
President Donald Trump has responded to growing conspiracy theories surrounding the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham, saying the FBI is "wasting time" investigating the matter. The comments came after FBI agents were seen outside Graham's residence following his death. According to the Washington Chief Medical Examiner, Lindsey Graham died from a ruptured aorta linked to hardened arteries. However, the FBI's involvement and public statements have fueled speculation, prompting renewed calls for transparency.

Trump breaks silence on Lindsey Graham's death | FBI probe sparks conspiracy theories

<p>Are you someone who loves conspiracy theories and even believes that they could be real? Scientists say that those who believe in conspiracy theories are arrogant. It is almost impossible to change their belief system. According to a study by Cornell University, people who believe in conspiracy theories are likely to be hugely overconfident. One such theory that was doing the rounds on social media this week was about the Rapture. It is a belief that Jesus will come to Earth on this day and take the believers with him to heaven, leaving the rest to suffer in agony on Earth. A South African pastor has said that it is going to happen on September 23, 2025. Some people were so sure of it happening that they even sold their belongings in preparation for their trip to heaven. But the date passed by without anything happening.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"One of the things that seems to distinguish – at least some – conspiracy theorists is not just that their beliefs seem to be based on poor evidence, but also that they appear so confident in their beliefs," study author Gordon Pennycook told PsyPost. Conspiracy theories sound interesting, they challenge common beliefs and give people something to think about, a scenario that says - What if? Or, could this really be? But conspiracy theories are almost always rejected, and there is never any evidence to prove that they are true. There is the theory that the Titanic never sank, and some other ship was passed off as the Titanic to claim insurance. The Rapture is another wild claim that some people want to believe. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/move-over-rapture-another-prophecy-claims-comet-will-end-the-world-in-2026-1758790270916"><strong>Forget the Rapture, another prophecy claims comet will end the world in 2026</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In order to understand what was going on, and why people believe in conspiracy theories, scientists from Cornell University carried out research. In eight separate studies, they asked 4,181 participants in the US to complete various cognitive tasks. To gauge whether they were overconfident, they also asked them how well they thought they had done. The overconfidence scores were then compared to how strongly each one of them endorsed conspiracy theories. This included the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked, and that vaccines are part of a government control plot. Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-catching-a-flight-to-heaven-apocalypse-claims-on-sep-23-prompt-people-to-sell-everything-quit-jobs-1758596403816"><strong>'Catching a flight to heaven': Apocalypse claims on Sep 23 prompt people to sell everything. What is the truth?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Study on conspiracy theories</strong></h2><p><br>The results showed a strong link between overconfidence and belief in extreme conspiracy theories. The analysis was published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, also revealed some strange aspects. Only 12 per cent of participants believed in conspiracy theories; however, everyone who did endorse these theories thought that nine in 10 people were on the same page as them. This "false consensus" was highest in the most overconfident participants who believed in conspiracy theories, and also that almost everyone else also did.</p><p>Dr Pennycook said, "The tendency to be overconfident in general may increase the chances that someone falls down the rabbit hole, so to speak, and believes conspiracies."<br>&nbsp;</p>

Conspiracy theories are fascinating tidbits that challenge conventional beliefs. A study has found that people who believe in them are overly confident and not ready to consider alternative possibilities.

