Participating news agencies
The European Newsroom (enr) is a cooperation project between news agencies from all over Europe. For more information about the individual news agencies and their wire services, please click on the map below.
Europe in brief
Europe in brief: Scholz does not want to discuss jets for Ukraine, Petr Pavel wins Czech elections, Baerbock’s controversial Russia statement fallout
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not wish to engage in a debate about sending fighter jets to Ukraine. According to analysts, the newly elected President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel promotes close ties with the EU and wants to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion. Following German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s controversial statement regarding the war in Ukraine, the German Federal Government clarifies that the country is no party to the conflict.
Europe in brief: Johansson rejects Austria’s border fence request, Commission approves German labeling plans for livestock farming, Iran sanctions EU and UK
EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson discarded Austria’s request for EU funds for the extension of the fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The European Commission preliminarily approved German plans to introduce livestock farming labels for meat in supermarkets. Iran sanctioned EU and UK officials and entities, in response to sanctions imposed by the latter on Monday.
Europe in brief: Michel proposes Ukraine reconstruction plans, Franco-German leaders revive their friendship, EU-Iran row over condemnation of Revolutionary Guard
The President of the European Council Charles Michel proposes to use money from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction. Iran’s Intelligence Ministry warns the EU in response to the European Parliament’s condemnation of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regenerate the countries’ political friendship.
Right or wrong?
It’s often difficult to look behind the scenes of what is happening in other countries or being decided by the EU. The fact checks we publish here provide orientation. They correct faulty claims and give you the true facts and figures.
Biden gun reform speech manipulated to add derogatory heckling
A video viewed nearly 200,000 times on Instagram appears to show a crowd interrupting US President Joe Biden with an expletive-laden chant during a speech on gun reform. But the clip has been manipulated; the original footage of the address shows Biden reacting as the father of a school shooting victim stood up to call for a greater response to gun violence.
Posts link Covid-19 vaccines to ‘turbo-cancers’ without evidence
Social media posts claim Covid-19 vaccines have caused a surge in aggressive forms of cancer. This is unproven; experts say available data do not show an increased risk — and health authorities recommend the shots for cancer patients, whose treatments can leave them immunocompromised and more vulnerable to the coronavirus.
False posts misrepresenting German study claim gargling with salt water kills coronavirus
Multiple social media posts falsely claim German researchers have confirmed gargling with salt water kills the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. But AFP found no such study. A scientist who led a similar study in 2020 — which found certain commercial mouthwashes could reduce the risk of virus transmission — said mouthwashes are ineffective in treating Covid-19. There is no scientific evidence that salt water gargling can prevent or treat Covid-19, according to health experts.