German foreign minister visits Ukraine to discuss support – DW – 06/30/2025
Ukraine as it continues its more than three-year fight against a full-scale invasion by Russia, the German Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
In a statement made upon arrival, Wadephul slammed Russia's President Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian leader wanted to conquer and subjugate Ukraine at any price.
"We will continue to stand firmly by Ukraine's side so that it can continue to defend itself successfully — with modern air defense and other weapons, with humanitarian and economic aid," Wadephul said.
Germany is Ukraine's second-biggest backer after the United States.
Wadephul's visit comes as Europe is struggling to fill the gap left by the Trump administration in the US, whose commitment to Kyiv has been called into question.
Washington has not announced any new help for Kyiv since early January.
Nearly three-quarters of people living in Germany believe their pensions will be insufficient to allow them to keep their current standard of living, with just over half of them prepared to keep working beyond the official retirement age for that reason, a survey released on Monday has shown.
In all, 54.3% of 1,163 respondents in the YouGov poll said they would be willing to keep on working beyond the legal retirement age, most of them part-time and up to the age of 70.
Of this group, one in five (19.8%) said they would keep working only if they received higher pay.
Altogether some 33% said they would not be willing to work beyond the retirement age.
The German government is planning to change rules so that older people can stay in the workforce if they so desire.
The standard retirement age in Germany is being gradually raised from 65 to 67 by 2029.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Sunday threw cold water on a motion by the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) calling for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to be banned.
Dobrindt is a member of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which leads a coalition government with the SPD.
At the close of its three-day congress in Berlin, the SPD passed a motion calling for preparations to ban the far-right AfD, after the party was classified as a "right-wing extremist" group by Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
That designation has been suspended pending a legal challenge by the AfD.
In a statement to the news agency dpa, the Green Party said it agrees with the SPD's position.
Speaking to the "Table.Today" podcast on Sunday, Dobrindt said "decisions made at the SPD party conference are not yet a mandate for the interior minister."
Dobrindt instead called for a cautious approach and to allow for the legal process to play out.
He said a federal-state interior ministers working group will address the AfD issue if the "right-wing extremist" designation is upheld in court.
The working group is awaiting a ruling from the Cologne Administrative Court on whether it agrees with the "extremist" designation.
Dobrindt, as well as Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), have previously said they are skeptical of banning the AfD, which is known for its nationalist, anti-immigration, anti-Muslim and Eurosceptic policies.
The AfD has grown in popularity over the past decade to become Germany's largest opposition party.
A woman and a young girl were found dead on a forest path in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany, on Sunday only days after a reported robbery on the same trail in Dorsten-Holsterhausen.
Police said the woman, believed to be between 25 and 30-years-old, had a head wound and may have been a victim a violent crime. The child, estimated to be between 2 and 3-years-old, was found nearby. Neither has been identified.
On Thursday a 40-year-old woman and her 1-year-old child were attacked on the same path by a man and a woman who tried to steal her handbag, before fleeing in a black BMW X6.
Jens Spahn, leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has called for Germany to immediately gain access to nuclear weapons.
"Russian aggression is a completely new threat," Spahn told . He added that US nuclear bombs stationed in Germany are no longer sufficient to deter nuclear weapons.
"Europe must become capable of deterrence," the conserative politician said. "We must talk about German or European participation in the nuclear arsenal of France and Great Britain, possibly also about our own participation with other European states."
He added, "Anyone who cannot deter nuclear weapons becomes a pawn in global politics."
Spahn's proposal was met with strong criticism from the Left Party and the SPD, a coalition partner.
SPD foreign policy expert Rolf Mützenich accused Spahn of playing with fire "when he calls for European, possibly even German, nuclear weapons." Mützenich explained that the SPD is clearly committed to the goal of nuclear non-proliferation.
The German Bundeswehr does not possess its own nuclear weapons. However, some nuclear weapons are stored in Germany under US control. In an emergency, the Bundeswehr could be called upon to deploy these weapons.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
At its party congress in Berlin, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) , which is part of the ruling coalition, voted against resuming any natural gas deliveries from Russia through the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines.
