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 number of people on social-housing waiting lists in Northern Ireland has risen by a tenth during the pandemic – over three times more quickly than in the preceding 12 months, according to new figures. By December 31st, 2020, the social-housing waiting list stood at 42,665, data released by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) following a freedom-of-information request shows. The waiting list on March 31st, 2020, before the full effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were known, was 38,745 – up 2.3 per cent from March 2019 and the highest number Northern Ireland had seen for years.


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

Antrim Coast Road [edit]The Antrim Coast Road is regarded as one of the great tourist routes of the world.[3] This part of the road has seen a dramatic increase in traffic in recent years (in particular during warmer weather). It runs along the coast for about 25 miles (40 kilometres), from the Black Arch near Larne to the Red Arch near Cushendall, passing through the villages of Ballygalley, Glenarm, Carnlough and Waterfoot. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians should pay due care and attention as there are currently no cycle lanes and footpaths are infrequent. [...] The Antrim Coast Road was completed in 1842 at a cost of £37,140 – some £12,000 over budget – much to the displeasure of the Commissioners. It then remained largely unchanged until the late 1960s. But there were frequent rockfalls because the geology of the Antrim Coast is Ulster White Limestone, greatly faulted and fissured, which bears a considerable overburden of basalt, also weathered and rotten near the surface.


Rock fall forces scenic Antrim coast road to close The Antrim coast road at Garron Point has been closed following a recent landslide that has seen the road completely blocked by a major rock fall [...] A major rock fall has closed the Antrim coast road.


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

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the 652,639 abortions reported to the agency in 2014, 91.5% were performed at or under 13 weeks' gestation, 7.2% were performed between 14 and 20 weeks' gestation, and 1.3% were performed at or over 21 weeks' gestation.3 These statistics align with data collected by the Guttmacher Institute (Guttmacher), which found that in 2013, 1.3% of abortions were performed at or over 21 weeks' gestation.4 According to Guttmacher, approximately 926,200 abortions were performed in 2014.5 A 2018 National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) study found that most women who have abortions are unmarried (86%), poor or low-income (75%), under age 30 (72%), and women of color (61%).6 [...] According to a study published in 2014, almost all U.S. abortion facilities (95%) in 2012 offered abortions at 8 weeks' gestation, 72% offered abortions at 12 weeks, 34% at 20 weeks, and 16% at 24 weeks.48 The authors surveyed all known abortion-providing facilities in the United States. A total of 1,720 abortion facilities participated in this study: 453 were located in the Northeast, 737 in the West, 357 in the South, and 173 in the Midwest.49


Termination of pregnancy in patients with previous cesarean section - PMID: 16472563 - DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2005.09.007 [...] Results: A total of 13 (26%) patients in Group 1 and 79 (39.1%) in Group 2 were at more than 24 weeks' gestation. The abortion failure rate was 2% (1/50) in Group 1 and 0.5% (1/202) in Group 2 (p = .28). The median induction-to-delivery interval was 8.5 h (range, 3.0-114.2 h) for Group 1 and 9.0 h (range, 1.3-124.3 h) in Group 2 (p = .26). One case of uterine rupture and one case of dehiscence were observed, both in women in Group 1. The incidence of hemorrhage was not significantly different between Group 1 and Group 2 (2% vs. 0.9%, respectively, p = .56). The incidence of retained placenta was higher in the Group 1 (70% vs. 52.5%, respectively, p = .025). [...] Induction of second trimester abortion (12-20 weeks) with mifepristone and misoprostol: a review of 386 consecutive cases.Contraception. 2006 May;73(5):516-9. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2005.12.004. Epub 2006 Feb 23. Contraception. 2006. PMID: 16627037 -


This claim is accurate. In 2018, 1.8% of all abortions in Great Britain took place at gestations of 20 weeks and over; 1.7% of all abortions in England and Wales took place at gestations of 20 to 24 weeks.


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

- 15 July – The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) publishes a postcode breakdown of COVID-19 deaths in Northern Ireland; the data indicates the BT4 area of East Belfast, including parts of the Upper Newtownards Road, Holywood Road and Sydenham to have had to largest number of deaths at 36.[53] [...] - Official figures show that COVID-19 deaths were the second most common deaths in Northern Ireland between 1 April and 30 June, with 4,684 deaths registered during that time, 732 of them COVID related.[117] [...] - 6 November – - The number of COVID deaths in Northern Ireland surpasses 1,000, standing at 1,053.[203]


A Facebook post shared 100 times in less than a day claims that there have been "113 covid deaths in all of Northern Ireland since the start of the ‘pandemic’". [...] To claim that just over a hundred people have died from COVID-19 in Northern Ireland ignores and/or misunderstands comorbidity and causes of death. It is important to ask: What is comorbidity? How are COVID-19 deaths measured? How can we understand these statistics better? [...] The "113 covid deaths in all of Northern Ireland" figure in the Facebook claim is contradicted by all these statistics.


Daily. Northern Ireland’s Department of Health (DoH) publishes a daily figure for deaths reported in the 24 hours up to 10am the previous day. Deaths are attributed as “COVID-19 deaths” in the DoH’s figures if the person had a positive test for COVID-19 within the previous 28 days. This measure is now broadly consistent across the UK and allows regional comparisons to be made. The Deaths Summary pane of the DoH dashboard shows that exactly 2,000 COVID-19 deaths had been reported by 10am on 15 February 2021. Weekly. NISRA publishes weekly figures, based on COVID-19 being mentioned on death certificates (with or without a positive test). Unlike the DoH figures, NISRA’s weekly statistics include deaths of people who did not have a positive test at the time of death. NISRA’s figures will include people whose certifying doctor notes COVID-19 symptoms, but died of a different primary cause once further analysis is conducted. From the start of the pandemic until 5 February 2021, NISRA’s weekly figures show that there were 2,574 deaths registered mentioning COVID-19 on the death certificate. Quarterly. The Registrar General Quarterly Report is published by NISRA, in line with other UK statistical agencies, and categorises deaths by cause. The primary cause of death is precisely coded against the ICD-10 international model. These are the most accurate, but the slowest to produce, of these three sets of figures for COVID-19 deaths. During the first nine months of 2020, NISRA’s quarterly figures explain that there were 808 deaths where COVID-19 was the underlying cause (information accurate on 18 November 2020).


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.

Northern Ireland graduates: Only a third return home - Published - comments Only a third of students from Northern Ireland who graduated in England, Scotland or Wales in 2017 returned home to work. [...] Only 34% of those who had graduated from universities elsewhere in the UK in that year returned to Northern Ireland to work.


The claim that "a third of young people from Northern Ireland who go to university travel outside Northern Ireland" is closer to a quarter. On 11 March 2018, Brian Smyth claimed that "…a third of young people from Northern Ireland who go to university travel outside NI, mainly to the North West of England and Scotland, and only a third of those who graduate return back home." [...] We found that Brian Smyth’s claim that "…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" was generally factually accurate. The Department of Economy statistics suggest that the figure for those leaving Northern Ireland for Great Britain institutions is closer to 26.9%; it is closer to a third for those enrolled full-time. After graduation, the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education survey indicates that 33.1% of Northern Irish students returned home to work.


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

7. To date, Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom and Ireland without specific Climate Change legislation setting out a pathway for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. [...] - Establish a system of Carbon Budgeting - Place a responsibility on local authorities to produce Climate Change Action Plans every 5 years 46. There is presently no specific Climate Change legislation in NI. However, as part of the 2020 New Decade, New Approach agreement, the NI Executive made a commitment to bring forward a Climate Change Act to give environmental targets a strong legal underpinning, as well as developing a new Energy Strategy and reviewing policies in light of the Paris Agreement. [...] 152. FSB welcome Climate Change legislation for NI and highlighted that a recent survey revealed that small local businesses desire policy certainty regarding their climate obligations. The important role that these enterprises can play with regards reducing emissions and facilitating green innovation was discussed and that there is an opportunity for business growth in the transition towards a green economy.


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

Belfast has the highest death rate in NI: survey Belfast has recorded the highest death rate for Northern Ireland, new data has revealed. The city had 1,139.3 deaths per 100,000 - 156.8 above the UK average of 982.5.


