Navigating the Path to CyberPeace: Insights and Strategies
Featured #factCheck Blogs
Executive Summary
Social media users are claiming that Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth dances with soldiers’ wives and attended a dance competition organised by the Border Security Force Wives Welfare Association (BWWA). CyberPeace Research found no credible sources to substantiate the viral claim. Our research revealed that the viral image is related to his visit to Nepal. According to reports, he travelled to Nepal on his first foreign visit after taking charge of the Indian Army, where he was welcomed by senior Nepal Army officials. During the visit, he was also scheduled to receive the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army. However, his photograph is being linked to a dance video from an event organised by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), accompanied by objectionable claims about him. Our research found no credible evidence confirming that General Dhiraj Seth attended the event or was associated with the activities shown in the video. Therefore, linking his photograph from the Nepal visit to the dance video is misleading.
Claim:
It is being claimed on social media that Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth attended a dance competition organised by the BSF Wives Welfare Association (BWWA), where he was impressed by a woman’s dance performance and asked other participants to follow her lead.
https://x.com/ThokaReturns/status/2110854323760693485
Fact Check
To verify the viral claim, we conducted a reverse image search using keyframes from the video. During this process, we found the video on Instagram. The text “BSF Wives Welfare Association” was visible on the backdrop behind the stage. However, there was no mention of Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth anywhere in the video.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/Ddl7oTEgnf7/
After reviewing these videos, our research found no evidence to substantiate the claim that General Dhiraj Seth attended an event organised by the BSF Wives Welfare Association or danced at the event. His photograph is being linked to the dance video, but no credible evidence supporting this claim was found.
During our research, we found the original video of Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth shared by ANI. According to the report, General Dhiraj Seth arrived in Nepal on a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening defence ties between the two countries.
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcGxzLPExR5/
In the final stage of our research, we found a report on an Instagram account named ‘nepalinlast24hours’. According to the report, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth arrived in Kathmandu on his first foreign visit after taking command of the Indian Army on June 30, 2026. He was welcomed by senior Nepal Army officials at Tribhuvan International Airport.
The report stated that during his four-day visit, General Seth was scheduled to meet Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Nepal Army Chief Ashok Raj Sigdel. Additionally, he was scheduled to be conferred with the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army at a special ceremony at Sheetal Niwas on Monday.This tradition between India and Nepal dates back to 1950. Under the arrangement, the army chiefs of both countries are conferred with honorary military ranks in each other’s armies.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcGbgm0jUBH/?dlrf=MXFndzM5dGp4ZTh5OA%3D%3D
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral photograph of Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is related to his visit to Nepal. According to reports, he travelled to Nepal on his first foreign visit after taking command of the Indian Army, where he was welcomed by senior Nepal Army officials. During the visit, he was also scheduled to be conferred with the honorary rank of General of the Nepal Army.However, his photograph is being linked on social media to a dance video from an event organised by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), accompanied by objectionable claims about him. Our research found no credible evidence confirming General Dhiraj Seth’s presence at the event or his association with the activities shown in the video. Therefore, linking his photograph from his Nepal visit to the dance video is misleading.
Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media with the claim that a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader is doing sit-ups in front of the public. Some users are sharing the video as a recent incident, claiming that a BJP MLA performed sit-ups in front of the public. CyberPeace Research found the claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the viral video is not recent but dates back to February 2022, when Bhupesh Chaubey, the BJP MLA from the Robertsganj Assembly constituency in Sonbhadra, apologised to disgruntled party workers during a party workers' convention.
Claim:
A user on Facebook shared the viral image on October 11, 2026, with the caption: “This is the bond submitted by coward Abhijeet Dipke in court for his release, and he says he will take to the streets again.” The link to the post, its archive link, and a screenshot are provided below.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1806020163922780
Fact Check
We conducted a reverse image search using keyframes from the viral video. During the search, we found a report published on the Dainik Bhaskar website on February 23, 2022, which featured the same video. According to the report, polling in Sonbhadra was scheduled for March 7 as part of the seventh phase of the Assembly elections. During the election campaign, Bhupesh Chaubey, the BJP MLA and candidate from the Robertsganj Assembly constituency, was seen adopting an unusual approach. He stood on a chair, held his ears and performed sit-ups on the chair, apologising to the public for the mistakes he had made over the previous five years.The link to the report and a screenshot are provided below.