The Nord Stream pipeline system consists of two double pipelines running across the Baltic Sea to Germany. Nord Stream 1 became operational in 2011, allowing Russia to deliver directly to its German clients without paying transit fees to eastern European countries. While traditional land pipelines continued to operate after 2011, the Nord Stream project and its expansion plans enraged multiple governments in the region, including Kyiv, that saw its leverage as a gas transit country diminish in any future disputes with Russia.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
It also drew condemnation from US and EU officials, who warned that Germany was becoming too dependent on Russian gas. However, Berlin proceeded to work with Russia to build Nord Stream 2, which would run mostly parallel to the original one. German officials insisted the gas transit route was purely an economic project.
Nord Stream 2 was completed in 2021. However, it never became operational due to deteriorating relations between Russia and the West, and was eventually hit by unexplained explosions in September 2022. Additional explosions destroyed both pipelines of Nord Stream 1. Despite reports indicating Ukrainian operatives were involved in the blasts, the responsability was never officialy established.
Recently, speculation has mounted about a potential US takeover of the insolvent Nord Stream pipeline operator, which could facilitate commissioning. On Sunday, however, the delegates at the SPD party conference said they opposed such proposal that may come from their partners in the ruling coalition and "the US Republican Party."
During his visit to Israel, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced that Germany is aiming to establish a joint cyberresearch center and strengthen collaboration between the countries' intelligence and security agencies.
"Military defense alone is not sufficient for this turning point in security. A significant upgrade in civil defense is also essential to strengthen our overall defensive capabilities," Dobrindt said, according to Germany's newspaper.
According to a report, Dobrindt also outlined a five-point plan to establish a "Cyber Dome" for Germany as part of its cyberdefense strategy.
Germany is one of Israel's closest allies in Europe. As it boosts its military capabilities and contributions to NATO in the face of perceived growing threats from Russia and China, Berlin has increasingly looked to draw upon Israel's defense expertise.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
As a continentwide heat wave is set to worsen in the coming days, the German Weather Service issued warnings for southern and western regions, with peaks of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 F) expected on Wednesday.
Alerts were in place from 11 a.m. (9 a.m. UTC) Sunday in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
"Avoid the heat if possible, drink enough water and keep indoor spaces cool," the weather service said.
On Monday, Germany's southern regions could see temperatures reach 35 degrees, with summer storms likely in Alpine areas and the Black Forest.
The heatwave is then likely to subside, bringing cooler, stormy weather to many regions.
Southern Europe is currently experiencing a serious heatwave, with temperatures in Spain reaching over 40 degrees.
At the close of its three-day congress in Berlin, Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) passed a motion calling for preparations to ban the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
"The moment at which domestic intelligence says this is a confirmed right-wing extremist party, there is no more room for tactics," party co-leader Lars Klingbeil said.
He also serves as finance minister and vice chancellor in Friedrich Merz's government.
The motion, put forward by the SPD, calls on the relevant constitutional bodies to lay the groundwork for filing a case to declare the anti-immigrant AfD unconstitutional.
"Now is the time for the constitutional bodies entitled to do so to create the conditions for immediately filing a motion to determine the unconstitutionality of the AfD," the text reads.
Calls to ban the AFD intensified after Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), reclassified the party in May as a "confirmed right-wing extremist" group, enabling expanded surveillance.
However, this designation has been suspended pending a legal challenge by the AfD, meaning the agency will now treat the party as a "suspected" case until the Cologne Administrative Court reaches a decision.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The finals of the first German dachshund racing contest took place in the eastern city of Magdeburg, the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt. The short-legged dogs were encouraged to run the 40-meter (132-foot) course with the help of whistles, toys and treats.
A total of 220 dogs were entered in the competition, which began on Saturday.
Each dog was managed by teams of two people: one held the dog at the start, while the other shouted encouragement at the finish line.
Eight dogs competed in each heat. The different classes racing included miniature and other classes, along with the standard breed.
