Paul Brown
paulybrown.bsky.social
Paul Brown
@paulybrown.bsky.social
Journo at BBC Verify and BBC Monitoring.
Reposted by Paul Brown
QUEEN WORLD CUP
#QueenWorldCup

FINAL THREAD 1/x

OK, here we go.

We have had 1,753 votes in this tournament so far and they have sorted all the Queen songs 12 of my friends and I could think of to a last pair.

Let's step onto the stage at the Hammersmith Apollo and pretend it's Christmas Eve.
a man is singing into a microphone while another man plays a guitar
Alt: An animation of Queen live on stage
media.tenor.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Reposted by Paul Brown
MAGNIFICO-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh!

BEATLES WORLD CUP is no more.
#BeatlesWorldCup

Tomorrow, we kick off the QUEEN WORLD CUP.
#QueenWorldCup.

A knock-out tournament, songs going head-to-head each day, until we have determined the greatest ever Queen song.

Get hyped. Or don't.
a man in a white shirt is standing on a stage with his mouth open and a purple background .
Alt: Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, in a white vest, standing on a stage and throwing his hand out triumphantly.
media.tenor.com
September 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
/1 THREAD (Call it OSint if you want.)

How we know where rebels trained in Syria, and how you can too. With a little bit of asking why Assad / Putin didn’t.

Or, let me break down this video, it’s five months’ work in 65 seconds.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
How did rebels train to overthrow the President of Syria?
The BBC identifies videos of sites and training showing how the rebels formed a single force.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
1/ THREAD

What can we tell about images of a strike on a bus in Marhanets, Ukraine earlier this week?

On Wednesday, Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk, posted these images, saying nine people on the way to work at a local mining company were killed in the incident: t.me/dnipropetrov...
April 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
Are you fed up with AI-generated action-figure starter packs?

Plenty of illustrators are, and have taken up their pens.

@twgerken.bsky.social asked me to drop in and work with the Tech desk by verifying some details. Then I got chatting to some creative types…

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
AI dolls are taking over - but real artists are sick of them
Artists hit back on social media to warn artificial intelligence may be endangering their livelihoods.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 19, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Reposted by Paul Brown
1/ THREAD

What do @paulybrown.bsky.social and I know about two strikes in Gaza today, which have reportedly killed at least 31 people? And how do we know? And how can you open-source investigate it, too?

First: Khan Yunis, where Palestinian media say a family home was struck overnight.
April 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
THREAD

1/ The Presidential Palace in Khartoum, Sudan, was taken back by the SAF on Friday. It’s a high-profile step in their aim to regain control of the capital from the RSF.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Here's a run-through of how we know how much we know.
Five key moments in the battle for Khartoum
BBC Verify examimes social media footage of the fight for control of the Sudanese capital, Khartoum
www.bbc.co.uk
March 24, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
1/ What can @paulybrown.bsky.social and I say about the strike in Beit Lahia yesterday?

Or, what can you or I tell from images of the aftermath?

You may have seen it covered here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Aid workers killed in Israeli air strike in Gaza, charity tells BBC
The Israeli military says it was targeting terrorists who
www.bbc.co.uk
March 16, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
TL;DR version: Sending M113s to Ukraine where they might be destroyed is probably cheapest & quickest way for DoD to get them out of inventory, fund $6.5m replacement & save on storage/demilitarization costs.
Here's (quite detailed) story about why sending M113, Vietnam-era US APC, to Ukraine is a great deal for DoD. Sent 900 to Ukraine so far www.state.gov/bureau-of-po.... This is some Army National Guard (ARNG) ones being loaded up in 2022 www.dvidshub.net/video/841404... cont...
March 5, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
1/THREAD

Quick bit of geolocation work this afternoon with @paulybrown.bsky.social - trying to give BBC News outlets as much information as possible covering the knife attack in Mulhouse, France.

In short, three videos and a still all located to within 200m of the market.
February 22, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
1/ THREAD

What we know about a strike in Khan Yunis, Gaza, this morning.

Yes: An explosive projectile fell from the sky, blowing up a van in Khan Yunis, pre-ceasefire.

No: We can’t say what had happened to two bodies lying metres from the van minutes before.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/ck...
Gaza ceasefire latest: Ceasefire sees displaced Gazans return home as Israel awaits hostages
A Red Cross team is on its way to pick up three hostages in Gaza - including UK-Israel national Emily Damari - before their return to Israel.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 19, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
Almost 100 strikes in the IDF's unilaterally designated "humanitarian zone" in Gaza - and this figure doesn't take into account the many reported strikes which didn't have imagery from the scene for us to verify. W/ @richib.bsky.social and @paulybrown.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Almost 100 strikes in Gaza 'humanitarian zone', BBC Verify finds
The area in Gaza which Israel's military has told people to go to
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Paul Brown
BBC Verify has been analysing social media videos and images from Moscow to try to build up a clearer picture of the blast that killed Russian Lt Gen Igor Kirillov and his assistant.

