Monday 19 October 2026 · Edition of the day

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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
80%
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.
RegionAllGlobalAfricaNorth AmericaSouth AmericaAsia-PacificEuropeMiddle East
TopicAllPoliticsConflict & SecurityBusinessScienceHealth
01PoliticsSouth America

Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro clash ahead of Brazil’s run-off

Two outlets report an acrimonious presidential debate ahead of the 25 October vote.

Al Jazeera and France 24 report that Lula and Bolsonaro exchanged attacks in Brazil’s presidential run-off debate. France 24 identifies the challenger as senator Flavio Bolsonaro and says the rivals clashed over the economy, security and healthcare while accusing each other of lying and corruption.

What holds up

  • ✓Both outlets report a debate between Lula and Bolsonaro ahead of the presidential run-off.
  • ✓Both give 25 October as the voting date and describe an exchange of attacks.

What doesn't yet

  • ?The accusations of lying and corruption are campaign allegations, not established findings in the supplied items.
  • ?France 24 describes the race as closely contested, but the extract provides no polling figures or methodology.

Ask before you share

  • →What evidence supports the candidates’ allegations?
  • →What policy commitments emerged beyond the personal attacks?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]Al Jazeera · Published 19 Oct 2026 · aljazeera.com
  2. [2]France 24 · Published 19 Oct 2026 · france24.com
02PoliticsSouth America

Venezuelan opposition renews support for Machado

Al Jazeera reports renewed backing for the exiled leader as she seeks new elections and permission to return.

Venezuela’s opposition has renewed its support for Maria Corina Machado as leader, according to Al Jazeera. The outlet describes her as an exiled Nobel laureate and says she has petitioned for new elections and for Venezuela to allow her return.

What holds up

  • ✓The supplied Al Jazeera item explicitly reports renewed opposition support for Machado.
  • ✓The same item reports her requests for new elections and permission to return.

What doesn't yet

  • ?The extract does not identify which opposition organisations endorsed Machado or how that support was expressed.
  • ?No petition text, government response or independent corroboration is supplied.

Ask before you share

  • →Which opposition groups renewed their support, and were any absent?
  • →Have the authorities responded to either request?

Sources & original reporting

  1. [1]Al Jazeera · Published 18 Oct 2026 · aljazeera.com