In the next stage of our research, we found a report published on ABP News’ Hindi website on February 25, 2022, which featured the viral video in a general context. We found the same video in this report as well. The link to the report and a screenshot are provided below.
Conclusion
Our research found that the viral video is not recent but dates back to February 2022, when Bhupesh Chaubey, the BJP MLA from the Robertsganj Assembly constituency in Sonbhadra, apologised to disgruntled party workers during a party workers' convention.
Executive Summary:
A video is going viral on social media with the claim that President Droupadi Murmu has allegedly demanded an independent inquiry into the loss of Rafale jets. In the video clip, Murmu can allegedly be heard saying that India should investigate the reasons behind the loss of the aircraft and learn from its mistakes. A research by the research wing of the CyberPeace revealed that the viral video has been tampered with. President Droupadi Murmu had made no such statement.
Claim:
A video being shared on social media claims that President Droupadi Murmu has demanded the formation of an independent commission to investigate the causes behind the loss of India’s Rafale aircraft. In the viral video, Murmu can allegedly be heard stating that such an inquiry would help India avoid similar failures in the future.
https://archive.ph/UbLYj#selection-295.0-295.214
https://x.com/InsiderWB/status/2088669027258552509
Fact Check
During the research, we first conducted a customized keyword search using terms like "President Murmu", "Rafale jets", and "inquiry". During this search, we found no reliable media reports or official statements confirming the claim that President Droupadi Murmu had demanded an independent probe into the loss of Rafale aircraft. Upon performing a reverse image search on keyframes of the viral video, we found the original video of President Droupadi Murmu’s address to the nation uploaded on the official YouTube channel of the President of India on August 14, 2026. This address was delivered on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day. In the original video, President Murmu can be seen speaking in the exact same outfit and against the same background as visible in the viral clip. However, a review of the complete speech revealed no mention of Rafale aircraft or any demand for an independent inquiry into their alleged loss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BggdVYCyH6c
Following this, we analyzed the viral clip using several AI detection tools. Hive Moderation indicated a high probability that the video contained AI-generated or deepfake content.
Meanwhile, Resemble AI flagged the audio as fake.
Conclusion
The statement regarding an independent probe into the alleged loss of Rafale aircraft in the viral video has been falsely attributed to President Droupadi Murmu. The clip appears to be manipulated using AI-generated video and audio. There is no such statement in the President's original Independence Day address.
Executive Summary
An image featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is being widely shared on social media. The image is being circulated with the claim that it is a decades-old photograph of the two leaders. A research by the Research Wing of CyberPeace found that the viral image is not authentic and was generated using artificial intelligence (AI).
Claim
On August 14, 2026, a user shared the viral image on Instagram with the caption: “An old photograph of our country's Prime Minister Ji and Home Minister Amit Shah Ji. This duo has changed the history of India. Such leadership comes once in centuries.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DcAsngdyjQ0/
Fact Check:
On closely examining the viral image, we noticed several visual inconsistencies that raised suspicion that it may have been AI-generated. We subsequently analysed the image using Hive Moderation, an AI-detection tool. The tool indicated a 99 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.
As part of the next stage of our research, we analysed the viral image using another AI-detection tool, AI or Not. The tool's results indicated a 98 per cent probability that the image was AI-generated.
Conclusion:
The viral image being circulated as a decades-old photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah is fake. Our research found that the image was generated using AI and is being falsely presented as a genuine old photograph.
Executive Summary
A poster is being shared on social media claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. The post also includes a screenshot of an X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly belonging to President Droupadi Murmu, stating that the Prime Minister has tendered his resignation, along with his Union Council of Ministers, to the President. Research by the CyberPeace Research Wing proved the viral claim to be fake. The research revealed that the poster being shared on social media is fabricated.
