Latest news with #CenterforCounteringDisinformation
News18
20 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Fact Check: AI Image Shows EU Leaders Waiting At White House Before Trump Meeting
Last Updated: The Center for Countering Disinformation, a unit under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, has officially debunked the photo. US President Donald Trump is holding a key diplomatic meeting at the White House today with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joined by several prominent European leaders. As the high-profile summit unfolds, an image circulating online has sparked controversy, though it has since been proven to be fake. The viral image appears to show French President Emmanuel Macron sitting in a hallway, flanked by six other European Union leaders, allegedly waiting for their turn to speak with President Trump. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) shared the photo claiming the leaders were being humiliated, forced to wait in silence with their heads bowed. Trump has the Presidents of a Germany, France, the UK, Finland, the leader of NATO and the leader of the European Union waiting outside the Oval Office in chairs like they're at the dentist looks like she's been moved to a more comfortable waiting space. This is… — Joey Mannarino 🇺🇸 (@JoeyMannarinoUS) August 18, 2025 However, a closer look at the image quickly reveals inconsistencies. One chair, positioned next to Macron, shows a pair of visible legs but no upper body, suggesting a digital anomaly. Additionally, the image features three women, while Monday's actual meeting with Trump only included two female leaders: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The clothing worn by the women in the image also does not match the official outfits seen in White House photographs from the summit. The Center for Countering Disinformation, a unit under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, has officially debunked the photo. The agency posted the image with the word 'FAKE" stamped across it and wrote, 'A fake photo is spreading online, allegedly showing European leaders who came to meet with US President Donald Trump sitting in a row waiting near the Oval Office." The Ukrainian agency accused Russian propaganda networks of producing and distributing the AI-generated image. 'In reality, this photo was created using artificial intelligence and is being spread by Russian propaganda to discredit European leaders and devalue the significance of their participation in the negotiation process," it said. A fake photo is spreading online, allegedly showing European leaders who came to meet with US President Donald Trump sitting in a row waiting near the Oval Office. — Center for Countering Disinformation (@CforCD) August 18, 2025 Today's White House meeting includes leaders from France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Italy, the European Union, and the NATO, all in support of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Contrary to the false narrative depicted in the AI image, the talks were described as productive and respectful. 'We have had a very successful day so far. We are all working for the same goal. We want to stop the killing and resolve this," President Trump said, addressing the media. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
The Hill
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Witkoff set to visit Russia for ‘last chance' talks on Ukraine war
President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia this week for what Ukraine is calling Moscow's 'last chance' to reach a peace deal before U.S. sanctions are imposed on countries that import oil from Russia. Trump on Sunday said Witkoff 'may be going to Russia' on Wednesday or Thursday this week in a push to secure a ceasefire. The president has grown increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has ignored his pleas for a peace deal, and last week moved up a deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal or face increased economic isolation. Trump's latest deadline for Moscow would technically expire on Aug. 8, though he has proven flexible when it comes to imposing threatened tariffs on foreign countries. A Kremlin spokesman did not confirm or rule out a meeting between Putin and Witkoff this week, speaking to reporters on Monday. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation, expressed optimism on Monday that Trump would follow through. 'The Russians have burned down their railway infrastructure in the Volgograd region again,' Kovalenko wrote on Telegram, referring to a fire that Russia blamed on a Ukrainian drone attack. 'Trump is also giving them one last chance to end the war with a visit from Witkoff. If the visit is not successful, there will be sanctions,' he added. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and his top advisor, Andriy Yermak, also urged the U.S. and Europe to impose secondary sanctions in Telegram posts. 'Sanctions are working. The economy, geared for war, cannot withstand the pressure and relies solely on the sale of energy resources,' Yermak wrote on Sunday. 'It is possible to strangle the economy with secondary tariffs proposed in the USA,' he added. Trump has threatened to substantially increase tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil, which has helped keep Russia's wartime economy afloat. China is also a major importer of Russian oil. Trump has threatened to impose up to a 100 percent 'secondary' tariff on nations that do business with Russia, in a bid to cut off crucial export revenue. Such a move would likely shake the global oil markets and set back Trump's efforts to strike a broader trade deal with India and China. Some European countries also continue to import oil from Russia, though Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a key backer of sanctions, has suggested a carveout for Ukraine's allies. Senate Republicans went home for August recess without moving on a Russia sanctions bill that would have empowered the president to impose up to 500 percent secondary tariffs on Russia's trading partners. Trump has suggested he does not need congressional authorization to move ahead with the sanctions.
Mint
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Did Turkish Technic service maintain AI-717 Dreamliner? Here's what Turkiye officials say
Amid Baba Ramdev alleged involvement of a Turkish maintenance agency behind Air India AI-717 plane crash, the Turkish government has denied the involvement of Turkish Technic in the maintenance of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The communication wing of the government on 13 June said that the claim that Turkish Technic maintained the AI-171 aircraft 'is false' and 'constitutes disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion" on India-Turkey relations. 'The claim that 'the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was carried out by Turkish Technic' following the crash of an Air India passenger aircraft during take-off is false. The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Türkiye-India relations," the Turkish government said on June 13 on X. 'Under the agreements made between Air India and Turkish Technic in 2024 and 2025, maintenance services are provided exclusively for B777-type wide-body aircraft. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident does not fall within the scope of this agreement. To date, Turkish Technic has not conducted maintenance on any Air India aircraft of this type," it added. Though the Turkish authorities acknowledged that they were aware of the firm responsible for the last maintenance of the crashed aircraft, they refrained from revealing the name. "Although we are aware of which company performed the most recent maintenance on the crashed aircraft, it is beyond our scope to make a statement on this matter to avoid further speculation. The Center for Countering Disinformation will continue to monitor and take the necessary measures against efforts that target the reputation of our flagship brands, which represent Türkiye on the international stage," the Turkish government said. Among other things, the Turkish authorities said that they sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash, where over 270 people were killed. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Saturday had alleged the involvement of a Turkish maintenance agency whose contract with Indian airports was terminated in May 2025. 'I got to know that an agency from Turkiye used to take care of the maintenance and service of the aircraft. India will have to keep a close eye on the aviation sector,' Ramdev told ANI news agency. 'There is a possibility of a conspiracy by that agency.' Though he didn't provide any evidence for his claims, but said India must stop allowing foreign companies to interfere in such sensitive matters.
