Northern Ireland Government contingency plans for COVID-19 include turning Dundonald Ice Bowl into a morgue to store bodies temporarily. A common extension is that the SSE (Odyssey) Arena has also been earmarked as a contingency morgue.

Covid-19: Northern Ireland's major milestones [...] But how did we get here? We take a look at the major milestones in Northern Ireland's response to Covid-19. [...] The public soon got used to Covid press briefings at Stormont with First and Deputy First Ministers Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill.


There are 1.2 billion fewer carrier bags distributed in Northern Ireland since the introduction of the carrier bag levy in 2012.

DAERA publish annual statistics relating to the carrier bag levy. In its most recent report for 2018/19, it provides a table of data (see Figure 1 in the report) that shows the total number of carrier bags dispensed in Northern Ireland, per annum, with the cumulative difference from the baseline figure in 2012. This data is summarised in the following graphic: [...] The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) details the number of carrier bags dispensed each financial year under the carrier bag levy in Northern Ireland in an annual report since its introduction in 2013. [...] In its manifesto for the 2019 General Election, the SDLP claimed the introduction of the (plastic) carrier bag levy in 2013 removed 1.2 billion bags from Northern Ireland and raised almost £30 million for environmental projects.


There are 40,000 third-level students in northwest Ireland, with 7,000 graduates annually ready for employment.

Third-level education in the Republic of Ireland includes all education after second-level, encompassing higher education in universities and colleges and further education on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other courses. [...] Entry into third-level is generally very high in Ireland (as it also is in Northern Ireland), and among young adults (those aged 25 to 34), 41.6% of them have attained third-level degrees—the second highest level in the EU after Cyprus, and substantially ahead of the average of 29.1%.[3] Broken down by gender, approximately 43% of women and 40% of men Ireland attend third level education.[4] [...] Grade inflation [edit]Ireland has a higher proportion of third-level graduates than any other EU country. At the same time, the proportion of graduates with first-class honours has reached record levels. There is disagreement about whether this increase is due to improved methods of instructing increasingly motivated students, or simple grade inflation. President Michael D. Higgins believes that it is due to grade inflation, and has expressed concern about the continued quality and value of university degrees. Whatever the reason might be, employers increasingly examine graduates' extracurricular activities, work experiences, and soft skills as they search for the most able applicants.[11] [12][13]


21% of people in Northern Ireland are living with a long-term health problem or disability.

- Data on the percentage reporting a disability is sourced from the Labour Force Survey and uses the Government Statistical Service harmonised definition of disability. The definition covers people who report a physical or mental health condition or illnesses lasting or expected to last 12 months or more where this reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Overall, 21.7% of respondents aged 16-64 in Northern Ireland (Apr-Jun 2017) reported a long-term illness and a disability. In the UK overall the figure was 17.4%. - The two remaining measures in this domain are based on data from the Understanding Society Longitudinal Study. In 2015/16, 52.8% of respondents in Northern Ireland indicated that they were mostly or completely satisfied with their health. This is comparable with the UK overall (51.0%). - The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ12), consists of 12 items and a score of 4 or more is regarded as an indication of mental ill health. The proportion of respondents in NI showing evidence of some mental ill health was 15.6% in 2015/16. In the UK overall, the proportion was 17.8%.


There are approximately 100 lorries per day crossing the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and cross-border trade represents 0.5% of UK-EU trade.

The North’s economy was not unaffected by this development. It also coincided with a detente between the two during this period. Starting with the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985 and then the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, political relations improved and translated into economic gains. Since the early 1990s there has been a steady growth in cross-border activities only partly slowed by the credit crisis of 2007-08. There have also been increases in tourism, investment and travel. Around 30,000 people cross the border daily for work purposes and approximately 177,000 lorries and 250,000 vans cross each month. Trade is now valued at around £3 billion a year. [...] For the 1.81m people in the North and the 4.78m people in the Republic, this cross-border trade is huge. Of particular importance is the agricultural processing industry with supply chains crossing the border several times before final production.


The Court of Justice of the European Union is the supreme court for all Northern Ireland Protocol issues.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ), formally just the Court of Justice (French: Cour de Justice), is the supreme court of the European Union in matters of European Union law. As a part of the Court of Justice of the European Union, it is tasked with interpreting EU law and ensuring its uniform application across all EU member states under Article 263 of the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).[2] [...] Notes [edit]- ^ Under the terms of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland, concluded as part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, the CJEU — and hence the ECJ — continues to have jurisdiction over the operation of EU law applying to Northern Ireland in relation to customs and the movement of goods, technical regulations, VAT and excise, the Single Electricity Market and State aid, and may hear applications for preliminary rulings made by Northern Irish courts.[1] [...] The Protocol will also confer full jurisdiction on the CJEU to oversee the operation of EU law applying to Northern Ireland in relation to customs and the movement of goods, technical regulations, VAT and excise, the Single Electricity Market and State aid; including the jurisdiction to hear applications for preliminary rulings submitted by the courts of Northern Ireland. The UK will have the right to participate in these proceedings as if it were a Member State.


Three-quarters of non-voters in Northern Ireland are pro-Union.

This article was updated on 16 November 2021. A section that compared the percentage of non-voters identified across four different organisations’ polls was removed. We made this simplification after further discussions with polling organisations. This clarification did not affect FactCheckNI’s original conclusion about the claim.


UK passports are produced by non-UK companies.

Pre-Brexit, the contract for printing British passports had been held by British company De La Rue. In 2018, the contract for printing post-Brexit was awarded to Franco-Dutch company Gemalto, which in 2019 became Thales DIS, part of the multinational Thales Group. The passport booklets will be printed more cheaply in Poland, with a controversial loss of printer jobs at De La Rue, but the passports will be personalised in the UK across two sites.[4][5][6][7] All passports are now issued with the blue design and they are made by Thales DIS in Poland.[8][9][10][11] [...] Following open tender under EU public procurement rules in 2018, the Franco-Dutch security firm Gemalto was selected over British banknote and travel document printer De La Rue. The result of the tender proved highly controversial, as it saw the production of British passport blanks moved from Gateshead in the UK to Tczew, Poland.[9][10][11] Most passports are produced in Poland, due to it being more cost efficient. However, urgent, fast-tracked or premium-service passports, which are 34 or 50 pages, are locally produced at application-processing centres in the UK.[55] [...] In non-UK issue passports, the request is made by the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of the territory in "the Name of Her Britannic Majesty". As with UK-issued passports, following the accession of King Charles III, the request will change to "His Britannic Majesty".


There were 84 children adopted in Northern Ireland in 2018.

Children adopted from care in Northern Ireland 2017/18.


Wearing face masks can cause harmful levels of reduced oxygen.

This claim is not accurate. Face masks have no impact on oxygen levels.


Northern Ireland has the lowest disposable income in the UK.

This claim is accurate. While Northern Ireland is experiencing growth in discretionary income, it is still disproportionately behind the rest of the UK.


There are only DUP members (who are/were members of a Northern Ireland political party) in the House of Lords

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is the largest unionist political party in Northern Ireland. [...] There are eight DUP MPs in Westminster following the 2019 general election. They are Sammy Wilson, Gavin Robinson, Jeffrey Donaldson, Jim Shannon, Gregory Campbell, Paul Girvan, Carla Lockhart and Ian Paisley. Former deputy leader Nigel Dodds also sits in the House of Lords at Westminster. [...] No, the DUP only fields candidates in Northern Ireland elections, including general elections in which members of parliament (MPs) are elected to sit in Westminster as part of the UK government.


Renters and owner-occupiers may have to pay their rates in full, while landlords can get a 10% allowance off their own rates bills. Since 1996, the private rental sector has grown significantly – from negligible size to around 13% of homes today, a similar proportion to the Housing Executive and all housing associations combined.

private renters social renters owner occupiers [...] Social renters and owner-occupiers [...] Additional restrictions for owner-occupiers


Only the Irish language is banned in courts in Northern Ireland.

English is the working language of court proceedings in Northern Ireland; interpretation and translation services are provided for those who do not speak or understand English. Whether this policy is informed by the Penal Laws is currently contested.


82% of the public are now wearing face masks [or coverings] on Translink buses and trains in Northern Ireland.

Translink has clarified its policy on the wearing of face masks on public transport across Northern Ireland. [...] A Translink spokesperson told Belfast Live : "We continue to follow public health guidance regarding the wearing of face coverings. "To help keep everyone safe and in line with the latest guidance, we are encouraging our passengers to wear a face covering, if they can, in stations and on-board buses and trains.


The DOJ and NIO joint fund an £8 million a year Programme for Tackling Paramilitary Activity and Organised Crime that funds engagement directly with paramilitary organisations, such as the UVF, UFF, RHC, and UDA.

Announcing a mix of immediate and longer term funding to extend the cross-Executive Tackling Paramilitarism, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme, Justice Minister Naomi Long said paramilitaries hold communities back, exploit them, deny them opportunities they deserve and hurt them, in many cases maiming people and carrying out horrific human rights abuses with lasting impacts on individuals, their families and our society. [...] The First Minister, Arlene Foster said "I am pleased that proposals have been approved to ensure the continued delivery of the Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime Programme. [...] Influencing community attitudes to education and raising aspirations is key to both reducing educational underachievement and therefore tackling paramilitary activity and organised crime.


Arlene Foster, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said that the party delivered “an extra billion pounds” for Northern Ireland.

infrastructure development (£200m for 2 years) health service transformation (£100m for 2 years) broadband development (£75m for 2 years) immediate pressures in health and education (£50m for 2 years) pockets of severe deprivation (£20m for 5 years) mental health (£10m for 5 years)


MLAs were paid “nearly £2.2 million” in salaries up to 3rd September 2017.