Claim:
Sharing the viral poster on the social media platform Instagram, a user wrote, “President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and requested him to continue in office until the formation of the new government. This is part of the constitutional process of Indian democracy. What is your opinion? Is this just a formality or a step towards a new beginning?” The archive link and screenshot of the post are given below:
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcA0HqhN3Fr/
FactCheck
To ascertain the truth behind the viral claim, we conducted a search on Google using relevant keywords. During this, we did not find any credible media reports confirming the viral claim. In the next step of the research, we scanned the X account of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). We did not find any such post there either. The link and screenshot of the relevant post are given below:
Proceeding further with the research, we scanned the X account of the President. We did not find any post confirming the viral claim there as well. The link and screenshot of the relevant post are given below:
In the next stage of our research, we found a report published on the DD News website on June 5, 2024. According to the report, ahead of the formation of the next Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his Council of Ministers, had tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. This paved the way for the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, which ran from 2019 to 2024. President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Modi and his Council of Ministers, and requested them to continue in office until the new government assumed charge. The link and screenshot of the post are given below:
Conclusion:
In our research, the viral claim turned out to be fake. The research revealed that the poster being shared on social media is fake.
Executive Summary
A video circulating rapidly on social media claims to show severe waterlogging inside the passenger terminal of the newly constructed Noida International Airport in Uttar Pradesh. The clip displays passengers navigating flooded check-in areas with their luggage, while a female reporter holding a mic labeled "Sach Bolo" criticizes the state government over poor infrastructure. However, a research by the CyberPeace Research Wing confirmed that the video is completely fake and created using artificial intelligence (AI).
The Claim
On August 14, 2026, Instagram user shyamgupta_yuvaneta posted the clip with a caption targeting the government over alleged corruption and poor infrastructure at the Noida Airport
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DcAOGgcgUrp
Fact-Check
An initial analysis of the video revealed unnatural physical movements among the people shown and an artificial voice modulation typical of AI-generated content. To verify this, the video was run through standard AI detection tools:
Hive Moderation: Flagged the video as 99.9% likely to be AI-generated.
Sightengine: Returned a 99% probability that the content was artificially generated.
Further verification of official communications revealed a post by the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Noida International Airport (@NIAirport) on August 15, 2026. The airport authority clarified that fake videos depicting waterlogging inside the passenger terminal were circulating online and refuted the claims entirely. While recent heavy rainfall did cause temporary water accumulation in an underpass connecting the terminal to the parking area, the passenger terminal building itself remained unaffected.
https://x.com/NIAirport/status/2088481969462272065?s=20
Conclusion
The viral video showing waterlogging inside the Noida International Airport terminal is fake and AI-generated. The actual incident of waterlogging was restricted to an outer subway connecting the parking area, not the main terminal building.
Executive Summary
A graphic carrying the logo of Tamil news channel Sun News is circulating widely on social media, claiming that veteran South Indian actor Rajinikanth has been appointed as the new Governor of Kerala. The viral graphic features a photograph of Rajinikanth along with congratulatory messages, creating the impression that his appointment has been officially announced. However, the claim is false. An research by the CyberPeace ’s Research Wing found that the viral graphic is digitally manipulated and falsely attributed to Sun News.
Claim
A graphic bearing the Sun News logo is being widely shared on social media with congratulatory messages, claiming that actor Rajinikanth has been appointed as the new Governor of Kerala.
https://www.facebook.com/andisamy.puthur/posts/1456280999637808/
FactCheck
The CyberPeace ’s Research Wing investigated the viral claim and found no official notification or credible media report confirming Rajinikanth’s appointment as the Governor of Kerala or as the Governor of any other state. We searched relevant government sources and credible media reports but found no announcement regarding such an appointment. We also checked the official platforms of Sun News, but found no report confirming that Rajinikanth had been appointed as the Governor of Kerala. Further research revealed that the photograph of Rajinikanth used in the viral graphic is actually from a press conference held on March 12, 2020. A video of the original press conference shows Rajinikanth speaking about his political plans. During the press conference, he had clarified that he was not interested in becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The original video of the press conference is available on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vni3pxjWSR8
The research further found that the viral graphic has been digitally altered and falsely attributed to Sun News. The graphic was also found to have been created using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool.