Northern Ireland has the second highest rate (0.53) of female intentional homicide victims by intimate partner, per 100,000 inhabitants, in Western Europe, as defined by WEOG (given the lack of definition of "Western Europe") and the regions covered by the data published by Eurostat. On 20 November 2019, Sorcha Eastwood, Alliance Party Westminster candidate for Lagan Valley, stated: "Northern Ireland has the highest rate of femicide in Western Europe per 100,000 in the population." [...] The femicide rate was highest in Finland (0.61). Northern Ireland had the second highest femicide rate in Western Europe, as defined by WEOG and the regions covered by the 2017 data published by Eurostat.


Available data shows other cities with higher homicide rates. Data for some other cities was not and is not published. By any reasonable definition, homicide rates in Belfast are not among the highest in Europe today.


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.

- Duignan, Brian (August 4, 2021). "January 6 U.S. Capitol attack". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2021. [...] - Holpuch, Amanda (January 6, 2021). "US Capitol's last breach was more than 200 years ago". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021. [...] The attack, which some historians called the most severe assault on the Capitol since the British sacked the building in 1814 - Holpuch, Amanda (January 6, 2021). "US Capitol's last breach was more than 200 years ago". The Guardian. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.


The Belfast Telegraph published an article that claimed the last time the US Capitol was attacked was during the War of 1812: "Robert Ross … from Rostrevor in Co Down, will always be remembered as the man who burned down the White House in 1814." The US Capitol comprises the buildings that house both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. But was Robert Ross really the "last man to attack the US Capitol?" We reviewed incidents of the US Capitol buildings being attacked. [...] There have been four notable attacks on the US Capitol in-between Robert Ross and the incident on 6 January 2021. While Major General Robert Ross in 1814 was the last foreign attacker, Linda Evans and Laura Whitehorn were among the most recent attackers in 1983.


This claim is inaccurate. Since the burning of the US Capitol in August 1814, during the War of 1812, there have been four notable further attacks before this year’s incident: Erich Muenter exploded three sticks of dynamite in the US Senate reception room (1915); Puerto Rican nationalists opened fire from the US House of Representatives visitors’ gallery (1954); the Weather Underground group exploded a bomb (1971); and seven people were arrested for causing an explosion in the US Senate (1983).


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

COVID-19 Vaccines: My Message To Vegans [...] Are COVID-19 vaccines vegan? Whether or not COVID-19 vaccines are vegan depends on how you define veganism. If you define veganism as zero use of animals, or animal products, they are not vegan. If you define veganism as philosophy that excludes animal exploitation "as far as possible and practical", like the Vegan Society, then the answer is fuzzier.


The claim is not accurate. No COVID-19 vaccine currently in use contains animal products.


Many people have been waiting for a COVID vaccine that is both ethical and doesn’t contain animal ingredients. Clinical trials for vaccines involve human volunteers, but before they reach that stage, their safety and efficacy must be tested on animals, per the FDA as well as guidelines worldwide. So, there’s still no such thing as a vegan COVID vaccine. And, yes, you should still get vaccinated. Any vaccination is better than none. But don’t take my word for it. The scientific community is unanimous in recommending adults and eligible children to be fully vaccinated—and in some cases boosted—for the best protection against COVID-19 symptoms and spread. [...] Plant-based vaccines are still a new innovation. In fact, the plant-based coronavirus vaccine is the first of its kind. While Covifenz is plant-based, per regulations surrounding vaccines, it is tested on animals. (Vaccine trials for COVID-19 have relied on research on mice, hamsters, and nonhuman primates.) In other words, it’s not a vegan vaccine. "Plant-based" just refers to how the shots are made. So, how do they differ from other kinds of vaccines?


77% of working mothers endure some kind of discrimination.

However, women here do report having felt discriminated in the workplace due to being pregnant or a mother: 36% of mothers report feeling they were treated unfairly, and 50% of mothers believing their career opportunities are worse than before pregnancy. On 15 August 2016, while speaking on the BBC Radio Ulster programme Talk Back, Joeli Brearley (Pregnant then Screwed contributor) claimed that "77% of working mothers endure some kind of discrimination". The debate surrounding this statistic refers to an Equality and Human Rights Commission (Great Britain) report, which to be exact, stated: "Three in four mothers (77%) said they had a negative or possibly discriminatory experience during pregnancy; maternity leave; and on their return from maternity leave." [...] The aforementioned report applies to Great Britain (Scotland, Wales and England) and does not include Northern Ireland in its findings. Furthermore, this is the rate among women who report a wide range of negative experiences when surveyed. It is important to draw a distinction between cases of legal discrimination that have been brought forward and ruled upon by a tribunal, and complaints that range all the way from illegal dismissal, to unwanted comments from colleagues. 22% of mothers raised the issue, either formally or informally, with their employer.


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

"Northern Ireland has been named as one of the cheapest regions in the UK for childcare costs according to a new study" [...] And, while it is not mentioned in their online study, Penfold’s press release sent to media in NI said that "Northern Ireland is one of cheapest [places to have a child, with regards to childcare]." [...] However, that does not mean that NI’s childcare is amongst the cheapest in the UK for parents and guardians, because this fails to take into account the wider help that is available, and the fact that the economic context in each country is different. Wages in Northern Ireland are relatively low, compared with other parts of the UK.


The childcare system in Northern Ireland has reached a breaking point – for parents and for early learning and childcare providers. Early learning and childcare is not affordable for families. The last Northern Ireland Childcare Survey (2023) found the cost of a full–time childcare place is now over £10,000 per year – for 41% of families, childcare is their largest monthly outgoing ahead of their mortgage or rent. For some families, paying for childcare is leading to household debt, with 56% using means other than their income to pay for childcare, including savings, credit cards and loans. [...] Northern Ireland requires a bespoke funding model for the sector to better meet the needs of all families but with a focus on disadvantaged children. While the recent announcement by the Education Minister of a package of support for early learning and childcare, including a new Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy scheme, is a welcome interim measure, it is initially focused only on supporting eligible working parents of children under school age. The detail of how the scheme will be rolled out and further information around eligibility, is still to be confirmed.


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

The headline of a Jan. 29 blog post by The Daily Exposé claims: "Official data shows children are up to 52 times more likely to die following COVID-19 vaccination than unvaccinated children & the (Office of National Statistics) is trying to hide it." [...] The Daily Exposé attempted to do its own mortality rate calculations and claimed children are up to 52 times more likely to die following COVID-19 vaccination than unvaccinated children. [...] The Expose, "Official Data shows Children are up to 52 times more likely to die following COVID-19 Vaccination than Unvaccinated Children & the ONS is trying to hide it," Jan. 29, 2022


Data does not support this claim. Deaths of children after vaccination are too rare to inform reliable estimates. A temporary increase is possible because children with significant pre-existing health problems received vaccines before their peers.


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

Bus lanes are shown by road markings and signs that indicate which (if any) other vehicles are permitted to use the bus lane. In Belfast city centre the legislation allows permitted taxis, motorcycles and bicycles to use bus lanes. [...] Bus lane signs show the times when they operate. Most bus lanes operate at peak times only (typically 7.30am to 9.30am or 3.30pm to 6.00pm on Monday to Friday). Outside the hours of operation the lanes can be used by all traffic. The legislation for most bus lanes allows permitted taxis, motorcycles and bicycles to use bus lanes.


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.

This claim is not accurate. Prosecutions to date suggest that ex-British Army personnel have been the subject of cases five times more than Republican and Loyalist suspects. The cited ratio of 54 times “more likely” was based on a snapshot of live prosecutions and takes no account of previous cases.


Victims condemn Northern Ireland Troubles prosecutions call - Published [...] NI's Attorney General John Larkin said there should be an end to investigations into killings before the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. [...] Mr Larkin told the BBC: "More than 15 years have passed since the Belfast Agreement, there have been very few prosecutions, and every competent criminal lawyer will tell you the prospects of conviction diminish, perhaps exponentially, with each passing year, so we are in a position now where I think we have to take stock.


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

Larne Business Forum has written to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons requesting an extraordinary audit of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s finances after a massive rise in business rates. [...] Larne Business Forum said it believes "unsustainable non-domestic rates burdens being placed on local businesses are undermining the very survival of some in the small business sector". [...] Larne Business Fourm also expressed concern over a £7.2m shortfall in the council’s finances saying that "we noted that no suitable explanation has ever been provided to ratepayers as to how such an extraordinary shortfall was allowed to happen".