MLAs earn twice national average as £1,000 pay hike takes salaries up to £49k Pat McCartan chaired the panel which looked at MLAs’ salaries [...] MLAs have been awarded a new £1,000-a-year pay boost - even before the next Assembly is elected.


Almost half of criminals released from prison in Northern Ireland went on to re-offend within 12 months of being freed.

The claim is accurate. However, while the article does break down re-offending rates among criminals released from prison, the majority of offenders receive sentences that do not require time in prison. The re-offending rate for Northern Ireland in 2012/13 was 18.5% for all offenders, which is similar to the rate documented in previous years, as well as in England & Wales.


According to polling, most people planning to cast a first preference vote for the UUP in May’s Assembly election will switch their vote to nationalists before they provide a transfer to other unionist parties.

One notable departure from the conventional trajectory of Northern Ireland elections was the comments by the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Mike Nesbitt on 13 February. In an interview on the BBC, Mr. Nesbitt announced he would be transferring his preference vote to the nationalist SDLP once he had voted for all UUP candidates.[1] While Nesbitt stopped short of calling on all UUP supporters to follow his lead, senior party figures criticised his call. Mr. Nesbitt also earned a strong rebuke from first minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster who said: "It is dangerous to advocate supporting candidates who are Pro-United Ireland above preferences for fellow unionists. The greater the number of nationalist MLAs elected the stronger the push will be for a Border Poll."[2] [...] [1] See: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-38960977 [2] See: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland-assembly-election/dup-leader-claims-it-is-dangerous-to-transfer-votes-to-nationalists-35460405.html [3] We do not assume that the outcome would have been the same under a system where only the first preferences taken into account. Rather, our focus is on what happens to transfers.


More than 700,000 people born in Northern Ireland have an Irish passport.

At least 700,000 people born in Northern Ireland now hold an Irish passport. [...] With Brexit approaching on Friday, will people with Irish passports retain more rights than those with British passports living in Northern Ireland? [...] On a visit to Belfast on Monday, the European Union's chief negotiator Michel Barnier said: "Whilst Northern Ireland will no longer be part of the EU, people born and raised here that choose to be Irish citizens will still be EU citizens.


The DUP at no point has ever agreed to establish an Irish Language Act with the UK government, with the Irish government, with Sinn Féin or anybody else.

The St Andrew’s Agreement committed the UK Government to an Irish Language Act, but subsequent legislation compelled the Northern Ireland Executive to produce a strategy (which may or may not include an Irish Language Act).


There is strong evidence that in 2022, delays in Northern Ireland’s emergency departments led to the premature deaths of 1,434 people.

- According to an analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, in 2022 in NI a total of 1,434 people died due to delays in emergency departments. [...] An analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) found that, in 2022, delays in emergency departments in Northern Ireland led to 1,434 premature deaths. FactCheckNI verified this earlier this year. [...] In short, RCEM’s calculations found that in 2022 1,434 people who attended an emergency department (ED) and were subsequently admitted to hospital died as a result of delays they experienced while in ED – and would otherwise not have died in the 30 days following admission.


No one in Mid Ulster speaks Irish as their first language.

This claim is inaccurate. 440 people living in the local government district spoke Irish as their first language, according to the 2011 Census. 22,986 people have some knowledge of the Irish language in this jurisdiction.


The NI Executive’s commitment to provide financial support for new football, GAA and rugby stadiums involved an equal split between sports.

The Northern Ireland Executive has pledged to pay £62.5m, the Irish government has promised €50m (£43m) and the GAA - the sporting body which oversees Gaelic games - has said it would contribute £15m. [...] At that time, Northern Ireland's three main stadiums for football, rugby and GAA - Windsor Park, Ravenhill, and Casement - were seen as increasingly not fit for purpose. [...] Most football league grounds in Northern Ireland are in dire need of redevelopment. And with the £25m earmarked for Windsor, it would mean football and Gaelic games both getting an equal slice - £61m - from the public purse.


Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in Northern Ireland, particularly with regards to ancient woodland.

Therefore, it is fair to say that Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in NI. [...] Lisburn & Castlereagh is the least densely wooded council (3.7%) in Northern Ireland, followed by Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon (4.0%) and Antrim & Newtownabbey (4.4%). [...] Based on all this, Ms Eastwood’s claim that "Lagan Valley is one of the least wooded areas in NI" is backed by evidence – although the precise figures are available broken down by council areas, rather than Westminster/Assembly constituencies.


Only 3 out of 12 regions are net contributors to the UK Treasury.

"Northern Ireland has lost out as the result of a deeply unbalanced economy within the UK. There is a heavy focus around the south-east of England and those sectors which predominate there. For example, only 3/12 UK regions are net contributors to UK Treasury." [...] In other words, if a region is receiving more from UK Treasury, in terms of revenue to a region’s residents and businesses, than revenue that the region gives to UK Treasury (e.g. via taxes), then that region is said to have a "positive net fiscal balance". Conversely, a "negative net fiscal balance" means that a region gives more revenue to UK Treasury than the revenue that the region receives from UK Treasury. The Alliance Party stated in their Westminster Manifesto 2019 that "only 3/12 UK regions are net contributors to UK Treasury". Data from the ONS corroborates this; only London, the southeast, and the east of England are net contributors to the UK Treasury. The claim by the Alliance Party is accurate.


Central arts funding per capita in Northern Ireland is £4.72 per year, compared with £22.50 per person, per year in Ireland.

"Our Director of Arts Development @Gcampbellini & Director of Strategic Development & Partnerships @karlygreene highlight the disparity in arts funding (per capita, NI: £4.72; RoI: £22.50) at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport & Media." [...] It is also worth noting that central arts funding in Ireland also includes support for architecture, which is not the case in Northern Ireland. [...] At the time of the claim, Ireland’s per capita arts spending was £22.50, which is around 4.8 times larger than NI’s equivalent figure of £4.72, meaning the original claim was supported by evidence.


In 2015, nearly 1% of employees were not paid minimum wage.

In their 2016 Assembly Election Manifesto, the SDLP claims that in 2015 nearly 1% of people in Northern Ireland earned less than the National Minimum Wage (NMW). This statistic can be found in a press release published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) on 18 November 2015, where they state that "0.9% of jobs were paid below the National Minimum Wage in 2015." This rate is relatively on par with the rest of the UK, where that rate stood at 0.8% that year. [...] First of all, it is important to note that the same NMW does not apply to everyone. The deciding factor is age, with those over 21, between 18 – 21, and 16 – 17 having a guaranteed wage of £6.70, £5.30, and £3.87 per hour respectively. Apprentices under 19, or over 19 but in the first year of their program, are only guaranteed £3.30 per hour. There are many who remain exempt, particularly those who are self-employed, or are the directors of a company. People living and working in a religious community, share fishermen, and prisoners are among the other categories of individuals who do not fall under the NMW regulations. [...] The NIESR report concluded that women and younger workers are most likely to be underpaid. Apprentices have been singled out as the biggest single group that is most at risk, and consequently is in the greatest need of protection.


Over 95% of people living in south Belfast own their own home.

The rent is also quite low, especially given that I live in south Belfast. I don't think I'll ever buy a house - my amazing neighbours are one of the reasons I want to stay put. We have a wonderful community here." [...] I rent a flat in south Belfast and I've always rented. [...] I live in south Belfast and I like my neighbours.


The SDLP manifesto for the 2022 Assembly election claims: “The £20 Universal Credit cut marked the largest overnight welfare cut since World War II.”

Mr Carroll: The decision by the Tories to reduce universal credit by £1,000 a year will have a devastating impact on people in my constituency of West Belfast and right across the North. Millions of people will be impacted by the cut, and, in the North, we know that 105,000 households will lose £20 a week with the uplift being abolished. Given that we have larger families here compared with other places in the UK, some 300,000 people, according to the Government's own figures, will be impacted by the cut. Why, therefore, are the Executive putting up such a meek front on the question? The cut will push people further into poverty, hardship and difficulty. The Executive should be screaming about that and should mount a wall of resistance against the Tories' plans to implement this drastic cut, which is the worst in decades.


If 45 members of the Northern Ireland Assembly vote to revoke the Northern Ireland Protocol, then the Protocol goes.

to address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland; to maintain the necessary conditions for continued North-South cooperation; to avoid a hard border [on the island of Ireland]; and to protect the 1998 Agreement in all its dimensions.


Two decades ago, around 26,000 people were waiting for social housing. Now that figure is over 45,000

- Official data for the past two quarters shows that over 45,000 applicants are on Northern Ireland’s social housing waiting list. [...] According to those figures, a total of 45,292 applicants are on the social housing waiting list. Data for the previous quarter also showed over 45,000 applicants on the list. [...] That report is accompanied by official figures that cover the past two decades which show that, in 2002-03, there were 26,248 applicants on the waiting list.


Northern Ireland purchases from Great Britain are four times more valuable than those from Ireland.

In 2020, Northern Ireland's main imports source for trade goods was Great Britain, with goods purchases from here amounting to approximately 10.6 billion British pounds. The value of goods imports into the Northern Ireland from the rest of the European Union, on the other hand, was valued at two billion British pounds. [...] NISRA. "Value of goods exports and imports to Northern Ireland (UK) in 2020, by source market* (in billion GBP)." Chart. May 18, 2022. Statista. Accessed October 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123628/purchases-and-imports-by-destination-northern-ireland/ [...] Value of goods exports and imports to Northern Ireland (UK) in 2020, by source market* (in billion GBP) [Graph], NISRA, May 18, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1123628/purchases-and-imports-by-destination-northern-ireland/


Social media posts are circulating showing supermarket shelves that have been covered over or taped off to prevent customers purchasing certain items. Reference is made to this happening in Belfast and Northern Ireland.

At the time of writing, Wales is the only part of the UK that has restricted the sale of non-essential items in supermarkets. There is no indication that this model of restriction will be introduced in Northern Ireland.


Food bank in Enniskillen now feeding 1 in 5 people in the town.