Are you someone who loves conspiracy theories and even believes that they could be real? Scientists say that those who believe in conspiracy theories are arrogant. It is almost impossible to change their belief system. According to a study by Cornell University, people who believe in conspiracy theories are likely to be hugely overconfident. One such theory that was doing the rounds on social media this week was about the Rapture. It is a belief that Jesus will come to Earth on this day and take the believers with him to heaven, leaving the rest to suffer in agony on Earth. A South African pastor has said that it is going to happen on September 23, 2025. Some people were so sure of it happening that they even sold their belongings in preparation for their trip to heaven. But the date passed by without anything happening. "One of the things that seems to distinguish – at least some – conspiracy theorists is not just that their beliefs seem to be based on poor evidence, but also that they appear so confident in their beliefs," study author Gordon Pennycook told PsyPost. Conspiracy theories sound interesting, they challenge common beliefs and give people something to think about, a scenario that says - What if? Or, could this really be? But conspiracy theories are almost always rejected, and there is never any evidence to prove that they are true. There is the theory that the Titanic never sank, and some other ship was passed off as the Titanic to claim insurance. The Rapture is another wild claim that some people want to believe. Also Read: Forget the Rapture, another prophecy claims comet will end the world in 2026 In order to understand what was going on, and why people believe in conspiracy theories, scientists from Cornell University carried out research. In eight separate studies, they asked 4,181 participants in the US to complete various cognitive tasks. To gauge whether they were overconfident, they also asked them how well they thought they had done. The overconfidence scores were then compared to how strongly each one of them endorsed conspiracy theories. This included the conspiracy theory that the moon landing was faked, and that vaccines are part of a government control plot. Also Read: 'Catching a flight to heaven': Apocalypse claims on Sep 23 prompt people to sell everything. What is the truth? Study on conspiracy theories The results showed a strong link between overconfidence and belief in extreme conspiracy theories. The analysis was published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, also revealed some strange aspects. Only 12 per cent of participants believed in conspiracy theories; however, everyone who did endorse these theories thought that nine in 10 people were on the same page as them. This "false consensus" was highest in the most overconfident participants who believed in conspiracy theories, and also that almost everyone else also did. Dr Pennycook said, "The tendency to be overconfident in general may increase the chances that someone falls down the rabbit hole, so to speak, and believes conspiracies."

<p>Conspiracy theories are fascinating tidbits that challenge conventional beliefs. A study has found that people who believe in them are overly confident and not ready to consider alternative possibilities.</p>

Are CONSPIRACY THEORIES your thing? You are overconfident and arrogant, study says

<p>What if you find out that all the presidents in the history of America have been one or the other way related? Yes, that's right. All the US presidents to date, except &nbsp;Martin Van Buren, have the same ancestors and are cousins or distantly related. The majority of the American presidents' ancestors were from Britain. It was primarily due to the origins as a group of former English colonies.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Let's understand this in detail - taking some of the presidents on the list.</p><p><br><strong>George Washington</strong></p><p>The great-grandfather of George Washington &nbsp;was from Hertfordshire, England. He travelled and settled in the Colony of Virginia in 1657. A majority - or even all of the ancestors of George Washington - were originally from England.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-iran-nuclear-talks-still-in-limbo-tehran-says-point-of-maturity-not-reached-with-washington-yet-1755702976855"><strong>US-Iran nuclear talks still in limbo? Tehran says 'point of maturity' not reached with Washington yet</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Abraham Lincoln</strong></p><p>Probably one of America's most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, was of English descent. His ancestor, Samuel Lincoln, emigrated from Norfolk to Massachusetts in 1638.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Franklin D Roosevelt</strong></p><p>Franklin D Roosevelt was born in New York and was distantly related to the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. His parents were sixth cousins. His wife, Eleanor, was his fifth cousin.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>John F Kennedy</strong><br>F Kennedy had Irish roots, and it is widely known. All of his great-grandparents were Irish immigrants who made new lives in Massachusetts, and he was America's first Irish-Catholic president.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Barack Obama</strong><br>America’s first black president, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii. His family roots were spread from Kenya to Ireland. His DNA makeup also includes English, Scots-Irish, Welsh, German, and Swiss ancestral lines.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Joe Biden</strong></p><p>Apart from a well-known Irish family connection, Joe Biden has a mix of ancestors. His mother was English and his father was French.</p><p><br><strong>Donald Trump</strong><br>Donald Trump's paternal grandparents were German immigrants. His mother was born in Scotland.</p>

A theory around the ancestors of all the US presidents claims that all the presidents in the history of America are related in one way or the other. 

