Bbc News: Misinformation, a Claimed Downed Jet in Jalalabad and the USS Gerald R Ford — Verification Roundup
Today's news verification feed focused on three intertwined strands: misinformation circulating after Pakistan's strikes in Afghanistan, a separate claim that an Afghan Taliban action downed a Pakistani jet in Jalalabad with the pilot captured alive, and fresh updates on the USS Gerald R Ford's extended deployment. All three threads have immediate operational and information-security implications for the region and for audiences trying to separate verified facts from recycled footage and AI-generated material.
News verification: misinformation spreading over Pakistan strikes in Afghanistan
The verification feed spent much of the day on Afghanistan after Pakistan conducted strikes on targets in two provinces and the capital of Kabul in response to a major offensive against Pakistani military posts announced by the Taliban. Misinformation has proliferated around those strikes: teams are debunking AI-generated images and old video footage that claim to show downed aircraft following overnight strikes by Pakistan on targets in Afghanistan. The feed notes that open-source intelligence, satellite imagery, fact-checking and data analysis are being used to examine these claims. This feed is where the team posts work throughout the day, and readers were invited to get in touch by following a link provided in the original feed distribution.
Claims of a downed Pakistani jet in Jalalabad
Separately, headlines circulating include variations such as "Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive" and "Afghan Taliban shoots down Pakistani jet in Jalalabad, capture pilot alive. " These assertions are being tracked alongside the broader misinformation effort connected to Pakistan's strikes. The verification feed has made the presence of these claims a central focus while checking imagery and video that have been shared online. The status of the claim is being treated as developing in the feed while verification work continues.
What the feed listed on the USS Gerald R Ford
Teams also followed developments around the world's largest warship, the USS Gerald R Ford. The carrier left Greece yesterday and is expected to arrive near Israel. Coverage notes the ship's deployment now extends to 247 days and that recent attention has centered on alleged plumbing issues. Old videos circulating online claiming to show overflowing toilets on board were debunked in the verification work.
The US Navy released a statement addressing some of the concerns. The statement said: "In recent weeks, media reports have raised concerns regarding shipboard systems, including sanitation. " The statement quoted Captain David Skarosi, the commanding officer of the carrier: "On a ship this size, with this many Sailors, clogs will occur. " "In most instances, " Skarosi added, "clogs are the result of items being flushed that should not be introduced into the system. " The material also recorded the statement that any plumbing issues are quickly resolved "with no impact to operational readiness. " Admiral Daryl Caudle addressed reports of low crew morale, saying: "Extended deployments demand endurance, " and that deployments "ask Sailors to miss births, anniversaries, and everyday moments at home. "
Domestic fact-checking: Polanski, the bus claim and by-elections
Alongside international coverage, the feed flagged domestic fact-checking work prompted by a Green Party by-election win. The team has been digging into claims made by Zak Polanski about wealth tax and also examined leader Zack Polanski's claims about wealth taxes in Switzerland. The feed additionally assessed Labour's claim that Nigel Farage was responsible for the £350m bus claim during the Brexit referendum campaign, following the Gorton and Denton by-election. Those domestic threads ran in parallel with the Afghanistan and naval coverage.
Verification methods, outreach and schedule
The editorial team emphasized methodologies used across these items: open-source intelligence, satellite imagery, fact-checking and data analysis. The feed noted recent outreach activity: a verification team on tour reached Glasgow this week and met nearly 200 teenagers to discuss disinformation, AI, verification and related topics. Thomas Copeland, identified as the feed's live journalist, is listed with the verification feed's updates. The feed concluded by noting that Verify will be back first thing on Monday morning, continuing the regular cadence of verification updates.
Readers should treat some items as developing while verification continues; the feed is continuing to check imagery and claims and will update on any substantive confirmations or corrections as they emerge.