Fermanagh has highest % of over 65 with income below poverty matrix. [...] Enniskillen FOOD BANK IS FEEDING 1 IN 5 FAMILIES 20 percent of the population of Enniskillen have relied on food bank support at some point in the last year. [...] This is another indicator of the substantially higher needs of those with disabilities in Fermanagh.


Ireland’s two wealthiest people are worth more financially than the poorest 50% of the population.

Reputable information exists that supports this claim


To provide free GP care in the Republic of Ireland, which already exists in NI as it is part of the UK, would cost the Dublin Exchequer an extra £880 million

Public policy in Ireland has committed to extending free GP care to all, on a phased basis. In 2015, under 6s and over 70s became eligible for free GP care. It has recently been announced that free GP care for the under 12s is to be rolled out in 2020. Free GP care was previously restricted to those qualifying for a means tested Medical Card or GP Visit Card. In May 2015, 41.0% of the population was in receipt of free means tested GP care. Private patients were charged an estimated €50 per GP visit. The principal concern here is how the abolition of this fee will affect the utilisation of GP services. [...] The impact of free GP care in Ireland on the utilisation of GP services has been estimated in order to help with future medical manpower planning and in quantifying the potential costs of universal healthcare. These estimates are again based on retrospective patient self-reporting surveys and relies on the "best available data"- GUI, TILDA, QNHS and Survey of Income and Living Conditions (SILC) or Living in Ireland Surveys (LIS), a forerunner of SILC (18-49 years). [...] Gorecki, P. (2018). The Impact of Free GP Care on the Utilisation of GP Services in Ireland: An Evaluation of Different Approaches, The Economic and Social Review, Vol. 49, No. 2, Summer 2018, pp.201-215.


By 29 September last year, at least 47 people in NI had died from “vaccine injury”.

Almost 900,000 people in Northern Ireland have received at least one dose of vaccine. [...] The publication of clear, detailed vaccination statistics will allow the public in Northern Ireland to get a much better idea of any gaps in our vaccine rollout. [...] Without doubt, vaccinations have been having an impact on the death rate in the UK.


The provision of full-time (equivalent) maternity pay in the UK is among the lowest in Europe.

This claim is accurate. In an OECD report, the UK ranked 9th lowest of 33 European countries for "full-rate equivalent" paid maternity leave. Including home care leave (childcare), the UK ranks 4th lowest in Europe. [...] If "lowest" means the lower half of a list ranking, then the UK was among the lowest among the OECD and European countries for full-rate equivalent paid maternity leave. Note that the UK was not among the three lowest ranking European countries. If the additional payments of home care leave is considered, then the UK was the 4th lowest ranked European country for "total paid leave available to mothers". This is distinct from the investigated claim of full-time (equivalent) maternity pay.


There is a greater chance of a motorcyclist aged 67 in Northern Ireland dying in a motorcycle collision than being affected by COVID-19.

Aging Motorcyclists Hit the Road, But at Greater Risk of Injury, Death Motorcycle riders across the country are growing older, and the impact of this trend is evident in emergency rooms daily. Doctors are finding that these aging road warriors are more likely to be injured or die as a result of a motorcycle mishap compared to their younger counterparts. [...] Motorcycle crashes are a significant cause of injury and death on our nation’s roadways, despite the fact that motorcycles are responsible for only a small fraction of the total miles traveled annually in the United States. The authors say that the study provides justification for expanding the scope of motorcycle safety research, education and training initiatives to specifically target the older motorcyclist.


40% of Unionists are happy about a potential trade border in the Irish Sea.

15.0%: As part of Brexit, there should be a Northern Ireland-only ‘Backstop’ with Northern Ireland more closely aligned with the EU than the rest of the UK 81.0%: As part of Brexit, there should not be a Northern Ireland-only ‘Backstop’ and Northern Ireland should leave the EU on exactly the same terms as the rest of the UK 4.0%: Not sure/Don’t know, but would probably vote 0.0%: Uncertain


[The] average tenure of a PSNI Chief Constable is about the same as those in England and Wales

PSNI chief constables have averaged 5.2 years in post. Looking only at chief constables who finished their tenure this century, and at the 15 largest forces across the UK, we found that chief constables average 5.7 years in their role. The average tenure for such forces in England and Wales specifically is 5.8 years. For extra context, in the same period Garda Commissioners have averaged 4.1 years in position.


Northern Ireland has the highest levels of child poverty in the UK.

Northern Ireland has seen little progress on child poverty for more than five years, according to figures released last month. [...] - One in four children (24%) – around 95,000 in total - are growing up in poverty in Northern Ireland, with two thirds of that group (66%) growing up in families where parents are working - Places with the highest levels of child poverty include Belfast (26.1%), Derry and Strabane (26.0%) and Newry and Mourne (26.3%) [...] Speaking on behalf of End Child Poverty Lorna Ballard, National Director for Northern Ireland Action for Children, said: "Every day we see families struggling to make ends meet, worrying about providing for their children’s’ basic needs and making decisions like whether to heat their homes or pay for food, and the situation is only getting worse."


The next electoral canvass in Northern Ireland must be completed before 2023, ten years after the 2013 canvass.

2023 Northern Ireland local elections [...] - ^ "Northern Ireland local election results 2023". BBC News. Retrieved 20 May 2023. [...] - ^ "Lisburn and Castlereagh result - Northern Ireland Council Elections 2023". BBC News. Retrieved 19 May 2023.


The Guardian claimed that journalism charity Full Fact is “the only UK member of” Facebook’s fact-checking programme.

FactCheckNI is another UK member of Facebook’s third party fact checking programme. The Guardian promptly corrected its article.


Over 40,000 people in Northern Ireland are on the Housing Executive waiting list - with 30,000 of them in ‘housing stress’ - yet only around 2,000 social or affordable homes are built each year.

The Ulster Unionist Party manifesto for the 2022 Assembly Election says: "Unfortunately, over 40,000 people in Northern Ireland are on the NI Housing Executive (NIHE) waiting list of whom 30,000 are in ‘housing stress’. [...] The claim about the number of social or affordable homes being built each year is harder to verify – but ‘around 2,000’ is not a terrible estimate. The Northern Ireland Housing Statistics 2020-21 state that some 43,971 people were on the Northern Ireland Housing Executive waiting list as of 31st March 2021 – and also that, of this cohort, 30,288 applicants are in ‘housing stress’.


There was a rock fall on the Antrim coast road on 9 August 2017.

This claim is inaccurate. The image is a cropped version of one published in a local American newspaper, reporting on a rock fall that took place in Lawrence County, Ohio, on 10 April 2015.


About 2% of pregnancy terminations take place between 20 and 24 weeks.

- Norway: In 2005, 2.28% of induced abortions were performed between 13 and 16 weeks, 1.24% of abortions between 17 and 20 weeks, and 0.20% over 21 weeks.[29] Between February 15, 2010, and December 1, 2011, a total number of ten abortions were performed between 22 and 24 weeks. These have been declared illegal by The Norwegian Directorate of Health. Women who seek an abortion after the 12-week time limit must apply to a special medical assessment board – called an "abortion board" (Norwegian: abortnemnd or primærnemnd) – that will determine whether or not to grant them an abortion.[30] [...] 1.3% of abortions occur after 21 weeks of pregnancy in the US. Although it is very uncommon, women undergoing surgical abortion after this gestational age sometimes give birth to a fetus that may survive briefly.[55][56][57] The periviable period is considered to be between 20 and 25 weeks gestation.[58] Long-term survival is possible after 22 weeks.[59] However, odds of long-term survival between 22 and 23 weeks are 2–3 percent and odds of survival between 23 and 24 weeks are 20 percent.[60] "Intact survival", which means survival of a neonate without subsequent damage to organs such as the brain or bowel is 1% at 22 weeks and 13% at 23 weeks.[60] Survival odds increase with increasing gestational age.[60]


CLAIM: There have been just 113 COVID-19 deaths in all in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra) counts the number of death certificates that mention Covid-19, regardless of whether that person had a test for the virus. This is usually published on Friday mornings. [...] In Northern Ireland, out of every 60 positive Covid cases, we can expect one person to die. [...] Of the 834 people in Northern Ireland's hospital with Covid, 62 are in intensive care.


A third of young people from Northern Ireland who go to university travel outside Northern Ireland, mainly to the North West of England and Scotland, and only a third of those who graduate return back home.

Third of NI students leave for universities elsewhere Over a third of students from Northern Ireland began their degree at a university elsewhere in the UK last year. [...] Previous figures have shown that fewer than a third return home to work after graduation.


Northern Ireland is the only part of Europe that does not have climate change legislation.

The protocol does that by keeping Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for goods and by having Northern Ireland apply EU customs rules at its ports. [...] But only Northern Ireland firms will avoid new regulatory checks because they will still be following EU single market rules. Northern Ireland may also be able to mitigate disruption at the English Channel ports in a way other parts of the UK cannot.


The murder rate in Belfast was sixth highest in a list of cities in Europe (according to 2010 data).

A graphic that is being shared on social media compares murder rates between American and European cities. Belfast is ranked sixth in the list of cities in Europe, with a rate of 3.3 murders per year, per 100,000 people. These figures are based on 2010 data. But how accurate and inclusive are the figures included in this claim? [...] We also discovered gaps in the reporting of cities in the UK and Ireland. For 2010, the UNODC report just shows homicide rates for the largest regional cities: Belfast (2.8), Glasgow (4.3), London (1.6), and Dublin (2.0). However, data does exist for other cities in these regions. [...] It is inaccurate to say that Belfast was the sixth highest in murder (homicide) rate for a European city in 2010. The UNODC data placed it 17th that year, and this source of information represents a selection of European cities; there are non listed cities with rates higher than Belfast’s.