The dachshund breed is believed to date back to the early 18th century. They may have been bred to hunt badgers, though this is disputed.
During an unexpected visit to Tel Aviv on Sunday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt offered unqualified support for Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear weapons program.
"Iran has been destabilizing this region for years, for decades, one has to say, with its support for terrorist groups to the north, to the south, to the east of Israel," he said.
Dobrindt said Iran's nuclear program was "a real threat to Israel's right to exist and a threat to Europe as well."
The German minster said Tehran had received a clear message that Israel, the United States and allies such as Germany could not tolerate research on or construction of nuclear weapons.
Tehran insists that its nuclear program is for purely civilian purposes.
Dobrindt made these comments while visiting the site of a deadly Iranian missile attack in Bat Yam with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
He described the attack as an assault on the civilian population and expressed his belief that Iran would use any nuclear bomb it developed against Israel.
Dobrindt said that Germany would continue to do all it could to secure Israel's existence.
Markus Söder, Bavaria's state premier and head of the Christian Social Union (CSU), called for the acquisition of thousands of drones, new missile systems and a German version of the "Iron Dome" consisting of 2,000 Patriot missiles in case of attacks.
"Germany needs a protective shield with precision weapons," Söder told newspaper, adding that this would include a modern drone army of 100,000 drones and a defense shield similar to Israel's "Iron Dome."
"We should cooperate with Ukraine and Israel and use their experience," Söder said.
In addition to drones, Söder called for 300 new battle tanks, 500 infantry fighting vehicles, 35 additional Eurofighter warplanes, and 1,000 more Taurus cruise missiles. He also called for the Bundeswehr to have its own satellites.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
, and welcome to DW's coverage of developments in Germany on Sunday, June 29.
The center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) concludes its party congress in Berlin.
On Friday, Lars Klingbeil was reelected as co-leader of the party, receiving 65% support, a significant decrease from the 85.6% he garnered in 2023.
For all of the latest news from Germany, stay tuned here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
DW
25 minutes ago
- DW
Fact check: How to spot AI-generated newscasts – DW – 07/02/2025
AI-generated newscasts are getting harder to spot — and they're flooding your feed. Here's how to avoid falling for the fakes. On TikTok, a reporter stands in front of a traditional red Royal Mail pillar box, with British flags fluttering in the background and a microphone in hand. He asks a female passerby who she plans to vote for in the upcoming election. "Reform," the woman replies. "I just want to feel British again, innit." A user comments below: "I wonder how much they paid her to say that." But this scene never happened. The interview is entirely fake. The reporter doesn't exist — he was generated by artificial intelligence. And if you look closely, there's a subtle clue: a faint watermark in the corner bearing the word "Veo," the signature of Google DeepMind's powerful new video-generation tool. This 8-second video isn't an isolated case. From TikTok to Telegram, synthetic newscasts — AI-generated videos that mimic the look and feel of real news segments — are flooding social feeds. They borrow the visual language of journalism: field reporting, on-screen graphics, authoritative delivery. However, they're often completely fabricated, designed to provoke outrage, manipulate opinion, or simply go viral. Hany Farid, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, who specializes in digital forensics, explains the dangers of these AI-generated news clips in an interview with DW. "If you're scrolling fast on social media, it looks like news. It sounds like news," said Hany Farid, a digital forensics expert and professor at UC Berkeley, in an interview with DW. "And that's the danger." Many synthetic videos blur the line between satire and reality, or are simply misleading. In another example(it is an 8-second clip too), a reporter appears to describe an "unprecedented military convoy" moving through central London. She stands in front of a tank as a crowd looks on. Yet the video does not refer to any specific event, time, or context. DW Fact check has repeatedly observed how such clips resurface during times of crisis — like riots or major news events — repurposed to sow confusion or falsely suggest dramatic escalations. During the latest conflict escalation between Israel and Iran, TikTok and other platforms were swarmed with AI-generated content about the incident, including fake