Latest news with #Traore
AFP
3 days ago
- Politics
- AFP
Video showing Pope Leo XIV praising Burkina Faso's leader is AI-generated
'Pope Leo XIV Responds to Captain Ibrahim Traore /A message of Truth, Justice and Reconciliation,' read the caption of a video posted on Facebook. The video, published on May 15, 2025, shows the pope giving an address while holding two pieces of paper. Image Screenshot of the false Facebook post taken on May 26, 2025 'To His Excellency President Ibrahim Traoré, President of the Sovereign Nation of Burkina Faso, son of African soil, defender of his people, may grace and peace multiply for you through wisdom, courage and truth,' the pope appears to say at the beginning of the 17-minute clip. Included is an English transcript of the audio. The video appeared on X and Facebook accounts in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria. Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, after cardinals from around the globe elected him, in less than two days, to be the first US leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics (archived here). However, the posts claiming to feature a video of the pontiff responding to a letter from Traore are false. Altered video The movement of the Pope's lips appears to match the audio, and there are no visual inconsistencies in his appearance, which can be signs that a video has been altered using AI. However, the pontiff appears to mispronounce Traore's name in different ways in quick succession, calling him 'President Trayas' at 2'33' in the video and 'President Trayor' four seconds later – an unlikely occurrence if he delivered the speech. The English transcript (in red bold letters) partially obscures a line of French text, which indicates that the pope originally delivered an address at the Salle Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican (archived here). Image Screenshot showing the French text (circled orange) that indicates the location of the event, taken on May 29, 2025 A reverse image search using keyframes extracted from the video further shows that the original clip was from a press conference held on May 12, 2025, when the pope called for the release of imprisoned journalists and urged the world to 'avoid the paradigm of war' (archived here). The pope addressed journalists in Italian, not English, as portrayed in the altered clip. The altered clip was also posted on YouTube by Pan African Dreams, a channel that regularly publishes content about Traore. This was on May 17, 2025 – days before it circulated elsewhere on social media – and was identified as synthetic content that was digitally generated. The owners of the YouTube account also included a disclaimer. It reads: 'This video is a work of fiction inspired by the life of IBRAHIM TRAORÉ. While some elements are based on real events, the situations and dialogues described are entirely imaginary and do not reflect any actual events'. Image Screenshot showing the disclaimer attached to the altered video on YouTube An authentic English transcript of the original address published on the Vatican's website showed that the Pope did not mention Africa or Traore during the entire speech (archived here). AFP Fact Check extracted the audio from the altered clip and ran it through – an audio tool that looks for specific forensic traces left by voice generators. The result showed a 99 percent probability that the audio was generated with an AI tool. Image Screenshot of the results, taken on May 26, 2025 The Vatican media department has also denied that the Pope received a letter from Burkina Faso or delivered a public address responding to Traore (archived here). Traore became Burkina Faso's military leader after a coup in September 2022 amid growing anti-French sentiment in the Sahel region (archived here). He is a frequent topic of viral social media posts in which supporters cast him in a positive light, but observers say his online rise has been accompanied by a flood of misleading and false claims. More AFP fact-checks related to artificial intelligence can be found here.
DW
6 days ago
- Politics
- DW
Fact check: New pope hit by wave of AI-generated fake news – DW – 05/27/2025
Pope Leo XIV has only been at the helm of the Catholic Church for a few weeks and there is already a myriad of false information circulating on social media using his likeness for political statements. Ever since Pope Leo XIV has been elected the new Head of the Catholic Church, social media has been inundated with AI-generated deepfake videos and images claiming to show the new pontiff. The news portal of the Vatican has warned that fake messages attributed to the new pope are circulating online. DW's Fact check team takes a look at some of the claims. Claim: Pope Leo XIV is said to have responded to a letter of Burkina Faso junta leader Ibrahim Traore in a video posted to YouTube. "I have read your words not once, but many times (…), because in your voice I have heard not merely the anger of a president, but the righteous cry of a continent long wounded by the dual blades of neglect and exploitation," the Pope is quoted in the video that's been shared in part on other social media platforms such as X. DW Fact check: Fake The 36-minute video took footage from a papal audience with journalists on May 12 as we found through a reverse image search. The video used a morphing technique to make the Pope's lip movements line up with the AI-generated audio recording. That's confirmed by Vatican News, the official news portal of the Holy See. Meanwhile, the YouTube channel itself gives it away as well, buried after a long wall of text: "This video is a work of fiction" inspired by Traore who came to power in a 2022 coup condemned by the UN. "While some elements are based on real events, the situations and dialogues described are entirely imaginary and do not reflect any actual events. Any resemblance to real-life facts is purely coincidental." The video featured "altered or synthetic content," and "sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated," a disclaimer reads. The Pope is just one of many prominent figures used by Traore's supporters to boost his image — AI-generated songs and videos using the likeness of stars such as Rihanna , Beyonce and Justin Bieber. Pope Leo XIV allegedly commented on US President