The last man to attack the US Capitol, prior to the events on 6 January 2021, was a British Army Major General from Northern Ireland, in 1814.

In August 1814, British forces occupying the Chesapeake Bay began to sail up the Patuxent River in Maryland. Fearing an attack on the capital, Secretary of State James Monroe offered to scout the British position and report back to President James Madison. Monroe, accompanied by cavalry, left Washington and rode into southern Maryland.


Vegans cannot take COVID-19 vaccines because they contain animal products.

Vegandale organizers did not respond to a request for comment, but their policy reflects a long-standing argument within the vegan community over the ethics of vaccinations, with a vocal group denouncing them as non-vegan due to animal testing and because some vaccines contain animal byproducts. That includes voices from conspiracy theorists like German vegan cookbook author Atilla Hildmann. In fact, in England, vegans are considered by law as a protected class, afforded the same exceptions as those who say religion prohibits them from certain practices, including vaccinations. That’s led some U.K. anti-vaxxers to feign veganism as a strategy to avoid a jab. None of the three U.S.-approved COVID-19 vaccines contain animal products, though laws require animal testing before medications reach the market. Animal rights activists and proponents of veganism at PETA have advised vegans to get vaccinated, as there is no better option right now and staying healthy is the best path in continuing to support animal rights. Though breakthrough cases are possible, health experts point to data revealing that vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death by roughly 90 percent, even as the more contagious delta variant wreaks havoc across the nation. [...] "As far as the vaccine not being vegan?" he says. "If there’s a better option, let me know."


77% of working mothers endure some kind of discrimination.

Saying the gender pay gap is a result of women making positive choices, rejects the idea that discrimination towards mothers exists. With 54,000 women a year losing their jobs for getting pregnant and 77% of working mums saying they have endured some kind of discrimination in the workplace, we now know that this is a massive issue, with women having their careers snatched away from them when they become mothers. We also know that this type of discrimination affects women before they get pregnant, with 40% of managers saying they would avoid hiring a women of childbearing age. Women are being discriminated against just because they have a uterus. That doesn’t sound like a positive choice to me.


Northern Ireland is one of the least expensive places in the UK for childcare.

While you might assume that London is the least affordable place to live in the UK, it's actually Winchester in Hampshire that's been rated as most expensive in comparison to the average salary in the area. In fact, London doesn't even make it into the top five least affordable UK cities. On the other end of the scale, Derry in Northern Ireland has been highlighted as the most affordable city when you weigh up wage and house prices. So without further ado, here are the full lists...


Children who take a COVID-19 vaccine 52 times more likely to suffer an early death.

The headline of a July 27 blog post by The Daily Exposé claims: "SHOCKING: U.K. government admits COVID vaccinated children are 4,423% more likely to die of any cause & 13,633% more likely to die of COVID-19 than unvaccinated children." [...] A blog post said that in England, "COVID-19 vaccinated children are 4,423% more likely to die of any cause and 13,633% more likely to die of COVID-19 than unvaccinated children." [...] The Exposé, "SHOCKING: UK Government admits COVID Vaccinated Children are 4423% more likely to die of any cause & 13,633% more likely to die of COVID-19 than Unvaccinated Children," July 27, 2022


All taxis can use bus lanes in many cities in Ireland and the UK.

National taxi association SUPPORTS all PHVs using bus lanes, but cabbies disagree [...] In most cities in the UK, only public taxis can use bus lanes, while PHVs are not allowed. This is because public taxis are considered to provide a public service similar to buses, while PHVs are seen as private cars. Public taxis also have stricter licensing and safety standards than PHVs, and they are subject to metered fares regulated by local authorities. [...] However, there are some exceptions to this rule. In Ireland, both public taxis and PHVs can use bus lanes, as long as they are operating as small public service vehicles (SPSVs). In Northern Ireland, only public taxis and wheelchair-accessible PHVs can use bus lanes. In some UK cities, such as Cardiff, Coventry, Glasgow, Liverpool, Nottingham and Sheffield, PHVs can also use bus lanes under certain conditions or on specific routes.


A British Army veteran who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles is 54 times more likely than a Republican or Loyalist paramilitary to be prosecuted for alleged offences pre-dating the 1998 Belfast Agreement.

The issue of prosecuting former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the [...] Most recently, in February 2024, the PPS announced that four British Army veterans would be prosecuted for murder or attempted murder in two incidents that occurred in Belfast in May 1972. [...] Crisp, "Four More Troubles Veterans Prosecuted as Cases ‘Rushed Through’ Before Amnesty Deadline," Telegraph,


Business rates on Main Street in Larne are the same as Regent Street in London.

Data provided by Northern Ireland Land and Property Services for Main Street in Larne shows the rateable value of properties on Main Street are on average much lower than Regent Street. The average non-exempt Net Annual Value of the 125 non-domestic properties in Larne is £9,842, with average rates before reliefs working out around £5.8k; if the relevant small business rates relief is applied, average rates would fall to around £5.1k. [...] The property with the highest rateable value on Regent Street is the flagship Apple store at 235 Regent Street with a rateable value of £4.4m. On Main Street in Larne the property with the highest NAV is the former Dunnes Stores at 35-41 Main Street with a rateable value of £140,500. [...] Despite the multipliers — or "poundage" — on non-domestic properties in Larne being higher than the equivalent rates in London, far higher commercial rents in the West End of London mean that rates in Regent Street are on average much higher than they are on Main Street in Larne.


Northern Ireland has the highest number of children in care since the introduction of the Children Order in 1995.

In January 2022, 3,566 children in Northern Ireland were recorded as being in care, which is the highest recorded figure since 1995, according to Department of Health statistics which have been trending upwards for more than a decade.


Additional months of validity on UK passports issued before the UK left the EU are no longer valid.

An Instagram post claimed that if a UK passport issued before the UK left the EU had additional months for its validity, then those extra months are no longer valid. The post included an example of a passport issued on 21 June 2012, with an expiry date of 21 December 2012; the revised expiry date is 21 June 2012. [...] Before the United Kingdom left the European Union on 31 January 2020, and during the transition period that ended on 31 December 2020, British passports were accepted for travel to all other countries in the European Union regardless of the duration of the passport or the amount of time remaining before the expiry of the passport. [...] - the requirement from most European countries to have at least 3 months left on your passport on the day after you leave


The UUP’s manifesto for the 2022 Assembly election says there is a “persistent and unacceptable attainment gap at GCSE between Protestant and Catholic pupils entitled to free school meals and those not entitled to free school meals.”

Speech by UUP leader Doug Beattie MC at launch of 2022 Assembly Election Manifesto Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Doug Beattie MC 2022 Assembly Election Manifesto Launch [...] Click Here to view the Ulster Unionist Party 2022 Assembly Election Manifesto


One in five school staff in Northern Ireland are assaulted at least once a week.

More than a quarter of education staff in Northern Ireland have been physically assaulted by pupils, a union claimed today. [...] ATL branch president in Northern Ireland Andy Brown said: "It is totally unacceptable that poor pupil behaviour continues to be such a widespread problem in schools and colleges, and shocking that over a third of staff have experienced aggression from students’ parents or guardians. [...] Incidents of physical attacks were far more prevalent in primary schools with 48 per cent of staff reporting pupils being physically aggressive, compared with 20 per cent working at secondary level.


Translink spoke about their hope that the Glider would reduce journey times on public transport by 25%.

On 25 August 2018, Cindy Stubberfield, the Glider project engagement manager, was interviewed by Ivan Little and quoted saying that she hoped that the journey times would be cut by "25% to 30%". This aspiration was also presented on Translink’s website and corporate advertisements. [...] In order to achieve the aspiration of a 25% reduction in journey times, the Glider system offers greater passenger capacity, on-street ticketing machines, and an expanded frequency of service. Official figures from Belfast Rapid Transit provide evidence of an improvement in reduction journey times on public transport on the Glider bus service. The reduced journey time target of 25% reduction was achieved on one route (Dundonald Park & Ride to Belfast city centre). However, this reduction has not yet been achieved on the second measured route, though Translink offer mitigating factors (primarily journey diversions caused by the Bank Buildings fire) to explain the 7% reduction. (FactCheckNI hope to revisit this claim over the next year to assess whether the planned reductions are being met now that buses are once again able to travel through the city centre.)


Projections from the Department of Infrastructure indicate that 38% of all properties in Northern Ireland will be at risk of flooding by 2080.

Assessing Future Flood Risk and Developing Integrated Flood Risk Management Strategies: A Case Study from the UK Climate Change Risk Assessment [...] 3.2. River Flooding 3.3. Coastal Flooding 3.4. Surface Water Flooding 3.5. Impact and Analysis of the RWS, CLA and EWS FRM Portfolios 4. Discussion and Conclusions 4.1. Flood Risk Management Policy Development in Complex Governance Structures 4.2. Uncertainty in Integrated Flood Risk Management Measures 4.3. Conclusions - The range of EAD projections for all flood sources is projected to increase by between 18% and 160% by the 2080s depending on the assumptions applied on climate change, population growth, and adaptation actions. - It is possible to reduce EAD from river flood risk by the 2080s.


Ninety per cent of those who died during the Troubles were killed by paramilitaries.

Statistics about killings during the Troubles suggest that 87% of killings were perpetrated by paramilitary groupings, with the figure falling to 85% if evidence to date about collusion is taken into account. However, classifications of responsibility will continue to change as further evidence comes to light.


Northern Ireland is one of the most “locked-down” places in the world.

This article explains what the rules of "lockdown" during COVID-19 are in Northern Ireland. [...] Northern Ireland is currently under ‘lockdown’ since 23 March with citizens practicing social distancing to contain the spread of COVID-19. All citizens must stay at home unless they have a reasonable excuse or necessity for leaving. [...] Northern Ireland and the lockdown


Derry/Londonderry is the only city of its prominence in the UK that does not have its own higher education institution, according to Lord Adonis.

