#FactCheck - Misleading Video Allegedly Depicting Trampling of Indian Tri-colour in Kerala or Tamil Nadu Circulates on Social Media
Executive Summary:
The video that allegedly showed cars running into an Indian flag while Pakistan flags flying in the air in Indian states, went viral on social media but it has been established to be misleading. The video posted is neither from Kerala nor Tamil Nadu as claimed, instead from Karachi, Pakistan. There are specific details like the shop's name, Pakistani flags, car’s number plate, geolocation analyses that locate where the video comes from. The false information underscores the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
Claims:
A video circulating on social media shows cars trampling the Indian Tricolour painted on a road, as Pakistani flags are raised in pride, with the incident allegedly taking place in Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
Fact Check:
Upon receiving the post we closely watched the video, and found several signs that indicated the video was from Pakistan but not from any place in India.
We divided the video into keyframes and found a shop name near the road.
We enhanced the image quality to see the shop name clearly.
We can see that it’s written as ‘Sanam’, also we can see Pakistan flags waving on the road. Taking a cue from this we did some keyword searches with the shop name. We found some shops with the name and one of the shop's name ‘Sanam Boutique’ located in Karachi, Pakistan, was found to be similar when analyzed using geospatial Techniques.
We also found a similar structure of the building while geolocating the place with the viral video.
Additional confirmation of the place is the car’s number plate found in the keyframes of the video.
We found a website that shows the details of the number Plate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Upon thorough investigation, it was found that the location in the viral video is from Karachi, Pakistan, but not from Kerala or Tamil Nadu as claimed by different users in Social Media. Hence, the claim made is false and misleading.
Conclusion:
The video circulating on social media, claiming to show cars trampling the Indian Tricolour on a road while Pakistani flags are waved, does not depict an incident in Kerala or Tamil Nadu as claimed. By fact-checking methodologies, it has been confirmed now that the location in the video is actually from Karachi, Pakistan. The misrepresentation shows the importance of verifying the source of any information before sharing it on social media to prevent the spread of false narratives.
- Claim: A video shows cars trampling the Indian Tricolour painted on a road, as Pakistani flags are raised in pride, taking place in Tamil Nadu or Kerala.
- Claimed on: X (Formerly known as Twitter)
- Fact Check: Fake & Misleading
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Introduction
In the ever-evolving world of technological innovation, a new chapter is being inscribed by the bold visionaries at Figure AI, a startup that is not merely capitalising on artificial intelligence rage but seeking to crest its very pinnacle. With the recent influx of a staggering $675 million in funding, this Sunnyvale, California-based enterprise has captured the imagination of industry giants and venture capitalists alike, all betting on a future where humanoid robots transcend the realm of science fiction to become an integral part of our daily lives.
The narrative of Figure AI's ascent is punctuated by the names of tech luminaries and corporate giants. Jeff Bezos, through his firm Explore Investments LLC, has infused a hefty $100 million into the venture. Microsoft, not to be outdone, has contributed a cool $95 million. Nvidia and an Amazon-affiliated fund have each bestowed $50 million upon Figure AI's ambitious endeavours. This surge of capital is a testament to the potential seen in the company's mission to develop general-purpose humanoid robots that promise to revolutionise industries and redefine human labour.
The Catalyst for Change
This investment craze can be traced back to the emergence of OpenAI's ChatGPT, a chatbot that caught the public eye in November 2022. Its success has not only ushered in a new era for AI but has also sparked a race among investors eager to stake their claim in startups determined to outshine their more established counterparts. OpenAI itself, once mulling over the acquisition of Figure AI, has now joined the ranks of its benefactors with a $5 million investment.
The roster of backers reads like a who's who of the tech and venture capital world. Intel's venture capital arm, LG Innotek, Samsung's investment group, Parkway Venture Capital, Align Ventures, ARK Venture Fund, Aliya Capital Partners, and Tamarack—all have invested their lot with Figure AI, signalling a broad consensus on the startup's potential to disrupt and innovate.
Yet, when probed for insights, these major players—Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Intel—have maintained a Sphinx-like silence, while Figure AI and other entities mentioned in the report have refrained from immediate responses to inquiries. This veil of secrecy only adds to the intrigue surrounding the company's prospects and the transformative impact its technology may have on society.
Need For AI Robots
Figure AI's robots are not mere assemblages of metal and circuitry; they are envisioned as versatile beings capable of navigating a multitude of environments and executing a diverse array of tasks. From working at aisles of warehouses to the bustling corridors of retail spaces, these humanoid automatons are being designed to fill the void of millions of jobs projected to remain vacant due to a shrinking human labour force.
The company's long-term mission statement is as audacious as it is altruistic: 'to develop general-purpose humanoids that make a positive impact on humanity and create a better life for future generations.' This noble pursuit is not just about engineering efficiency; it is about reshaping the very fabric of work, liberating humans from hazardous and menial tasks, and propelling us towards a future where our lives are enriched with purpose and fulfilment.
