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The Yomiuri Shimbun 6:00 JST, November 23, 2024 * * A false “scoop” that Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, purchased a luxury sports car when she visited France in June drew a great deal of attention as it circulated in the United States, Europe and other Western countries. A photo of a purported receipt of the purchase, showing her name and the amount, also circulated on the internet. On the X social media platform, the claim was included in a post made with Ukraine’s seeking of aid from Western countries in mind. “This is insane. NO more money to Zelensky!” the post said. A French-language news website was the first to report the claim. It was based on a video clip on Instagram in which a man said he worked at a car dealership and assisted Zelenska with the purchase. Many Russian media outlets quoted the allegation, and pro-Russia influencers based in Western countries reposted it on their social media accounts, thus helping spread the claim. The Ukrainian government’s Center for Countering Disinformation immediately warned that it was a false story created by Russia, and that people should be wary. The center said it was highly likely the video clip was a sophisticated deep fake made with AI. The receipt shown in the photo was also a fake. The news site that first reported the story was created just nine days before it carried the claim. False reports that Zelenskyy and his wife have bought expensive goods have repeatedly appeared in Western countries. Aid from various nations is essential to put Ukraine in a favorable war situation. Russia’s aim is to create negative public opinion about Ukraine in Western countries, decrease aid to the country and deepen its hardships. Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Ukrainian center, used the term “media clones” to describe sites that pretend to be local media and transmit fake information. He warned that Russia is using the websites “to create a network” of fake information in Western countries. Kovalenko also said news articles themselves are created by AI in many cases. Tommaso Canetta, a fact-checking coordinator at the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), voiced concern about the progress in AI technology. EDMO was established by the European Union to monitor and analyze fake information. “In the near future, AI technology will become good enough to produce content that is indistinguishable from reality, so you will not be able to trust your own eyes anymore,” Canetta said. “This poses a huge, enormous challenge for ... the whole society.” Also inside Ukraine, fake videos and fake graphic images made by AI are circulating on social media. Controversy developed concerning Avdiivka, a town in eastern Ukraine that was captured by Russia in February after a fierce battle, when a fabricated video spread in which Zelenskyy appeared to order forces to retreat. Alona Romaniuk, editor-in-chief of Nota.E.Nota, a private Ukrainian fact-checking organization, said the content of fake news has changed “every day” in accordance with the war situation and the interest shown by the public. Sometimes the fake news pieces spread and “a lot of them work very well,” Romaniuk said. Such fake stories are disseminated to lessen trust in Zelenskyy, stir anxiety among the Ukrainian people about their possible mobilization to the front lines and sap the will to fight among soldiers and the public. Russia is trying to continue its aggression against Ukraine in an advantageous way by shaking that nation’s unity.
Aston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.Tempest Reports Inducement Grant Under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)
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