There are several other urban areas in the UK that do not have a higher education institution headquartered in their locale (for example Darlington, Southport, Harrogate, Scunthorpe, Crewe and East Kilbride). On 12 July 2019, Lord Adonis — a former UK Government advisor and education minister — claimed that Derry/Londonderry is "the only city of its prominence" in the UK that doesn’t have a higher education institution with its main campus in the city. He added: "It is deeply unfair that Derry/Londonderry continues to lose out because of the historical decision to base the headquarters of Ulster University in Coleraine". [...] Lord Adonis made a claim that Derry/Londonderry is the only city "of its prominence" in the UK without a higher education institution. FactCheckNI used the consensual definitions of settlements and built-up areas as described by UK statutory statistical agencies (in the absence of any statutory definition of "city" and the unreliability of comparing local government authority populations as a proxy for major urban centres). We found many other locales of similar population size to Derry/Londonderry without their own headquartered higher education institutions (for example, Darlington, Southport, Harrogate, Scunthorpe, Crewe and East Kilbride).


Dungiven has some of the worst nitrogen dioxide (NO2) readings in Western Europe

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has highlighted the significant impact of the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe Scheme in reducing journey times, improving air quality and delivering economic benefits. [...] Standards call for average annual Nitrogen Dioxide readings to be under 40 microgrammes per cubic metre and Dungiven had breached this average several times in the past. Last year, since the Bypass of Dungiven was opened, the lowest average Nitrogen Dioxide readings were recorded of 22 microgrammes per cubic metre, with the local community benefiting from this improved air quality and reduced congestion within the village. "I want to thank and pay tribute to the community of Dungiven who fought hard for this bypass, some of whom were in attendance today."


In Belfast, the digital sector employs 26 per cent of the workforce.

The newspaper article misinterprets the Tech Nation “Jobs and Skills Report 2020”, which states that for Belfast, from June to August 2020, 26% of job adverts at the online search site Adzuna were in the category of IT and engineering jobs. Using the most recent figures available from NISRA, we estimate that 8% of the workforce in Belfast is employed in jobs that fall into this category.


The United Kingdom has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe.

Socioeconomic determinants of teenage pregnancy and early motherhood in the United Kingdom: A perspective - PMID: 35079585 - PMCID: PMC8767081 - DOI: 10.34172/hpp.2021.52 [...] The United Kingdom has one of the highest teenage birth rates among countries in western Europe. Government initiatives such as the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy introduced by the labor government in 1999 to reduce the teenage pregnancy rate by half in ten years could be responsible for the steady decline in teenage conception and childbirth for the past two decades. However, to sustain this decrease it is crucial to consider the broader socioeconomic and environmental determinants of teenage pregnancy at the population level. A selected literature search was conducted in this respect to highlight the factors that could be neglected by recent interventions on teenage pregnancy and childbirth in the United Kingdom. [...] - - Kirchengast S. Teenage pregnancies: a worldwide social and medical problem. In: Laratta R, ed. An Analysis of Contemporary Social Welfare Issues. IntechOpen; 2016. 10.5772/65462 - DOI - - Office for National Statistics. Live births women aged ‘Under 18’ and ‘Under 20’, (per 1,000 women aged 15 to 17 and 15 to 19) in EU28 countries, 2004, 2013 and 2014. 2016. Available from: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarri.... Accessed January 7, 2020.


The cost of social division to the public purse in NI ranges between £400m and £830m every year.

Finance Minister Mervyn Storey today welcomed the independent report on the ‘Cost of Division’ in Northern Ireland society. [...] A Cost of Division report carried out by Deloitte in 2007 identified an upper ceiling of £1.5billion. Using updated methodology, UUEPC has benchmarked costs with comparable regions across the UK to identify the range of £400m to £830m per annum. [...] - The report identifies an estimated range of additional annual public service costs relative to other comparable regions in the UK. It then uses these costs to provide a basis on which to estimate the potential cost of division in Northern Ireland. The conclusion identifies a cost range of approximately £400 million to £800 million per annum, which at least in part is caused by the need to provide services in a divided society.


On average, three women are killed by men every week, while one in four women has been a victim of rape or sexual assault at some point.

Based on various sources, it is accurate to say that am average of three women are killed by men each week in the UK


60% of people in Northern Ireland are against the backstop.

The ESM common backstop will be used only as a last resort, in the situation that the SRF is depleted, and the Single Resolution Board (SRB) is not able to raise sufficient contributions or borrow funds from other sources at acceptable rates.


77% of young people in the UK don’t want Brexit.

The truth about young people and Brexit - Published [...] In fact, while Steven accepts that "most young people voted Remain," he thinks, "Brexit is an amazing opportunity for young people" because "it means we can sign free-trade deals around the world, reducing tariffs on consumer goods from phones to food, and making our hard-earned cash go even further." After Brexit, he hopes issues like housing will get more attention because the Government could spend "the £10bn a year we currently send to the EU on young people's priorities, such as housing". However, that's not currently Government policy. [...] Stephen Kinnock MP, 48, is the chair of the APPG. He tells BBC Three that their research suggests that what young people really want above all else is to "preserve the strongest possible economic, scientific and cultural links between the UK and the EU". He adds that, "a ‘no deal’, or ‘hard’ Brexit represents a major risk to the economy and therefore to young people’s life chances."


Northern Ireland has the highest rate of femicide in Western Europe

According to Jayne Brady, head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, "The gender playing field is far from level." Brady highlighted that women are still underrepresented in the science and technology sectors, and that Northern Ireland currently holds one of the highest rates of femicide in Western Europe.


Only the Green Party supported a proposal to establish an environmental protection agency (EPA), as part of the review of public administration (local government) in Northern Ireland.

Alliance: see statements (Alliance Party manifesto (2003); David Ford MLA (2007)); written submission delivered Green Party: see statement (Green Party manifesto (2003)); oral submission delivered SDLP: see statements (SDLP manifesto (2003); Tommy Gallagher MLA (2007)); oral submission delivered Sinn Féin: see statement (Daithí McKay MLA (2007)) (no submission) UUP: see statement (Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report, 3.00pm, Mr Kennedy (2007)); written submission delivered


Prime Minister Modi has initiated a grievance portal (CPGRAMS) upon assuming office for the first time

A social media post claims that Prime Minister Modi has reportedly initiated a grievance portal upon assuming office, allowing citizens to directly communicate with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The post also includes a video featuring a woman who shares her positive experience of having her issue resolved after lodging a complaint on this portal. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post. [...] The viral post refers to the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), as the grievance redressal mechanism initiated by PM Modi after assuming office in 2014. [...] To sum it up, the CPGRAMS portal meant to address public grievances was launched much before PM Modi assumed office in 2014.


Under the new criminal laws electronic messages can be used as evidence in court.

Under the new criminal laws, electronic records are designated as primary evidence, whereas under the old laws, electronic evidence was generally regarded as ‘secondary evidence’ unless the device itself was produced in court. There have been numerous instances where courts considered electronic records such as WhatsApp messages as evidence under the old criminal laws. Hence, the claim made in the post is PARTLY TRUE.


In Britain, the country which ruled India for 200 years, Modi was the head of the meeting which was attended by the heads of 53 countries.

British Rule or British Raj in India refers to the period of British colonialism in the Indian subcontinent. The British crown has direct control over India. They ruled from the mid-18th century until India gained independence in 1947. The rise of British power in India started in 1757 and they ruled for 200 years till 1947. The rule is known as colonialism. British rule is known for economic exploitation, political oppression, and cultural imperialism. [...] The impact of British rule in India was very deep and far-reaching. It has impacted every aspect of Indian society and culture. Let us look at the impact of British Rule in India for IAS exam. [...] We hope all your doubts related to the topic of "British Rule in India" are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for Civil services and various other competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, GK and current affairs, mocks, and so on. Ace your UPSC preparation with Testbook. Download the Testbook App now!


The visuals of water boiling under pits formed on a highway in Veracruz, Mexico, are a result of volcanic activity in Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcanic mountain

Popocatepetl volcano is 5452 m in altitude and capped by glaciers with a long Late Pleistocene-Holocene history. Volcanic activity has been intense during the last 10 000 years. Therefore, the valleys at the NE foothills of the volcano, covered by air-fall ejecta and drained by the runoff of the glaciers, became very attractive to ancient inhabitants of the Xalizintla Valley (XV) west of Puebla City, because of fertility of soils. The XV was occupied by humans about 2000 years ago who witnessed five events related to volcanic activity related to Popo. These events, described in this paper, are being taken into account for volcanic risk evaluation since several towns with a population of more than 23 000 people reoccupied again the Xalizintla Valley. [...] NASA Terra spacecraft shows Mexico active Popocatepetl volcano, located about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City, spewing water vapor, gas, ashes and glowing rocks since its most recent eruption period began in April 2012.


Black money (undisclosed foreign income and assets) and imposition of tax Act 2015 enacted.

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes four claims about enabling legislations to curb corruption. This article is a fact check of the claims.


The recent blast in UP’s Bulandshahr occurred at a Muslim man’s house named Mohammad Shafiq

The blast occurred at a property owned by Satish Kumar, which was rented by Raj Kumar under the pretense of manufacturing surf. The explosion was the result of illegal firecracker production. Neither the owner nor the tenant belongs to the Muslim community. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.


Government has provided for integrated development and management of fisheries with an outlay of Rs. 3000 crores.

