On this day in conspiracies

At about 00:53 GMT, Vela 6911 records a textbook double flash over the far southern ocean near the Prince Edward Islands, between southern Africa and Antarctica. Both of the satellite's bhangmeters see it, and the signal matches the pattern the system had logged for dozens of prior confirmed nuclear detonations.

After Le Monde and other outlets report that the DGSE was behind the attack, Prime Minister Laurent Fabius admits on television that French agents sank the ship on orders. Defence Minister Charles Hernu resigns and DGSE chief Admiral Pierre Lacoste is dismissed.

In Ryazan, residents of an apartment block on Novosyolov Street report men carrying sacks into the basement. Police find three sacks wired to a detonator and a timer; a field gas analyzer indicates the military explosive RDX, known in Russia as hexogen, the same substance blamed for the earlier bombings. The building is evacuated.

Volkswagen admits that around 11 million vehicles worldwide are fitted with the same type of defeat-device software and sets aside billions of euros to cover the fallout. The scandal is dubbed 'Dieselgate' in the press.

Snopes publishes an explainer on why online death hoaxes are so popular, tracing the ecosystem of fake-obituary generators, ad-revenue incentives, and 'RIP' Facebook pages that recycle the same lie against new names.

At a White House event on autism, Trump administration officials including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promote leucovorin as a treatment for autism. The framing, an old, cheap generic with untapped promise, travels far online, often paired with a 'why was this hidden' narrative. Medical groups urge caution, noting the evidence supports only a narrow subset, not general use.

At a White House event, President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announce actions on autism, including a warning advising against acetaminophen use in pregnancy; the FDA issues a physician notice and begins the process toward a label change. Trump urges pregnant women to 'tough it out.' ACOG, the maker Kenvue, and other medical bodies push back the same day.

On the eve of the dates, mainstream outlets run explainers. Religion scholars and pastors widely reject the date-setting, many invoking the New Testament line that of that day and hour no one knows. Reports describe some believers taking real-world steps, including selling possessions, taking time off work, or leaving notes for those they expected to be left behind.