What if you find out that all the presidents in the history of America have been one or the other way related? Yes, that's right. All the US presidents to date, except Martin Van Buren, have the same ancestors and are cousins or distantly related. The majority of the American presidents' ancestors were from Britain. It was primarily due to the origins as a group of former English colonies. Let's understand this in detail - taking some of the presidents on the list. George Washington The great-grandfather of George Washington was from Hertfordshire, England. He travelled and settled in the Colony of Virginia in 1657. A majority - or even all of the ancestors of George Washington - were originally from England. Also read: US-Iran nuclear talks still in limbo? Tehran says 'point of maturity' not reached with Washington yet Abraham Lincoln Probably one of America's most famous presidents, Abraham Lincoln, was of English descent. His ancestor, Samuel Lincoln, emigrated from Norfolk to Massachusetts in 1638. Franklin D Roosevelt Franklin D Roosevelt was born in New York and was distantly related to the 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. His parents were sixth cousins. His wife, Eleanor, was his fifth cousin. John F Kennedy F Kennedy had Irish roots, and it is widely known. All of his great-grandparents were Irish immigrants who made new lives in Massachusetts, and he was America's first Irish-Catholic president. Barack Obama America’s first black president, Barack Obama, was born in Hawaii. His family roots were spread from Kenya to Ireland. His DNA makeup also includes English, Scots-Irish, Welsh, German, and Swiss ancestral lines. Joe Biden Apart from a well-known Irish family connection, Joe Biden has a mix of ancestors. His mother was English and his father was French. Donald Trump Donald Trump's paternal grandparents were German immigrants. His mother was born in Scotland.

<p>A theory around the ancestors of all the US presidents claims that all the presidents in the history of America are related in one way or the other.</p>

Do you know all US presidents are relatives? The theory of their ancestor will shock you

For decades, history books have claimed that Adolf Hitler died by suicide in his Berlin bunker. While mainstream historians reject these theories, some evidence hints at an alternate ending of dictator’s life. Here are 5 key revelations from FBI records that fuel ongoing speculation:

Did Adolf Hitler escape Germany in 1945? 5 FBI revelations that challenge the official suicide story

If you enjoy unravelling hidden plots, secret organisations, and government cover-ups, then these six movies are right up your alley. These movies will make you question reality.

Love conspiracy theories?: Here are 6 must-watch movies

<p>Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-twitter-now-x-sues-non-profit-that-documented-the-rise-in-hate-speech-on-platform-621407">Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform</a></strong></p>

<p>Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.”&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform?<br />
<br />
Vox Populi, Vox Dei.</p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1733529033575465381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-twitter-account-reappears-after-elon-musk-announces-reinstatement-535683">Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist?</strong></h2>

<p>Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns.</p>

<p>He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aint-going-to-be-happening-alex-jones-denies-to-pay-965-million-damages-to-sandy-hook-victims-families-525426">‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families</a></strong></p>

<p>Jones was banned from Twitter&nbsp;in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.”</p>

<p>Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?”&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return. The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result. ALSO READ | Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.” Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? Vox Populi, Vox Dei. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2023 × While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform. At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards. ALSO READ | Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist? Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns. He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones. ALSO READ | ‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families Jones was banned from Twitter in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account. The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.” Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?” (With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years

<p>A new conspiracy theory predicting the arrival of the doomsday has taken the internet by storm. According to these rumours, the world might come to an end on Saturday (Sept 23). &nbsp;</p>

<p>The basis of this theory: intuition.</p>

<p>Several netizens are convinced with this theory as they have realised that something bad or horrible happens on this day in most of the movies they watch.</p>

<p>Several users have shared their favourite theories on the internet, with instances from movies in which something tragic happens on September 23.</p>

<h2><strong>Absurd theories</strong></h2>

<p>A TikTok user @blackapplegallery369 had a weird reason to back up his prediction of doomsday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said the world will come to an end on Sept 23 as the numbers 9, 2 and 3 have appeared in several TV shows and movies.</p>