A SMALL business trading from modest premises in a town like Larne can expect to pay up to three times more in rates than if operating in London, a new report claims. [...] Larne businessmen Tom and Paul McMullan are now demanding that the NI Affairs Select Committee at Westminster conducts an inquiry into business rates in Northern Ireland and have lobbied MP Sammy Wilson in support of their campaign over "ridiculously high" rates, which also has the backing of industry bodies like Retail NI and Hospitality. [...] "So at the £5,000 and £12,000 NAV data points, the London business escapes all liability for business rates while on the other hand the Larne business will have to pay a rates bill of £2,402 and £6,149 respectively.


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

It comes as it emerged that Northern Ireland has the highest number of children in care since the Children Order was introduced in 1995. [...] The most recent figures show that as of 31 March 2021, there were 3,530 children in care in Northern Ireland. [...] In March 2016, 2,890 children were in care in Northern Ireland.


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

Passports are now only valid for 10 years exactly - additional months on anyone's red passports (passports issued before the UK left the EU ) are no longer valid. [...] A statement from Hays Travel said: "Important passport update changes: due to changes in validity since leaving Europe, your passport is now only valid for 10 years from the issue date on your passport. "If your passport was issued prior to the UK leaving the EU with additional months on, those extra months are no longer valid."


Booking a holiday to beat the January blues? You better check your passport. When the Brexit transition period ends, Brits will need a minimum of six months left on their passports to travel to Schengen Area countries, which applies to most of Europe. [...] To make things more complicated, if you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, any remaining validity (up to nine months) would likely have been added to its expiry date over the usual limit of 10 years. However, any extra months on your passport may not count towards the six months required. This is because Schengen Area countries also require passports to have been issued within the last 10 years on the day of travel. [...] Yes. British passports will continue to be valid until their expiry date for entry to the UK. The rule changes resulting from the end of the transition period only apply for entry to a state where the Schengen Borders Code is applicable.


travelling in Europe for up to 3 months (you don’t normally need a visa for the first 90 days in every 180 days of travel) 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.”

Data shows that in 2018-2019, 49.5% of FSME school leavers had at least five GCSEs including English and maths, compared to 78.5% of their non-FSME peers – a gap of 29 percentage points. In 2005-2006 the gap was 32.1pp, a difference of 3.1pp.


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

Fifth Of NI School Staff Assaulted Once A Week One in five school staff in Northern Ireland are assaulted once a week, according to a recent survey. [...] The Chair of the NIC-ICTU Education Group Denise Walker (GMB) said: "Everyone expects and is entitled to go to work free from the threat of physical violence but if you work in one of Northern Ireland's schools in a support role, you could be one of the 51% who have been subjected to a physical incident at work. 43% of whom reported having been a victim of physical violence weekly.


A headline in the Belfast News Letter of 21 March 2019 states "One in five school staff assaulted once a week in Northern Ireland" (sic). The newspaper reported the findings of a survey of education workers by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Committee of Trade Unions (ICTU) Education Group. [...] ICTU’s press release states that "1 on 5 receive physical abuse ONCE a WEEK" (sic). [...] The ICTU inaccurately presented the findings of its education workers survey in their press release. As a consequence, it was misreported by the Belfast News Letter. The survey found that 1 in 10, rather than the claimed 1 in 5, of education workers experience physical abuse at least once a week.


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

"The Glider service will encourage more people to use public transport which in turn helps ease congestion and improve air quality," she said. [...] Translink CEO Chris Conway said the new buses will transform public transport in Belfast. [...] Translink hope the new network will see a reduction in public transport journey times by 25%.


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

In terms of future risk, railway lines are the only infrastructure type in Northern Ireland projected to increase in risk from river flooding (under a low population and no additional adaptation ‘reduced whole system’ scenario). Risk increases by 50% by the 2080s with 4°C global warming at 2100. All other infrastructure types are projected to decrease in risk. Freshwater sites, electricity substations, railway lines and railway stations are projected to see an increase in risk from surface water flooding. By the 2080s in a +4°C at 2100 scenario, this increase in risk ranges from 49% for freshwater sites to 137% for railway lines. The risk to power stations is projected to decrease under all scenarios. [...] In future, climate change will increase the number of properties at risk of flooding from all sources, and these could be in areas that have not previously been at risk of flooding. The largest increase in risk in Northern Ireland is related to coastal flooding, which is projected to increase by 550% by 2080s (in a high population scenario and with 4°C global warming at 2100) (see figure 9).


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

Paramilitary groups such as the UDA and the UVF killed more than 900 people over the course of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. [...] Some 400 republican paramilitaries died, most of them members of the IRA, and almost 170 loyalist paramilitaries. A significant number of paramilitaries were killed by their own organisations as alleged informers, in premature explosions and by rival groups during feuds. [...] Throughout the Troubles people were killed where they socialised, lived and worked. They were killed at sports events, in hospitals, in prison, leaving churches and even inside places of worship. The violence of the Troubles continues to impact upon communities. Beyond the dead it is estimated some 50,000 people were wounded. Tens of thousands served in the security forces, joined the paramilitaries and went to prison. More witnessed the horror of violent death.


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

With a circuit breaker, authorities tighten restrictions on what people can do for a set amount of time to reduce transmission of the virus, to try to avoid needing to go into full lockdown. Northern Ireland’s four-week plan includes closing all bars and restaurants (except for takeaways), stopping indoor amateur sports, and shutting close-contact services such as hairdressing. [...] There’s also much more travel from Northern Ireland across the land border with the Republic of Ireland than to rest of the UK. Because the Republic of Ireland implemented a lockdown earlier than the UK and had additional restrictions on movement and travel, this may have limited the number of new infections brought into Northern Ireland. [...] With this in mind, the longer the restrictions are in place, the more effective they’ll be at reducing viral spread. It’s important for the circuit breaker to remain in place longer than the upper end of the potential incubation period if it’s to have a good chance of significantly reducing the rate of transmission. It’s good therefore that Northern Ireland has opted for a four-week set of restrictions.


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.

The Vibrant Cities of Belfast and Derry~Londonderry [...] Derry~Londonderry is strategically located at the spot where the Wild Atlantic Way meets the Causeway Coastal Route, two of Ireland’s most popular and impressive coastal touring routes. A flowering of culture and identity took hold here when the city was named UK City of Culture in 2013 and continues to enhance its future. [...] Derry~Londonderry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland, and is one of the finest examples in Europe. The 400th anniversary of the walls will be celebrated with events in 2018/19. The views from the 26-foot-high ramparts are well worth walking the one-mile circuit. Take an in-depth walking tour with local expert Michael Cooper, Derry Blue Badge Guide, who will provide insight and history on city sites and events. The award-winning Tower Museum’s historical exhibits include the story of Derry~Londonderry and artifacts from the 1588 Spanish Armada shipwreck of La Trinidad Valencera off the coast. The city’s history is also showcased in the Siege Museum, the Museum of Free Derry, St. Columb’s Cathedral, and the stained glass windows in the Neo-Gothic Guildhall.


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

In the last few years, governments and corporations around the world have come under increasing pressure to act on a global air pollution crisis. In Europe, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) has been at the centre of the debate, following the dieselgate scandal and numerous legal battles faced by governments that have been shown to be in breach of legal limits. [...] NO2 also has a detrimental effect on biodiversity, inhibiting plant growth. In the UK, it’s been estimated that (pdf) 63% of the most sensitive wildlife habitats have been affected by excessive nitrogen deposits.


UK air standards call for average annual NO2 readings to be under 40 micrograms per cubic metre


Many European countries do not meet legal air quality standards for ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) near roads; a problem that has been forecasted to persist to 2030. Although European air quality standards regulate NO2 concentrations, emissions standards for new vehicles instead set limits for NOx—the combination of nitric oxide (NO) and NO2. From around 1990 onwards, the total emissions of NOx declined significantly in Europe, but roadside concentrations of NO2—a regulated species—declined much less than expected. This discrepancy has been attributed largely to the increasing usage of diesel vehicles in Europe and more directly emitted tailpipe NO2. Here we apply a data-filtering technique to 130 million hourly measurements of NOx, NO2 and ozone (O3) from roadside monitoring stations across 61 urban areas in Europe over the period 1990–2015 to estimate the continent-wide trends of directly emitted NO2. We find that the ratio of NO2 to NOx emissions increased from 1995 to around 2010 but has since stabilized at a level that is substantially lower than is assumed in some key emissions inventories. The proportion of NOx now being emitted directly from road transport as NO2 is up to a factor of two smaller than the estimates used in policy projections. We therefore conclude that there may be a faster attainment of roadside NO2 air quality standards across Europe than is currently expected. [...] Grice, S. et al. Recent trends and projections of primary NO2 emissions in Europe. Atmos. Environ.43, 2154–2167 (2009).