Conclusion
The claim that Rajinikanth has been appointed as the new Governor of Kerala is false and misleading. There has been no official government announcement or credible media report confirming his appointment, and Sun News has not published any such report. The viral graphic is digitally manipulated and falsely attributed to the news channel.
Executive Summary
A video circulating widely on social media purportedly shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to the recently signed defence agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort.
The clip carries an alleged statement in which Modi is heard saying that he had previously discussed the possibility of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye coming together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He is further purportedly heard claiming that Netanyahu had said the Gulf countries and Iran would be made to fight each other and eventually eliminated. The voice attributed to Modi allegedly concludes that his assessment had proved correct and that those involved were now looking for a way out of the situation.
An research by the CyberPeace Research Wing’s Research Wing found that the viral clip is misleading. The audio has been digitally altered and superimposed on footage from Modi’s Independence Day address. The alleged remarks do not feature in the Prime Minister’s original speech.
Claim
On August 16, Pakistan-based journalist Fakhar Ur Rehman (@Fakharrehman01) shared the video on X, claiming it showed Modi discussing the defence pact between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. The accompanying video purportedly shows Modi saying that he had spoken to Netanyahu about the possibility of the three countries forming an alliance. According to the alleged remarks, Netanyahu had said that the Gulf nations and Iran would be encouraged to fight one another and eventually eliminated.
The speaker, purportedly Modi, is then heard saying that his prediction had turned out to be correct and that the parties involved were now worried about finding a way out of the situation.
https://x.com/Fakharrehman01/status/2088899788788117899?s=20
Fact Check
To verify whether the remarks were actually made by Modi, the Desk first searched Google using a combination of relevant keywords and looked for the complete recording of his Independence Day address. The search led to the official YouTube channel of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO India), which carries the full recording of Modi’s speech uploaded on August 15, 2026. The Desk reviewed the entire one-hour-and-39-minute video and found no instance in which Modi made the statements heard in the viral clip. The absence of the alleged remarks from the original recording raised concerns that the audio had been added or modified.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDHjd3GUU7Y
The Desk then cross-checked the Prime Minister’s speech with its official written transcript available on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) website. A review of the transcript found no mention of a proposed or existing alliance involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye. It also contained no reference to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the context described in the viral video.
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156749®=48&lang=2
Since the video appeared to contain altered audio, the Desk next separated the soundtrack from the footage for further examination. The extracted audio was analysed using Resemble AI, an AI-based audio detection tool. The tool did not conclusively establish that the recording had been digitally manipulated. However, its assessment indicated that the voice could be an impersonation, adding further doubt to the authenticity of the audio attributed to Modi. The Desk also compared the audio findings with the original speech and its official transcript. Neither source contained the statements being circulated in the viral clip.
Conclusion
The video does not show Prime Minister Narendra Modi making the remarks attributed to him about Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Israel. The footage is from his Independence Day address, but the audio carrying the alleged comments has been digitally manipulated and superimposed. Analysis by Resemble AI further indicated that the voice may be an impersonation. Therefore, the claim that Modi made the alleged remarks about the Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye alliance and Benjamin Netanyahu is false
Executive Summary
A video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being shared on social media with the claim that he disrespected the national anthem by continuing to walk while it was being played. The CyberPeace Research Wing’s investigation found that the claim is false. The audio heard in the viral clip has been added separately to the original footage, creating a misleading impression about what was happening in the video.