<p>He then listed the names of several movies in which something terrible happens on Sept 23.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US military's F-35 fighter jet flies without pilot after mid-air 'mishap'&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p>Some said an asteroid could hit the earth on Sept 23, as shown in movies like <em>Deep Impact</em> and <em>Seeking a Friend for the End of the World</em>, and in the famous TV show <em>Big Bang Theory</em>.</p>

<p>The internet is filled with numerous movies that have selected this specific date for significant events.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/alien-corpses-unveiled-in-mexico-might-be-real-after-all-lab-tests-say-637726"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real after all, lab tests say</strong></a></p>

<p>For instance, <em>Sleepy Hollow</em> introduced a new dimension on this day, <em>The Number 23 </em>depicted hell's arrival, and in <em>Tomorrowland</em>, disaster struck on September 23.&nbsp;</p>

<p>These are just a few examples, as the film <em>Knowing</em> portrayed the Earth's destruction by a solar flare, a character in <em>Little Shop</em> predicted a deadly threat for humans, and even a Taco Bell advertisement featured a truck escaping a concentration camp, all coincidentally on September 23.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It does appear quite peculiar that so many scriptwriters have chosen this date for calamitous events in their stories.</p>

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A new conspiracy theory predicting the arrival of the doomsday has taken the internet by storm. According to these rumours, the world might come to an end on Saturday (Sept 23).

A new conspiracy theory predicting the arrival of the doomsday has taken the internet by storm. According to these rumours, the world might come to an end on Saturday (Sept 23). The basis of this theory: intuition. Several netizens are convinced with this theory as they have realised that something bad or horrible happens on this day in most of the movies they watch. Several users have shared their favourite theories on the internet, with instances from movies in which something tragic happens on September 23. Absurd theories A TikTok user @blackapplegallery369 had a weird reason to back up his prediction of doomsday. He said the world will come to an end on Sept 23 as the numbers 9, 2 and 3 have appeared in several TV shows and movies. He then listed the names of several movies in which something terrible happens on Sept 23. Watch: US military's F-35 fighter jet flies without pilot after mid-air 'mishap' × Some said an asteroid could hit the earth on Sept 23, as shown in movies like Deep Impact and Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, and in the famous TV show Big Bang Theory. The internet is filled with numerous movies that have selected this specific date for significant events. Also read: Alien corpses unveiled in Mexico might be real after all, lab tests say For instance, Sleepy Hollow introduced a new dimension on this day, The Number 23 depicted hell's arrival, and in Tomorrowland, disaster struck on September 23. These are just a few examples, as the film Knowing portrayed the Earth's destruction by a solar flare, a character in Little Shop predicted a deadly threat for humans, and even a Taco Bell advertisement featured a truck escaping a concentration camp, all coincidentally on September 23. It does appear quite peculiar that so many scriptwriters have chosen this date for calamitous events in their stories. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Conspiracy theories flood internet claiming world will come to an end on Sept 23

<p>Online platforms have been inundated with false narratives regarding the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, media reports said while detailing such instances. These misleading claims suggest that the catastrophic fires were orchestrated by employing advanced technology like a laser beam. These kinds of things usually crop up that challenge something and say that different opinions are being silenced so some can push political ideas and not give much importance to how climate change affects severe weather and other environmental issues.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Orchestrating fires?</strong></h2>

<p>Reportedly, a significant proportion of the misleading posts insinuate that "elites" or governmental organisations intentionally ignited the wildfires.&nbsp;Several videos and images have been circulated, amassing millions of views, claiming that the wildfires were not a natural disaster but instead the result of a "directed energy weapon" or a "laser beam" explosion. Garnering 10 million views, one video purportedly depicts a massive explosion in Maui before the fires.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When has Hawaii ever had wild fires that destroys homes and melts paint off cars ....<br />
<br />
Askin for a meteorologist .......... <a href="https://t.co/Q8kifZjTG3">pic.twitter.com/Q8kifZjTG3</a></p>
— G™️©️®️ (@dat_muvvafugga) <a href="https://twitter.com/dat_muvvafugga/status/1690384064446906368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, this video was originally a viral TikTok clip showing a transformer explosion in Chile. Chilean TV confirmed that the explosion resulted from a blown transformer due to strong winds.</p>