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

Fifth of Belfast workers employed in digital tech sector Tech Nation has said a fifth of Belfast's workers are now employed in the digital tech sector, as it prepared to hold an industry event today. Belfast's digital tech sector had almost 17,000 vacancies during 2018, according to research by the Government body into digital tech jobs.


New data analysed by Tech Nation revealed that 26pc of Belfast’s workforce is now employed in the digital technology economy. [...] Belfast is one of nine cities in the UK, outside of London, to have more than one-fifth of the workforce employed in the technology sector. The other cities are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Bristol, Reading, Cardiff and Cambridge. Of these cities, Cambridge and Belfast have the highest penetration of digital tech jobs at nearly 26pc. According to jobs website Adzuna, Belfast had the highest proportion of digital tech vacancies in 2019.


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 @article{Aluga2021SocioeconomicDO, title={Socioeconomic determinants of teenage pregnancy and early motherhood in the United Kingdom: A perspective}, author={David Aluga and Elvis Anyaehiechukwu Okolie}, journal={Health Promotion Perspectives}, year={2021}, volume={11}, pages={426 - 429}, url={https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:245337744} [...] 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… [PDF] Semantic Reader 7 Citations [...] TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE


Background: The UK has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Western Europe. One-fifth of these are repeat pregnancies. Unintended conceptions can cause substantial emotional, psychological and educational harm to teenagers, often with enduring implications for life chances. Babies of teenage mothers have increased mortality and are at a significantly increased risk of poverty, educational underachievement and unemployment later in life, with associated costs to society. It is important to identify effective, cost-effective and acceptable interventions. [...] Conclusions: We found no evidence to indicate that existing interventions to reduce repeat teenage pregnancy were effective; however, subsequent births were reduced by home-based interventions. Qualitative and realist evidence helped to explain gaps in intervention design that should be addressed. More theory-based, rigorously evaluated programmes need to be developed to reduce repeat teenage pregnancy in the UK. [...] Intervention Now To Eliminate Repeat Unintended Pregnancy in Teenagers (INTERUPT): a systematic review of intervention effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, qualitative and realist synthesis of implementation factors and user engagement.BMJ Open. 2014 Apr 10;4(4):e004733. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004733. BMJ Open. 2014. PMID: 24722200 Free PMC article. Review.


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

A further point to note is the wide ranges involved with all these estimates. The £830m upper bound for the estimated cost of division is more than double the lower bound (£400m). [...] The Cost of Division in Northern Ireland is a briefing paper from UU’s Transforming Education series. Although this new report’s primary focus is on education, it also looks at the wider context of division. [...] "In 2016, the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University produced figures for the cost of division in NI. They too admitted that teasing out the costs that are due to division is challenging and, in relation to social costs for example, they concede that "division has created significant social issues and associated costs, but these have not been identified or quantified". Also, they only considered data provided by others – they undertook no primary research themselves. Nonetheless, by comparing the costs for public services in NI with other similar regions of the UK, they produced an upper and a lower figure within which costs could at least partly be ascribed to division. This additional cost was calculated at between around £400 million and £830 million per year – over half of this attributed to policing and justice which is considerably more expensive in NI than elsewhere in the UK."


Do divisions in society cost Northern Ireland between £400m and £830m every year? [...] In its manifesto issued ahead of the 2023 local government elections, the Alliance Party claimed: "The current estimates of the cost of division range betweenArticles |


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 - Official data indicates that 22.9% of all women in England and Wales has been the victim of rape or sexual assault in their lifetime - Given population sizes, it is reasonable to assume this is a fair representation of the percentage in the UK as a whole [...] "In a society where 3 women are killed each week by a men and 1 in 4 women are raped or sexually assaulted, misogyny is endemic." [...] Various sources are available with information relevant to Ms Nicholl’s claim that an average of three women are killed each week by men.


Domestic, dating, and sexual violence are costly and pervasive problems in the U.S., causing victims, as well as witnesses and bystanders, in every community to suffer incalculable pain and loss. [...] Domestic, Dating and Sexual Violence in the United States - On average more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States.1 - Nearly one in four women in the United States reports experiencing violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend at some point in her life.2 - Women are much more likely than men to be victimized by a current or former intimate partner.3 Women are 84 percent of spouse abuse victims and 86 percent of victims of abuse at the hands of a boyfriend or girlfriend. About three-fourths of the persons who commit family violence are male.4 - Women ages 20 to 24 are at the greatest risk of experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence.5 [...] Prevalence of Violence Against Women Globally - The United Nations Development Fund for Women estimates that at least one of every three women globally will be beaten, raped or otherwise abused during her lifetime. In most cases, the abuser is a member of her own family.12


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

The backstop proved one of the most contentious issues in parliamentary debates on the draft Withdrawal Agreement. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) opposed it because it would have introduced differences in regulation between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, which it saw as a threat to Northern Ireland’s place in the Union. A majority of people in Northern Ireland supported the backstop, however, as it gave them privileged access to both the UK and EU markets. In January 2019, the UK government published proposals on how the UK, including the Northern Ireland executive, could influence both the decision to use the backstop and its governance if it came into effect, as well as a commitment that the rest of the UK would unilaterally align with the single market regulations being applied in Northern Ireland. Other Brexiteers are opposed to the backstop because it would mean the UK remaining in a customs territory with the EU, removing the UK’s ability to vary its tariffs, a key component of trade deals.


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

Nine months ago I was part of a group of young people who started a political campaign. We wanted our voices to be heard on Brexit. We’ve now built a national movement across campuses, schools, towns and cities. [...] This is not only Labour ducking its duty, it is poor politics. After all, it was my generation that propelled Corbyn to the brink of Downing Street last year. And my generation will turn its back on him if he betrays us now. One poll last week shows Labour’s support among young people would plummet from 60% to 33% if it helps enable Brexit. I am part of a generation that has experimented with political engagement in a way that most young people have not for 30 years or more. But what we’re witnessing from our political leaders makes me want to recoil once more. In October 700,000 people – many of them young – marched peacefully through the streets of London calling for the public to be given the final say on Brexit. We have since taken a bus to every corner of the country, with the statistic that 77% of young people don’t want Brexit emblazoned on the side. We’ve been to hundreds of schools and have heard the same messages time and again: we are scared about how Brexit will affect our futures; many of us did not have a say in the initial vote; and if we were given a chance to make our voices heard we would vote to stay in Europe.


Northern Ireland has the highest rate of femicide in Western Europe

The death of 21-year-old Salomé has been recorded as the 100th case of femicide this year. [...] In 2018, the ministry of the interior had recorded 121 femicides. On Sunday, the 101st case was recorded, that of a 92-year-old woman killed by her 94-year-old husband in southern France. In western Europe, France is said to be among the countries with the highest rate of women killed by their partner, with 0.18 victims per 100,000 women, according to 2017 Eurostat figures.


In this ranking, France and Germany are far ahead of Romania (84 female deaths), the United Kingdom (70) or Italy (65). As the French 24-hour news channel BFMTV noted on its website, this figure is also related to the number of inhabitants in the country. Taking that into account, Romania has the highest percentage of femicides. There are 4.3 deaths of women by voluntary homicide per million inhabitants, followed by Hungary (4.2), Finland (3.6) and Germany (2.3). France ranks sixth with 1.8 murders of women per million inhabitants. [...] The case of Northern Ireland is a peculiar one. If we separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom, the number of femicides reaches a high level of 4.2 deaths per million inhabitants, or eight murders of women in 2017.


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.

In 2007, following a review of environmental governance in Northern Ireland, the Assembly debated an Alliance Party motion calling on the Executive to establish an independent environmental protection agency for Northern Ireland, as recommended in the review's report, 'Foundations for the future'. The Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Féin supported the motion, but, while the Ulster Unionists supported our amendment in that debate, to establish an independent environmental protection agency in the lifetime of that Assembly, Sinn Féin did not. Sinn Féin, however, supported a DUP amendment that called for more work to be undertaken — a repeat of déjà-vu? — before decisions could be taken. It was ever thus.


