A look at what didn’t happen this week

A roundup of some of the most popular, but completely untrue, headlines of the week. None of these stories are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. AP checked these out; here are the real facts:

Not Real: U.S. Department of State suspends New York Times license

The Facts: The account claiming the State Department suspended the newspaper’s operational permit after it criticized Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is “completely false,” Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha says.

There is no permit required for U.S. news organizations and there is no issue with the newspaper’s foreign press credentials, she said. A website made up to look like a CNN outlet says in a story published last month that the State Department accused The Times of “breaking communication code of ethics” in a matter that could cause diplomatic challenges between the two countries.

Not Real: Sarah Palin out of her coma, able to identify her attackers

The Facts: More than half a dozen sites have run the same verbatim account of a hit-and-run accident on California’s Pacific Coast Highway involving the former Alaska governor, followed up by stories alleging Palin emerged from her coma to identify her assailants. A spokesman for Palin tells the AP the reports are “as fake as fake can be.”

The sites report that the accident happened April 28, when Palin’s Twitter and Facebook accounts were active. The 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate has been a target of hoax articles in the past.

Not Real: Hobby Lobby just announced plan to close ALL stores

The Facts: The arts and crafts retail chain has 700-plus stores and says it’s adding 60 more in 2017.

A story published by Daily Info News, The Washington Feed and other outlets said the chain’s CEO said it could go out of business if it pays fines for violating a mandate under the Affordable Care Act to provide employees access to emergency contraception.

Hobby Lobby won an exemption from the law based on religious preferences in a 2014 Supreme Court decision.

Not Real: 2 moms, 5 kids killed in car crash in (insert place here)

The Facts: Multiple websites have appropriated many details from a true account of a June 2016 minivan accident in Southern California that killed two mothers and four children while two fathers survived.

The stories circulating with dozens of different headlines change the U.S. county where it occurred, and in some cases add the fathers’ names and varying ages of the children.

Dear Teen: Regardless of what you may think about what your mother is telling you, she is not the ‘’enemy.’’ She may be worried that the more time you spend with your girlfriend, the less you will have to devote to your studies, sports, friends, etc. — all of which are important at your age. The two of you need to talk further about this, so there are no misunderstandings or hurt feelings.

P.S. Because your mother lives out of state, I assume you are living with your father or some other relative/guardian. It might be enlightening to know what the other adults in your life think about the amount of time you’re spending with your girlfriend. Perhaps you should ask them.

Dear Abby: I am struggling to adapt to our accelerating technological world. When I remove myself from the rapid information cycle of the internet and social media, I feel the world is passing me by. I have tried to find a balance, but the ubiquity of technology and our cultural reliance on the internet leave me feeling like I have only two options at any given time — connection or disconnection — and neither one feels entirely healthy to me.

This isn’t the first case of technological advancement leading to rapid cultural change and a sense of dislocation, but at the current

Dear Floating: Just this: Try harder to find a balance, because if you are constantly online, you will be swamped. Sometimes we must disconnect and enjoy the “real world’’ without the constant interruption of the latest news cycle. Trust me. You won’t miss much because the information will find its way to you.

Dear Abby: What is the proper way to handle the situation when you catch the host of a party double- or triple-dipping into a bowl?

Ick! in Largo, Florida

Dear Ick: That’s easy. Refrain from consuming anything from that bowl.

Dear Readers: Happy Mother’s Day to mothers everywhere. This includes birth mothers, adoptive and foster mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers who are raising grandchildren, and dual-role dads. Orchids to all of you for the love you give every day.

Love, ABBY