<p>One of the other images displayed a burning church in Hawaii, viewed 9 million times. There are claims of a laser beam rising from the structure into the sky. Nevertheless, this image has been digitally manipulated.</p>

<p>The original Associated Press news agency photo, captured on August 8, shows the Waiola Church engulfed in flames without any visible laser beam.</p>

<h2><strong>Other misleading images</strong></h2>

<p>Two other misleading images have also gained traction. One portrays a fireball and a streak of light rising towards the night sky, alongside claims that wildfires are not a natural phenomena.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What are these flashes of light going off during the fires in Maui, Hawaii?<br />
<a href="https://t.co/kLaMNwZnij">pic.twitter.com/kLaMNwZnij</a></p>
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaraBull808/status/1691193568575262722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>However, research reportedly revealed that this image is from a controlled burn at an Ohio oil refinery in January 2018. The streak of light, termed a "light pillar," arises from reflections of ice crystals on cold days.</p>

<p>Similarly, an image alleging a colossal beam of light in Maui right before the wildfires actually depicts the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in California, dated May 2018.</p>

<p>Some claims have circulated about videos showing trees still standing amidst burnt houses and vehicles, with individuals using these images to support theories of deliberate fires or hidden causes.</p>

<p>One viral post on&nbsp;X shows a video displaying destruction and shows how&nbsp;trees have survived.&nbsp;"Everything is burnt but the trees, but don't point that out or you're a conspiracy theorist."&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Speculations of "elite land grab"</strong></h2>

<p>Parallel to the "directed energy weapon" rumours, viral posts speculate that affluent residents and second-home owners in Hawaii intentionally triggered wildfires to seize valuable land.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another viral thread, seen by millions, lists wealthy property owners in Maui, offers aerial footage of Lahaina, and suggests suspicious patterns of destruction. Media reports said that there is no concrete evidence which supports the notion that these fires were deliberately ignited for land acquisition purposes.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Online platforms have been inundated with false narratives regarding the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, media reports said while detailing such instances. These misleading claims suggest that the catastrophic fires were orchestrated by employing advanced technology like a laser beam.

Online platforms have been inundated with false narratives regarding the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, media reports said while detailing such instances. These misleading claims suggest that the catastrophic fires were orchestrated by employing advanced technology like a laser beam. These kinds of things usually crop up that challenge something and say that different opinions are being silenced so some can push political ideas and not give much importance to how climate change affects severe weather and other environmental issues. Orchestrating fires? Reportedly, a significant proportion of the misleading posts insinuate that "elites" or governmental organisations intentionally ignited the wildfires. Several videos and images have been circulated, amassing millions of views, claiming that the wildfires were not a natural disaster but instead the result of a "directed energy weapon" or a "laser beam" explosion. Garnering 10 million views, one video purportedly depicts a massive explosion in Maui before the fires. When has Hawaii ever had wild fires that destroys homes and melts paint off cars .... Askin for a meteorologist .......... pic.twitter.com/Q8kifZjTG3 — G™️©️®️ (@dat_muvvafugga) August 12, 2023 × However, this video was originally a viral TikTok clip showing a transformer explosion in Chile. Chilean TV confirmed that the explosion resulted from a blown transformer due to strong winds. One of the other images displayed a burning church in Hawaii, viewed 9 million times. There are claims of a laser beam rising from the structure into the sky. Nevertheless, this image has been digitally manipulated. The original Associated Press news agency photo, captured on August 8, shows the Waiola Church engulfed in flames without any visible laser beam. Other misleading images Two other misleading images have also gained traction. One portrays a fireball and a streak of light rising towards the night sky, alongside claims that wildfires are not a natural phenomena. What are these flashes of light going off during the fires in Maui, Hawaii? pic.twitter.com/kLaMNwZnij — TaraBull (@TaraBull808) August 14, 2023 × However, research reportedly revealed that this image is from a controlled burn at an Ohio oil refinery in January 2018. The streak of light, termed a "light pillar," arises from reflections of ice crystals on cold days. Similarly, an image alleging a colossal beam of light in Maui right before the wildfires actually depicts the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in California, dated May 2018. Some claims have circulated about videos showing trees still standing amidst burnt houses and vehicles, with individuals using these images to support theories of deliberate fires or hidden causes. One viral post on X shows a video displaying destruction and shows how trees have survived. "Everything is burnt but the trees, but don't point that out or you're a conspiracy theorist." Speculations of "elite land grab" Parallel to the "directed energy weapon" rumours, viral posts speculate that affluent residents and second-home owners in Hawaii intentionally triggered wildfires to seize valuable land. Another viral thread, seen by millions, lists wealthy property owners in Maui, offers aerial footage of Lahaina, and suggests suspicious patterns of destruction. Media reports said that there is no concrete evidence which supports the notion that these fires were deliberately ignited for land acquisition purposes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Video | Hawaii wildfire 'conspiracy theories' garner millions of views online

