Fake news: debunking alleged photos of Taliban spokesman
02 October 2021 |
12:06 pm
Social media users have been sharing images that purport to be of Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid. It's claimed they show he's leading a double life. The photos, supposedly, include him failing to wear a head covering and even posing alongside a woman who also isn't wearing a headscarf or veil. But by using reverse image searches and facial recognition technology, it's easy to see the photos are all of other people. The means to spot fakes are out there, but people have to want to look.
Related
2 Nov 2021
The Taliban's reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has been seen in public for the first time since he took control of the group in 2016, officials have said. His appearance may ease rumors of his death.
4 Nov 2021
Local traders and residents reacted to the Taliban ban of foreign currencies for trade, at the Sarai Shahzada market in Kabul on Wednesday after the Taliban made the announcement on Tuesday. The US dollar has been used widely in Afghanistan’s markets before the ban.
5 Nov 2021
Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Friday (November 5) it has postponed the Afghanistan test in Hobart scheduled for Nov. 27 until the situation regarding the women's game in the South Asian nation becomes clearer.
CA had said in September it would scrap the test if the Taliban government, which took power in August, did not allow women and girls to play the sport.
17 Nov 2021
Since the Taliban returned to power in August, life in Afghanistan has become more and more difficult. The country, which was already beset by an economic crisis, is now confronted with a worsening humanitarian catastrophe. Billions of dollars in aid money have dried up, funding for hospitals is non-existent and nearly half the population faces acute hunger. Our team on the ground reports.
11 Nov 2021
The UN's World Food Program has warned that half of Afghanistan's population is facing an acute hunger crisis, with millions forced to choose between "migration or starvation" amid drought and economic collapse.
26 Nov 2021
Amid a mounting economic crisis, the Taliban has pledged to pay three months' worth of lost wages to public employees. The group boasted of new revenue, but did not specify where it came from.
23 Nov 2021
A Taliban ministry has asked TV networks to stop broadcasting programs that the ultra-conservative group deems immoral. They have said that the directives are not obligatory, but rather "a religious guideline."
27 Nov 2021
Kabul residents on Tuesday said the first 100 days after the Taliban takeover had been difficult, expressing ongoing concerns about security and girls' education.
29 Nov
The Taliban government leader asked for international aid and access to about $10 billion in funds frozen after the insurgents took over the country in August. The UN is warning half the country could starve this winter.
1 Dec
By imposing new restrictions on the media and female actors, the Taliban have once again reaffirmed their misogynistic ideology, rights advocates have said.
4 Dec
Panjshir Valley became known as the last bastion of the anti-Taliban resistance as the militants swept to power in Afghanistan in August. But it was only a matter of weeks before Panjshir too would fall into Taliban control. Once a bustling hub of activity, Panjshir is now largely deserted. The few residents who have stayed are now under constant surveillance, and are struggling to survive amid a crippling economic crisis. Sonia Ghezali, Shahzaib Wahlah and Solène Chalvon Fioriti report.
5 Dec
'We don't think Syria is in any way a safe place,' says UNHCR spokesman
After a Syrian journalist was arrested in Jordan this month some media freedom advocates linked the case to a recent thaw in Jordan-Syria relations, suggesting Syria had asked Jordan to silence opposition voices.
Latest
2 hours ago
Last month, Giorgia Meloni, the president of the far-right Brothers of Italy party, strongly criticised EU defence policy, claiming that no country is meeting its defence spending commitments. FRANCE 24's Georgina Robertson and Sophie Samaille look at some defence spending figures to debunk this claim.
2 hours ago
A Nigerian activist who as a child walked for miles in the search for water has spoken to FRANCE 24 about that injustice and how it inspired him to take action. As a young adult, Wilson Atumeyi set up the NGO WaterWide, which aims to provide clean water supplies to all. He joined us for Perspective to tell us more about fighting against corruption to achieve his goals and the role that young people can play.
2 hours ago
With a smile that could make anyone swoon and bright blonde low-cut hair that captures the hearts of many, Nancy Isime provides an insight into what it was like to embody TV’s next favourite character, Kemi.
1 day ago
Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Friday.
1 day ago
A Gambian man accused of belonging to a death squad appeared in court in Germany on Monday facing charges of crimes against humanity. The suspect is also accused of murder and attempted murder as part of a group that assassinated opponents of dictator Yahya Jammeh.
