Fake news quiz March 2024

People often say that suspicion is in the air, but was one pigeon grounded in India over fears it might be a Chinese spy?

• This is real

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Answer explanation

It's real!

The bird was detained by officers in Mumbai last May, after being found with two rings round its legs, featuring words which appeared to be Chinese.

Far from being a spy in the sky, it turned out to be an open-water racing pigeon from Taiwan, and has now been released from Indian custody.

2024 marks four years since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, but is it true that another pandemic is on the horizon, in the form of the mysterious Disease X?

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Answer explanation

It's fake!

Fear not, while the World Economic Forum did hold talks about ways to deal with 'Disease X' this year, the mystery illness isn't actually real!

'Disease X' is a fictional example used during discussions about how to deal with potential future pandemics.

It's often known as the month of love, but were there really auditions to find a donkey a new best friend this February?

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• This is fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

Dot and Colin, owners of Harold the donkey, placed an advert in a farm shop following the loss of his goat best bud, Billy. 

After being swamped with replies, the Leicestershire couple organised play-dates with potential candidates, hoping to fill the hoof-shaped hole in Harold's heart.

February saw American Football player Travis Kelce take to the field at Super Bowl 58, but has he really been hit with a $10 million fine over his conduct during the game?

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Answer explanation

It's fake!

While Kelce's heated interaction with Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid may have made quite the splash online, there is no evidence to suggest he has been suspended by the NFL over the matter.

Furthermore, the standard fine for a first offence of "unsportsmanlike conduct" in the NFL is $13,659 - a far cry from the $10 million claimed.

Kelce himself has spoken out about the incident, describing his outburst as "unacceptable".

Celeb-owned businesses are all the rage these days, but is it true that one former Disney Channel star has launched an outer space startup?

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Answer explanation

It's real!

Bridgit Mendler, star of Disney Channel show 'Good Luck Charlie', took to X this month to announce that her outer space startup company, Northwood Space, had received $6.3 million in funding.

The post has amassed around 3.5 million views. Talk about lift off!

We've all done bizarre things while bored, but did a dad and daughter really defy physics with their Pringle placement during February?

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Answer explanation

It's real!

Andy Whitson posted evidence on Facebook of the sour cream showpiece, dubbing it "the Ringle".

The post accumulated over 38,000 likes, with some users calling it a "masterpiece".

With elections coming up on both sides of the Atlantic, there has been much discussion around ways to combat misinformation online. But is Microsoft really set to disable computers of those sharing 'non-mainstream content'?

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Answer explanation

It's fake!

The website where the claim originated used a clip of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, talking about ways to reduce the "unintended consequences" of AI. 

However, at no point in the clip did Nadella make any mention of disabling computers used to share 'non-mainstream content'.

Donald Trump is hoping to be the Republican's golden boy at the upcoming US presidential election, but has the former President really started selling golden trainers?

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• This is fake

Answer explanation

It's real!

Trump announced his own line of shoes at this month's 'Sneaker Con' in Philidelphia. 

The shoes are being sold online for $399, with the announcement coming hot on the heels of Trump's $355 million fine from the state of New York. Trump has since appealed the fine.