List of All Articles with Tag 'viral'

Conspiracy theorists have managed to go viral after spreading false claims that the devastating wildfires that have torn through the island of Maui in Hawaii were started by a 'space laser.' 93 people have died as a result of the fires making it the deadliest in modern US history and destroying most of the beautiful island's natural habitat. Yet, whenever the climate is related to a tragic story it doesn't take long for conspiracy theorists to try and spin the narrative to make others think what they are seeing isn't really about the state of the planet. One of the most farfetched theories doing the rounds in connection to the Hawaii fires is that they were caused by a space laser aimed at Maui, as noted by Forbes. A verified account on Elon Musk's X website, formerly known as Twitter, asked its followers: "This photo is circulating social media. Apparently, this beam was captured before the Hawaii fires. Can anyone confirm?" The post has been liked more than 6000 times and had more than 300 shares. The image does appear to show a beam of light hitting a leafy hillside next to a coast but it's not in Hawaii. In fact, it does have a connection to Elon Musk as the community note that has been added to the post declares that it is actually an image of a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg Air Force base in California. This isn't the only laser-related image that has circulated about Hawaii either. Another Twitter account asked: "If the fires in Hawaii were natural, what in the h is this?" The picture showed a large explosion at night in a non-specific location which resulted in the tweet getting 19,000 likes and more than 500 shares. Once again, this was not in Hawaii at all but in Michigan in 2018, as fact-checked by Snopes. Finally, another account this time on TikTok has suggested that 'direct energy weapons' have been used on Hawaii with suggestions that it has been deployed by either the Chinese government or by the Joe Biden administration. @mrmclark the directed energy weapon is getting it's use this week In Hawaii I see!!! This is insane , we know they're doing it still nothing happened? #hawaii #fire #directedenergyweapons #military #attack #information #prophecy #truth Once again there is no evidence to suggest that the Maui fires were caused by the US or Chinese governments or were started by a giant laser beam from space. In fact, the fires were probably started by an 'abnormally dry' period for Maui in August making the area more prone to wildfires. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A dad-to-be has admitted to flying off the rails when he discovered his wife had lied about the sex of their unborn child. The 32-year-old wrote about the confrontation on Reddit, admitting that he’d “reacted in ways [he’s] now questioning.” The man explained that he was away on an “essential business trip” during his partner’s first pregnancy appointments and so she attended them with her adopted mother. “Upon my return, she excitedly told me we were having a boy,” he recounted. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter He said the couple "invested emotionally and financially" in the projected image of their baby: creating a blue nursery, buying "boy-themed items", and "even naming him after my late grandfather". However, he continued: “A chance remark from her mother disclosed we're having a girl. “My wife admitted she knew from the beginning but didn't tell me, thinking she was protecting my feelings.” The Redditor revealed that he had suffered a “tumultuous” childhood and that, growing up, he had “always craved a strong male figure in my life”. “I never had that bond with my father and always envisioned having it with a son,” he explained, adding: “My wife was aware of this deep-rooted desire.” Upon learning the truth, he admitted that he felt “devastated”, saying that it brought up “the weight of past hurts and fresh betrayals”. “In my pain, I cleared out the nursery and, in a moment I regret, told her mother she wasn't welcome at upcoming family events, seeing her as part of the deceit,” he confessed. Ending his post, he said: “I acted out of deep-seated emotions and past traumas. I love my wife and regret my reactions, but I feel lost.” The original poster (OP) then asked members of the AITA subreddit whether he should be condemned for his actions, prompting more than 6,400 comments in just three days. “The way OP is acting about having a daughter comes across like he's going to have the same kind of relationship with her that he had with his own father,” one fellow Redditor wrote. “Little girls need their daddy to be their first male role model too.” Another agreed, saying: “The fact that men are often disappointed by our very existence as woman, even in utero, continues to highlight society's s***ty view of woman [sic].” She added: “Sorry we exist? Sorry you think you can’t live out your field of dreams fantasies with us? [...] It’s actually you that doesn’t want to include us due to archaic gender roles.” A vast number insisted that both husband and wife were in the wrong, with one saying: “I cannot imagine why she thought it would be less painful for you to think you were having a boy and then disappoint you later. Getting your hopes up accomplishes nothing.” “That said,” they continued: “You very much did overreact in clearing out the nursery and disinviting her mother from coming over. “This reaction is crazy and you talking about this pain and devastation surrounding having a girl is probably the reason she was afraid to tell you. Because she probably wants to be excited about this child and didn’t want to deal with you acting like it’s something devastating that it’s a girl.” They went on: “Also, you are projecting wayyyy too much on an unborn child. What if you did have a boy, but he wasn’t as interested in this intense father-son relationship that you are craving? Can any real-life father-son relationship actually even live up to the one in your head that is supposed to heal your past wounds?” Concluding their lengthy response, they added: “Your kids are real people, don’t set them up for failure by having all these weird expectations for how they will better your existing traumas.” Meanwhile, another commentator offered a more succinct summary of the whole thing: “I’m not sure what [the mother] expected to happen at the birth,” they said. “But I totally get why she lied.” Still, some Redditors were more forgiving of the heartbroken dad, with one writing: "I think OP is mainly upset that [his] wife lied, not necessarily that it's a girl. He's had no chance to even get his head around that." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