<p>Antarctica, a continent which is known to be covered in snow and ice, and has no permanent human population, has come under heated debate after a mysterious triangular structure appeared in its satellite images.<br />
<br />
The images left social media users baffled and started debates&nbsp;about where this supposed 'pyramid' came from. In the satellite images of the Ellsworth Mountain range, which lies in the southern part of Antarctica, the huge pyramid-shaped mass was spotted.<br />
<br />
In the area, various strange-looking peaks were discovered with one measuring two kilometres in every direction of its square base, which is similar to Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza.<br />
<br />
However, after the images of the 'pyramids' circulated on social media, people started sharing theories on how such an enormous structure came into existence. Taking to microblogging platform X, the new version of Twitter, one user stated, “Wait how they moved the pyramids from Egypt to Antarctica?”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/century-old-mystery-behind-antarcticas-blood-falls-finally-solved-612218">Century-old mystery behind Antarctica's Blood Falls finally SOLVED</a></p>

<p>Some users went on to say that the fabled secret society, 'the Illuminati' or artificial life is behind the huge structure. Another user wrote: “This structure belongs to the civilization which existed before the flood. Around 10,000 years ago Antarctica was warm.”</p>

<h2><strong>Scientists explain 'pyramidal peaked mountain'</strong></h2>

<p>Explaining the puzzling structure, the scientists said that is a feature of glaciated areas which is called a 'pyramidal peaked mountain'.<br />
<br />
“The pyramid-shaped structures are located in the Ellsworth Mountains, which is a range more than 400 km long, so it's no surprise there are rocky peaks cropping out above the ice. The peaks are clearly composed of rock, and it's a coincidence that this particular peak has that shape,” said Dr Mitch Darcy, a geologist at the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, while speaking to IFLScience.<br />
<br />
“It's not a complicated shape, so it's not a special coincidence either. By definition, it is a nunatak, which is simply a peak of rock sticking out above a glacier or an ice sheet. This one has the shape of a pyramid, but that doesn't make it a human construction,” Darcy added.</p>

<h2><strong>Argentina-sized amount of sea ice missing</strong></h2>

<p>Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, amid the record-breaking summer, the sea ice did not return to anywhere near the expected levels. Since recordkeeping&nbsp;started 45 years ago, it remained at the lowest level at this time of the year.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Antarctica's sea ice at record low as effects of climate change take shape</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/antarcticas-sea-ice-at-record-low-as-effects-of-climate-change-take-shape-611431/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The National Snow and Ice Data Centre&nbsp;(NSIDC) said that the ice was around 1.6 million square kilometres (0.6 million square miles) below the previous winter's lowest record set in 2022.<br />
<br />
In July, the sea ice was 2.6 million square kilometres (1 million square miles) below the 1981 to 2010 average in Antarctica. This is equal to the size of Argentina or the combined areas of Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.<br />
<br />
Glaciologist at the University of Colorado Boulder Ted Scambos said, “The game has changed. There’s no sense talking about the odds of it happening the way the system used to be, it’s clearly telling us that the system has changed.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>You can&nbsp;<strong>now write for wionews.com</strong>&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>