Claim
An X user shared the video claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued walking during the national anthem, thereby disrespecting it.
https://x.com/sudhirkummar123/status/2089044275665535414?s=20
Fact Check
To verify the claim, the Desk conducted a reverse image search using keyframes from the viral video. The search led us to a longer version of the footage uploaded on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official YouTube channel on June 21, 2025. We reviewed the longer video and found that the audio in the viral clip does not match the original footage. The original video does not feature the national anthem being played. Instead, a female announcer on the stage can be heard asking the gathering to welcome Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival in Siwan, Bihar. The description accompanying the original video also states that people gave Prime Minister Modi a warm welcome upon his arrival in Siwan.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YhBryZZwlIk
The investigation also found several media reports published on June 20, 2025, which reported that Modi had visited Siwan ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections and inaugurated or laid the foundation stones for development projects worth around Rs 5,900 crore. News18 report on PM Modi’s Siwan visit
The original footage therefore establishes that the scene was related to Modi’s welcome in Siwan and not to the playing of the national anthem.
Conclusion
The claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi disrespected the national anthem by walking during its rendition is false. The original footage does not contain the national anthem. The audio heard in the viral clip has been added separately to the video, creating a false impression about the incident.
Executive Summary
Several social media users shared an India Today news clipping showing an exclusive interaction between senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai and Bangladeshi journalist Mahfuz Anam. In the purported conversation, Anam was heard claiming that India’s intelligence agency RAW was trying to prevent Bangladesh from joining the Mecca Pact. He was also allegedly heard saying that New Delhi was promoting an alternative defence pact with Bangladesh involving a Middle Eastern country and Israel. However, the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the viral video had been digitally manipulated using AI-generated audio. The original video, uploaded by India Today, showed Anam in conversation with Sardesai in 2024, discussing Bangladesh’s July uprising and the developments that followed.
Claim
A Facebook page, ‘MatriX MojtabA’, shared an India Today news clipping on August 12 showing senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai interviewing Bangladeshi journalist Mahfuz Anam. In the purported conversation, Anam was heard saying that RAW was trying to prevent Bangladesh from joining the Mecca Pact. He was also allegedly heard claiming that New Delhi was promoting an alternative defence pact with Bangladesh involving a Middle Eastern country and Israel.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1804199927691664/
Fact Check
Based on the clue that the viral clip was taken from an exclusive conversation between Mahfuz Anam and India Today, the Desk conducted a customised keyword search on Google. The search led to an extended version of the same interaction uploaded on India Today’s official YouTube channel. The Desk identified the original footage by comparing the background setting and the clothes worn by both Sardesai and Anam, which appeared identical in the viral and original clips. However, an analysis of the original video established that it was an old recording from August 2024. The video showed Anam and Sardesai discussing Bangladesh’s July 2024 uprising and the developments that followed. The Desk analysed the complete 14-minute-and-three-second video and found that Anam did not mention RAW or the Mecca Pact anywhere in the interaction. The Mecca Pact was signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey on August 7, 2026. This established that the statement attributed to Anam in the viral video was not part of the original conversation and had been digitally manipulated.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEoyTkOZ8xE
Further, after finding indications that the audio in the viral clip may have been AI-generated, the Desk extracted the audio from the video and analysed it using Resemble AI, an AI audio detection tool. The analysis indicated that the audio was AI-generated and did not contain Mahfuz Anam’s original statement.
Conclusion
The viral video showing Bangladeshi journalist Mahfuz Anam purportedly claiming that India’s RAW was trying to prevent Bangladesh from joining the Mecca Pact is digitally manipulated. The audio in the viral clip was replaced with AI-generated audio to attribute a false statement to Anam. The original India Today video, recorded in 2024, shows Anam speaking with Rajdeep Sardesai about Bangladesh’s July uprising and the developments that followed. He does not make any remarks about RAW, the Mecca Pact or an alternative defence pact involving India, a Middle Eastern country and Israel.
Executive Summary
A video is being shared on social media with the claim that a thief in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, performed dangerous stunts to evade the police. In the viral video, several police personnel can be seen chasing a man. The man appears to dodge vehicles on the road to escape the police and then climbs onto the roof of a moving bus. He later jumps from the bus and climbs onto a roadside hoarding. The video is being shared with the claim that a clever thief gave the police a tough time in Indore. Research by CyberPeace Research Wing found that the video is AI-generated and is being shared with a misleading claim.
