Daily Fact Checks

Real claims.
Real findings.
Every day.

I select claims currently circulating in the news and on social media and run them through SPEAC's fact-checking engine. Here's what we found.

These findings reflect claims selected for their relevance and current circulation — not aggregated data from beta users. Every finding is sourced and transparent. Published regularly. We encourage you to follow the sources and reach your own conclusions.
April 14, 2026
"Am I crazy or did anyone else feel the ground shake in Ottawa this morning?"
✓ VERIFIED

Earthquakes Canada confirmed a 3.9-magnitude quake near Shawville, Que. on April 14, 2026 at 12:36 p.m. ET, widely felt in Ottawa. No injuries reported.

"I hear the federal government may suspend the gas tax."
✓ VERIFIED

Canada's federal government confirmed today (April 14) it will suspend the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel starting April 20, 2026.

"Camels can handle the desert because they store water in their humps."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Camel humps store fat, not water. Water is retained via the bloodstream, oval blood cells, and efficient kidneys — not the humps.

April 13, 2026
"The U.S. military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has begun today, April 13."
✓ VERIFIED

Multiple credible outlets confirm the U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz took effect at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, April 13, 2026.

"Iran has reached out to the U.S. to work a deal regarding their nuclear program."
✓ VERIFIED

Iran and the U.S. have been engaged in nuclear negotiations, including face-to-face talks in Islamabad (April 11–12, 2026), though no deal was reached.

"Energy is globally conserved in an expanding universe."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Global energy conservation does not hold in an expanding universe — lacking time-translation symmetry, general relativity gives no well-defined global energy. This is mainstream physics consensus.

April 11, 2026
"We are well on our way to seeing a potential 20% jump for Canadian oilsands majors, and diesel prices are expected to impact consumers heavily."
⚖ CONTESTED

Differing positions exist on this claim. See finding for details. Oil prices jumped significantly in March 2026 after Middle East conflict, but specific 20% oilsands major gains and diesel consumer impact timelines are disputed.

"Boosting the Japanese yen could curb inflation in that country."
✓ VERIFIED

Yen depreciation contributes to inflation in Japan by raising import costs, so a stronger yen would work in the opposite direction — reducing import-driven price pressures.

"Eating potent peppers is a great laugh and nothing to worry about."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Hot peppers can cause serious health problems including violent vomiting, breathing difficulties, and potentially fatal heart complications.

April 10, 2026
"Citizen journalism is more reliable and trustworthy than established, verified news sources because it's raw and unfiltered."
💬 OPINION

This is a subjective value judgment comparing the reliability of different information sources. Whether rawness and lack of filtering makes journalism more trustworthy is a matter of perspective, not an established fact.

"Natural medicine is more safe and effective, while modern medicine is inherently harmful or corrupt."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Natural medicine effectiveness varies significantly by therapy; modern medicine has documented risks but systematic safety oversight that most natural products lack.

"The ongoing war in the Middle East is resulting in mounting inflation."
✓ VERIFIED

Global inflation is rising due to the Middle East war disrupting approximately 20% of world oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz closure.

April 9, 2026
"Anthropic's Mythos is a highly dangerous new tool that should be kept away from the public."
✓ VERIFIED

Anthropic's Mythos Preview model is deemed dangerous for public release due to advanced cybersecurity capabilities that could be exploited maliciously.

"The NATO alliance is highly tenuous right now."
✓ VERIFIED

NATO alliance is experiencing significant tensions with the US threatening withdrawal and calling the alliance a 'one-way street' amid Iran war disputes.

"Keith Tkachuk was talking about the Ottawa Senators when he referred to hockey players not wanting to play hurt."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Keith Tkachuk's comments were about Florida Panthers injuries, not the Ottawa Senators — Brady Tkachuk clarified this himself.

April 8, 2026
"Iranian cleric and politician Mojtaba Khamenei is alive today."
✓ VERIFIED

Mojtaba Khamenei is alive but injured and has not appeared publicly since becoming Iran's Supreme Leader in March 2026.

"Movie theatres are dead."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. US theater attendance remains 31% below 2019 levels, but global box office reached $33.9B in 2023 with growth projected to $35B+ in 2026 — challenged, not dead.

"Climate change is not man-made and climate action is unnecessary."
⚠ DISPUTED

SPEAC flagged this as inaccurate before it went live. Scientific consensus is overwhelming that climate change is human-caused and urgent action is necessary.