The restructured Plan Scheme on Blue Revolution3 – Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries has been approved at a total central outlay of Rs 3000 crore for implementation during a period of five years (2015-16 to 2019-20)4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has restructured the scheme by merging all the ongoing schemes under an umbrella of Blue Revolution. The restructured scheme provides focused development and management of fisheries, covering inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries including deep sea fishing, mariculture and all activities undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB). [...] 4 Press Information Bureau, Government of India, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries – a Central Sector Scheme on Blue Revolution. 22 Dec 2015 5 The term "ocean grabbing" has been used to describe actions, policies or initiatives that deprive small- scale fishers of resources, dispossess vulnerable populations of coastal lands, and/or undermine historical access to areas of the sea. Rights and access to marine resources and spaces are frequently reallocated through government or private sector initiatives to achieve conservation, management or development objectives with a variety of outcomes for different sectors of society. For a reallocation to be considered ocean grabbing, it must: (1) occur by means of inadequate governance, and (2) be implemented using actions that undermine human security and livelihoods, or (3) produce impacts that reduce social- ecological well-being.


Consuming food items containing the label of Apeel will cause sickness as they have toxic mono and diglycerides

Apeel brags about its purified mono-and diglycerides, a food ingredient that is found in a variety of foods. According to Dr. Josh Axe, mono-and diglycerides are "the go-to replacement for deadly trans fats and a food industry staple that helps keep oil and fat from separating. (Vani) Hari (The Food Babe) explains that this additive is a byproduct of oil processing, including partially hydrogenated canola and soybean oils. This additive is a byproduct of oil processing which contains artificial trans fat – a danger food ingredient known to cause coronary heart disease and linked to 50,000 fatal heart attacks a year." (Side note: The FDA finally determined that trans fats are no longer generally recognized as safe for food use in 2016 and yet mono-and diglycerides are the "the go-to replacement." But they change the label from trans fats to mono-and diglycerides and then the FDA changes their tune. Interesting or predictable?) [...] In our home, we are very intentional about the foods that we eat and use from foods to products… we avoid seed oils, artificial food coloring, high fructose corn syrup, fast food, refined sugars, bleached flours, fragrances, cheap made-in-China toys, AirPods, plastics, flame retardants, PFAs and the list go on and on and on… which will now include Apeel, aka, mono-and diglycerides.


Visuals showing a Dalit girl being beaten for bathing in river and contaminating the water

KENDRAPARA (Odisha): A dalit woman was allegedly beaten up by members of upper caste for drawing potable water from a government-dug deep tube well in their area at a village in Odisha's Kendrapara district, police said on Wednesday.


Over the last 4 years, almost one crore houses have been constructed in rural and urban India.

1.07 crore rural houses constructed over the last four years under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana –Gramin with the objective of ‘’Housing for All by 2022’’ The re-structured rural housing scheme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) which has the objective of "Housing for All by 2022" was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 20th November, 2016 from Agra. 2.95 crore houses are set to be constructed by 2022 to achieve the set objective of PMAY-G which has been decided to achieve in phases. In the first phase the target is construction of one crore pucca houses by 31st March, 2019. A total of 1.07 crore rural houses have been completed over the last four years (2014-15 to 2017-18) which include completion of 38.20 lakh Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY- G) houses and 68.64 lakh IAY houses that were sanctioned in 2014-15 and 2015-16 and prior to that. If the figures of the current financial year are also added to this achievement under the rural housing scheme the achievement from 2014-15 till date becomes 1.13 crore completed rural houses. The details of rural housing scheme and progress can be seen from the website of PMAY-G, i.e. (pmayg.nic.in). A summary of houses completed, as on 31.7.2018, which shows an upward swing, is shown below:


The ancient rock carvings show modern-day technologies like computers, Astronaut suits and bicycles, etc. which suggests that our ancestors are more technologically advanced than us

A video is being shared on social media that claims to show a series of rock carvings that depict modern-day inventions such as bicycles, computers, astronaut suits, etc. The carvings show detailed depictions of these technologies, including images of people riding bicycles, sitting at computers, and even wearing astronaut helmets. The video suggests that these carvings are evidence that our ancestors were more technologically advanced than we previously thought and may have even had access to advanced knowledge or extra-terrestrial help. Let’s fact-check the claims made in the post. [...] Fact: The carvings of the bicycle and astronaut are done recently after their inventions are made. The man sitting at a computer is not a carving, but an artwork made in 2006. Similarly, symbols in some other carvings have not yet been deciphered, and some of the associations with modern symbols like Wi-Fi, rockets and transformers, etc, could be due to visual similarities rather than actual representation as there is not enough evidence to support them. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING. [...] The video makes other claims of ancient carvings depicting modern-day inventions such as rockets, Wi-Fi, transformers etc. However, these claims do not hold up to scrutiny as there is not enough evidence to support them. The symbols in the carvings have not yet been deciphered, and some of the associations with modern symbols could be due to visual similarities rather than actual representations.


Domestic air passengers crossed 100 million for the first time.

- India is now the third largest aviation market - Passenger traffic growth is in the range of 18-20% over the past three years - More people have travelled in airplanes than in AC trains for the first time - Domestic air passengers crossed 100 million in 2017 - A National Civil Aviation Policy was unveiled in 2016 [...] Claim 4: Domestic air passengers crossed 100 million in 2017 As noted earlier, the data from DGCA indicates that, in 2017, the number of passengers carried by domestic airlines was 1171.76 lakhs, or over 117 million.


In an infographic published on the 48-Month portal, the government made certain claims about attracting foreign investment and driving economic growth. Here is a fact check of these claims.


This song is an anthem created by the New Zealand government

A video of a song performance is circulating on social media, claiming that it features an anthem created by the New Zealand government and performed at a Church named ‘Abadala’. Let’s find out the authenticity of this claim through this fact-checking article. [...] Firstly, we thoroughly searched the internet with relevant keywords to know if the New Zealand government created and produced such an ‘anthem’. But that did not yield any credible information supporting the existence of such an anthem created by the New Zealand government with 99 special names of Allah. Apart from that, we also did not find a Church named ‘Abadala,’ which the post claims to be where this song was performed. [...] To sum up, the viral video claiming to be a New Zealand government anthem with 99 special names of Allah is actually from a concert held in Istanbul, Turkey, featuring the Sarajevo Fatih Sultan Mehmet Choir.


3000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras for cheaper medicines resulting in savings of around 50%.

The Government made certain claims about its health initiatives including the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Here is a fact check of these claims


Income eligibility has been raised from 2 lakh rupees to 2.5 lakh rupees for the pre-metric scholarship for SC students.

Salaried class has got something to cheer with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday raising tax exemption limit to Rs. 2.5 lakh from Rs. 2 lakh, providing a relief of Rs 5,000. "I propose not to make any changes in the tax rate. However, with the view to provide relief to small and marginal and senior citizen, I propose to increase the personal income tax exemption limit by Rs. 50,000 from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 2.50 lakh in case of all individual tax payer who are below the ago of 60 years," he said while presenting budget for 2014-15 in the Parliament. [...] Thus, tax on income from Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh is retained at 10 per cent, up to Rs. 10 lakh at 20 per cent and above Rs. 10 lakh at 30 per cent.


Apart from American officials and politicians, the official White House Twitter account follows only Indian Prime Minister Modi, the Indian President, and an Indian Embassy official

A video circulating on social media claims that the official White House Twitter account follows only 19 users, with 15 of them being American government officials and politicians. The remaining four, according to the claim, are official accounts of Indian Prime Minister Modi, the Indian President, an Indian Embassy official, etc. Let’s verify the claim made in the post. [...] Fact: Currently, the official White House Twitter account does not follow any Indian official. Nevertheless, it did briefly follow PM Modi and other Indian officials during Trump’s 2020 visit to India to facilitate the retweeting of their messages in support of the trip. The account’s following list changes in response to events and diplomatic engagements. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING. [...] Nevertheless, Indian media reports from April 2020, when President Trump was in office, reveal that the former official White House Twitter account (@WhiteHouse45) followed the Indian President, Indian Prime Minister, and Indian Embassy handles during that period. However, by the end of April 2020, the White House account had unfollowed these Indian accounts.


Government is giving an allowance of Rs 3,000 per month to unemployed youth under the Pradhan Mantri Berojgari Bhatta Yojana

A WhatApp message claiming that the government is giving an allowance of Rs 6,000 per month to unemployed youth under the Pradhan Mantri Berojgari Bhatta Yojana is going viral on social media. It must be noted that the viral WhatsApp message is fake. As per a fact conducted by PIB, the Government of India is not running any such scheme. In its post, PIB has also urged people to not forward such messages. Fact Check: Government Giving Rs 1,50,000 to Daughters Under Pradhan Mantri Kanya Ashirwad Yojana? PIB Debunks Fake Claim Made by Sarkari Guru YouTube Channel. Government of India Is Not Running Any Such Scheme एक वायरल #Whatsapp मैसेज में दावा किया जा रहा है कि प्रधानमंत्री बेरोजगारी भत्ता योजना के तहत सरकार बेरोजगार युवाओं को हर महीने ₹6,000 का भत्ता दे रही है। #PIBFactCheck ▶यह मैसेज फर्जी है। ▶भारत सरकार ऐसी कोई योजना नहीं चला रही। ▶कृपया ऐसे मैसेज फॉरवर्ड ना करें। pic.twitter.com/w0mfOyEAMI — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) February 20, 2023 Fact Check: Unemployed Youth To Get Rs 6,000 Per Month By The Government? Here’s The Truth (SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)


Since independence, we had 75 operational airports, UDAN added 25 airports just since December 2016.

Over the last six years, UDAN has brought about a massive transformation in the country’s aviation sector and boosted tourism, especially in remote areas. A total of 75 airports have been operationalised under UDAN out of which eight airports have been operationalised in the Northeast region. In its fifth phase now, bidding for UDAN 5.2 is underway to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country. [...] The scheme is connecting 30 States/ UTs across the length and breadth of the country. A total of 75 airports have been operationalised under UDAN. Eight airports have been operationalised in the Northeast region. Many airports that were operationalised under UDAN such as Darbhanga, Hubli, Kannur, Mysuru, and more have become sustainable with many non-RCS commercial flights operating from these airports.


