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Deepfake video shows Zelenskyy’s false call for Ukraine to surrender

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A manipulated video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling on residents to give up to Russia has been shared on-line.

The false video seems to point out Zelenskyy addressing the nation and inspiring residents to “lay down arms”.

One model of the “deepfake” has additionally been seen greater than 80,000 occasions on Twitter.

Zelenskyy’s face has been edited onto the video utilizing synthetic intelligence (AI) to create the “deepfake” video.

The viral clip differs from the vast majority of misinformation that has been shared since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

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Most false rumours originate from photos or movies which were taken out of context, from different wars or world occasions.

“That is the primary deepfake that we have seen utilized in an intentional and broadly misleading manner,” stated Sam Gregory, programme director at Witness, a human rights and know-how group.

“It is not an efficient deepfake, partly as a result of it is not an especially well-made deepfake, but additionally as a result of Ukraine has executed a masterful job pre-bunking after which swiftly rebutting the video.”

“Deepfakes have not been the primary downside in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” Gregory informed Euronews.

Earlier this month, Ukraine’s Land Forces warned residents to pay attention to potential manipulated movies that would present obvious calls to give up.

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“Movies made by means of such applied sciences are virtually not possible to differentiate from the true ones,” the authority stated in a Fb submit.

“[The] objective is to disorient, sow panic, disbelieve residents and incite our troops to retreat. Relaxation assured – Ukraine is not going to capitulate.”

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s President swiftly launched a video on his personal Instagram web page, the place he denied making any such assertion.

“The one ones who ought to hand over arms are Russian troopers,” Zelenskyy stated.

A deepfake video of Russian President Vladimir Putin additionally appeared on-line on Wednesday, seemingly created in retaliation to the pretend Zelenskyy clip.

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Within the video, the Russian president seems to announce the give up of Russia and calls on troopers to “go house whilst you’re alive”.

The video has additionally been manipulated utilizing AI from a latest nationwide handle by Putin.

Ukrainian information channels Ukraine 24 and Right this moment, whose dwell broadcasts had been hacked to advertise the identical “give up” message because the pretend video, additionally launched statements echoing the phrases of their President.

Sam Gregory informed Euronews that Ukraine’s efforts to pre-empt manipulated movies of Zelenskyy was a “actually acceptable technique”.

“That is the primary time we’ve seen a extremely vital perceived risk of deepfakes that may be anticipated in a battle,” he stated.

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“I believe it offers a mannequin that’s relevant in some eventualities globally to politicians, pre-bunking after which a fast response.”

Witness has been working to assist on-line customers perceive trusted movies of the Ukraine battle and has been calling on social media platforms to offer extra open steerage and instruments.

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Middle East Crisis: Critically Ill Children Allowed to Leave Gaza for First Time Since May

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Sixty-eight people, including sick and injured patients and their escorts, crossed the border to get treatment, the Israeli military said. The evacuation was carried out in coordination with the U.S., Egypt and the international community.

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Taiwan issues travel advisory after China vows to execute independence supporters

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Taiwan issues travel advisory after China vows to execute independence supporters

The Taiwanese government warned its citizens not to travel to mainland China on Thursday after Beijing threatened to execute residents who support the island’s independence.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council spokesman Liang Wen-chieh issued the warning during a routine press conference. The Chinese government announced a new policy targeting “separatists” last week, and said it would pursue the death penalty for “diehard” supporters of Taiwanese independence.

“I want to stress: Democracy is not a crime; it’s autocracy that is the real evil. China has absolutely no right to sanction Taiwan’s people just because of the positions they hold. What’s more, China has no right to go after Taiwan people’s rights across borders,” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday.

“I also want to call on China to face up to the existence of the Republic of China and have exchanges and dialogue with Taiwan’s democratically elected, legitimate government,” he said, using Taiwan’s formal name. “If this is not done, relations between Taiwan and China will only become more and more estranged.”

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The Taiwanese government warned its citizens not to travel to mainland China on Thursday after Beijing threatened to execute residents who support the island’s independence. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

China has long considered Taiwan to be its territory, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has threatened to take the island by force in recent years.

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China’s Taiwan Affairs Office clarified on Wednesday that the threat of execution applies only to a small number of Taiwanese independence “diehards’ evil words and actions.”

Xi Jinping

China has long considered Taiwan to be its territory, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has threatened to take the island by force in recent years. (Szilard Koszticsak/MTI via AP)

The move is the latest escalation of tensions between Taipei and Beijing. Recent months have also seen China conduct extensive military drills surrounding the island. China has used the drills as intimidation, typically following events connecting the U.S. and Taiwan.

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China first conducted live-fire drills in 2022 after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. D-Calif., traveled to Taiwan. It was the first time a U.S. speaker visited the island in over 25 years. 

Chinese soldier looking through binoculars with a military ship in the background

Recent months have also seen China conduct extensive military drills surrounding the island, typically following events connecting the U.S. and Taiwan. (Lin Jian/Xinhua via AP)

Beijing’s execution threat comes just days after the U.S. approved the sale of $360 million in drones, missiles and other equipment to Taiwan.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Serbian police shut down cultural exchange festival with Kosovo

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Serbian police shut down cultural exchange festival with Kosovo

The festival ban comes a day after the EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said no progress had been made during talks in Brussels towards implementing an EU-backed agreement towards normalising ties between Belgrade and Pristina.

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Serbian police have banned a festival that promotes cultural exchange with Kosovo following a rally by far-right protesters outside the venue. 

In a statement, Belgrade police cited security concerns as the reasons for stopping the event from going ahead, saying they wanted to prevent ‘danger to the security of people and property and to public peace and order on a larger scale.’ 

The police statement also said that the anti-festival protest, which saw several dozen right-wing extremists gather outside the festival venue, waving Serbian flags and banners saying ‘No surrender’, had also been banned. 

Several Serbian government officials have sharply criticised the festival in recent days, describing it as anti-Serb.

While the festival has been held alternatively in Serbia and Kosovo for the past decade, this year’s ban in Serbia illustrates a general toughening of the government’s stance toward its critics.

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The Mirëdita, dobar dan festival, whose name means ‘hello’ in Albanian and Serbian, is organised by youth groups from Serbia and Kosovo and was due to open on Thursday with a theatre show from Kosovo.

According to the festival’s website the event, which was due to run for two days, aims to ‘enrich regional perspectives and foster cooperation and peacebuilding’.

No progress

The festival ban came a day after the EU Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell said no progress had been made during talks in Brussels towards implementing an agreement between Belgrade and Pristina.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti had met to discuss an EU-backed plan to normalise ties. However, unresolved issues, including Pristina’s demands that Belgrade hands over the suspected organisers of the Banjska attack, blocked further progress.

Speaking after the meetings, Borrell said that the European Union will continue to exert all its efforts and capacity to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

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“Kosovo was not ready for this, Kosovo was not willing to do this trilateral meeting. Serbia was ready to do it, but you need two to dance tango and we need two to sit around the table in order to continue the dialogue,” Borrell added.

Borrell said on Wednesday ahead of the meeting that a new round of dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina would “hopefully send a different message and end in a different note.”

Brussels has warned both Belgrade and Pristina that refusal to compromise jeopardises Serbia and Kosovo’s chances of joining the bloc.

Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in 2008, a move Belgrade does not recognise.

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