A bride has requested a full refund after she discovered that her husband had slept with their wedding photographer. The heartbroken woman demanded her money back, saying that her man had bedded the 20-year-old snapper who he met at their big day. In a painful slap of cruel irony, she even had photographic evidence to prove the affair. However, her reimbursement request wasn’t lodged with the offending 20-year-old, but with another photographer – the man who hired her for the occasion. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The professional, who calls himself Wedding Dude, explained his predicament in a Reddit post, writing: “Earlier this summer I shot a wedding. My typical second shooter couldn’t make it, so I found someone else online who I felt did good work. “Anyways her [sic] and I did the wedding, and everything seemed business as usual. Photos were edited, delivered to client, all was good.” However, he continued: “Then this morning I got an email from the bride. She was wanting a refund because the lady I had hired as second shooter for the day ended up sleeping with her husband at some point after the wedding, and she also included photos from his phone to prove it.” Addressing his community on the Wedding Photography sub-Reddit, he then asked: “I haven't responded yet, but what's the best thing to do here? “She hired me for a job and the job was completed and product was delivered. But I also feel like this would be as if I were a professional dog walker who walked a client's dog, then came back and shot it later.” But, he pointed out: “Of course the second shooter is considered a private contractor and not an employee....” Wrapping up his story, he asked: “What is the best thing to do here? I really feel for this lady, but that's also a lot of money to have to give back for work that was done.” Fellow Redditors were quick to support Wedding Dude, insisting he shouldn’t have to pay for other people’s mistakes. “This sounds harsh, but her husband was going to cheat on her regardless of who your second shooter was. It’s not your fault that she married him,” one wrote. “Tell them you are sorry to hear that but there isn’t a way for you to refund for a service that has been completed per your contract,” recommended another, advising him to reply: “I cannot refund you because something unfortunate happened that I had no control over,” they added. Another penned a passionate defence of photographers’ rights as service providers, writing: “How about you had been the bartender... ‘Hey bartender, my husband got drunk with your booze and cheated on me, give me a refund!’ Lol no, they wouldn't even ask. It doesn't happen with other vendors. “Clients keep asking for unreasonable refunds to photographers because we keep enabling that behaviour. Job completed and delivered. You can't take out the eggs after the cake was baked.” Agreeing, another added: “We are human, and can feel remorse for others, but we are also a business. Unless there were serious issues with the work or deliverables, no person in their right mind would expect to get their money back. “If she wants a refund for a wedding service, she can sue her ex-husband. This is an open and shut no.” However, another Redditor was quick to refute their recommendations, writing: “I don't know what the people here are talking about, I would refund her fully. If she shares this story all over the place, online, reviews, podcasts, it is YOUR name on the photography contract.” They went on: “I would say, ‘I am totally sorry this happened, I had no idea. Even though I did my job properly I am going to refund you just because of the situation and I feel for you. Please also sign this NDA that you agree not to leave me a bad review of anything because of this person’. At the end of the day hiring people, especially that you don't know, its all on you.” They continued: “I have refunded weddings for less than this because reputation is everything and its just not worth it, before adding: “Also don't hire randoms from the internet.” Another endorsed this as the “smartest answer here,” stressing: “Your name is your most valuable asset. Why deliberately destroy it over a point of principle?” And a third commented: “Imagine that story being the second Google result for your business. Honesty, not worth the risk. Sometimes, through no fault of our own, we have to pay for problems to go away.” Meanwhile, others offered more jokey recommendations as to how he should respond, with one suggesting: “Offer her a discount on her next wedding.” Asked what the 20-year-old had to say when Wedding Dude confronted her about the matter, he said: “She denied it, then claimed he said he was in an open relationship.” He then offered more details on the photos the wife had sent him saying they were “pornographic in nature” and appeared to have been taken in a hotel room. One user asked if the tryst had begun “on the clock” to which he replied: “Not sure if any affair happened on the clock but he certainly established a relationship of sorts then. All the photos are from after the wedding.” It’s not clear whether he now plans to refund the devastated bride or not. Good luck to them both, we say. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The controversial influencer and internet personality Andrew Tate is to livestream himself for 24 hours in a fake jail cell, following his release from a real-life cell awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking. The former kickboxer posted a promotional video for the stunt on Twitter, saying: “I’m going back to jail. On August 12, Saturday at 10pm Romanian Time. I will spend 24 hours inside a re-creation of my experience in jail. No phones, No freedom.” Tate and his brother Tristan, both of whom have dual US and British citizenship, were charged in June along with two Romanian female suspects of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The suspects have denied the allegations. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter On 4 August a Romanian court placed Tate under judicial control, a less restrictive measure than the house arrest he had previously been subject to. He was held in a cell for 92 days earlier this year. The latest publicity stunt appears to be designed to garner sympathy among his loud, mostly male and often misogynistic fanbase. Tate has repeatedly bemoaned his detention, and the latest video includes stock footage of cockroaches, which he says he shared his cell with. Romania’s anti-organised crime agency alleges the Tate brothers and two other defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 “in order to commit the crime of human trafficking” in Romania as well as the US and Britain. The agency alleges that seven female victims were deceived and transported to Romania, including some who were “misled” by “false claims of marriage and love”. The alleged victims were taken to buildings in Ilfov county where prosecutors said they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence by the gang. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the statement. Tate, who has lived in Romania since 2017, and his brother have denied all of the allegations, with a trial due to take place. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

The controversial influencer and internet personality Andrew Tate is to livestream himself for 24 hours in a fake jail cell, following his release from a real-life cell awaiting trial on charges of human trafficking. The former kickboxer posted a promotional video for the stunt on Twitter, saying: “I’m going back to jail. On August 12, Saturday at 10pm Romanian Time. I will spend 24 hours inside a re-creation of my experience in jail. No phones, No freedom.” Tate and his brother Tristan, both of whom have dual US and British citizenship, were charged in June along with two Romanian female suspects of human trafficking, rape and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women. The suspects have denied the allegations. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter On 4 August a Romanian court placed Tate under judicial control, a less restrictive measure than the house arrest he had previously been subject to. He was held in a cell for 92 days earlier this year. The latest publicity stunt appears to be designed to garner sympathy among his loud, mostly male and often misogynistic fanbase. Tate has repeatedly bemoaned his detention, and the latest video includes stock footage of cockroaches, which he says he shared his cell with. Romania’s anti-organised crime agency alleges the Tate brothers and two other defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 “in order to commit the crime of human trafficking” in Romania as well as the US and Britain. The agency alleges that seven female victims were deceived and transported to Romania, including some who were “misled” by “false claims of marriage and love”. The alleged victims were taken to buildings in Ilfov county where prosecutors said they were sexually exploited and subjected to physical violence by the gang. One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022, according to the statement. Tate, who has lived in Romania since 2017, and his brother have denied all of the allegations, with a trial due to take place. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

In the summer of being a girl, where we're all having 'girl dinner', going to our 'lazy girl job', watching the Barbie movie and getting tickets to see Taylor Swift, it's no surprise that we're all being girls when it comes to our finances, too. The latest TikTok trend "Girl Math" is being called the 'girl version of finance bros', and it explains how women rationalise spending habits so in our head purchases are perceived as 'free' or 'money-saving'. It's become so big that it has now become a regular segment on a New Zealand radio show called Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley. Listeners call in and share their expansive purchase to Hayley and two female producers. The three then set about justifying the listener's purchase under the logic of "Girl Math". @fvhzm #girlmath is here to stay! Let us know if you need help justifying your purchases 😇 The trend has women sharing what their "Girl Math" is, including "If it's under $10, I didn't spend money": Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "If I ordered a delivery and I spread it amongst several meals I'm actually saving money": "spending resets at midnight": If you return something for $90 and but something for $100, you've only spent $10: "Pay for something with cash? It's free.": So next time you're wondering how to justify a big purchase, perhaps just do some Girl Math. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