The review of environmental governance examined a wider issue, but it is absolutely clear that the authors of that report saw an independent environmental protection agency as the key driver for changing environmental governance in Northern Ireland and for ensuring that progress is made. However, that was not just the view of the usual range of environmental non-governmental organisations; groups such as the Confederation of British Industry, the Quarry Products Association, and the Consumer Council all backed that call. We have seen in recent weeks that that is not just a good idea; it is now an essential idea. [...] I support the creation of an EPA — and I assure Members that this is a personal view, not a party view — because I believe that we need a strong independent voice to stand by the environment in Northern Ireland — a voice that will state, when things go wrong, that that cannot be allowed to continue. The EHS cannot do that because it is within the Government structures; if it tried to do so, it would be sat on, either by its own Department or by the greater Executive, and told not to rock the boat. [...] The review of environmental governance report of May 2007 advised the creation of an independent EPA. Our party’s submission to that review was delivered by my colleague Sam Gardiner. We supported the proposal at an evidence-gathering meeting of the environmental governance panel — a meeting from which the DUP and Sinn Féin were noticeably absent.


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

A revised version of CPGRAMS portal meant to address public grievances was launched in June 2007. In fact, the concept of directly accepting petitions to handle public grievances was initiated as early as 2002. Since then, a total of 8972 grievance petitions were received by the DOP&T and most of the issues were resolved before 90 days of filing the petition as of 31 January 2014. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.


IGMS 2.0, implemented by IIT Kanpur, upgrades DARPG’s CPGRAMS portal with AI "PM Modi has flagged again and again that Grievance Redressal is important for accountability of the Government and also for the Citizen-centric Governance": Dr Jitendra Singh [...] With a ballooning caseload of problems being raised by the common man and their trust in the timebound redressal of their grievances, close to 20 lakh grievances are received annually on the CPGRAMS portal. In view of the large number of grievances, the classification and monitoring of grievances cannot be done manually. Thus, the IGMS portal will help the DARPG with creation of draft letter for selected scheme/ministry and expedite the grievance redressal process by the concerned ministry/department. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh, said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has flagged again and again that Grievance Redressal is important for accountability of the Government and also for the Citizen-centric Governance. A more robust human interface mechanism including Counselling post-resolution of the grievance has also been introduced.


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

Like social media posts and other forms of digital communication, text messages can be used as evidence in court and can be instrumental in the outcome of both criminal and civil cases. [...] Text messages can be used to prove wrongdoing or support a defense position in a wide variety of court cases, ranging from family law matters like divorce and child custody to personal injury lawsuits to criminal trials. [...] In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling in June to overturn Roe v. Wade, concerns are on the rise about the potential use of text messages, location data, and other digital information to punish people who discuss or search for information about access to abortion services. In the past, text messages have been used as evidence on a number of occasions against women facing criminal charges related to the end of their pregnancies.


The criminalization of certain electronic communication under the BNS is supplemented by the BSA recognizing electronic records like emails, voicemails, location data, etc. as evidence. Under the erstwhile Evidence Act, the acceptable formats of electronic evidence were restricted to paper, optical, or magnetic forms such as CD ROMs. The BSA has now included semiconductor memory like SD cards as a format of electronic evidence and communication devices as a source of electronic records.[3] Consequently, messages, chats, or voice recordings on mobile phones can be produced before courts as evidence. The BSA has not only expanded the sources of electronic evidence but has also enhanced its significance. Previously the Evidence Act classified electronic records only as secondary evidence. If an original document, considered primary evidence, is unavailable, secondary evidence such as copies or descriptions can be presented to the court with its prior approval. Section 57 of the BNS now classifies electronic records as primary evidence and Section 61 declares that they have the same value as physical documents.


Electronic evidence can be used against a person in a court of law. The main purpose of electronic evidence is to help to prove a person’s guilt or innocence in a court of law. [...] Text messages: Text messages are an example of electronic evidence. They can be used to prove that you were in contact with someone and details of your communication in line with the matter in issue. [...] Electronic evidence evidence can be used in court cases to prove or disprove that a certain event happened. It is usually considered more reliable than other forms of evidence, such as physical evidence. However, there are some issues with electronic evidence. For example, it can be destroyed or modified by the defendant. It may also be difficult to find the defendant’s original data.


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.

Key points - By the time India and Pakistan became independent nations in 1947, Britain had controlled much of the region for nearly 200 years. [...] - There were many organisations and key individuals who helped bring British rule over India to an end. [...] The end of British rule in India


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.


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

Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015 is an Act of the Parliament of India. It aims to curb black money, or undisclosed foreign assets and income and imposes tax and penalty on such income. The Act has been passed by both the Houses of the Parliament. The Act has received the assent of the President of India on 26 May 2015.[1][2] It came into effect from 1 July 2015. [...] See also [edit]References [edit]- ^ "Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015" (PDF). 26 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015. [...] - ^ a b c d e f g h "BLACK MONEY (UNDISCLOSED FOREIGN INCOME AND ASSETS) AND IMPOSITION OF TAX ACT, 2015;". www.incometaxindia.gov.in. Retrieved 7 September 2018.


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

Bulandshahr violence LIVE UPDATES: Martyred Policeman’s sister says Subodh Singh was killed because he was investigating Akhlaq's case [...] Here's What Happened In Bulandshahr - [...] BulandshahrRead all breaking news in English first on ABP News. For everything on Bollywood, Sports, Covid-19 Vaccine updates read the most reliable English news website, ABP News । For more related stories, follow: News in English


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

The BJP government published an infographic on the 48-months portal that makes claims about fish production in the country. This article is a fact check of the claims.


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). The restructured Plan Scheme on Blue Revolution - 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). [...] Key components of the Scheme:1. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and its activities 2. Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture 3. Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Operations 4. Strengthening of Database & Geographical Information System of the Fisheries Sector 5. Institutional Arrangement for Fisheries Sector 6. Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) and other need-based Interventions 7. National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen


An Umbrella Scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’with an Outlay of Rs. 3000 crore Proposed- Radha Mohan Singh "World Fisheries Day- 2015 Inaugurated" Union Agriculture and Farmers welfare Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh today here inaugurate the "World fisheries Day-2015". Shri Singh on the occasion said that "considering the importance and growth potential of the sector, and considering the need for effective implementation of different schemes, the Ministry by merging all the existing schemes, has proposed to formulate an umbrella scheme ‘Blue Revolution: Integrated Development and Management of Fisheries’ with an outlay of Rs. 3000 crore. This umbrella scheme will cover inland fisheries, aquaculture, marine fisheries including deep sea fishing, mari-culture and all activities undertaken by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) towards realizing "Blue Revolution". Minister further said that a "focused approach of this nature shall lead to ushering in Blue Revolution through an integrated development and management of fisheries and aquaculture sector and would ensure sustained acceleration and intensification of fish production beyond the projected annual growth rate."


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

Remarkably, Apeel is even found on organic produce in the United States, and according to the company's website, it cannot be washed off. While regulatory bodies in various countries have approved Apeel's product for use on fresh produce, including organic items meant to be free from industrial contamination, many remain unconvinced of its safety. Apeel's own FDA documents reveal that the manufacturing process involves toxic heavy metals and solvents, which can accumulate in the human body over time and contribute to numerous health conditions including chronic illness. [...] Apeel is composed of "food-grade mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids derived from plants." The FDA categorizes monoglycerides as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) food additives and ingredients, indicating that they do not pose an immediate health risk. Currently, food producers typically use monoglycerides and diglycerides in small quantities, making it difficult to determine the impact of consuming large amounts of these fats on human health. Monoglycerides contain small traces of trans fats, which occur naturally in various types of meat, dairy, and, to a lesser extent, plant- or nut-based oils. While small amounts of trans fats are not concerning, consuming significant quantities of trans fats has been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.


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

These visuals are related to an old incident from 2021 wherein two sisters from a tribal community in Pipalwa village of Dhar district, MP were beaten brutally by their family members for talking to their maternal uncle’s sons on the phone. The incident took place in July 2021 and there is no caste discrimination associated to the incident. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.


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

The government published an infographic titled ‘New momentum for new India’ on the 48-months portal. It makes two claims regarding construction of houses and distribution of LED lights. The following article is a fact check of these claims.


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

Scientists have long pointed to changes in climate, such as the onset of wet or dry periods, as the key driving force behind the adaptation of our early ancestors. The new study puts this idea to the test by examining a detailed record of environmental changes over almost a million years, etched into a 456-foot-long core of sediment layers extracted from an ancient lake. [...] Windows into our ancient ancestors’ lives at this time reveal they were surprisingly advanced for such an early date. Their tools were diverse and much more compact, including small triangular stone points that could have been used as projectiles. "Things start out big and clunky and they become small and portable," Potts says of the shift. "It’s like the history of technology ever since." [...] With resources scarce or in flux, ancient humans were likely forced to travel farther away from familiar lands, she notes. "Did that lead to them discovering different types of resources? Did that lead to increased cooperation with other groups to survive? Did it lead to advances in technology to help them eke out a living?" Krueger wonders. "These are the questions this study is exploring."