Claim:
A high-voltage, filmy-style chase between police and a clever thief took place in a busy market in Indore. The police later surrounded the accused and detained him. Archive of the post can be seen here. Similar posts can be seen here and here.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1356598853312128
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we conducted a reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video using Google Lens. During the search, we found the same video posted on August 8 on the X account of a user named Rahul Nanda. The post stated that the video had been created using AI.
https://x.com/rahulnanda86/status/2086001127762657614
We then analysed the viral video using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation. The tool gave the video a 99.8 per cent score for being potentially AI-generated.
As part of the research, we also checked the video using another AI detection tool, Deepfake-O-Meter. Six different detectors on the tool indicated a high probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
The evidence gathered during our research establishes that the viral video claiming to show a thief evading police in Indore is AI-generated. Therefore, the claim is misleading.
Executive Summary
A video showing children crouching as the ground shakes violently is being widely shared on social media with the claim that it shows the aftermath of a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on August 10, 2026. However, the CyberPeace Research Wing found that the video is not from Colombia. The footage was recorded in the Philippines two months earlier during a more powerful earthquake.
Claim
An X user shared the video on August 10, 2026, claiming that it showed a massive 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia that killed hundreds of people and destroyed thousands of homes. “Massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia! Hundreds dead, thousands of homes destroyed,” the post claimed.
https://x.com/anandsh04294243/status/2086911617938362779
Fact Check
To verify the claim, the Desk conducted a reverse image search of keyframes from the viral video. The search led to the same footage being shared on social media on June 8, where it was linked to a powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines. The posts identified the footage as being related to a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the region, causing buildings to collapse, triggering landslides and prompting tsunami warnings.
https://x.com/WeatherMonitors/status/2063855713223635055
Further research found that the video was recorded at Tubalan Elementary School in Malita, Davao Occidental province, Philippines.
According to the edit history of the Facebook post, the user initially stated that the footage showed the first day of school at Tubalan Elementary School. The user later updated the caption, urging viewers not to blame the teachers. The updated post stated that the students were outside near the school’s basketball court when the earthquake struck and were subsequently evacuated to safety without any injuries. The school also issued a separate post on Facebook to address what it described as a misconception arising from the video circulating on social media. The school clarified that the outdoor gymnasium was not being used as an evacuation area after the earthquake. It said the students were already inside the gymnasium for the scheduled flag ceremony when the earthquake occurred.
The Desk also searched for reports about the earthquake and found a detailed report published by Barron's, which confirmed the occurrence of a major earthquake off the southern Philippines. The report also mentioned casualties and tsunami warnings following the quake. https://www.barrons.com/news/major-quake-off-philippines-kills-one-triggers-tsunami-warnings-665c527c
Conclusion
The viral video does not show a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia. The footage was recorded at Tubalan Elementary School in the Philippines and was shared online in June 2026 in connection with a powerful earthquake that struck the southern Philippines. Therefore, the claim that the video shows the August 10, 2026 earthquake in Colombia is false.
Executive Summary
A letter purportedly issued by the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi is being widely shared on social media. The letter claims that the embassy expressed “deep concern” and “strong disapproval” over alleged remarks made by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The purported statement says political disagreement is an essential part of democracy, but disrespect toward the Italian prime minister is not acceptable. CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the viral claim to be false. To verify the authenticity of the purported statement, we first searched the official website and social media accounts of the Embassy of Italy in India using relevant keywords. However, we found no official statement matching the contents of the viral letter or any response from the embassy regarding Rahul Gandhi or Giorgia Meloni.
Claim
A user on X (formerly Twitter) shared the purported letter claiming that the Embassy of Italy had expressed strong disapproval over Rahul Gandhi’s alleged remarks about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The purported statement reads: “The Embassy of Italy expresses its deep concern and strong disapproval regarding the derogatory remarks attributed to Rahul Gandhi, Opposition Leader of the Lok Sabha, India, concerning Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy.”
