linked to “sudden soaring deaths”. That’s the claim circulating on social media in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and elsewhere since late March 2024. It reads: Japan has just banned Covid mRNA shots … an...