We often think about our distant ancestors as primitive, equipped with the crudest of tools and a limited set of skills. But more often than not, we are terribly mistaken. Ancient civilizations are usually underestimated. History shows us that they repeatedly demonstrated incredible ingenuity and engineering prowess, even in the most distant past. From the stone age to the advent of metallurgy, these cultures thrived despite all. But still, certain ancient innovations and technologies remain a great enigma, as they cannot be replicated and fully understood. The mystery of ancient engineering challenges modern perception of the world’s first civilizations. Were they smarter than we think? [...] The exact process through which the Romans created such advanced art pieces remains a mystery, especially since nanotechnology was only understood by modern science in the 20th century. All this tells us that ancient artisans certainly possessed knowledge and techniques that were much more advanced than we first thought. [...] These ten incredible feats of ancient engineering are proof enough that our distant ancestors were much more sophisticated than we first thought. What is more, they definitely had an eye for art and magnificence and spared no effort or expense in order to create them.


This is still hard for some skeptical writers and observers to believe. They insist that the primitive methods used by early modern and ancient Egyptian stone masons were not enough and that it must have been with more advanced equipment that the ancient Egyptians bored through solid granite. They argue that this is evidence that the ancient Egyptians and other civilizations were much more technologically sophisticated than is currently believed. While it is possible that more advanced technologies could have been developed by earlier civilizations then anticipated, there does not appear to be much reliable evidence to support this idea. If the ancient Egyptians did cut through granite with equipment such as electric drills or lasers or similarly advanced technology, these hewn granite slabs are the only evidence for it that we have. So far, there is no indisputable evidence of physical remains of electrical batteries or wires or anything else that would suggest that the ancient Egyptians used technology that was more advanced than what is expected for that period. [...] There is one case which some proponents of the idea that ancient Egypt was more advanced than contemporary archaeology would suggest - evidence that the ancient Egyptians used light bulbs. The temple of Hathor at the Dendera complex in Egypt contains several stone reliefs that appear to some observers to be a light bulb.


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 lakh, or over 117 million.


ECONOMY: India FDI Equity Inflows Grow By 47.8% YoY In Q1FY25 [...] On the back of the strong performance of the services sector, computer hardware and software, trading and telecommunications, India’s foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflows in the first quarter of the current financial year reported a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 47.8 per cent. As per the data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the FDI equity inflows in the country in Q1FY25 increased to USD 16.17 billion. The total FDI inflows in India increased by 28 per cent YoY to USD 22.49 billion in Q1FY25. The FDI equity inflow was USD 10.9 billion during the corresponding quarter a year ago. The FDI equity inflows in the country reported a dip of 3 per cent YoY in FY 23-24 as the figure fell to USD 44.42 billion in FY 23-24 as compared with USD 46.03 billion in FY 22-23, the data revealed.


Data on the foreign direct investment (FDI) positions of American companies are also analyzed. Examining FDI data allows for an indirect investigation into the degree of profit shifting. The FDI data show that the same seven tax haven countries accounted for nearly half (47%) of the worldwide FDI position of the United States. The data also show that an increasing share of FDI is being held via holding companies. The report discusses that some of the increased use of holding companies may be tax motivated. Lastly, data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations (UN) on the location of the FDI positions of all countries indicate that profit shifting is likely an international issue. [...] Shown in Figure 3 are the 10 countries with the largest positions of U.S. FDI. American MNCs are reporting a significant share of their FDI as occurring in tax-preferred countries. The seven tax-preferred countries -- Netherlands, Luxembourg, Bermuda, Ireland, United Kingdom Caribbean Islands, Singapore, and Switzerland -- accounted for 47% of the FDI positions of American companies, compared to 24% for the three larger industrialized nations of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Perhaps most interesting is that the Netherlands, while only a fraction of the economic size, holds more American FDI than Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.20 FDI flow data (or change in FDI over a given point of time) show similar type patterns.21


This song is an anthem created by the New Zealand government

New Zealand National Anthem - God Defend New Zealand [Full Version] [...] New Zealand National Anthem - God Defend New Zealand [...] Translations of "New Zealand National..."


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

Background: With a view to achieve the objective of making available quality generic medicines at affordable prices to all, ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’ was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November 2008 across the country. The Scheme is being implemented through an agency namely Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), Gurgaon, Haryana which is working under administrative control of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India. [...] "Making quality medicines available at affordable prices has been a key challenge. We will reinvigorate the supply of generic drugs. 3,000 Stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened during 2017." [...] The scheme is to reach every poor of the country. As a future expansion plan of PMBJKs in the country, the Ministry of Railways has also come on board to open Janaushadhi Kendra at over 1000 railway stations across the country in collaboration with the Ministry. The Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers has sent an advisory to all State Governments to open PMBJKs in every District headquarters, Tehsil / Block and bus stands etc. to increase the reach of affordable medicines to the poor and underprivileged citizens of the country.


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

The second claim is that income eligibility has been raised from Rs. 44,500 to Rs. 2.5 lakh rupees for the pre-matric scholarship for OBCs. The Ministry’s 2016-17 annual report mentions that the pre-matric scholarships are awarded to students belonging to OBCs whose parent’s income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 44,500 per annum. However, the 2017-18 annual report of the Ministry mentions the annual income limit as Rs. [...] The third claim is that income eligibility has been raised from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. According to the annual report 2017-18 of the ministry of social justice and empowerment, ‘In order to include more beneficiaries, income eligibility criteria for Pre-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes Students studying in Class IX and X was raised from Rs. 2.00 Lakh to Rs. 2.5 Lakh, at par with Post-matric scholarship for next three years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20." [...] Fact: Income eligibility criteria for Pre-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes Students studying in Class IX and X was raised from Rs. 2 Lakh to Rs. Hence, the claim is TRUE.


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

The White House Wednesday explained why its Twitter handle had 'unfollowed' the Twitter accounts of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister's office, the Indian Embassy in the US, the US Embassy in India and the US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster. [...] During President Donald Trump's visit to India in the last week of February, the official Twitter handle of the White House -- @WhiteHouse -- had started 'following' the accounts of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister's office, the Indian Embassy in the US, the US Embassy in India and the US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster. [...] The official was responding to a question on the reasons for the White House 'following' and then 'unfollowing' the Twitter handles of President Kovind, Prime Minister Modi, the PMO and the other Indian officials.


During President Donald Trump's visit to India in the last week of February, the official Twitter handle of the White House- @WhiteHouse- had started 'following' the accounts of President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister's office, the Indian Embassy in the US, the US Embassy in India and the US Ambassador to India, Ken Juster. [...] The official was responding to a question on the reasons for the White House 'following' and then 'unfollowing' the Twitter handles of President Kovind, Prime Minister Modi, the PMO and the other Indian officials. The White House 'unfollowing' the Twitter accounts of President Kovind and PM Modi drew reactions on social media in India.


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

A video claiming that the Union government is providing an allowance of Rs 3,000 per month to the unemployed youth of India under the "Pradhan Mantri Berojgari Bhatta Yojana" is being widely shared on social media platforms. This is misleading. The Union government does not provide a nationwide scheme under the said title. [...] BOOM checked Union government websites and Press Information Bureau (PIB) reports to verify the claim. We did not find any official website run by Union government with the name "Pradhan Mantri Berojgari Bhatta Yojana" providing monthly unemployment allowances to the youth of the country. [...] Further, the Chhattisgarh's Berojgari Bhatta Yojana scheme and West Bengal's Yuwasree 2023 provides eligible candidates an allowance of Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,500 per month, respectively. The eligibility criteria for these schemes is between 18-35 years of age.


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

An infographic published on the 48-Months portal of the Modi government makes certain claims about air travel and waterways. The following article is a fact check of the four claims made in this infographic.


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

With an objective of making quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India in November, 2008. The target of opening 3000 Kendras was achieved in December 2017. Further, a revised target of total 6000 outlets was also achieved in March, 2020. In this journey, the number of Kendras have now increased to 9000 from 8610 in the last financial year. Hence, the Government has deepened the reach of PMBJP with more than 9000 stores covering 743 out of 766 districts across the country. The Government has set a target to increase the number of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to 10,000 by March 2024. The product basket of PMBJP comprises 1759 medicines and 280 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups such as Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Anit-diabetics, Anti-infectives, Anti-allergic, Gastro-intestinal medicines, Nutraceuticals, etc. In addition to this, various nutraceutical products like Protein Powder, Malt-based Food Supplements, etc. and some AYUSH products like Ayuraksha Kit, Balraksha Kit and Ayush-64 tablet as Immunity boosters have been added in the product basket of the Pariyojana.


