Two Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya given $7,700 fine or 1-year prison sentence
Two Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya given $7,700 fine or 1-year prison sentence
Two Belgian teenagers found with 5,000 ants in Kenya have been fined $7,700 or the option to serve 12 months in prison — the maximum penalty for the offense — for violating wildlife conservation laws
May 7, 2025 at 4:20 a.m. EDT
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News24
3 hours ago
- News24
Fake Sassa grants ‘news' is exploding online. Here's how to spot the lies
YouTube channels and fake news websites are pumping out dozens of false stories about Sassa grants and jobs every month. These hoaxes prey on vulnerable recipients, spreading confusion, false hope or panic. Many are clearly fake, Andrew Thompson writes, but they have still managed to infiltrate public discourse and be widely shared. South Africa's social grant system is under digital siege. A flood of fake news targeting the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has spread across Facebook, YouTube and a network of low-quality, foreign-run websites. These stories are designed to mislead, confuse or panic grant recipients, often with the aim of generating clicks and ad revenue by preying on vulnerable beneficiaries. YouTube channels with tens of thousands of subscribers and some videos with hundreds of thousands of views have together uploaded hundreds of fake videos this year alone. They claim imminent changes to payouts, onerous new rules, or exciting bonuses. Dozens of websites posing as job boards or news sites have also published false notices about new jobs, grant amounts, pension cuts, and backlogged payments. Screengrab None of these channels have any connection to South African state institutions, yet they continue to reach large audiences and prompt real-world concern, forcing Sassa to issue repeated denials. In May, Sassa issued a media statement highlighting the extent of the problem and warning that it is 'concerned about the mushrooming and the rapid spread of fake news and disinformation targeting the Agency and its services almost daily'. It stressed that it has made no announcements about 'double grants', changes to pension rules, or automatic top-ups, which are among the most popular fake news stories that tend to gain traction. 'Furthermore, reports have been spreading like wildfire that Sassa has announced 'New Rules Could Affect Your Pension' from 10 June. The report has even gone further and announced various dates for different provinces. This is not an official announcement from Sassa,' the cautionary statement reads. How fake Sassa grant news spreads: volume, panic, and false hope The wave of Sassa disinformation in 2025 has followed two broad patterns, regardless of the medium or the outlet disseminating it, and the content is broadly split into two themes: fake job adverts and fake grant updates. The job advertisements regularly go viral. They claim that well-paid government positions requiring no experience are available and often direct users to deceptive forms or clickbait sites that mine data. These regularly appear as images on fake government letterheads that circulate widely on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and X. SASSA The fake grant updates employ a more familiar disinformation approach with a different motive. These mostly AI-generated false news articles report on increased or double payments, pension rule changes, or Sassa 'deadlines' that risk non-payment of grants. All are presented without basis, and often spill over from clearly fake websites into public discourse. Fake news websites and YouTube accounts repeatedly publish variations of similar videos and articles, many of which use text-to-speech tools and AI-generated thumbnails to appear convincing. The tone ranges from panic ('rules changing next week!') to false reassurance ('you can still claim your R7 000 today'). Most rely on sheer volume, hoping that one story or job advert will catch on and spread - as many already have. News24's Disinformation Desk has counted hundreds of fake news articles about Sassa currently online, and although many fade into obscurity, an increasing number are breaking through requiring official responses. Screengrab For now, the motive of these platforms appears to be financial gain. Most of the videos are hosted on monetised channels, and the websites link to Google Adwords accounts. If these get enough traction from panicked recipients, they will generate some revenue for the owners. Yet ironically, much of the vitality of this material reveals itself on platforms like WhatsApp without direct links to the source, which do not generate the website owners income but have the same impact on grant recipients. The majority of the Sassa disinformation that gains mainstream traction appears not to have an overt political motive or agenda, yet. Instead, it is riding on the wave of attention afforded by this vulnerable target market, many of whom are understandably deceived by the deluge. Rapid-fire Sassa debunks from the last few months alone News24's Disinformation Desk has identified hundreds of fake news stories and videos targeting Sassa recipients published in the last few months alone. Here are the most prominent examples, with their themes often emulated across other fake news sites: A viral post linking to a website called All Provinces Jobs claimed that 'South African government jobs 2025' were open for applications. The link leads to a fraudulent website not affiliated with any government department. Similar