India.com
15-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
Turkey Firm Denies Involvement In Maintenance Of Crashed Air India Dreamliner
New Delhi: Turkey has strongly denied allegations that its firm, Turkish Technic, was involved in the maintenance of the Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board and several others on the ground. The Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation in Turkey described the claims as "false" and "disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Turkey-India relations". According to Turkey's statement, the agreements between Air India and Turkish Technic for 2024 and 2025 exclusively covered maintenance services for B777-type wide-body aircraft, which do not include the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident. Turkish Technic has confirmed that it has not conducted maintenance on any Air India aircraft of this type. 'The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes disinformation aimed at manipulating public opinion regarding Turkiye-India relations,' it posted on X on Friday, a day after an Air India flight to London crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board and several others on the ground. The claim that 'the maintenance of the Boeing 787-8 passenger aircraft was carried out by Turkish Technic' following the crash of an Air India passenger aircraft during take-off is false. The claim that the crashed aircraft was maintained by Turkish Technic constitutes… — Dezenformasyonla Mücadele Merkezi (@dmmiletisim) June 13, 2025 'Under the agreements made between Air India and Turkish Technic in 2024 and 2025, maintenance services are provided exclusively for B777-type wide-body aircraft. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner involved in the accident does not fall within the scope of this agreement. To date, Turkish Technic has not conducted maintenance on any Air India aircraft of this type,' it added. The Turkish firm stated that it is "aware" of the company that performed the most recent maintenance on the crashed aircraft but declined to comment further to avoid speculation. The Center for Countering Disinformation assured that it would continue to monitor and take necessary measures against efforts targeting Turkey's reputation. 'The Center for Countering Disinformation will continue to monitor and take the necessary measures against efforts that target the reputation of our flagship brands, which represent Türkiye on the international stage. As the people of Türkiye, we sincerely share the grief of the Indian people over this tragic plane crash,' it said. This denial comes nearly a month after a Turkish firm, Celebi Ground Handling India Private Limited, lost its security clearance due to Turkey's support for Pakistan over Operation Sindoor. The Civil Aviation Ministry revoked the clearance, citing national security interests, after discovering that Turkey-made drones were used in Pakistan's drone attacks on India. The Air India flight crashed into a medical college hostel complex shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Miraculously, one passenger survived the crash. The incident has raised concerns about aviation safety and maintenance protocols. Investigation and Aftermath 1. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau have initiated high-level investigations into the crash. 2. A committee chaired by the Home Secretary will assess existing safety protocols and recommend improvements. 4. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has announced plans to move away from Turkish Technic for heavy maintenance, opting for facilities in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, or the US instead. The crash has sparked an outpouring of grief, with Turkey expressing solidarity with the Indian people over the tragic incident. As investigations continue, the aviation industry will be watching closely for any insights into the cause of the crash and potential implications for safety protocols.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'They are not so successful' — Zelensky rejects claims of major Russian advances
President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Russian claims of significant battlefield gains, calling them part of a disinformation campaign during an interview with Bild published on June 12. Zelensky rejected claims of Russian advance as "a Russian narrative," insisting that Ukraine's forces have been holding off a renewed offensive for nearly three weeks. "The Russians are not so successful, to say the least," Zelensky said. His remarks come amid a surge in Russian military operations across Ukraine's eastern and northern regions, including Russian claims of territorial gains in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy oblasts — assertions Kyiv denies. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian state media on June 9 that the offensive in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast aims to establish a so-called "buffer zone" on Ukrainian territory. The statement followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier announcement that Moscow intends to create security corridors along Ukraine's borders with Russia's Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions. Ukrainian officials denied any Russian advances into Dnipropetrovsk. "As of the morning of June 9, all Russian information, including Peskov's statements, about an offensive in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast does not correspond to reality," said Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation. Ukraine's Southern Operational Command described the situation as "tense" but said no breakthroughs had occurred. Despite the absence of confirmed ground incursions, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast has faced frequent missile and drone attacks. In April, the region initiated mandatory evacuations from four front-line villages as a precautionary measure. Separately, open-source monitoring group DeepState showed some advances near the Russian border in Sumy Oblast. On June 8, DeepState confirmed that Russian troops had occupied the village of Loknia in Ukraine's Sumy Oblast. Located about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Sumy, the village lies close to the Russian border in an increasingly volatile region. The Ukrainian General Staff has not commented on the development. According to an article by Ukrainska Pravda, Russian forces began advancing into northern Sumy Oblast in late February or early March, taking advantage of the withdrawal of Ukraine's most combat-capable units. These were reportedly replaced by newly formed, under-resourced brigades with minimal combat experience and limited equipment. Since March, Russia has reportedly taken control of about 200 square kilometers (80 square miles) in northern Sumy Oblast, including roughly a dozen small villages. The advances have triggered civilian evacuations. As of May 31, regional authorities ordered the evacuation of 213 settlements. Read also: As Russia inches closer to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, new Ukrainian region might soon be at war We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