Donald Trump in a viral video Image: Instagram Claim: The Pope allegedly criticized US President Donald Trump in a video shared on TikTok and Instagram. "Trump, the immigration policies you've implemented are a blatant trampling on both the teachings of the church and the promises of the American dream." Pope Leo XIV allegedly said he firmly opposed everything Trump stands for. DW Fact check: Fake The video is manipulated — the Pope has never made such statements. The Pope's speeches, addresses, and texts can be found in full at the official website and news of his activities are available at There are other giveaways that this video is not real but rather a manipulation: Pope Leo XIV was born as Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, Illinois in the US, and therefore his accent should be American one. A closer look at the video shows the mouth movements of the Pope are blurry with frequent glitching around the microphone area. We found the original video where the Pope is talking to media representatives on May 12, published on the EWTN Global Catholic Network's channel. He doesn't mention Trump in his speech and is speaking Italian. Fact check: 'True' crime deepfakes on TikTok To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Claim: "Pope Leo XIV intentionally ignored an LGBTQ rainbow flag by looking the other way when he approached it," a viral post on X with more than 12 million views claims. DW Fact check: False The Pope is seen walking along a corridor lined up with throngs of people, alternating between shaking hands to his left and right side. He is turning to the other side before the flag appears on screen, as seen in this original video published by Vatican News. However, the multicolored "rainbow" flag in the video is not the LGBTQ flag: it's the Italian peace flag with the Italian word for peace (pace) on it. The "pace" (Italian for peace) flag seen on the left has an additional shade of light blue compared to the LGBTQ flag Image: Buriakov/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/IMAGO | Alex Halada/AFP/Getty Images While the two flags look similar, there are some key differences: The LGBTQ flag has six stripes, with red at the top and purple at the bottom, while the peace flag has seven stripes, with purple at the top and red at the bottom. It also features an extra shade of light blue. As AI-generated content gets more sophisticated, it's important to be on the lookout for inconsistencies, double check sources and to report fake content to stop it from spreading further. Case in point: One YouTube channel posting fake sermons has since been shut down. Edited by: Rayna Breuer and Rachel Baig
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Mali Seeks Climate Challenges' Solutions at Morocco's Oasis Congress
Rabat — Mali's agriculture ministry looks to innovative solutions from other countries as the West African country battles mounting environmental challenges, according to a senior official attending the second International Congress on Oases and Date Palm. In an interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Fatoumata Coulibaly Traore, technical advisor to Mali's Minister of Agriculture, said her first participation in the congress opened her eyes to new approaches for protecting the environment and ecosystems. 'This was a real pleasure for me to participate in this congress,' said Traore, an agricultural engineer by training. 'I admit that I learned many things about environmental protection and ecosystems in general.' The two-day event in Ouarzazate brought together experts from across the globe to share knowledge about oasis agriculture and sustainable farming practices in arid regions. Mali faces increasing environmental pressures that threaten agricultural productivity. Traore described how her country confronts 'more and more floods during the rainy season' alongside extreme heat periods and widespread soil degradation. 'These are challenges we really face,' she explained, noting that even if 'the government works hard to try to address these challenges, there is still much work to be done.' The congress provided Mali's delegation with valuable insights into solutions other countries have implemented. Traore stressed that many of these approaches could benefit Mali's agricultural sector. 'We learned about solutions that can be beneficial for our country as well,' she said. 'We learned, and we will go try to see if they can really be applicable in our case.' The International Congress on Oases and Date Palm focused on sustainable agriculture in desert and semi-arid regions, particularly within oases, addressing issues crucial to countries like Mali that face desertification and climate change impacts. Read also: AI Offers Hope for Morocco's Groundwater Crisis in Oases For Traore, the knowledge-sharing opportunity represented a step forward in Mali's efforts to develop climate-resilient agriculture. 'Going in this direction was really a pleasure for me,' she concluded. The congress revealed how international cooperation and knowledge exchange remain essential tools for countries grappling with similar environmental challenges across Africa and beyond.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Queens mother reunited with EMTs who saved her newborn girl
When Lori Traore came home from running errands one day last summer and wasn't feeling well, the last thing the Queens woman thought was that she was pregnant and about to have a baby. Doctors had told her and her husband that she could not conceive, but that did not stop her from suddenly giving birth in the shower to a baby girl before help could arrive. But before she could unravel the mystery behind the miracle birth, Traore had a problem — the baby girl wasn't breathing. Luckily, the FDNY response team regained the girl's pulse and got her breathing again before rushing the baby and her mother to the hospital. 'If it wasn't for them, my daughter wouldn't be here, which means I wouldn't be a mom,' Traore said Wednesday, nearly nine months after little Ellen was born. 'I'd be planning a funeral.' Traore got to thank her heroes again Wednesday at the FDNY's Second Chance Ceremony, an annual event that reunites patients with the paramedics, EMTs and firefighters who saved them. Traore said she came home from running errands on Aug. 29, 2024, and told her husband she wasn't feeling well. 