New Delhi, Feb 10 () The government is committed to end domination of 'medicine mafia' in many parts of the country for which it will push for opening 3,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra by March to provide quality drugs at affordable prices, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said today.New Delhi, Feb 10 () The government is committed to end domination of 'medicine mafia' in many parts of the country for which it will push for opening 3,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendra by March to provide quality drugs at affordable prices, Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar said today. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana, a scheme launched in 2008, the government has so far opened 777 Jan Aushadhi stores where more than 600 medicines and 150 medical devices are sold. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the nodal implementation agency for this programme. [...] The minister noted that the price of generic medicines sold in the Janaushadhi Kendras is significantly lower than the rates of branded medicines and the quality of medicines is 'WHO compliant'.


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

Gramin Agricultural Market (GrAMs) [...] Inthe Union Budget 2018-19announcement it was stated that theexisting 22,000 rural haatswould be developed and upgradedinto Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs). In these GrAMs, physical infrastructure will be strengthened using MGNREGS and other Government Schemes.[i] [...] - Government has announced to set up of an Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of Rs. 2000 crore for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing infrastructure in the 22000 Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) and 585 Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs).[ix] This fund will be utilized for development of GrAMs (Rs. 1000 crore) and strengthening/promotion of eNAM (Rs. 1000 crore).[x]


Rs.2000 Crore fund to be set up for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing infrastructure in the 22000 grams and 585 APMCS [...] Shri Jaitley said that in the last Budget, the Government had announced strengthening of e-NAM and to expand coverage of e-NAM to 585 APMCs. Out of that, 470 APMCs have been connected to e-NAM network and rest will be connected by March, 2018. Further, an Agri-Market Infrastructure Fund with a corpus of Rs.2000 crore will be set up for developing and upgrading agricultural marketing infrastructure in the 22000 Grameen Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) and 585 APMCs, the Minister informed. [...] Announcing a major step to help small and marginal farmers in fisheries and animal husbandry sector to meet their working capital needs, the Finance Minister extended the facility of Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to the sector. This would give benefit of crop loan and interest subvention, so far available to agriculture sector only under KCC, for rearing of cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep poultry and fisheries. Further, the Finance Minister also announced setting up of a Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF) for fisheries sector and an Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) for financing infrastructure requirement of animal husbandry sector. Total Corpus of these two new Funds would be Rs.10,000 crore.


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

The government has published an infographic that makes certain claims about financial inclusion and insurance. Here is a fact check of these claims.


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)

Government Initiatives and Schemes - Neem Coating of Urea: The Department of Fertilizers (DoF) has made it mandatory for all the domestic producers to produce 100% urea as Neem Coated Urea (NCU). - New Urea Policy (NUP) 2015: Objectives of the policy are- - To maximize indigenous urea production. [...] - It aims at ensuring the balanced use of fertilizers, improving agricultural productivity, promoting the growth of the indigenous fertilizers industry and also reducing the burden of Subsidy.


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

Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is an autonomous organization established under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, (Registration Number S/1440/2016), under the aegis of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, New Delhi. It was established on 28th September 2015. [...] Training Session on ISL ISLRTC organized online training session on Indian Sign Language on…


In a world where communication is key to inclusion and participation, the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) stands as a beacon of hope and progress for the deaf community in India. Established to promote the use and development of Indian Sign Language (ISL), ISLRTC plays a pivotal role in enhancing accessibility and inclusion for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. This blog delves into the mission, initiatives, and impact of ISLRTC in promoting accessibility through Indian Sign Language. The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre was established in 2011 under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The primary objective of ISLRTC is to promote the use of Indian Sign Language as a medium of communication and to ensure its development through research, training, and standardization. By doing so, ISLRTC aims to empower the deaf community and foster an inclusive society where communication barriers are minimized. [...] The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is at the forefront of promoting accessibility and inclusion through Indian Sign Language. Its comprehensive approach, encompassing research, training, standardization, and advocacy, has significantly advanced the rights and opportunities of the deaf community in India. As ISLRTC continues to grow and evolve, its efforts will undoubtedly lead to a more inclusive and equitable society where communication barriers are a thing of the past.


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

Kolkata: Amid the controversy over Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's family being in "illegal" possession of land in Visva-Bharati campus, the central university on Saturday demanded that the West Bengal government measure the plot to resolve the issue. [...] A controversy had erupted on December 24 last year, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebrations of Visva-Bharati, when media reported that the university has written to the West Bengal government alleging dozens of land parcels owned by it were wrongfully recorded in the names of private parties including Mr Sen. [...] Stating that the Visva-Bharati authorities had never complained to him or his family about any irregularity in holding the land, Mr Sen has accused the VC of acting at the behest of the Centre "with its growing control over Bengal".


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

Neither the Hyderabad police nor the Government of India has issued any such advisory alerting about the contamination of cool drinks with Ebola virus. This has been confirmed by clarifications from both the Hyderabad police and PIB. Additionally, there are no reports suggesting such contamination. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.


The Winter Session of Parliament postponed in 2011 during UPA rule

The government will call the Winter Session of Parliament in December and its dates will be announced soon, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said on Tuesday while citing precedents during the UPA rule to reject the Congress' allegations of "delay".
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Kumar said the opposition party is suffering from "selective amnesia" as during the Congress-led UPA rule, Winter Sessions were held in December 2008 and December 2013.
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"Usually, care is taken not to overlap the Parliament session with Assembly elections.


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.

China blocks India’s move to ban Jaish chief Masood Azhar, again China said on Saturday its technical hold on India’s move to get Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the United Nations has "been extended", days before the expiry of the hold. Ties between India and China are set to take a hit after Beijing on Saturday said it has extended the decision to block New Delhi’s appeal to the United Nations to label Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a terrorist.


JeM, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2001, has at least several hundred armed supporters - including a large cadre of former HuM members - located in Pakistan, southern Kashmir and Doda regions and in the Valley. [...] June 6: From a confidential cable dated August 21, 2009 sent by the American Embassy in Beijing to Washington, it has come to light that Chinese authorities had place a technical hold on an Indian request to impose sanctions on three high-ranking Pakistan-based operatives of the Laskhar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to the cable, the Indian request to list three militants, namely, Abdul Rahman Makki (brother of LeT/JuD leader Hafiz Saeed and the number two man in the LeT hierarchy), Azam Cheema (LeT intelligence chief and a key advisor of its senior leader Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi) and Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi (the founder of the JeM) under the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1267 was vetoed by China on the grounds of lack of sufficient information to merit such action. According to the U.S. State Department, China's hold on listing the three terrorists was done at the behest of Pakistan [...] The US Secretary of State redesignates the Jaish-e-Mohammed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.


Pictures in the post are old images which correspond to the Congress party‘s celebrations after its victory on different occasions. Hence the claim mentioned in the post is FALSE.


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

A Facebook post promoting the product ‘JANSIO Threanic Triple-Spin Ring’ is being shared on social media claiming that wearing the ring would cause substantial weight loss. Let’s verify the claim made in the post. [...] The product website claims that the ring is entirely magnetized and the electromagnetic charge released by it will remove blockages in the body thus causing weight reduction. However, according to the Federal Trade Commission(FTC), products worn on the body or applied to the skin do not cause substantial weight loss. According to a cautionary guide released by FTC, several experts suggest that products like rings, patches, creams etc clarified that these products do not help in losing weight. [...] To sum it up, there is no evidence to suggest that wearing a magnetized ring will help in substantial weight loss.


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There is no evidence to suggest that magnetic rings, or similar magnetic devices, aid in weight loss. Also, according to Federal Trade Commission, ‘Nothing you can wear or apply to your skin will cause you to lose weight’. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.


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

Shatrughan Sinha's meeting with Rahul Gandhi confirmed what had been brewing for days. (PTI) Highlights - Shatrughan Sinha met Congress President Rahul Gandhi - Rahul Gandhi was very encouraging and positive: Shatrughan Sinha - I consider Nehru-Gandhis nation builder: Shatrughan Sinha New Delhi: Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who refused to quit the BJP for years despite a relationship best described as "complicated", has finally decided to join the Congress. His meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday and their photo together confirmed what had been brewing for days. Later, he tweeted that he was "painfully, on the way out of BJP".


