Latest news with #R.Kelly
eNCA
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief
If you believe the viral videos online, R. Kelly and Pope Leo XIV agree on one thing that Burkina Faso's junta chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is a fantastic leader. The images are AI-generated propaganda, part of what experts have called a vast disinformation campaign spreading the "personality cult" of the west African country's strongman. Beyonce and Justin Bieber are among the other celebrities to have their faces and voices altered through artificial intelligence to shower praise on Traore. In one video, attributed to disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, the lyrics praise Traore, who seized power in a 2022 coup: "for the love of his people, he risked it all... bullets fly but he don't fall... he's fighting for peace in his motherland." Kelly is serving a 30-year-prison sentence in the United States for crimes including the sex trafficking of minors, yet the song generated by artificial intelligence has been viewed more than two million times since it came out in May. The images have been widely shared on west African social media. It follows a wave of coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in Mali, Niger and Guinea, while the region is further destabilised by jihadist attacks. "These are influence and disinformation campaigns aimed at extending the personality cult surrounding Captain Traore to Burkina Faso's English-speaking neighbours," said an American researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity. - Restoring control - After seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Traore pledged to quickly restore control in Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by violence from jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Three years later, jihadist attacks have continued, causing thousands more deaths, and have even intensified in recent months. Several officers accused of attempting to stage a coup have been arrested and comments attributed to then head of US Africa Command General Michael Langley, accusing Traore of using the country's gold reserves for personal protection, sparked anger and protests. Around that time, a series of videos exalting Traore started mushrooming on social media. "Information manipulation has become a lever for retaining power and legitimising the junta's presence," said a Burkinabe specialist in strategic communication, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. - 'Digital army' - Viral campaigns mixing propaganda and AI-generated content have been shared by activists and English-speaking influencers, notably to denounce Langley and glorify Traore. AFP | Lisa O'CONNOR While some are riding the wave for their own financial gain, others are working for the junta's cyber propaganda entity called Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions (BIR-C), the Burkinabe source said. "They truly operate like a digital army," the source said, adding it was led by US-based activist Ibrahima Maiga, ruling out any "direct links with foreign Russian influence." But the group's anti-imperialist narrative, "presenting Captain Traore as the one who will save Burkina and Africa from Western neocolonialism... suits Russia, which amplifies it in turn," the source said. - Russian connections - But the American researcher noted "some reports have established Russian connections in the recent surge of these disinformation operations", particularly in campaigns targeting Ghana and Nigeria. "Destabilising the Nigerian government would have significant regional effects," he warned. Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji, who specialises in Russian influence operations, agreed, adding that "media in Burkina and Togo have accepted money from agents linked to Russia to relay these campaigns". Meanwhile, Burkina's junta has expelled international press that had been working in the country, while local outlets self-censor in fear of arrest and deployment to the front lines against jihadists -- already a fate for some journalists. While the Burkinabe diaspora has attempted to fight back against the pro-junta narrative, including promoting jihadists' attack claims, commenting on or sharing posts is considered glorifying terrorism, punishable by one to five years imprisonment.
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief
Nude photo leak meant to be 'distraction' from political goals, McGregor says Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief Photo by Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP Article content Abidjan (AFP) — If you believe the viral videos online, R. Kelly and Pope Leo XIV agree on one thing — that Burkina Faso's junta chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is a fantastic leader. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account or Sign in without password View more offers Article content The images are AI-generated propaganda, part of what experts have called a vast disinformation campaign spreading the 'personality cult' of the west African country's strongman. Article content tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Fake AI videos of R. Kelly, pope spread cult of Burkina junta chief Back to video tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Play Video Article content Beyonce and Justin Bieber are among the other celebrities to have their faces and voices altered through artificial intelligence to shower praise on Traore. In one video, attributed to disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, the lyrics praise Traore, who seized power in a 2022 coup: 'for the love of his people, he risked it all… bullets fly but he don't fall… he's fighting for peace in his motherland.' Kelly is serving a 30-year-prison sentence in the United States for crimes including the sex trafficking of minors, yet the song generated by artificial intelligence has been viewed more than two million times since it came out in May. Your Midday Sun Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by SCOTT OLSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File The images have been widely shared on west African social media. It follows a wave of coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in Mali, Niger and Guinea, while the region is further destabilized by jihadist attacks. 