More than 3000 stores of affordable medicines with PM bharatiya janaushadi kendras.

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes claims about affordable healthcare, specifically about essential medicines. This article is a fact check of the claims.


Rs. 2000 crore for agri-market infrastructure fund set up.

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes five claims about the budgetary allocations and outcomes of the agriculture sector. This article is a fact check of the claims.


More than 19 crore people have been insured against life and accident risk or ensured pension.

The next claim is that social security has been made a nationwide phenomenon with Jan Suraksha. It also claims that more than 19 crore people have been insured against life and accident risk or ensured pension. As per an answer provided by the government in Lok Sabha, "Three social security schemes were launched in May 2015 pertaining to the Insurance and Pension Sectors namely Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) in a move towards creating a universal social security system, targeted especially for the poor and the underprivileged. The schemes provide essential and affordable social protection to all citizens in a convenient manner linked to auto-debit facility from bank accounts. These schemes address the issue of low coverage of life or accident insurance and old age income security in the country." [...] Fact: 5.3 crore people under PMJJBY, 13.5 crore under PMSBY and 1.08 crore people under APY have been covered. Hence, the claim is TRUE.


Department of Fertilizers has made it mandatory for all the indigenous producers of urea to produce 100% of their total production of subsidized urea as Neem Coated Urea (NCU)

Neem Coated Urea in Rajya Sabha today, said that the Department of Agriculture, [...] Giving a background of the Neem Coating of urea in the country, the Minister informed that on 2nd June 2008, the Government had notified the policy for encouraging production and availability of fortified and coated fertilizers in the country wherein the indigenous manufacturers/producers of the subsidized fertilizers were allowed to produce fortified/coated subsidized fertilizers up to a maximum of 20% of their total production of respective subsidized fertilizers. This ceiling of production of Neem Coated Urea(NCU) was increased from the limit of 20% to a maximum of 35% of their total production vide notification dated 11th January, 2011. Shri Mandaviya said that the Government, on 24th March, 2015 made mandatory for all the indigenous producers of urea to produce 75% of their total production of subsidized urea as Neem Coated Urea. Subsequently, on 25th May 2015, Department of Fertilizers made it mandatory for all the domestic producers of urea to produce 100% as Neem Coated Urea with an extra MRP of 5% (of Rs. 5360/- per


Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) established.

Setting up of India Sign Language Research and Training Centre The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the setting up of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The ISLRTC will be under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It shall be located initially at the Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi. [...] The needs of the deaf community for a common ISL and related matters have long been ignored, and problems have been documented by various organizations working for the deaf. The Centre will lead the way in academic development, training and propagation of the Indian Sign Language. Development of sign language interpreters, Research and Development and new technology will be the focus area of the Centre. It will provide equal opportunities to hearing impaired persons to fully participate in every sphere of life.


Amartya Sen was involved in gross irregularities and land grab during his tenure at visva-Bharati university in West Bengal

Amartya Sen never held an official position at Visva-Bharati University, and the recent controversy between him and the university is related to a dispute over his ancestral property. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.


Hyderabad Police warned the public against contamination of cool drinks with the Ebola virus

Fact Check: Hyderabad police warning on ebola-contaminated cold drinks is fake [...] The viral advisory reads, "Please forward it to all friends information has been given by Hyderabad police all over India. Please do not drink any cold drink like Maaza, Fanta, 7up, Coca-Cola, Mountain dew Pepsi etc. For next few days because one of the companies worker has mixed the contaminated blood of a dangerous virus named ebola in it. This news was told in NDTV channel yesterday. Please help by forwarding this message as soon as possible. Forward this message to your family. Share this as much as you can 07:12 Thank you. (sic)" [...] We started the investigation by searching for relevant news articles on NDTV, as said in the post, but could not find any such report on the contamination of cold drinks with the Ebola virus. Moreover, on analysing the social media handles of Hyderabad city police we could not find any relevant advisory on any of their handles.


The Winter Session of Parliament postponed in 2011 during UPA rule

Winter session of Parliament: UPA govt's last chance for key legislations [...] The winter session of Parliament beginning on Thursday could well be the UPA government's last chance to get its key legislations through with the Lok Sabha elections barely six months away. The opposition is expected to seek to corner the government on price rise and the JPC report on 2G spectrum allocation and problems of farmers. [...] Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday urged political parties to make the best use of the time available during parliament's "short" winter session. He also said that the government was committed to the formation of Telangana state.


Congress Party is celebrating after China blocked India’s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council.

A post containing few pics of Congress top leaders and party men in jubilant mood are being circulated on Facebook. The post contained the narration that Congress Party is celebrating China‘s blockade of India‘s bid to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post. [...] The third image corresponds to the Congressmen celebrations for their victory in 2018 State Elections.An article with the image can be found in ‘GULF NEWS INDIA‘ dated on December 11,2018. Finally, pictures in the post are old images which correspond to the Congress party‘s celebrations after its victory on various occasions.


JANSIO Threanic Triple-Spin Ring would help in substantial weight loss

Threanic Triple-Spin Ring is soft on all skin types. [...] The premium material of the Jansio Threanic triple-spin ring makes it the best. It is gentle on the skin and never bends or breaks. One can wear it for years without it tarnishing. You can move and pin the beads for ideal relief. Explore More: Goddard Store Reviews [...] The Benefits of the JANSIO RING - It is Self-Soothing Ring.


ongress President Rahul Gandhi and his party leaders Shatrughan Sinha, Navjot Singh Sidhu and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee are in the same pic with Pakistan’s PM Imran Khan and its Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa

An image of Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan interacting with the country’s army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa is being circulated on social media. Congress leaders Shatrughan Sinha and Navjot Singh Sidhu, West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee and Congress president Rahul Gandhi can also be seen in the photograph, sitting in a corner. From the account of an individual user Devaraj Kotla, the photograph has 4,200 shares. It has been circulated with the caption – "ನೀವು ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಗೆ ಮತ ಹಾಕಿದರೆ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ಕ್ಕೆ ಮತ ಹಾಕಿದ ಹಾಗೆ.ಚಿತ್ರ ನೋಡಿ ಪಾಕಿಸ್ತಾನ ದ ಪರ ಗುಲಾಮರು ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಗೆ ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದಾರೆ," which roughly translates to, "If you vote for Congress, you will be able to vote for Pakistan. Look at the picture, how are the slaves of Pakistan sitting in the corner." [...] The image was photoshopped by Twitter user @Atheist_Krishna who had posted it on April 5 with the caption – "बालाकोट में मारे गए आतंकवादियों के सबूत जुटाने पाकिस्तान पहुंचा विपक्ष। (Opposition reaches Pakistan to gather evidence for the death of terrorists in Balakot)" – which suggests that he took a sarcastic jibe at the opposition leaders. The tweet was retweeted over 7,000 times.


More than 6 lakh high risk pregnancies identified under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

According to the official website, ‘the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. The program aims to provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every month. PMSMA guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their 2nd/3rd trimesters of pregnancy at designated government health facilities’. [...] The fourth claim is that ‘more than 6 lakh high risk pregnancies identified’. One of the critical components of the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan is identification and follow-up of high risk pregnancies. Since its inception in 2016, Over 7 lakh women with high risk conditions have been identified.


mages showing the technological upgrades in the Indian Railways before and after the BJP government in the country

The staff in the Indian rail network are using various innovative technological solutions to improve efficiency, ranging from customer service to maintenance and repair work. Having a workforce management platform helps the staff to plan and schedule processes in a planner software for control over the entire workforce process such as capacity planning, daily task scheduling, real-time rescheduling, routes, employee availability and competing time slots. [...] The Indian rail network is continuously enhancing the passenger experience through digital technologies. The modern features such as facial recognition, emergency talk-back system, WiFi infotainment system, automatic plug-door and step control have completely changed the passenger travel experience. [...] Over the last couple of years, technology and innovation have been changing the face of the Railways as it has embraced digitalisation in all spheres of its operations such as asset management, train signalling, manufacturing, passenger information system and coach factory automation. With the Railways’ digital transformation, the industry will accelerate new railway intelligence thus enabling enhanced industry-wide knowledge and business model innovation.


20 new super specialty AIIMS – like hospitals being set up

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal with claims about hospitals and doctors. This article is a fact check of the claims.


12.68 crore soil health cards have been distributed. This is the combined population of Germany and Spain.

In an infographic published by the government on the 48-months portal, there are three claims related to the goal of doubling farmer’s incomes. The claims pertain to the soil health cards, e-NAM and farm credit. The following article is a fact check of these claims.


An auto driver was thrashed for voting for the BJP in the recently held assembly elections in Karnataka

The Karnataka elections was a national spectacle, at least in the English media. But, realistically, why should a voter in say, West Bengal or Bihar care about state elections in Karnataka? For one, all elections have now been ‘nationalised’, due to the inordinate amount of time that Prime Minister Modi spends on elections and campaigns. Second, all elections, even bye elections, are now being perceived as a harbinger for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Can performance in state elections portend performance in the subsequent national election? Empirical evidence shows that state elections can indeed be a good proxy of at least the trends for national elections, if not the actual levels of performance. [...] However, voter behaviour in state elections exhibit a strong overlap with voter behaviour in national elections. As we know, national elections are fought for Lok Sabha seats. Every Lok Sabha seat is an aggregation of a fixed number of state assembly constituencies. So, an analysis of recent performance in state elections should present an interesting insight into trends for the next national election in 2019. What does it foretell for the BJP? [...] According to this analysis, the BJP is losing Lok Sabha seats and at a rapid pace. After the recent Karnataka election, the BJP’s imputed tally of Lok Sabha seats is down to 233, from the 282 it won in 2014


The payment of wages (amendment) act 2017 is empowering workers

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes three claims about ensuring labour welfare. This article is a fact check of the claims.


