Latest news with #FactCheck
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Why did India block Reuters' main X account?
ALBAWABA - According to social media users, India has blocked the main X account for the International news agency "Reuters", and the "Reuters World" X account. However, sources revealed that other Reuters X accounts, including Reuters Fact Check, Reuters Asia and Reuters Tech News, can still be reached, and the block only targeted the main account and the Reuters World account. The Economic Times said that the Reuters website was not blocked as of Sunday, July 6. However, it is unknown whether it will be blocked soon or not. (Photos shared by Mohammed Zubair on X showing a message appears to Indian users when they attempt to visit Reuters accounts.) Why did India block Reuters' X account? The reason behind the block of Reuters' main X account is unknown yet, as no official statement was released by the Indian authorities, nor did Reuters share anything regarding the block in New Delhi. But when people try to reach it, a message appears reading: "@Reuters has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand."
Al Jazeera
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Iran's nuclear capabilities: What we actually know
Iran's nuclear capabilities: What we actually know Fact Check In this Fact Check, Al Jazeera's @khalidmajzoub breaks down the facts about Iran's nuclear capabilities. Video Duration 04 minutes 49 seconds 04:49 Video Duration 02 minutes 59 seconds 02:59 Video Duration 02 minutes 21 seconds 02:21 Video Duration 02 minutes 22 seconds 02:22 Video Duration 03 minutes 32 seconds 03:32 Video Duration 03 minutes 13 seconds 03:13 Video Duration 03 minutes 42 seconds 03:42
NDTV
22-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Fact Check: US Didn't Use Indian Airspace For Strikes On Iran Nuclear Sites
New Delhi: The Fact Check unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has debunked claims circulating on social media that the US military used Indian airspace to carry out its Operation Midnight Hammer, launched against Iran's nuclear infrastructure. In a post on X on Sunday, the PIB Fact Check unit labelled the assertion as "FAKE" and clarified, "Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer." Several social media posts alleged that US forces utilised Indian airspace to conduct military strikes on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The fact-checking body cited a press briefing by the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, who detailed the alternative routes taken by US aircraft, dismissing the claims as baseless. "Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircraft against Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer. This claim is FAKE. Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation Midnight Hammer. During the Press Briefing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen Dan Caine explained the route used by US aircraft," the Fact Check unit stated in its post on X. Several social media accounts have claimed that Indian Airspace was used by the United States to launch aircrafts against Iran during Operation #MidnightHammer #PIBFactCheck ❌ This claim is FAKE ❌Indian Airspace was NOT used by the United States during Operation… — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 22, 2025 Earlier on Sunday, after the strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, said Operation Midnight Hammer was designed to "severely degrade Iran's nuclear weapons infrastructure". While holding a press briefing at the Pentagon, General Caine presented a detailed map and timeline of the operation, which showed that none of the US aircraft entered the Indian airspace. Detailing the operation, General Caine stated, "At approximately 6:40 PM EST, 2:10 am Iran time, the lead B-2 two dropped GBU 57 MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) weapons on the first of several aim points at Fordow." "As the President stated last night, the remaining bombers then hit their targets as well, with a total of 14 MOPs dropped against two nuclear target areas. All three Iranian nuclear infrastructure targets were struck between 6:40 PM and 7:05 PM EST (2:10 AM local time Iran), with the Tomahawk missiles being the last to strike at Isfahan to ensure we retain the element of surprise throughout the operation," he added. The US military employed "several deception tactics", including decoys, to maintain tactical surprise, he said. "As the Operation Midnight Hammer strike package entered Iranian airspace, the US employed several deception tactics, including decoys, as the 4th and 5th generation aircraft pushed out in front of the strike package at high altitude and high speed, sweeping in front of the package for enemy fighters and surface Air missile threats," he added. Further, Caine stated that "at midnight Friday and Saturday morning, a large B2 strike package comprised of bombers launched from the continental United States. As part of the plan to maintain tactical surprise, part of the package proceeded to the West and into the Pacific as a decoy, a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners and key leaders here in Washington and in Tampa." "The main strike package, comprised of seven B2 Spirit bombers, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the East with minimal communications," he added. The operation was executed by US Central Command under the command of General Erik Kurilla. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump said the "very successful" strikes had hit the Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan underground nuclear sites in Iran. Speaking from the White House, Trump announced that America carried out "massive precision" strikes on Iran and warned Tehran of further retaliation if peace was not achieved. Iran condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of international law and vowed to continue its nuclear program. A statement issued by the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) confirmed that early on Sunday morning, Iran's nuclear sites were "subjected to savage aggression--an act in violation of international laws, particularly the NPT."