<main>
<section>
<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-19="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-24="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-31="true" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>
</section>
</main>


Antarctica, a continent which is known to be covered in snow and ice, and has no permanent human population, has come under heated debate after a mysterious triangular structure appeared in its satellite images.

Antarctica, a continent which is known to be covered in snow and ice, and has no permanent human population, has come under heated debate after a mysterious triangular structure appeared in its satellite images. The images left social media users baffled and started debates about where this supposed 'pyramid' came from. In the satellite images of the Ellsworth Mountain range, which lies in the southern part of Antarctica, the huge pyramid-shaped mass was spotted. In the area, various strange-looking peaks were discovered with one measuring two kilometres in every direction of its square base, which is similar to Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. However, after the images of the 'pyramids' circulated on social media, people started sharing theories on how such an enormous structure came into existence. Taking to microblogging platform X, the new version of Twitter, one user stated, “Wait how they moved the pyramids from Egypt to Antarctica?” ALSO READ | Century-old mystery behind Antarctica's Blood Falls finally SOLVED Some users went on to say that the fabled secret society, 'the Illuminati' or artificial life is behind the huge structure. Another user wrote: “This structure belongs to the civilization which existed before the flood. Around 10,000 years ago Antarctica was warm.” Scientists explain 'pyramidal peaked mountain' Explaining the puzzling structure, the scientists said that is a feature of glaciated areas which is called a 'pyramidal peaked mountain'. “The pyramid-shaped structures are located in the Ellsworth Mountains, which is a range more than 400 km long, so it's no surprise there are rocky peaks cropping out above the ice. The peaks are clearly composed of rock, and it's a coincidence that this particular peak has that shape,” said Dr Mitch Darcy, a geologist at the German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, while speaking to IFLScience. “It's not a complicated shape, so it's not a special coincidence either. By definition, it is a nunatak, which is simply a peak of rock sticking out above a glacier or an ice sheet. This one has the shape of a pyramid, but that doesn't make it a human construction,” Darcy added. Argentina-sized amount of sea ice missing Meanwhile, in the Southern Hemisphere, amid the record-breaking summer, the sea ice did not return to anywhere near the expected levels. Since recordkeeping started 45 years ago, it remained at the lowest level at this time of the year. WATCH | Antarctica's sea ice at record low as effects of climate change take shape The National Snow and Ice Data Centre (NSIDC) said that the ice was around 1.6 million square kilometres (0.6 million square miles) below the previous winter's lowest record set in 2022. In July, the sea ice was 2.6 million square kilometres (1 million square miles) below the 1981 to 2010 average in Antarctica. This is equal to the size of Argentina or the combined areas of Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. Glaciologist at the University of Colorado Boulder Ted Scambos said, “The game has changed. There’s no sense talking about the odds of it happening the way the system used to be, it’s clearly telling us that the system has changed.” You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Mystery 'pyramid' appears in satellite images of Antarctica, sparks conspiracy theories

<p>A US-based scientist has claimed that the deadly coronavirus that led to the Covid pandemic was a "man-made virus" that escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China. But a fact-check report claims otherwise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the British newspaper The Sun, researcher Andrew Huff claimed in his book&nbsp;'The Truth About Wuhan'&nbsp;that Covid was released from WIV, a state-funded and operated research centre, two years ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But a fact-check by RMIT University in Australia stated that the scientist who made the controversial and unproven claims about the origin of Covid did not actually work at Wuhan lab, as was claimed in earlier reports.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-services-activity-shrank-to-six-month-lows-in-november-caixin-pmi-540062">China services activity shrank to six-month lows in November: Caixin PMI</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The report mentioned&nbsp;a televised interview aired by Fox News on December 7, when he was introduced as "a scientist who actually worked inside the Wuhan lab".</p>