People have just discovered the meaning behind the iconic children's toy brand Lego and they're stunned. Founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the company has significantly grown from a small carpenter’s workshop to a worldwide phenomenon. The company was passed on to Ole's son and is currently owned by the founder's grandson, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen. Interestingly, the brand name is an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt," which ironically means "I put together" in Latin – though that wasn't the founder's intention. He was initially swaying towards "LEGIO" (legions) but ended up opting for Lego, which means "play well". They have since gone on to become a household name, winning Toy of the Century twice. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter In the 1950s, the second-generation owner Godtfred Kirk Christiansen said: "Our idea has been to create a toy that prepares the child for life - appealing to their imagination and developing the creative urge and joy of creation that are the driving forces in every human being." Last year, the company celebrated 90 years of Lego. "When my great-grandfather founded the company 90 years ago, he recognised that play could change the lives of children – it brings families together and helps children develop skills that can enable them to reach their full potential. He only had a small workshop, but he had big ambitions to ensure as many children as possible could experience the benefits that play brings," Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Chairman of the LEGO Group said. "Whether 1932, 2022 or on our 100th Anniversary in 2032, we have and will always strive to continue Ole’s legacy by helping all families, wherever they are in the world, to play well." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

An Austrian supermarket was forced to close after reports that a venomous spider that reportedly causes permanent erections was on the loose. The Brazilian Wandering Spider was spotted in Penny supermarket in Krems an der Donau, according to TMZ. Staff called authorities when they discovered the spider on Tuesday (8 August) and they've still not been able to locate it. It is suspected the spider made its way to Europe by hiding in bunches of bananas shipped over to supermarkets. The Brazilian Wandering Spider not only delivers a poisonous bite but also acts like a natural Viagra with hours-long erections, Live Science reports. "The erection is a side effect that everybody who gets stung by this spider will experience along with the pain and discomfort," Romulo Leite of the Medical College of Georgia, told the publication. "We're hoping eventually this will end up in the development of real drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter It comes after a model almost sat on one of the world's most venomous spiders when visiting the toilet. "I just went to the toilet, and I got up and flushed the toilet and there is a big f***ing spider under the seat," Gabriella Pizzato (@gabpizzato) told TikTok viewers. "I was sitting there for about 20 minutes!" Gabrielle added. "Oh my God, I want to show you, it’s actually huge. I want to cry." After taking a few moments to regain her composure, the Aussie model said "it is huge" and appeared to be horrified at what she was looking at off-camera. "Oh my God, I just saw his legs. It’s like under the rim," she whispered as she flipped her camera around to the toilet where some toilet paper was left on the seat. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

As rumours about a possible romance between actress Taylor Russell and musician Harry Styles circulate, fans seem to be happier than ever over the potential couple. A photo of the two at the opening night of The Effect, a play by Lucy Prebble, which Russell is staring in went viral, with fans loving the pair together and showing their support across social media. Fans of both Styles and Russell seemed elated over the rumours, calling the couple “cute”: Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Another called Russell a “bad b*tch”, seeming overjoyed by the photos. One fan called the possible a relationship a “win”: On TikTok, fans didn’t hide their excitement either, with user Jasmine saying she was “here for this!!” After the photos circulated. @jasminedarya wait here for this!!! Here for this!!! #harrystyles #taylorrussell #harrie #harries #harryshouse #bonesandall #timotheechalamet A fan of Styles also shared her delight on TikTok, using the John Lennon and Yoko Ono song ‘War is Over’ in the background calling Russell “gorgeous, and absolutely perfect in every way”. @hotlesbianrry FINALLY a break from the embarrassment of the man you stan dating a racist. #harrystyles #taylorrussellharrystyles #taylorrussell #tayrry The tone is very different to how Styles’ fans spoke about his ex-girlfriend Olivia Wilde, with Styles himself calling the hate directed towards Wilde “toxic” in a Rolling Stone interview. Whilst neither Styles nor Russell have publicly confirmed their relationship, it’s clear the majority are rooting for them if they choose to. Russell is a Canadian actress known for roles in the likes of Bones and All, Waves, Lost in the Space and the Escape Room films. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Three huge crocodiles have been found living underground in horrifying scenes. The first snapping croc was pulled out by catchers, but as they tried to bring the huge reptile under control a second slithered out of the concrete. A third crocodile is then seen disguised hiding under the cracked ground as well. Locals in India first heard a strange noise and the crack turned out to be huge crocs. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter In a video shared online, men in red suits and boots can be seen capturing the first crocodile, with a rope around its neck. As the animal makes its way further out of the rubble and underground, another croc jumps out from underneath it. The third crocodile can be seen slightly under the rubble, just showing the top of his back but not moving. The person filming then jumps off the ground as the smaller crocodile runs beneath them. The clip, shared on (@mksinfo.official), has gained 903,000 views as well as 46,400 likes and thousands of comments. It comes after a 29-year-old footballer was eaten alive by a crocodile in Rio Cañas, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Jesus Alberto Lopez Ortiz, nicknamed ‘Chucho’ was taking a dip in the river to cool off when the horrific ordeal took place. A statement shared on the team's Facebook page said: "Good morning, people of Rio Cañas, neighbors, we hereby inform you that a sinpe number has been enabled to be able to help the family of Jesus Lopez 'Chucho' for what unfortunate has happened today, who wishes to collaborate please make your help at 71087722 in the name of Luis Carlos Montes, also if your aid is physical, whether it is groceries or some other type of help, you can go leave it at the house of Don Daniel Serrano, Doña Tica will be receiving every help that comes out of her heart. "Thank you so much in advance. God bless you." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

When a statement announcing the sudden death of Lil Tay, a 15-year-old viral rapper who rose to fame as a nine-year-old on Instagram, was posted to her account earlier this week, it led to an outpouring of grief and sorrow. But that has given way to confusion and relief in equal measure, after TMZ reported that she is now very much alive. In a statement from Tay’s family, she said: “I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say. “It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Lil Tay rose to fame as the “World’s Youngest Flexer” who rapped and showed off a lavish lifestyle across social media aged just nine, garnering 3.2m followers on Instagram. However, the account went dormant in 2018 after a video was posted online in which she appeared to be coached by someone off-camera, whom many suspected was her brother Jason. Tay was also reportedly caught in the middle of a custody battle between her parents, Angela Tian and Christopher Hope, which had been going on in court since about 2018, around the same time the influencer’s account went dormant. The account resumed briefly that October with bizarre and concerning activity, including a video of the girl crying that was posted and then taken down. The posts were later scrubbed, but led to allegations of abuse by her father, amid the custody dispute. In 2021, activity briefly restarted on the account, with several posts accusing Christopher Hope of physical and mental abuse and of stealing all of Lil Tay’s money. Hope denied the allegations and sent a cease and desist letter to Instagram. An unsigned statement posted to the account on Wednesday said the star’s death at 15 was “sudden and tragic” and “entirely unexpected”. It also said her older brother, Jason Tian, who had at one point been in control of her account, had also died, and that both deaths were under investigation. Both Lil Tay’s father and former manager had refused to confirm or deny her death, with the latter calling for “cautious consideration” in handling the news. Speaking to Insider, her father, Christopher Hope, declined to comment on the Instagram post and declined to answer whether his daughter was alive. Her former manager, Harry Tsang, also declined to confirm or deny her death. “Given the complexities of the current circumstances, I am at a point where I cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement issued by the family,” Tsang told Insider on Wednesday. In a follow-up 24 hours later, Tay was thanking Meta for helping to get her Instagram account back, and had removed the fake death statement. She said: “My Instagram account was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors regarding me, to the point that even my name was wrong. My legal name is Tay Tian, not 'Claire Hope'.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Tiffany Gomas, the American Airlines passenger who went viral for her "not real" rant, has spoken out for the first time. For the blissfully unaware, a distressed Gomas was filmed leaving her seat and heading towards the front of the plane. She pointed at a passenger and shouted: "That mother f***er back there is not real." Since the 2 July incident, there have been conspiracies, TikTok trends and even merch dedicated to Gomas' phrase. But, the reason behind her meltdown remains up in the air. After weeks of online speculation and attempts to uncover the indentity of the passenger, she was eventually identified as a 38-year-old marketing executive from Texas, who owns the firm Uppercut Marketing. Gomas has since broken her silence, calling her life "frightening" since the footage "blown up". Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "Things go viral and everything changes," she told the Daily Mail. "No one knows anyone else’s story, and no one should judge. No one knows what it’s like." She went on to say that people have been "staking out" her $1.6 million (£1.2 million) home, and looking through her mailbox. "So much of what's out there is inaccurate," she added, telling the publication she is consulting a lawyer. The police report states: "The female then started claiming the aircraft was not safe and did not want the aircraft to leave due to her believing it would not make it to its destination," "Due to the statements the flight attendants felt the aircraft needed to be rescreened. [The airline manager] explained that the passenger was denied boarding and they wanted her escorted to the public side." Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.