@matt-murphy96.bsky.social @joshcheetham.bsky.social @richib.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What verified videos tell us about Igor Kirillov's death
Footage from the scene shows a blast targeting the Russian general as he left a Moscow apartment block.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 4:22 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
THREAD - What do we know about videos of explosions in Moscow?

1/ Short answer: They're both right place, right time.

How do we know?

So, go back to this thread on how we verified where the two bodies were seen: bsky.app/profile/rich...
THREAD - How we know where two bodies laid on a Moscow street this morning, claiming to be Lt Gen Kirillov and his assistant.

1/ Here's my live page entry: www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4...

But let's work back, negotiating Moscow addresses and use reverse-searches to see how the images spread.
Igor Kirillov: Russian general in charge of nuclear protection forces killed in Moscow explosion
Lt Gen Igor Kirillov was in charge of the country's nuclear protection forces and was charged yesterday in Ukraine for the use of chemical weapons.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
IT'S ONLY THE WORLD CUP FINAL
#BeatlesWorldCup

Welp, here we are.

HERE COMES THE SUN
v
IN MY LIFE

64 songs were nominated, and we have reduced them by half over several rounds.

Vote 1/person, in reply, for either #Sun or #Life

Result at 9pm, I'll update throughout the day.
a black and white photo of the beatles singing .
Alt: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon clapping and cheering
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2024 at 8:11 AM
Checking in on Syrian state TV for #OverthrowTunes. A limited playlist so far - and no videos yet.
Message reads: "The victory of the great Syrian revolution and the overthrow of the criminal Assad regime"
December 8, 2024 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by Paul Brown
THREAD - Have-a-go-yourself geolocation in Syria

1/ If you've not seen it, here's BBC Verify on rebel movements in NW Syria: www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...

The thumbnail is an example @paulybrown.bsky.social and I did.

It's an instance of being certain of buildings, but guided by the wider layout.
BBC Verify tracks week of rebel advances in Syria
It’s been one week since rebel forces launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years. BBC Verify has been tracking their advances.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
If the screenshot concerns a politican, check their official social media accounts. If it's a politican from a specific country, look for well-known news outlets in that country.

If you can't find the BBC or a reputable French news outlet reporting this fake Macron quote, then something's wrong.
December 4, 2024 at 6:13 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
It’s been one week since rebel forces launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years.

BBC Verify has been tracking rebel advances by analysing and tracking footage on social media.

@paulybrown.bsky.social @benedictgarman.com

www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
BBC Verify tracks week of rebel advances in Syria
It’s been one week since rebel forces launched their largest offensive against the Syrian government in years. BBC Verify has been tracking their advances.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 4, 2024 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
IDF establishing new military corridor across northern Gaza, its third in #Gaza along with Netzarim and Philadelphi, with @nickeardleybbc.bsky.social & @matt-murphy96.bsky.social

Analysis from @drhahellyer.bsky.social (RUSI) and Dr Eado Hecht (BESA)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Israel building new military dividing line across Gaza, satellite images suggest
Satellite images show the IDF has destroyed hundreds of buildings in north Gaza as it creates the divide.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2024 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Paul Brown
ABBEY SUBMARINE
#BeatlesWorldCup

If you're new to this: Each day I present two Beatles songs, we all vote for which is better. The winner will go into the Last 16.

So:

HEY BULLDOG
(a personal fave)

VS

I WANT YOU (SHE'S SO HEAVY)
(the reeeally long one off Abbey Rd)

Vote #Hey or #Heavy by 10pm.
a cartoon of the beatles dancing with their arms outstretched
Alt: a cartoon of the beatles dancing with their arms outstretched
media.tenor.com
November 28, 2024 at 8:04 AM
Reposted by Paul Brown
As Russian military accelerates its gains along the front line, the US decision to provide mines to Ukraine, and to allow the use of missiles on Russian territory, will play an important role in the next months of the war
Great story by @olgar.bsky.social @paulybrown.bsky.social @leguape.bsky.social
Russian gains accelerate as Ukraine's Kursk gamble falters
Moscow's forces have taken more ground since September than they did over the course of 2023, analysts say.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 9:47 AM
Mayday! Mayday! A Day In The Life is about to be knocked out of #BeatlesWorldCup.
Let's turn this around
MAKE LEMONADE
#BeatlesWorldCup

Some folks are calling it the Life Derby.

It's Round 2, Game 2.

IN MY LIFE vs A DAY IN THE LIFE

The jewel of Rubber Soul vs the great conclusion of Sgt Pepper's.

Vote, 1/person: #My or #Day

Poll closes 10pm by the Albert Hall clock.
a black and white photo of the beatles playing their instruments on stage .
Alt: a black and white animation of the beatles bowing on stage .
media.tenor.com
November 18, 2024 at 8:40 PM