newscasts making false claims — such as Russia allegedly joining the war, Iran attacking the US, or Iran shooting down US B-2 bombers used in strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. DW also observed a surge in synthetic news clips following the outbreak of protests in Los Angelesin June. The consequences extend far beyond social media. In 2024, Taiwanese researchers flagged AI-generated newscasts on local platforms that falsely accused pro-sovereignty politicians of corruption. The clips didn't just spread misinformation — they seeded distrust, undermining the credibility of all news outlets ahead of the country's elections. But some users turn to AI newscasts for parody or comic effect. One viral TikTokshows a synthetic anchor reporting in front of a pothole so deep that motorcycles vanish into it. Another has an avatar declaring, "I'm currently at the border but there is no war. Mom, Dad, this looks real — but it's all AI." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video So, how can you tell what's real? Start with watermarks. Tools like Veo, Synthesia, and others often brand their videos, though the labels are sometimes faint, cropped out, or ignored. Even clearly marked clips are frequently flooded with comments asking, "Is this real?" Fake newscasts are among the most polished AI-generated content. Because they often depict static news studio environments, typical AI giveaways — like awkward hand movements or inconsistent backgrounds — are harder to spot. But subtle clues remain. Watch the eyes and mouth. Synthetic avatars often blink unnaturally or struggle with realistic lip-syncing. Teeth may appear too smooth or unnaturally shiny. Their shape might even shift mid-sentence. Gestures and facial movements tend to be overly uniform, lacking the natural variation of real humans. Text can also be a giveaway. On-screen captions or banners often contain nonsensical phrases or typographical errors. In one example, a supposed "breaking news" chyron read: " The reporter's microphone was labeled "The INFO Misisery." As Farid explained, the challenge of spotting synthetic content is "a hard problem" — and a moving target. "Whatever I tell you today about how to detect AI fakes might not be relevant in six months," he said. So what can you do? Stick with trusted sources. "If you don't want to be lied to," Farid said, "go to reliable news organizations." The concept of AI presenters isn't new. In 2018, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency introduced a stilted, robotic AI anchor. At the time, it was more curiosity than threat. But the technology has evolved dramatically. Tools like Veo now let virtually anyone — with no media training — create polished, broadcast-style videos for just a few hundred euros a month. The avatars speak fluidly, move realistically, and can be dropped into almost any scene with a few typed prompts. "The barrier to entry is practically gone," said Farid. "You don't need a studio. You don't even need facts." Most of these clips are engineered for maximum engagement. They tap into highly polarizing topics: immigration, the war in Gaza, Ukraine, and Donald Trump, to provoke strong emotional reactions and encourage sharing. Social media platforms often reward this content. Meta, for instance, recently adjusted its algorithm to surface more posts from accounts users don't follow, making it easier for synthetic videos to reach broad, unsuspecting audiences. Monetization programs further incentivize creators: the more views a video racks up, the more money it can generate. This environment has given rise to a new breed of "AI slop" creators: users who churn out low-quality synthetic content tied to trending topics just to grab views. Accounts like this one— with about 44,000 followers — often jump on breaking news before journalists can confirm the facts. During a recent airline crash, dozens of TikTok videos featured AI avatars dressed as CNN or BBC reporters, broadcasting fake casualty numbers and fabricated eyewitness accounts. Many remained online for hours before being taken down. In moments of breaking news — when users are actively seeking information — realistic-looking AI content becomes an especially effective way to attract clicks and cash in on public attention. "Platforms have moved away from content moderation," Farid told DW. "It's a perfect storm: I can generate the content, I can distribute it, and there are audiences willing to believe it." To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
an hour ago
- DW
'We reclaimed our voice': Why Kenyans protest on July 7 – DW – 07/02/2025
