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From the unsealing of court documents related to a lawsuit tied to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, known for associating with celebrities, politicians, and billionaires, to the major earthquake that shook Japan on New Year’s day, social media saw a spate of false claims in the first week of 2024. Here are the top five fact-checks of the past week by Newschecker.
Video Claiming To Show Attack On Masood Azhar Is From November 2023 Attack On Cops In Pakistan’s Dera Ismail Khan
Several social media handles, on January 1, 2023, claimed that JeM chief and one of India’s most wanted terrorists, Masood Azhar, was killed in an explosion in Bhawalpur while returning from the mosque. Newschecker found that the viral video shows an explosion that took place in Dera Ismail Khan on November 3, 2023. The image that went viral claiming to show Masood Azhar actually shows Pakistani religious scholar Maulana Muhammad Amin who was injured in an attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and there is no evidence to link him to JeM.
Tom Hanks Fled to Israel After Epstein Docs Release? No, Old Video Of Actor Dancing In Rabbi Attire Shared With False Claim
Several social media users shared a video, claiming that Hollywood actor Tom Hanks converted to Judaism and fled to Israel following the release of the Epstein client list. Newschecker found that the viral video shows Hanks singing and dancing to the 1995 R&B hit “This Is How We Do It” at a Jewish wedding reception in Whistler, Canada, in 2014.
Old Video From Turkey Hospital Falsely Linked To Japan Earthquake
Several social media users shared a video, which purportedly shows an earthquake striking a hospital in Japan, causing the nurses to panic. Newschecker found that the video showed the events at a hospital in Turkey, where an earthquake struck in 2023.
Viral Photos Of Donald Trump With Jeffrey Epstein Found To Be AI-Generated
Several social media users circulated purported images of former US president Donald Trump with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, claiming that Trump had taken several flights to “Epstein’s island” in the past. Newschecker found the photos to be AI-generated.
Edited Image Falsely Claiming Dua Lipa Sexually Harassed In Jodhpur Goes Viral
Several social media users shared an image claiming that Dua Lipa was sexually harassed by some men while visiting Jodhpur, India. Newschecker found the claims to be false and that the text on the viral graphic was edited.
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