A photo showing a newspaper, 2011 edition of Ireland-based newspaper The Sovereign Independent, claiming that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates wants to reduce the world population through "forced vaccination" has resurfaced online.

The front page headline says, “Depopulation Through Forced Vaccination: The Zero Carbon Solution”.

This claim is going viral with misleading context.

An archive can be seen here.

(Source: Threads/Screenshot)

(Archives of similar claims can be seen here and here.)

What's the truth?: This claim is false. This article incorrectly suggests that Gates wants to depopulate the world through vaccinations.

  • It links this to Gates' speech in 2010, wherein he stated that vaccinations can reduce child mortality, which in turn will lead to reduced birth rates, population growth and lesser carbon emissions

How did we find out the truth?: We performed a keyword search and found that the viral cover image is of the fourth edition of the Ireland-based newspaper, The Sovereign Independent, which was published in 2011.

  • According to a note by its editor Dave Derby, the first edition was published in 2009. However, this newspaper is not available online now.

  • We noticed that the paper often shared conspiracy theories in 2011.

What did the article claim?: We accessed the archived version of this newspaper's June 2011 version, which can be seen here.

  • It mentioned an old quote from Gates about the population in the wrong context.

  • Plus, the article was attributed to Rachel Windeer.

  • The quote was picked up from a 2010 TED Conference (transcript can be seen here), which reads, “The world today has 6.8 billion people. That’s headed up to about nine billion. Now, if we do a really great job on new vaccines, health care, reproductive health services, we could lower that by, perhaps, 10 or 15 percent.”

  • But in this speech, “Innovating to Zero”, Gates discussed ways the world could bring down carbon emissions and suggested that one of the ways was by reducing population growth through improving healthcare.

  • This statement was picked up by the newspaper and shared out of context. In reality, Gates suggested that population growth can be reduced by 10 to 15 percent, so he was not talking about the population itself.

  • Moreover, he also points out other factors, such as the services used by every individual, which require heavy energy and carbon emissions.

Conclusion: An old newspaper carrying a misleading claim about Bill Gates calling to reduce population by using vaccination has gone viral again.

(This story was originally published by thequint.com, and republished by english.varthabharati.in as part of the Shakti Collective)

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Shivamogga: The bodies of three workers who had died in an incident of landslide near a hairpin bend on State Highway 52 in Hulikal Ghat of Hosanagar taluk on Thursday were recovered by the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF) and fire brigade staff members on Friday.

The mishap reportedly occurred during the work of widening the road near the Shri Chandikamba Temple at Hulikal Ghat.

The deceased workers are identified as Raghu of Chakkaru village near Shivamogga city, and Shabbir and Raju of Nelagallu village, Haveri district.

The bodies of Raghu and Raju were found on Thursday night, while Shabbir’s body was found at 3 am on Friday. The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary of the city hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Four other workers are said to have been injured and are being treated in hospital.

Senior BJP leader and Theerthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra paid a visit to the mishap scene and also visited the hospital to inquire about the health condition of the workers.

He expressed sorrow at the loss of life in the incident and told reporters he offered condolence and support to the bereaved families.

The State Highway 52 has been blocked at Hulikal Ghat for traffic movement at present, following the Thursday landslide. Although it is a prominent stretch that connects Shivamogga to Theerthahalli, Nagara, Hulikal Ghat and Kundapur, the authorities have announced it closure for vehicular movement till further instructions.

In addition, the district authorities have asked vehicle users to avoid the Agumbe Ghat route in Theerthahalli taluk and Nittur-Nagodi Ghat route of Hosanagar taluk, which are most frequently used, and take alternative roads.