Conclusion
As we stand on the cusp of a new digital world, the strides of Figure AI serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards machine and human symbiosis. The investment frenzy that has enveloped the company is a clarion call to all dreamers, pragmatists and innovators alike that the age of humanoid helpers is upon us, and the possibilities are as endless as our collective imagination.
Figure AI is forging a future where robots walk among us, not as novelties or overlords but as partners in forging a world where technology and humanity work together to unlock untold potential. The story of Figure AI is not just one of investment and innovation; it is a narrative of hope, a testament to the indomitable spirit of human ingenuity, and a preview of the wondrous epoch that lies just beyond the horizon.
References
- https://cybernews.com/tech/openai-bezos-nvidia-fund-robot-startup-figure-ai/
- https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-3551476
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-23/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-microsoft-in-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-figure-ai
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/bezos-nvidia-join-openai-in-funding-humanoid-robot-startup-report/articleshow/107967102.cms?from=mdr
Introduction
In the labyrinthine world of cybersecurity, a new spectre has emerged from the digital ether, casting a long shadow over the seemingly impregnable orchards of Apple's macOS. This phantom, known as SpectralBlur, is a backdoor so cunningly crafted that it remained shrouded in the obscurity of cyberspace, undetected by the vigilant eyes of antivirus software until its recent unmasking. The discovery of SpectralBlur is not just a tale of technological intrigue but a narrative that weaves together the threads of geopolitical manoeuvring, the relentless pursuit of digital supremacy, and the ever-evolving landscape of cyber warfare.
SpectralBlur, a term that conjures images of ghostly interference and elusive threats, is indeed a fitting moniker for this new macOS backdoor threat. Cybersecurity researchers have peeled back the layers of the digital onion to reveal a moderately capable backdoor that can upload and download files, execute shell commands, update its configuration, delete files, and enter states of hibernation or sleep, all at the behest of a remote command-and-control server. Greg Lesnewich, a security researcher whose name has become synonymous with the relentless pursuit of digital malefactors, has shed light on this new threat that overlaps with a known malware family attributed to the enigmatic North Korean threat actors.
SpectralBlur similar to Lazarus Group’s KANDYKORN
The malware shares its DNA with KANDYKORN, also known as SockRacket, an advanced implant that functions as a remote access trojan capable of taking control of a compromised host. It is a digital puppeteer, pulling the strings of infected systems with a malevolent grace. The KANDYKORN activity also intersects with another campaign orchestrated by the Lazarus sub-group known as BlueNoroff, or TA444, which culminates in the deployment of a backdoor referred to as RustBucket and a late-stage payload dubbed ObjCShellz.
Recently, the threat actor has been observed combining disparate pieces of these two infection chains, leveraging RustBucket droppers to deliver KANDYKORN. This latest finding is another sign that North Korean threat actors are increasingly setting their sights on macOS to infiltrate high-value targets, particularly those within the cryptocurrency and blockchain industries. 'TA444 keeps running fast and furious with these new macOS malware families,' Lesnewich remarked, painting a picture of a relentless adversary in the digital realm.
Patrick Wardle, a security researcher whose insights into the inner workings of SpectralBlur have further illuminated the threat landscape, noted that the Mach-O binary was uploaded to the VirusTotal malware scanning service in August 2023 from Colombia. The functional similarities between KANDYKORN and SpectralBlur have raised the possibility that they may have been built by different developers with the same requirements. What makes the malware stand out are its attempts to hinder analysis and evade detection while using grant to set up a pseudo-terminal and execute shell commands received from the C2 server.
The disclosure comes as 21 new malware families designed to target macOS systems, including ransomware, information stealers, remote access trojans, and nation-state-backed malware, were discovered in 2023, up from 13 identified in 2022. 'With the continued growth and popularity of macOS (especially in the enterprise!), 2024 will surely bring a bevvy of new macOS malware,' Wardle noted, his words a harbinger of the digital storms on the horizon.
Hackers are beefing up their efforts to go after the best MacBooks as security researchers have discovered a brand new macOS backdoor which appears to have ties to another recently identified Mac malware strain. As reported by Security Week, this new Mac malware has been dubbed SpectralBlur and although it was uploaded to VirusTotal back in August of last year, it remained undetected by the best antivirus software until it recently caught the attention of Proofpoint’s Greg Lesnewich.
Lesnewich explained that SpectralBlur has similar capabilities to other backdoors as it can upload and download files, delete files and hibernate or sleep when given commands from a hacker-controlled command-and-control (C2) server. What is surprising about this new Mac malware strain though is that it shares similarities to the KandyKorn macOS backdoor which was created by the infamous North Korean hacking group Lazarus.
Just like SpectralBlur, KandyKorn is designed to evade detection while providing the hackers behind it with the ability to monitor and control infected Macs. Although different, these two Mac malware strains appear to be built based on the same requirements. Once installed on a vulnerable Mac, SpectralBlur executes a function that allows it to decrypt and encrypt network traffic to help it avoid being detected. However, it can also erase files after opening them and then overwrite the data they contain with zeros..