A British nationalist and student of politics who covers the Indian elections, Mr. Brandon Davies claimed on Twitter that upon his analysis of 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014 elections, he could say that he had never seen a PM Candidate as stupid as Rahul Gandhi.

Several Facebook users are publishing posts embedding a tweet from a person named Brandon Davies, who describes himself as a British nationalist and student of politics covering the Indian elections. Let’s try to analyze the claims made in the post.The archived version of the post can be seen here. [...] Fact: The man in the picture is a British sailor, George Mills. He died in a yacht accident that happened in South Africa on February 2, 2016. So, the recent tweet regarding Rahul Gandhi is from a fake twitter account created on the name of Brandon Davies using the pic of George Mills in its profile. Hence, the claim is FALSE. [...] Hence, the tweet degrading Rahul Gandhi is from a fake twitter account.


Ratan Tata: “In a country, if Prime Minister’s popularity increases due to the death of 65 soldiers, then nobody can save that country from getting destroyed”

A post is being shared on Facebook by some users claiming that Ratan Tata has commented on the increase in Modi’s popularity in the country after the Pulwama attack. Let’s try to analyze the claim made in the post.


Kuki tribes living in Manipur came from the Burma (Myanmar) as refugees and were later granted ST (Scheduled Tribe) quota in India in 1968

The central argument we put forward for those ‘hate mongers’ and the public is that the Kukis of Manipur are indigenous peoples of the state and not refugees or foreigners, as we are made to believe. There are ample historical and archaeological evidences to indicate the Kukis lived in their current area and state since time immemorial. As imagined by some groups, they did not enter Manipur (the present colonial boundary of Manipur); the annexation of the northern part of their ancestral domain, the southern mountains of Manipur (roughly present Pherzawl, Churachandpur, Chandel and Tengnoupal districts), into Manipur (Kangla) kingdom in the 19th century make them to be part of Manipur’s ‘subjects’. Unlike other hill tracts, the annexation of Kuki ancestral land into Manipur was made by sacred covenants signed by the Kuki chiefs and the Maharaj of Manipur in a most solemn manner. They were the covenants of peace and friendship which governed the relationship between the Kukis and the Kangla kingdom. It was under these covenants that the Kukis had sincerely served the Kangla kingdom until India’s independence, not as coolies and beggars but as warriors with their blood and iron.


India’s longest road tunnel, the Chenani – Nashri tunnel in Jammu is constructed

At 9.2 km, the 'Chenani-Nashri Highway Tunnel' is the longest road tunnel in the country and is located at an elevation of 1200 meters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the highway tunnel today. [...] - The 'Chenani-Nashri Highway Tunnel' is not only India's longest highway tunnel but also Asia's longest bi-directional highway tunnel. [...] Last Updated on April 2, 2017 # Chenani-Nashri Highway Tunnel# India's longest tunnel# Longest Tunnel# Jammu and Kahsmir# Prime Minister# Narenda Modi# Auto Industry


‘Hindus have the highest fertility rate in World’

Globally, Muslims have the highest fertility rate, an average of 3.1 children per woman – well above replacement level (2.1), the minimum typically needed to maintain a stable population.6 Christians are second, at 2.7 children per woman. Hindu fertility (2.4) is similar to the global average (2.5). Worldwide, Jewish fertility (2.3 children per woman) also is above replacement level. All the other groups have fertility levels too low to sustain their populations: folk religions (1.8 children per woman), other religions (1.7), the unaffiliated (1.7) and Buddhists (1.6). [...] Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to have a declining share of the world’s population (53% in 2050, compared with 59% in 2010). This will be reflected in the slower growth of religions heavily concentrated in the region, including Buddhism and Chinese folk religions, as well as slower growth of Asia’s large unaffiliated population. One exception is Hindus, who are overwhelmingly concentrated in India, where the population is younger and fertility rates are higher than in China or Japan. As previously mentioned, Hindus are projected to roughly keep pace with global population growth. India’s large Muslim population also is poised for rapid growth. Although India will continue to have a Hindu majority, by 2050 it is projected to have the world’s largest Muslim population, surpassing Indonesia.


A recent judgement by an Indian Court allows both the wife and girlfriend to live in the same house

In India, live-in relationships are not only discouraged but also are not accepted by the members of society due to the sophisticated culture. The parents of a couple may also not allow for such a relationship, and may not allow the couple to reside in the same house. The couples also face issues when they seek residence on rent. Apart from the issue of the place of residence, the couple also faces issues at the workplace and other public places. [...] From the above judgments of various High Courts and Supreme Court of India, it can be concluded that the Indian judiciary has most of the time practiced interpretation of laws while protecting the rights of women and children associated with live-in relationships and certainly the Indian legal mechanism lacks separate legislation which must deal with the cases of live-in relationship and must provide with codified laws, and punitive measures. [...] References - https://www.worldwidejournals.com/indian-journal-of-applied-research-(IJAR)/recent_issues_pdf/2019/December/legal-status-of-live-in-relationship-in-india_December_2019_1575104772_8511093.pdf - https://lawcolloquy.com/journals/PriyaV1C2.pdf - https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol19-issue7/Version-6/D019762529.pdf - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2631831820974585 - https://jcil.lsyndicate.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Judicial-Interpretation-and-change-in-status-of-live-in-relationship-in-India-Sakshi-Shubham.pdf - http://mja.gov.in/Site/Upload/GR/Title%20NO.5(As%20Per%20Workshop%20List%20title%20no5%20pdf).pdf - https://www.indiafilings.com/learn/live-in-relationships-in-india/


Subramanian Swamy stating that Adani did not acquire the 74% shares of Mumbai Airport from the Indian government, but instead purchased them from multiple foreign partners who Congress sold in 2006

These statements were not made by Dr Subramanian Swamy. In fact, Swami accused Adani of not repaying the loans and using nepotism to obtain stake in Mumbai Airport. Also, Adani Group has 74% stake in Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, post the stake purchase transaction, with 50.5% being bought from GVK Group and 23.5% Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and Bidvest Group. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.


The types of disabilities have been increased from the existing 7 to 21.

- The types of disabilities have been increased from existing 7 to 21 and the Central Government will have the power to add more types of disabilities. The 21 disabilities are given below:- - Physical Disability - Locomotor Disability - Leprosy Cured Person - Cerebral Palsy - Dwarfism - Muscular Dystrophy - Acid Attack Victims - Visual Impairment - Hearing Impairment - Speech and Language Disability - Intellectual Disability - Specific Learning Disabilities - Autism Spectrum Disorder - Mental Behaviour (Mental Illness) - Disability caused due to- - Chronic Neurological Conditions such as - Multiple Sclerosis - Parkinson’s Disease - Blood Disorder - Haemophilia - Thalassemia - Sickle Cell Disease - Multiple Disabilities - Persons with "benchmark disabilities" are defined as those certified to have at least 40 per cent of the disabilities specified above. [...] - Similarly, the office of State Commissioners of Disabilities has been strengthened who will be assisted by an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 5 members drawn from experts in various disabilities.


The Rs.500 note with green security thread closer to Mahatma Gandhi picture is a fake note

Security thread: Rs.1000 notes introduced in October 2000 contain a readable, windowed security thread alternately visible on the obverse with the inscriptions ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), ‘1000’ and ‘RBI’, but totally embedded on the reverse. The Rs.500 and Rs.100 notes have a security thread with similar visible features and inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. When held against the light, the security thread on Rs.1000, Rs.500 and Rs.100 can be seen as one continuous line. The Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20 and Rs.50 notes contain a readable, fully embedded security thread with the inscription ‘Bharat’ (in Hindi), and ‘RBI’. The security thread appears to the left of the Mahatma's portrait. Notes issued prior to the introduction of the Mahatma Gandhi Series have a plain, non-readable fully embedded security thread.


WikiLeaks has published the 1st list of black money holders in Swiss banks.

WikiLeaks has never published the list of Indians who have stashed their money in Swiss banks. Hence, the claim stands FALSE.


By subjecting water to immense pressure and directing it through a minuscule nozzle, it can effectively cut through the hardest materials, including rocks, metals, bulletproof glass, and even diamonds

While pure waterjet cutting can be used to cut softer materials, abrasive waterjet cutting is required to cut through harder substances such as metals and ceramics. This is because abrasive particles like garnet or aluminium oxide are added to the high-pressure water stream, which increases the cutting force and allows for effective cutting of hard materials. Therefore, the claim made in the post that water alone can cut through the hardest materials, including rocks, metals, bulletproof glass, and diamonds, is MISLEADING.


Speech and language disability and specific learning disability have been added for the first time.

In an infographic published by the government, certain claims were made regarding provisions of the ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act’. Here is a fact check of those claims.


3.8 crore poor women provided with free LPG connections, target raised to 8 crore.

The Government has launched Pradhan Mantri LPG Panchayat which is an interactive communication platform for rural LPG users on various subjects like safe usage of LPG, its benefit to environment, women empowerment and women health, and also use the forum to motivate the consumers to use LPG regularly as a clean cooking fuel. Government had launched "Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana" on 1st May 2016 to provide deposit-free LPG connections to 5 crore women belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) with a budgetary provision of Rs. 8000 crore and the target has now been enhanced to 8 crore with additional budgetary provision of Rs. 4,800 crore. The beneficiaries under the Scheme are identified through Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011. The Government has now decided to cover the following categories under the Scheme :- (i) All SC/STs households beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(PMAY) (Gramin), (ii) Antyoday Anna Yojana(AAY) [...] This information was given by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pardhan in reply to a written question in Lok Sabha today.


Numerous universities, 7 IITs, 7 IIMs, 14 IIITs, 1 NIT, 103 KVs and 62 Navodaya Vidyalayas established and have started functioning.

In an infographic published by the government on the 48-months portal, there are three claims relating to education in the country. This article is a fact check of the claims.