'These are influence and disinformation campaigns aimed at extending the personality cult surrounding Captain Traore to Burkina Faso's English-speaking neighbours,' said an American researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity. Restoring control After seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Traore pledged to quickly restore control in Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by violence from jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Three years later, jihadist attacks have continued, causing thousands more deaths, and have even intensified in recent months. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Tiziana FABI / POOL/AFP Several officers accused of attempting to stage a coup have been arrested and comments attributed to then head of US Africa Command General Michael Langley, accusing Traore of using the country's gold reserves for personal protection, sparked anger and protests. Around that time, a series of videos exalting Traore started mushrooming on social media. 'Information manipulation has become a lever for retaining power and legitimizing the junta's presence,' said a Burkinabe specialist in strategic communication, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. 'Digital army' Viral campaigns mixing propaganda and AI-generated content have been shared by activists and English-speaking influencers, notably to denounce Langley and glorify Traore. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Photo by Lisa O'CONNOR / AFP While some are riding the wave for their own financial gain, others are working for the junta's cyber propaganda entity called Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions (BIR-C), the Burkinabe source said. 'They truly operate like a digital army,' the source said, adding it was led by US-based activist Ibrahima Maiga, ruling out any 'direct links with foreign Russian influence.' But the group's anti-imperialist narrative, 'presenting Captain Traore as the one who will save Burkina and Africa from Western neocolonialism… suits Russia, which amplifies it in turn,' the source said. – Russian connections – But the American researcher noted 'some reports have established Russian connections in the recent surge of these disinformation operations', particularly in campaigns targeting Ghana and Nigeria. Advertisement 6 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 'Destabilizing the Nigerian government would have significant regional effects,' he warned. Photo by OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji, who specializes in Russian influence operations, agreed, adding that 'media in Burkina and Togo have accepted money from agents linked to Russia to relay these campaigns'. Meanwhile, Burkina's junta has expelled international press that had been working in the country, while local outlets self-censor in fear of arrest and deployment to the front lines against jihadists — already a fate for some journalists. While the Burkinabe diaspora has attempted to fight back against the pro-junta narrative, including promoting jihadists' attack claims, commenting on or sharing posts is considered glorifying terrorism, punishable by one to five years imprisonment. Article content Share this article in your social network Read Next
Int'l Business Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Fake AI Videos Of R. Kelly, Pope Spread Cult Of Burkina Junta Chief
If you believe the viral videos online, R. Kelly and Pope Leo XIV agree on one thing -- that Burkina Faso's junta chief, Captain Ibrahim Traore, is a fantastic leader. The images are AI-generated propaganda, part of what experts have called a vast disinformation campaign spreading the "personality cult" of the west African country's strongman. Beyonce and Justin Bieber are among the other celebrities to have their faces and voices altered through artificial intelligence to shower praise on Traore. In one video, attributed to disgraced R&B star R. Kelly, the lyrics praise Traore, who seized power in a 2022 coup: "for the love of his people, he risked it all... bullets fly but he don't fall... he's fighting for peace in his motherland." Kelly is serving a 30-year-prison sentence in the United States for crimes including the sex trafficking of minors, yet the song generated by artificial intelligence has been viewed more than two million times since it came out in May. The images have been widely shared on west African social media. It follows a wave of coups not only in Burkina Faso but also in Mali, Niger and Guinea, while the region is further destabilised by jihadist attacks. "These are influence and disinformation campaigns aimed at extending the personality cult surrounding Captain Traore to Burkina Faso's English-speaking neighbours," said an American researcher who spoke on condition of anonymity. After seizing power in a coup in September 2022, Traore pledged to quickly restore control in Burkina Faso, which has been plagued by violence from jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Three years later, jihadist attacks have continued, causing thousands more deaths, and have even intensified in recent months. Several officers accused of attempting to stage a coup have been arrested and comments attributed to then head of US Africa Command General Michael Langley, accusing Traore of using the country's gold reserves for personal protection, sparked anger and protests. Around that time, a series of videos exalting Traore started mushrooming on social media. "Information manipulation has become a lever for retaining power and legitimising the junta's presence," said a Burkinabe specialist in strategic communication, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons. Viral campaigns mixing propaganda and AI-generated content have been shared by activists and English-speaking influencers, notably to denounce Langley and glorify Traore. While some are riding the wave for their own financial gain, others are working for the junta's cyber propaganda entity called Rapid Communication Intervention Battalions (BIR-C), the Burkinabe source said. "They truly operate like a digital army," the source said, adding it was led by US-based activist Ibrahima Maiga, ruling out any "direct links with foreign Russian influence." But the group's anti-imperialist narrative, "presenting Captain Traore as the one who will save Burkina and Africa from Western neocolonialism... suits Russia, which amplifies it in turn," the source said. But the American researcher noted "some reports have established Russian connections in the recent surge of these disinformation operations", particularly in campaigns targeting Ghana and Nigeria. "Destabilising the Nigerian government would have significant regional effects," he warned. Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji, who specialises in Russian influence operations, agreed, adding that "media in Burkina and Togo have accepted money from agents linked to Russia to relay these campaigns". Meanwhile, Burkina's junta has expelled international press that had been working in the country, while local outlets self-censor in fear of arrest and deployment to the front lines against jihadists -- already a fate for some journalists. While the Burkinabe diaspora has attempted to fight back against the pro-junta narrative, including promoting jihadists' attack claims, commenting on or sharing posts is considered glorifying terrorism, punishable by one to five years imprisonment. Analysts say the campaign glorifying Burkina Faso's junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore (R) helps Russia's interests AFP Pope Leo XIV is another celebrity used in the AI disinformation campaign AFP Beyonce, seen here with her rapper husband Jay-Z, also had her likeness used AFP Captain Ibrahim Traore took power in a 2022 coup AFP
Chicago Tribune
29-06-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Today in History: R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison
Today is Sunday, June 29, the 180th day of 2025. There are 185 days left in the year. Today's highlight in history: On June 29, 2022, R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison for using his R&B superstardom to subject young fans to sexual abuse. The singer and songwriter was convicted of racketeering and sex trafficking the previous year. R. Kelly sentenced to 30 years in prison in federal court in New York after judge says he left 'a trail of broken lives'Also on this date: In 1520, Montezuma II, the ninth and last emperor of the Aztecs, died in Tenochtitlan under unclear circumstances (some say he was killed by his own subjects; others, by the Spanish). In 1613, London's original Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed, was destroyed by a fire sparked by a cannon shot during a performance of 'Henry VIII.' In 1767, Britain approved the Townshend Revenue Act, which imposed import duties on glass, paint, oil, lead, paper and tea shipped to the American colonies. (Colonists bitterly protested, prompting Parliament to repeal the duties on each of the products — except for tea.) In 1776, the Virginia state constitution was adopted, and Patrick Henry was made the state's governor. In 1967, Jerusalem was reunified as Israel removed barricades separating the Old City from the Israeli sector. In 1970, the United States ended a two-month military offensive into Cambodia. In 1995, the U.S. space shuttle Atlantis docked with Russia's Mir space station as they orbited the earth. In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled, 5-3, that President George W. Bush's plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violated U.S. and international law. In 2007, the first version of the iPhone went on sale to the public; over 2.3 billion iPhones have been sold to date. In 2009, disgraced financier Bernard Madoff received a 150-year sentence for his multibillion-dollar fraud. (Madoff died in prison in April 2021.) Today's Birthdays: Songwriter L. Russell Brown is 85. Singer-songwriter Garland Jeffreys is 82. Actor Gary Busey is 81. Former actor and politician Fred Grandy is 77. Rock musician Ian Paice (Deep Purple) is 77. Singer Don Dokken is 72. Rock singer Colin Hay (Men At Work) is 72. Actor Maria Conchita Alonso is 70. Actor Sharon Lawrence ('NYPD Blue') is 64. Actor Amanda Donohoe is 63. Actor Judith Hoag is 62. Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is 62. Producer-writer Matthew Weiner is 60. Actor Melora Hardin is 58. Actor Brian D'Arcy James is 57. Rap DJ and record producer DJ Shadow is 53. Actor Zuleikha Robinson is 48. Rock musician Sam Farrar (Maroon 5) is 47. Actor Luke Kirby is 47. Singer and TV personality Nicole Scherzinger is 47. Comedian-writer Colin Jost is 43. Actor Lily Rabe is 43. NBA forward Kawhi Leonard is 34. Actor Camila Mendes (TV: 'Riverdale') is 31. Soccer player Jude Bellingham is 22.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
R. Kelly's fiancée denies all the accusations by her parents; claims to not being a victim or a slave
R. Kelly , the American singer who has been convicted of racketeering, sex trafficking, and child obscenity, was recently sent to the hospital after the prison staff allegedly gave him a copious amount of medicine that would kill him. What did Joycelyn Savage's parents claim? Amid the controversy of his asking for a pardon out of concern of being assassinated in jail, R. Kelly's fiancée's parents accused him of controlling their daughter. According to her parents, the last time they heard from their daughter was in 2019 in a short phone conversation, and they claim that Kelly has a hold of her even after being in custody. The 'Down Low' singer's fiancée, Joycelyn Savage, has denied all the claims and accusations made by her parents. She released a video on Sunday and insisted that she is neither a victim nor a slave. She said that they have been together for 10 years, engaged for three, and want to get married and start a family. Joycelyn Savage gave a statement... Savage asked the audience to believe in any lies her family say. 'I am not held against my will. I am not a sex slave. I am not brainwashed or any of those crazy lies that were told on me,' she said, according to TMZ. She further asked the fans to pray for R. Kelly so that he gets out of prison soon. What happened to R. Kelly? Earlier this month, R. Kelly was rushed to the hospital after he went through a medication overdose. His attorney claimed in the filings that the overdose happened in the prison when the staff 'gave him an amount of medicine that could have killed him" in solitary confinement. However, the prosecutors have firmly denied the claims. Before passing out, the 58-year-old singer allegedly felt 'dizzy' and 'faint,' and saw a couple of black spots in his vision. He spent two days in the Duke University Hospital.