'I did not know I was pregnant,' she said. 'When I came home from doing some food shopping earlier in the day, I didn't feel very well. Later on at night, before my husband went to work, I said I wasn't feeling good. He told me to take a shower and just to lay down. 'Next thing I know, I'm in the shower and I'm about to push, and my daughter arrived,' she said. 'Ten fingers, 10 toes and I just freaked out a little bit. I dialed 911, I turned off the water, I put a blanket around her, I put a towel around me and the rest is history.' Traore said she didn't know what to think. 'At the time, she was not supposed to be possible,' she said. 'I was told I cannot conceive and she is not supposed to be here. I'm very thankful. I'm very happy that she's alive and living because of the gentlemen behind me.' The gentlemen she referred to are members of the Queens Tactical Response Group and paramedics from New York-Presbyterian Hospital. 'I just remember time was of the essence,' said EMT Lt. Jimmy Guailacela. 'We had to get the baby to the hospital as soon as possible.' He said firefighters were performing CPR on the child inside an ambulance when he arrived. 'At that point I knew it was very critical,' he said. Guailacela recalled the moment he found out the baby had been resuscitated. 'I remember them telling me the baby cried, which basically shows signs of life, which was a great outcome,' he said. 'As a father myself, it's a miracle. We gave this little soul a chance at life. I have a child, too. To see her and how she's thriving is a beautiful, wonderful thing,' he said of little Ellen. The happy reunion took place during what is being celebrated as National EMS Week. 'Our EMTs and paramedics really feel the warmth of this week, the importance of this week, the way they feel the importance of the job they do every day,' said FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker. 'Today is a perfect example of a few of the saves that we have, but this is not a limited group.' Among those saved was Chance Young, who was 11 years old on Sept. 30, 2024, when he went to his school's nurse's office after feeling unwell. The nurse was taking his vitals when he collapsed. The nurse immediately began performing CPR until firefighters with FDNY Engine 59 arrived and delivered four shocks with the school's defibrillator. Paramedics from Station 14 and Northwell Lenox Hill arrived later and placed a breathing tube in his mouth and delivered another three shocks. Chance arrived at the hospital with a pulse and made a full recovery. 'We're saving lives every day out there,' Tucker said. 'It's the men and women of EMS that are doing that.'
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Mom tearfully reunites with NYC EMS workers who helped save her and baby: ‘Miracles happen'
A Queens woman who didn't even know she was pregnant before giving birth in the shower last year was reunited Wednesday with the EMS officers who helped save her and her baby. Lori Traore, 41, and her young daughter were among 150 people attending the 29th annual Second Chance Ceremony in Red Hook, Brooklyn — where trauma survivors reunited with the paramedics, EMTs, FDNY EMS officers, firefighters and dispatchers whose actions meant life or death for them. 'Honestly, I'm holding back tears right now because I know if it wasn't for them, my daughter wouldn't be here,' Traore told The Post, pointing at Lt. Jimmy Guailaceia, who held her 9-month-old, Ellen Mystique, in his arms. Advertisement 4 Lori Traore and her baby were reunited with the city emergency-services heroes who saved their lives last year. Gabriella Bass In the past year, EMS alone has responded to 1.6 million life-threatening calls. 'God sent the FDNY to help make miracles happen,' said Michael Fields, chief of EMS operations for the city. 'EMTs work as God's Force Multiplier, making the miraculous possible.' Advertisement 4 Traore said she didn't know she was pregnant when she felt the urge to push while taking a shower last year. Gabriella Bass Traore said she experienced her brush with death Aug. 9, when she stayed at her home in Bayside because she wasn't feeling well. She said that suddenly, while in the shower, she felt the urge to push. She said she had been told she was unable to conceive and had no idea she was pregnant — until she delivered an unresponsive infant. 'Next thing I know, I was in the shower, and I'm about to push. I didn't know anything was about to happen. Then 10 fingers, 10 toes, and I just freaked out a little bit,' the mom said. 'But then I got my composure. I dialed 911. I turned off the water. I got a blanket around [the newborn]. I got the towel around me, and the rest is history.' Advertisement 4 First responders reunite with little Ellen Mystique, who they helped save when she was in cardiac arrest last year. Gabriella Bass FDNY Engine 306 was the first to arrive and cut tiny Ellen's umbilical cord — and quickly realized the infant was in cardiac arrest. EMTs from the Queens tactical response group and Station 39 Lt. Guailaceia began CPR on the baby, sustaining her long enough for a trip to the hospital, where she regained her pulse and began breathing. The newborn soon burst into vigorous tears — a welcome sign that she had survived. Advertisement 4 The mom and her baby were among a group of people who met some of the city's emergency responders who saved them. Gabriella Bass Traore didn't realize how close her daughter had been to death until hours later. The new mom was also rushed into the hospital for emergency surgery because the baby's placenta did not pass. Her infant had to stay at the hospital for four months to get the care she needed and was finally released on Christmas Eve. 'She's thriving! She's walking. She's learning to crawl. She's learning to stand up. She's bottle feeding now,' Traore said of Ellen. 'It's getting slowly there, getting the [physical therapy and occupational therapy] that she does need.' For Guailaceia and his team of five, who also attended the ceremony Wednesday, the experience was nothing short of a 'miracle. 'We gave this little soul a second chance at life,' he said. 'You know, I have a child too so, to see her and how she's thriving is just a beautiful, wonderful feeling.'