How to keep your Apple computers safe from hackers
As with the best iPhones, keeping your Mac up to date is the easiest and most important way to keep it safe from hackers. Hackers often prey on users who haven’t updated their devices to the latest software as they can exploit unpatched vulnerabilities and security flaws.
Checking to see if you're running the latest macOS version is quite easy. Just click on the Apple Logo in the top right corner of your computer, head to System Preferences and then click on Software Update. If you need a bit more help, check out our guide on how to update a Mac for more detailed instructions with pictures.
Even though your Mac has its own built-in malware scanner from Apple called xProtect, you should consider using one of the best Mac antivirus software solutions for additional protection. Paid antivirus software is often updated more frequently and you often also get access to other extras to help keep you safe online like a password manager or a VPN.
Besides updating your Mac frequently and using antivirus software, you must be careful online. This means sticking to trusted online retailers, carefully checking the URLs of the websites you visit and avoiding opening links and attachments sent to you via email or social media from people you don’t know. Likewise, you should also learn how to spot a phishing scam to know which emails you want to delete right away.
Conclusion
The thing about hackers and other cybercriminals is that they are constantly evolving their tactics and attack methods. This helps them avoid detection and allows them to devise brand-new ways to trick ordinary people. With the surge we saw in Mac malware last year, though, Apple will likely be working on beefing up xProtect and macOS to better defend against these new threats.
References
- https://www.scmagazine.com/news/new-macos-malware-spectralblur-idd-as-north-korean-backdoor
- https://www.tomsguide.com/news/this-new-macos-backdoor-lets-hackers-take-over-your-mac-remotely-how-to-stay-safe
- https://thehackernews.com/2024/01/spectralblur-new-macos-backdoor-threat.html
Introduction
Uttar Pradesh's state government has taken significant step to promote e-sports, organised games played on video or digital formats, under its new sports policy. The plan includes setting up an e-sports centre in the state, providing basic infrastructure to athletes in every district, and including them under various beneficiary schemes. Schools and colleges will also be asked to promote e-sports. The government sees e-sports as a crucial tool for connecting with young people and a significant market for businesses, game developers, and sports organisations. An awareness program will be held at high school and college levels to educate children about the benefits of e-sports. A talent search and skill development model will be created by studying the national and international e-sports ecosystem.
Recognition to E-Sports
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has approved the New Sports Policy 2023 to promote and foster a sports culture in the state. The policy focuses on various aspects, including physical fitness and training, and supports the development of new institutions and connecting schools, colleges, and private academies with sports. The state government has also incorporated provisions from other states to help athletes chase their goals.
The state's first-ever sports policy, establishing a primary fund of 10 crore for the Uttar Pradesh Sports Development Fund (UPSDF). The policy also inducted e-sports, becoming the first state in India to have e-sports in its official policy. E-sports refers to competitive and organized video game events, and the Centre has officially recognised it.
Key highlights of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Policy 2023
The government's sports department, with the help of the industrial directorate, will plan to promote sports goods manufacturing in the state, with Meerut being one of the main clusters.
The policy also promises to increase the participation of women in sports. Para-athletes will be accommodated in all schemes of the sports department, and special coaches will be appointed for para-sports.
Athletes who have represented the state at national and international levels will be part of the state pension scheme, receiving monthly pensions and preference for university admission and jobs under the sports quota. Cash prizes will be awarded based on international performance and will be increased for those who help these athletes win medals at the top level.
Way forward
The policy promises financial assistance to sports associations and academies, allowing them to expand their infrastructure and training facilities. The state will also establish 14 centres of excellence, each centred around a particular sport, through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. The state sports authority will be established, on the lines of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). A State Sports Development Fund will be put in place to provide assistance to weak players, associations, or academies. Five high-performance centres will be built in the state, providing training facilities for high-performance athletes.
The policy also includes provisions for financial assistance to budding athletes, providing health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for registered players and funds from the Eklavya Sports Fund for injury treatment. Players will receive training based on their skill power, with three categories: grassroots players, elite-class players, and elite-class players. Other notable aspects of the policy include establishing sports centres in each district, promoting local and indigenous sports, encouraging the sports industry, promoting e-sports, providing better facilities in hostels, forming committees for international players, encouraging schools to start sports nurseries or academies, and forming a committee for the Khelo India University Games which is a largest ever competition held at university level in India.
Conclusion
Uttar Pradesh's New Sports Policy 2023 is a significant step towards sports development, integrating e-sports into its sports promotion strategies. Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is committed to sports infrastructure development, talent identification, and athlete support systems. The policy emphasises inclusivity, accommodating para-athletes, and providing financial assistance, training, and health insurance coverage for athletes. Initiatives include establishing sports centres, promoting indigenous sports, encouraging private investments, and fostering collaboration between educational institutions and sports academies. The policy also encourages for organising and hosting national and international level e-sports competitions in the state. This forward-looking approach aims to harness the full spectrum of sporting opportunities, empowering citizens and elevating its standing in national and international sporting arenas.
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