A post with the picture showing Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Navjot Sidhu and Shatrughan Sinha with the Pak PM and its Army Chief is being shared by many Facebook users. In the post, it was written that voting for Congress was like voting for Pakistan. Let’s try to analyze the authenticity of the picture posted. [...] On doing the Google reverse image search, the photo was found in the ‘ARY NEWS’ article dated Apr 4, 2019 with the title "Army Chief calls on PM Khan, discusses security-related matters". The image in this article is photoshopped to show as if Rahul Gandhi, Shatrughan Sinha, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Mamata Banerjee are with Pakistan’s PM and its Army Chief. Hence, the picture showing Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Navjot Sidhu and Shatrughan Sinha with the Pak PM and its Army Chief is a photoshopped one.


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

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan-PMSMA - 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 Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has been rolled out in all States/ UTs. [...] - More than 2.70 lakh high risk pregnancies have been identified under PMSMA.


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

How has technology changed the Indian Railways and made it better – Explained [...] Indian Railways, the world's third-largest train network, has experienced considerable expansion and change since its founding in 1853. The industry's brains have shown great achievements in the fields of speedier services and passenger safety, from employing ecologically beneficial accommodations for passengers to operating an engine-less train. Much of the credit goes to technological advancements, which have enhanced systems, infrastructure, and signalling, giving rail travel new significance. Let's take a look at how technology has benefited in the recent upgrading of the train travel sector. [...] The Indian Railways` new diesel locomotives are now outfitted with GPS devices to monitor their health. The entire system is equipped with a GPS receiver, processor panel, onboard sensor, and other components to capture and process data via GPRS service, which is then sent to a central server for further processing. The Indian Railways also employs REMMLOT technology to track train arrival and departure times.


A collage of images is being shared on social media claiming it to be pictures comparing the technological advancements in the Indian Railways before and after the BJP government in the country. The first photo shows railway staff cleaning a platform manually using mops, whereas, the second picture shows the staff using machinery for sweeping the platform. Comparing the pictures, this post claims it as the testimony of ‘Ache Din’ in the country. Let’s verify the claim made in the post. [...] Fact: Both the pictures shared in the post were taken in 2020 during the BJP government in the country. The first picture shows railway staff cleaning a platform at the Howrah Junction railway station after the nearly seven-week lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020. The other photo shows the staff cleaning a platform of Asansol railway station, as part of the ‘Swachhta Saptah’ in August 2020. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE. [...] To sum it up, these photos do not show the state of Indian Railways before and after the BJP government in the country.


20 new super specialty AIIMS – like hospitals being set up

• Each new AIIMS will have 15-20 Super Specialty Departments. [...] Establishment of new AIIMS involves creation of Hospital, Teaching Block for medical & nursing courses, residential complex and allied facilities/services, broadly on the pattern of AIIMS, New Delhi and other six new AIIMS taken up under Phase-I of PMSSY. The objective is to establish the new AIIMS as Institutions of National Importance for providing quality tertiary healthcare, medical education, nursing education and research in the Region. [...] Setting up of new AIIMS would not only transform health education and training but also address the shortfall of health care professionals in the region. The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super speciality health care to the population while also help create a large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region that can be available for primary and secondary level institutions / facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM). Construction of new AIIMS is fully funded by the Central Government. The Operations & Maintenance expenses on new AIIMS are also fully borne by the Central Government.


The annual report (2017-18) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) states that ‘the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) has been launched with the objective of correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and to also augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. PMSSY has two components – setting up of AIIMS like institutions and up-gradation of existing State Government Medical Colleges/ Institutions and is being taken up in phased manner. Upgradation programme broadly envisages improving health infrastructure through construction of Super Specialty Blocks/Trauma centres etc. and procurement of medical equipment for existing as well as new facilities on Central and State share basis. In first phase of PMSSY, six AIIMS one each at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh and up-gradation of 13 existing State Government Medical Colleges/Institutions(GMCIs) have been taken up. Under Phase-II of PMSSY, AIIMS at Rae Bareli and up-gradation of 6 is being taken up’. [...] The first claim is that ‘20 new super specialty AIIMS – like hospitals being set up’. [...] Fact: Six AIIMS-like institutions have been setup under the PMSSY scheme and are functioning, all of which were approved during the UPA. The current government approved setting up of 15 new AIIMS like institutions in these 5 years. Hence the claim is MISLEADING.


The Union Cabinet has given nod for setting up 20 super-speciality All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIM S)-- like hospitals and also upgradation of 73 medical colleges at a cost of Rs 14,832 crore. [...] The construction of the new AIIMS will be fully funded by the Central government. It will also bear the operation and maintenance expenses of these facilities.


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

The Union government has distributed 11.69 crore soil health cards in the last two years under a scheme that enables the country’s farmers to understand the soil health parameters and improve productivity. The soil health card scheme was launched by the Narendra Modi government to tackle a fall in soil nutrients. The use of soil health card has led to an 8-10% decline in the use of chemical fertilizers and raised productivity by 5-6%, according to a National Productivity Council study. Under the phase I of the scheme, the central government had distributed 10.74 crore cards between 2015 and 2017. The states have been sanctioned 429 static labs, 102 new mobile labs, 8,752 mini labs and 1,562 village-level laboratories apart from strengthening the 800 existing labs. [...] The government is implementing Development of Model Villages, a pilot project for sampling and testing of soil in partnership with farmers in the current fiscal year. A model village is selected for collection and analysis of soil samples. At least 13.53 lakh soil health cards have been distributed under the scheme in 2019-20. The state governments will undertake the analysis of soil composition in every two years to take remedial steps to improve soil quality. The farmers can track soil samples and soil health card reports.


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

BHOPAL: A Muslim woman was thrashed by relatives brutally for voting for the party of her preference in the recently concluded elections. The incident took place in Barkheda Hasan village in Sehore district and the victim was identified as Samina. According to reports, it was Samina’s brother-in-law Javed Khan who unleashed the attack on Samina, for her liking towards the BJP. While responding to the media, Samina said she was tortured by her in-laws with slaps and punches just for voting for BJP. Samina said she voted for BJP after getting benefitted from Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s vanity project ‘Ladli Behna Yojana‘, which promises a monthly stipend of Rs 1,250 to eligible women. This has also been touted as the one single project that helped the BJP win the anti-incumbency wave in MP. [...] On December 4, Javed Khan reached her residence and started abusing her which later morphed into physical assaults. Samina justified that she voted according to her conscience, but was thrashed by Javed and his wife.


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

Labour - The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha on February 3, 2017 by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya. The Bill amends the Payment of Wages Act, 1936. - The Bill replaces the Payment of Wages Ordinance, 2016 which was promulgated on December 28, 2016. [...] - The Bill amends the 1936 Act to permit the employer to pay an employee’s wages: (i) in coin or currency notes; or (ii) by cheque; or (iii) by crediting them into his bank account. The Bill removes the requirement of obtaining written authorisation for payment of wages by cheque or through a bank account.


The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017 - The Payment of Wages (Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha on February 3, 2017 by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya. The Bill amends the Payment of Wages Act, 1936. - The Bill replaces the Payment of Wages Ordinance, 2016 which was promulgated on December 28, 2016. [...] - The Bill amends the 1936 Act to permit the employer to pay an employee’s wages: (i) in coin or currency notes; or (ii) by cheque; or (iii) by crediting them into his bank account. The Bill removes the requirement of obtaining written authorisation for payment of wages by cheque or through a bank account.


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.

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.


It is alarming and also nauseating to see Mr Gandhi, a seditious Middle Temple lawyer, now posing as a fakir of a type well known in the East, striding half-naked up the steps of the Vice-regal palace....to parley on equal terms with the representative of the King-Emperor.[138] [...] Gandhi was the leading genius of the later, and ultimately successful, campaign for India's independence. [...] Gandhi is not only the greatest figure in India's history, but his influence is felt in almost every aspect of life and public policy.


Epilogue -- [We need better statesmanship than Mr. Gandhi and Mr. [...] Gandhi could be so blind as not to see how Mr. Jinnah's influence over the Muslim masses has been growing day by day, and how he has engaged himself in mobilizing all his forces for battle. Never before was Mr. [...] Rahul Gandhi’s willingness to write off Dalits in general and Jatavs in particular in UP by doing as little as possible to discipline