Since 1990, "Saba Saba," meaning "Seven Seven" in Swahili, has become a call to action for Kenya's pro-democracy demonstrators. Despite the government's attempts to stop them, July 7 could see protests hit Kenya again. July 7 became the date Kenyan protesters in the 1990s used to steer the country clear of autocracy and toward political accountability. In 2025, that spirit may be more relevant than ever. "The striking similarity between the Gen Z protests of 2024-25 and the Saba Saba protests of the '90s is that both were centered on a clamor for better leadership," analyst Mutuma Kithinji tells DW. "It was the day people came out in open defiance of a brutal dictatorship," says human rights activist Wanjira Wanjiru. "It was a day we reclaimed our voice." By 1990, Kenya had known just two leaders, despite gaining independence in 1965. Daniel arap Moi had led Kenya for 12 years by exploiting intense ethnic-based rivalry, and Kenya effectively became a one-party state increasingly known for kleptocracy, corruption and state abuse. But extensive protests, the end of the Cold War, and a stagnating economy tempered Moi's grip on power. When two cabinet ministers, Kenneth Matiba and Charles Rubia, were detained without trial, the first Saba Saba protests erupted in July, 1990. 20 people were arrested and 1,056 people were charged, although no law enforcement officials faced prosecution. Protesters wanted a multi-party democracy, and despite state repression, Moi caved. While the resulting 1992 and 1997 elections were marred by violence and vote rigging, Moi's seemingly untouchable power was checked. Nairobian Eliza Njoroge says the Saba Saba protests remain influential to ordinary Kenyans. "They were disruptive, but made people very confident. They definitely changed Kenya, and the people realized they can speak up and that they have the power," she told DW. For analyst Kithinji, many of the same problems from 1990 are still prevalent today. "The Gen Zs feel the leadership does not address their issues: accountability, economic injustice, corruption, disappearance of people, extrajudicial killings, among others," he told DW. A view widely held, including by Kithinji, is that while the Saba Saba protests of 1990 had definitive political leadership figures such as Rubia and Mathiba, the Gen Z-led demonstrations are a grassroots movement without defined leaders or ethnic affliations. The Kenya Finance Bill protests of 2024 exploded in June after the government approved unpopular legislation that would have significantly increased taxation of ordinary Kenyans. President William Ruto was forced to shelve the bill. "We are doing the same things we did in 1990. The causes are the same, except that this time it's in a technologically different environment," says David Kyule of the University of Nairobi. A key factor, he says, is that young Kenyans today are better educated than the protesters in the 1990s, partly due to education rights enshrined in Kenya's 2010 constitution. "They have come of age in a time of widespread suffering and unmet expections," Kyule explains. But while the protestors have changed, their core grievances have not. And neither, arguably, has the attitude of the politicians in power, and how they have used force to respond. The mid-2024 demonstrations saw over 50 people killed when police and Kenyan Defence Force soldiers confronted protesters. "We have the current President (Ruto), who was there in those days, and many know him as a student of Moi," Kithinji told DW, adding "the government reponded with force in the 1990s and today." But according to Wanjira Wanjiru, another key concern is the unknown number of protesters who have forcibly disappeared.. "The abductions and extrajudicial killings happening today are more rampant. The blatant disregard for human rights is shocking, so is the disregard for rule of law," she told DW. Kenya, and particularly Nairobi, has already seen large, youth-led protests, initially to commemorate the deadly demonstrations of 2024. The unexplained death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody sparked more anti-police brutalitydemonstrations. In response, Kenya's Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen claimed the demonstrations were an attempted coup, and issued a "shoot to kill" directive for officers if they were attacked. The Kenyan government has also tried to cast protestors as a destabilizing force, mirroríng the approach of Moi's government in 1990. "There's no credible evidence suggesting that this is the case in either era," says Kithinji, adding "labeling the protestors as destabilizing is more about political control." David Kyule told DW that police responses have appeared to worsen the situation, with the ensuing chaos suggesting violence and destruction, rather than the initial, peaceful demonstrations. As for alleged attempts to intimidate protesters through abductions, Wanjiru says: "People have completely lost their fear. In fact, any attempt to bring back fear to the people kind of inspires more resistance and has the opposite effect," she told DW. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video With the Saba Saba protests seeminly inevitable, Parliament has introduced a bill to restrict protests within 100 meters of key government institutions, such as the Parliament, State House and courts. "These are all attempts at cracking down the people's voice and to evade accountability. Instead of addressing the demands of the protesters, they're looking to crack down on democracy further," Wanjira told DW. Others remain unconvinced there will be justice for the scores of people already killed. A young Kenyan woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told DW: "Albert Ojwang's case is still in court. And Rex Masai, the first person we lost during last year's protest, his case is still in court. When you go to the streets to seek justice for those people, we lose more people. Will they get justice at any time?" John Marsha, a trainee journalist, said it remained important for Kenyans to stand up for their constitutional rights, and pointed to Ruto's government trying to ban coverage of the protests. "We are on the edge from where the country will probably plunge to a place that we will not be able to get ourselves out," he told DW. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
DW
an hour ago
- DW
Fact check: Fake videos cloud Kenya protest coverage – DW – 07/02/2025
Viral videos and images from Kenya's 2025 protests are misleading—DW Fact Check finds old and AI-generated content. On 25 June 2025, several cities in Kenya, including Nairobi, were the scene of protests marking the first anniversary of the 25 June 2024 demonstrations against the finance bill. The 2024 protests saw citizens take to the streets and storm Parliament. These demonstrations were violently suppressed, resulting in multiple deaths. A year later, rallies organized in memory of the victims were once again met with force. Many images and videos circulated online, purporting to show the brutality. However, as is often the case during breaking news events, not all of the content was authentic. Old footage resurfaced on social media and was shared with misleading claims. DW Fact check looked at the most viral ones. Claim: A 17-second video published on TikTok, with over 500,000 views, allegedly shows footage from the 25 June 2025 protests in Nairobi, Kenya. The caption reads: "Gen Z live demonstration in Nairobi CBD Maandamano live in Nairobi CBD 25 June Occupy StateHouse Kenya Protests." DW Fact check: False The video does not depict the June 2025 protests in Nairobi. A reverse image search reveals that both clips originate from earlier events. The first segment was shared online in YouTube on 17 September 2018, labelled "Addis Ababa at the moment." It shows a protest in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, triggered by ethnic violence that had recently resulted in the deaths of 23 people. We could geolocate the video snippet: The building visible in the footage is located on Churchill Avenue in the Addis Ababa. This same video had already circulated in June 2024, falsely claiming to show protests in Kenya against the finance bill. The second segment, starting at 00:09, does show a gathering in central Nairobi. It was posted on the social media on 25 June 2024, during the protests against the finance bill. An analysis of visible landmarks, confirmed via Google Street View, places the scene at the intersection of Koinange Street and Kenyatta Avenue. But it is not the only older image shared out of context. Claim: An image of a police officer kicking a man lying on the ground is shared on X, claiming to show a scene from the June 2025 protests in Kenya. The post reads: "These inhumane treatments will not be sufficient to silence or deter a determined African, who has nothing left to lose. #RutoMustGo." DW Fact check: False This photo does not depict police violence during the June 2025 protests. A reverse image search confirms it is an older photograph. The image was taken on 16 May 2016 in Nairobi by photojournalist Ben Curtis. On that day, police cracked down on a demonstration by the opposition and civil society groups calling for the dissolution of the electoral commission. But as with all breaking news situations, even during and after the protests in Nairobi, Kenya, we have seen AI-generated content being shared as if it is real and depicting the aftermath of the protests. Claim: A 10-second video of a person waving the Kenyan flag is circulating on TikTok, with over 477,000 views. The caption reads: "For Kenya, we are more than ready to die! Viva Genz." DW Fact check: Fake This video shown is not real. A reverse image search shows that the still image used in the video is from a real photo taken by Simon Maina for AFP during the 25 June 2025 protests in Nairobi. However, the video itself was AI-generated. A watermark in the corner, "Kling AI 1.6," indicates the use of an AI tool to create synthetic content. At the 4-second mark, the arms holding the flag change color from black to white, a common glitch in AI-generated visuals. Additionally, a red plaque with strange writing appears in the video, which does not exist in the original photograph.