India.com
10-06-2025
- India.com
Entry ban for Indians in Saudi Arabia during Hajj? Here's the truth behind the viral claim
Saudi Arabia has not placed any new travel restrictions on Indian citizens. Sources connected to the Indian government have confirmed that no such official announcement has been made. On Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs also dismissed reports claiming that Indians were facing travel restrictions to Saudi Arabia. Officials from the ministry explained that the Saudi government has not issued any notice about this. They clarified that during the Hajj season, it's common practice to temporarily pause or limit visas to manage large crowds. These temporary restrictions are lifted once the Hajj pilgrimage is over. 'This CLAIM is FALSE. FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Haj season, there are temporary restrictions on short term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Haj,' the MEA's official FactCheck account posted on X. Government sources had made it clear that Saudi Arabia's move to temporarily halt Umrah, business, and family visit visas for 14 countries, including India, from April to June 2025, was to manage the massive Haj crowds and ensure safety. 'The suspension is a result of logistical, not political, compulsions as restrictions have been imposed on granting short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during the Haj season,' said an official. Saudi authorities, which strictly controls Haj, have stated that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Some travellers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Haj without proper authorization. Saudi Arabia has been known to take such steps during the Hajj season every year due to security and administrative reasons. This year, these restrictions are expected to remain in effect until June 30.
Hans India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MEA slams 'fake' reports on Saudi visa issue, says temporary restrictions on short term visas during Haj
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday termed media reports of Saudi Arabia suspending issuance of block work visas for citizens from 14 countries, including India, as "fake", asserting that the Saudi government has not issued any notification on the matter. "This CLAIM is FALSE. FACT: The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter. As a matter of practice, during the Haj season, there are temporary restrictions on short term visas to avoid overcrowding during this season, which end with the conclusion of Haj," the MEA's official FactCheck account posted on X. Earlier in the day, foreign policy experts had debunked reports and claims made by some opposition leaders about Saudi Arabia visa halt, asserting that the "temporary decision" would not affect the sturdy relationship between both nations. Government sources had made it clear that Saudi Arabia's move to temporarily halt Umrah, business, and family visit visas for 14 countries, including India, from April to June 2025, was to manage the massive Haj crowds and ensure safety. "The suspension is a result of logistical, not political, compulsions as restrictions have been imposed on granting short-term visas to avoid overcrowding during the Haj season," said an official. Saudi authorities, which strictly controls Haj, have stated that multiple-entry visas were being misused. Some travellers entered the country on long-term visas but remained illegally for work or performed Haj without proper authorization. The over-crowding has also become a serious issue due to unauthorised pilgrims using long-term visit visas to bypass restrictions. This issue became particularly alarming in June 2024 when over 1300 pilgrims died due to overcrowding and extreme heat as temperatures exceeded 50 degree Celsius. Saudi authorities believe unregistered pilgrims significantly contributed to the crisis, necessitating tighter visa regulations. By restricting travel to single-entry visas, the Saudi government aims to ensure that only authorized pilgrims perform Haj, reducing risks associated with unregulated attendance. Saudi Arabia has called this suspension a temporary measure, but no timeline has been provided for a review. The Saudi government will monitor the impact before making further decisions. Despite such temporary restrictions, the Saudi government remains focused on expanding tourism with India under the Vision 2030 initiative. The bilateral trade between the two countries touched USD $43.36 billion in FY-2023-24. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country last month, India and Saudi Arabia signed USD $100 billion worth of agreements in energy, infrastructure, security, and innovation sectors, strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations. India's fifth-largest trading partner, Saudi Arabia continues to align its economic priorities amidst global market turbulence and energy realignments.