posts appeared on Facebook pages falsely advertising hiring opportunities through Sassa, often featuring job titles and closing dates to lend false credibility and create a sense of urgency. YouTube channels 'SASSA Benefits Updates' and 'Stimulus Sam' have released several dozen videos each about grant payments in South Africa, including that increased Sassa payments would be made in June 2025. The videos utilise text-to-speech narration featuring a vaguely South African accent and footage that is clearly created with generative AI. Both channels are entirely fake. A report hosted on the fake news website Debtcol Council claimed that 'new rules could affect your pension' from 10 June. Sassa has confirmed that this is also false. Another story on that website claimed application backlogs had been cleared, while yet another suggested a new top-up payment was in progress. All are fabricated. A website called Prabh Honda published a story about Sassa grant suspensions, which is entirely baseless and without truth. A piece on Rise Up WV, a website responsible for several prominent fake news items, stated that grant beneficiaries needed to reapply for doubled payments due to 'SASSA system updates'. There is no basis for this in any of Sassa's official communications. Why it matters - and how to protect yourself or family members Many of the intended recipients of these grants are older, economically vulnerable, and may not be experienced with digital literacy or fact-checking online. The combination of desperation and trust in anything that looks official makes this a fertile ground for exploitation via disinformation. These false reports don't just casually mislead - comments beneath even palpably false news items and videos indicate the confusion and desperation many experience about this topic. This fake news also distracts Sassa, which is already stretched in the payment grants, by forcing them to correct disinformation. To stay safe, advise family members of the following: Check only official Sassa channels: Information is reliably published on and Sassa's verified X and Facebook pages. Do not trust any information sent via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. Sassa does not communicate important information via forwarded messages. Never enter personal information into a form on a website claiming to offer Sassa job opportunities. Ignore YouTube channels with videos claiming to be the Department of Social Development or Sassa. Sassa's official YouTube page is not used to share news about grants. When in doubt, don't share: spreading false information, even with good intentions, can cause unnecessary panic.
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Game Commission leading search after bear spotted in Bucks County
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has confirmed that a young bear was spotted roaming around Middletown Township. Officials say they plan to safely trap the bear and relocate it. Middletown Township police said the bear that was first seen Thursday was spotted again Friday at the Our Lady of Grace Cemetery; however, it has since left the area. Ring camera footage from nearby homes has helped track the bear's movements, police said. Police believe there is likely only one bear, though they are not ruling out the possibility of another. "We are not trying to kill it," Middletown Township police wrote on social media. "We also don't want it getting hit by a car or hurting someone, so this is the best thing for everyone. The police department said it planned to use a drone to assist in locating the animal. Students at Maple Point Middle School and Core Creek Elementary were briefly kept indoors out of an abundance of caution during the search. While the township's community park remains open, police said that could change if the bear is seen nearby. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is leading the search and has been monitoring bear activity in the township for the past week. Officials said the region has seen an uptick in young bears traveling alone as they look for a place to settle. However, not every bear encounter results in relocation. The commission said sometimes they monitor the bears and let them pass through, and other times, when needed, they will step in. While there are currently no traps set in Middletown, officials said one has been placed in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, where a bear was seen eating mulberries in a tree. Anyone who sees the bear is urged to call 911 immediately.
Fox News
7 hours ago
- Fox News
Hundreds of teenagers transform peaceful beach into chaos as police forced to break up fights
A group of around 500 teenagers was dispersed by police after gathering at a beach in New York for "Senior Cut Day" that descended into chaos. Somewhere around 500 teenagers went to Jones Beach in Wantagh, New York, after a flyer promoting "Senior Cut Day" spread on social media, drawing people to the beach. According to News 12, police had to break up the crowd. Witnesses told the outlet that the beach quickly spiraled out of control once the massive number of teenagers arrived. Law enforcement officers restricted access to other areas of the beach to stop any continued violence. No serious injuries were reported. Police and other law enforcement allegedly saw multiple fights between teenagers. "The beach was never like this," said one person who saw the mass gathering of teenagers. "We came here as kids—it was so calm. But now it's just crazy." The Nassau County Police Department said one individual was arrested for disorderly conduct and menacing.