It further states that political disagreement is an essential part of democracy but that India’s internal political matters should not become a pretext for mocking or disrespecting the Italian prime minister. The purported statement also says that while political debate is welcome, “disrespect toward our Prime Minister is not.”
https://x.com/AINga5f/status/2088109663128522982?s=20
https://archive.ph/st0qb
FactCheck
To verify the claim, we conducted a Google search using relevant keywords. However, we did not find any credible media report confirming that the Embassy of Italy had issued such a statement.
We then checked the official website of the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi for any statement or update concerning Rahul Gandhi or Giorgia Meloni. However, no report or official statement matching the viral letter was found.
https://ambnewdelhi.esteri.it/en/news/
Next, we checked the embassy’s official X account for any post related to the alleged statement. However, no such post was found on the account.
https://x.com/italyinindia?lang=en
As part of our further research, we checked the official Facebook account of the Embassy of Italy in India. No post or statement confirming the viral claim was found there either.
https://www.facebook.com/ItalyInIndia/
Finally, we scanned the viral letter using the AI-detection tool Sightengine. The tool indicated an 83 per cent probability that the viral letter was AI-generated.
Conclusion
The viral letter attributed to the Embassy of Italy in New Delhi is fake. Our research found no official statement on the embassy’s website or its verified social media accounts confirming the contents of the viral letter. Moreover, the letter was flagged by Sightengine as having an 83 per cent probability of being AI-generated. Therefore, the purported statement should not be considered an authentic communication from the Embassy of Italy.
Executive Summary
A claim is going viral across social media platforms stating that Earth’s gravity will disappear for seven seconds on the night of August 12, 2026, causing people to feel as if they are floating in the air. According to the viral posts, the phenomenon will occur due to a leaked confidential document related to the US space agency NASA’s alleged “Project Anchor.” The CyberPeace Research Wing found the claim to be false. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has denied that Earth’s gravity will disappear for seven seconds on August 12. According to NASA, the astronomical event taking place on August 12 is a total solar eclipse visible from parts of the Northern Hemisphere, which will not cause any unusual change in Earth’s gravity.
Claim
X user ‘Vivek K. Tripathi’ shared a post on August 11, 2026, asking whether Earth’s gravity would disappear for seven seconds at 11:32:17 p.m. the following night, causing people to remain suspended in the air.
The post also claimed that some social media users were linking the alleged phenomenon to “Project Anchor” or the collision of two black holes, while acknowledging that NASA had not officially confirmed the claim.
https://x.com/meevkt/status/2087238637687869773?s=20
FactCheck
To verify the claim, we conducted both basic and advanced searches for information related to NASA’s alleged “Project Anchor” and the supposed leaked document. However, we could not find any credible source confirming the existence of such a project or document. Information about NASA’s projects is available through its official database.
We then checked NASA’s official website and social media accounts for any announcement regarding Earth’s gravity disappearing on August 12. We found no such information. Instead, an August 12, 2026 post by NASA discussed the astronomical event of a total solar eclipse visible from parts of the Northern Hemisphere.
According to a NASA spokesperson quoted by Snopes, Earth’s gravity will not disappear on August 12, 2026. The spokesperson explained that Earth’s gravity is determined by its mass. It could only disappear if the total mass of Earth—including its core, mantle, crust, oceans, surface water and atmosphere—were to disappear. A total solar eclipse does not cause any unusual effect on Earth’s gravity. The gravitational pull of the Sun and Moon does not affect Eart
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/nasa-project-anchor-earth-gravity/
Conclusion
The claim that Earth’s gravity will disappear for seven seconds on the night of August 12, 2026, is false. The claim is based on an unfounded online conspiracy theory involving the fictitious “Project Anchor.” NASA has also rejected the alleged “gravity blackout” claim. The actual astronomical event taking place on August 12 is a total solar eclipse visible from parts of the Northern Hemisphere, which will not cause any unusual change in Earth’s gravity. While the Sun and Moon exert gravitational forces that influence tides, they do not cause Earth’s overall gravity to disappear.
