One day after thieves robbed France’s Louvre Museum of prize jewels in a brazen daytime heist, a short video purporting to show the crime from the Apollo Gallery spread in multiple languages across social media. But the sequence was generated by artificial intelligence, AFP verified.
Scientists do not fully understand what causes the chronic neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s, but they are examining a combination of genetic, health and lifestyle factors. On social media, false claims blaming statins — medicines that help lower cholesterol levels — are spreading despite research showing that a sustained reduction in “bad” cholesterol can actually help lower the risk of dementia.
In September 2025, the Russian Federal Medical and Biological Agency announced that its mRNA-based vaccine Enteromix had passed preclinical trials with promising results. Following this announcement, posts spread on social media in Africa claiming Enteromix was a “cure” for cancer. The posts also claimed the vaccine was ready for general use and would be available for free. However, oncology vaccine specialists poured cold water on the claims, saying reliable clinical evidence for Enteromix is not yet available. The Russian agency itself stated the vaccine is awaiting approval for the next stage.
US President Donald Trump falsely claimed Amish people living in the United States “have essentially no autism” during a White House announcement billed as offering findings on causes and treatments for the neurological and developmental disorder. Experts said he is misguided; autism does exist in the traditionalist Christian communities, which are known for rejecting modern technologies.