Latest news with #FactCrescendo
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Maris Ellington? Here's truth behind viral killer whale attack video claiming another orca trainer's death
Who is Maris Ellington ? See the truth behind a viral killer whale attack video claiming another orca trainer's death. Social media has been flooded with posts claiming an orca trainer named Maris Ellington was killed by a killer whale during a live performance at Ocean World . The viral story resurfaced after another video claimed a similar attack killed trainer Jessica Radcliffe , which was later proven fake. Fact-checking shows that the Maris Ellington story is also false. Maris Ellington Orca Attack Viral Video A few months ago, Facebook posts and online videos alleged that Maris Ellington was fatally attacked by an orca named Cairo during a routine show at Ocean World. The posts described her as having a close connection with marine life. They claimed the performance took a tragic turn, leading to her death. The content also presented the case as an example of the dangers faced by marine trainers in captivity. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program — DHAS013 (@DHAS013) What Social Media Posts Say? The posts claimed a documentary was being made about the incident. It reportedly aimed to highlight risks faced by trainers, ethical concerns about keeping marine animals for entertainment, and the consequences of broken trust between humans and orcas. The narrative suggested that Maris' story was a warning about the treatment of marine life in captivity and called for improved safety measures. Also Read: Why did Jimmy Kimmel take Italian Citizenship? Here's when late-night show host plans to leave US Live Events Maris Ellington Orca Attack Viral Video Fact-Check Findings According to an investigation by Fact Crescendo, no credible evidence supports the claim that Maris Ellington existed or died in an orca attack. No official statement from Ocean World, marine parks, or law enforcement confirms the event. There are also no verified news reports documenting such an incident. The images and videos shared online were found to be digitally altered. Some footage was taken from unrelated orca incidents, including the well-known 2010 SeaWorld attack on trainer Dawn Brancheau. This material was reused to create a false narrative about Maris Ellington. Also Read: Covid outbreak panic: Attorney warns of Covid surge in Florida's infamous Alligator Alcatraz immigration jail Connection to Other Fake Orca Attack Viral Videos The re-emergence of the Maris Ellington claim followed the spread of another viral but fake video involving Jessica Radcliffe. Both cases used edited or misrepresented footage to appear authentic. Such videos often resurface after real orca-related incidents, misleading viewers and spreading misinformation. Is Maris Ellington Orca Attack Video Video Real or Fake? The absence of any official records, credible witness accounts, or mainstream media coverage makes it clear the incident never happened. In genuine marine park accidents, news agencies and authorities quickly release verified information. This was not the case with the Maris Ellington claim. FAQs Did orca trainer Maris Ellington die in an Ocean World performance? No. Investigations confirm no evidence of such an event, and no credible records of Maris Ellington or the alleged killer whale attack exist. What footage was used in the fake Maris Ellington video? The video reused old clips, including scenes from the 2010 SeaWorld incident involving trainer Dawn Brancheau, along with digitally altered images.
AFP
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- AFP
Posts share bogus tickets to Sri Lanka luxury hotel opening
"Sharuk brother, see you then. Let's meet on that day," reads a Sinhala-language shared July 4, 2025, referring to the immensely popular Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan (). The post includes an image of a ticket bearing Khan's photo alongside text that says, "City of Dreams. Shar Kuh Khan to attend the opening of South Asia's integrated resort. Colombo." The pass is apparently priced at 20,000 Sri Lankan rupees (67 US dollars). Image Screenshot of the false post taken July 7, 2025, with a red X added by AFP Similar claims surfaced on Facebook after the City of Dreams announced Khan will be a special guest at the opening of the luxury resort in the capital Colombo on August 2 (archived link). Local media organisation Fact Crescendo earlier fact-checked the circulating posts (archived link). The event is "strictly by invitation only", according to the hotel in a statement released July 4 in response to the false posts "No third parties are authorized to issue, distribute, or sell tickets," it said. "We strongly advise everyone to exercise caution and avoid engaging with unofficial sources." An inspection of the circulating image found Khan's name has been wrongly written as, "Shar Kuh Khan". Other important details including the date and venue of the event are also missing from the purported ticket. Image Screenshot of the image, with mistakes highlighted by AFP AFP has previously debunked posts sharing fake tickets here, here and here.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Viral video shows bugs in instant noodles under microscope. Here's what we know
A video showing bugs crawling on instant noodles under a microscope is going viral on social media. In the clip, tiny insects can be seen moving across the noodle surface, raising concerns among viewers. However, the video is not new. It was originally shared by the account Fascinating World on X (formerly Twitter) in May last year. The footage has sparked alarm and humor in equal measure. 'What the hell ARE they? Throwing away those 'emergency packs' in my cupboard,' wrote one user. Another joked, 'Oh, so that's where the 8.6g of protein comes from.' Others dismissed the concern with comments like, 'Hot water solves the problem,' and 'Does the scary music go away when you boil them at 100°C?' But not everyone is convinced the video is genuine. — fworldmedia (@fworldmedia) Live Events One user pointed out that the original post mentioned old or expired noodles. Meanwhile, a disclaimer from X flagged the video as misleading, alleging that bugs may have been placed on the food before filming. 'A lot of times, they're bugs that can't even grow or survive in those products,' the note added. A fact-check by Snopes echoed the uncertainty: 'Although the video shows what appears to be mites on instant noodles, there isn't enough evidence to rule out the possibility that it was staged or digitally manipulated.' Sri Lankan fact-checking site Fact Crescendo also weighed in, calling the claims unlikely. Their report explained: Dry environment : Instant noodles are dehydrated, which makes it hard for mites or parasites to survive. Sealed packaging : Airtight packaging prevents contamination. High-temperature processing : The noodles are typically steamed or fried at high heat, killing any potential pests. Quality control : Reputable manufacturers have strict hygiene protocols. They also cited a 2022 study in Malaysia that tested six brands of ramen—none were found to be contaminated by bugs or parasites. Fact Crescendo further noted that the viral video lacks context. The noodles are not shown in their original packaging, and reusable gloves used during filming could have introduced external contaminants like dust or mites. So, Are Packaged Noodles Safe? While packaged instant noodles are generally safe from bugs if unopened and properly stored, they're not exactly healthy. They're often considered 'empty calories' due to low nutritional value. In fact, last year, Hong Kong's consumer watchdog found that 90% of instant noodle samples contained carcinogenic contaminants. So while bugs in factory-sealed noodles are unlikely, moderation is still key when it comes to eating them.
