Monday 28 September 2026 · Edition of the day

The Skeptic's Daily

The day's biggest stories, taken apart. For each one: what is actually established, what is only asserted, the questions worth asking — and a plausibility score for the central claim, given everything currently known.

Stories: 2
Average plausibility: 78%
How to read the score: It rates how well the core claim is evidenced — not how important the story is, nor whether it is good or bad news.

RegionAll Global Africa North America South America Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East

TopicAll Politics Conflict & Security Business Science Health

01PoliticsMiddle East

Iranian court upholds lashes sentence for singer Parastoo Ahmadi

The BBC links the conviction to a livestreamed performance without a hijab.

An Iranian court has upheld a lashes sentence against singer Parastoo Ahmadi, the BBC reports. Its summary says she was convicted of offending public decency after singing in a sleeveless dress during a livestreamed concert, and its headline identifies performance without a hijab.

What holds up

✓The BBC reports a court decision upholding the sentence.
✓The item names the singer and describes the performance underlying the conviction.

What doesn't yet

?No judgment, number of lashes or further appeal details are supplied.
?The extract contains no response from Ahmadi or her lawyers.

Ask before you share

→What does the court judgment say about the charge and sentence?
→Are further appeals or other legal remedies available?

Sources & original reporting

[1]BBC News · Published 28 Sept 2026 · bbc.co.uk

02PoliticsMiddle East

Turkish comedian convicted of insulting Erdoğan

BBC and DW accounts agree on the conviction but differ over the explanation and timing of release.

The BBC and DW report that comedian Deniz Göktaş was convicted of insulting President Erdoğan. The BBC says he received almost 19 months and was set for release because of time served. DW says he was convicted on two of three charges and had been released pending appeal.