<p>In his response, Huff replied that "there's one thing I'd like to clear up here real quickly, I never stepped foot in China, I never actually worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Huff worked for the US-based scientific research group, EcoHealth Alliance between 2014 and 2016. EcoHealth Alliance even told RMIT FactLab in an email that Huff was hired as a senior research scientist, before a change of title to associate vice president in 2015.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also WATCH |&nbsp;China: Protesters in China angered against Xi’s Zero Covid policy</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-protesters-in-china-angered-against-xis-zero-covid-policy-540150/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>After his claims, EcoHealth Alliance issued a statement on December 5. The group rejected the reports that he had worked at the Wuhan lab. In the statement, it noted: "Mr Huff was employed by the EcoHealth Alliance from 2014 to 2016."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"However, reports that he worked at or with the Wuhan Institute of Virology during that time are untrue. He was assigned to a completely different project working on computer-based algorithms to assess emerging disease threats," it added.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>
<p>"Mr. Huff was employed by the EcoHealth Alliance from 2014 to 2016.&nbsp; However, reports that he worked at or with the Wuhan Institute of Virology during that time are untrue. He was assigned to a completely different project working on computer-based algorithms to assess emerging disease threats."</p>
</blockquote>

<blockquote>
<p>Mr. Huff claims that SARS-CoV-2 emerged as a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology based on research conducted there on bat coronaviruses and, further, that this research was related to U.S. intelligence gathering efforts. This is not true.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Huff alleged that the pandemic was brought on by the US government's funding of coronaviruses in China in his most recent book, "The Truth About Wuhan." Huff's book excerpts have appeared in the UK tabloid The Sun.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the New York Post, Huff argues in his book that China's gain-of-function tests were carried out with insufficient security, which led to a leak at the Wuhan facility.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: An earlier version of this article incorrectly mentioned that Andrew Huff worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This article has been updated&nbsp;on December 12)</em></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></p>


A US-based scientist has claimed that the deadly coronavirus that led to the Covid pandemic was a "man-made virus" that escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China. But a fact-check report claims otherwise.

A US-based scientist has claimed that the deadly coronavirus that led to the Covid pandemic was a "man-made virus" that escaped from a lab in Wuhan, China. But a fact-check report claims otherwise. According to the British newspaper The Sun, researcher Andrew Huff claimed in his book 'The Truth About Wuhan' that Covid was released from WIV, a state-funded and operated research centre, two years ago. But a fact-check by RMIT University in Australia stated that the scientist who made the controversial and unproven claims about the origin of Covid did not actually work at Wuhan lab, as was claimed in earlier reports. Also read | China services activity shrank to six-month lows in November: Caixin PMI The report mentioned a televised interview aired by Fox News on December 7, when he was introduced as "a scientist who actually worked inside the Wuhan lab". In his response, Huff replied that "there's one thing I'd like to clear up here real quickly, I never stepped foot in China, I never actually worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology." Huff worked for the US-based scientific research group, EcoHealth Alliance between 2014 and 2016. EcoHealth Alliance even told RMIT FactLab in an email that Huff was hired as a senior research scientist, before a change of title to associate vice president in 2015. Also WATCH | China: Protesters in China angered against Xi’s Zero Covid policy After his claims, EcoHealth Alliance issued a statement on December 5. The group rejected the reports that he had worked at the Wuhan lab. In the statement, it noted: "Mr Huff was employed by the EcoHealth Alliance from 2014 to 2016." "However, reports that he worked at or with the Wuhan Institute of Virology during that time are untrue. He was assigned to a completely different project working on computer-based algorithms to assess emerging disease threats," it added. "Mr. Huff was employed by the EcoHealth Alliance from 2014 to 2016. However, reports that he worked at or with the Wuhan Institute of Virology during that time are untrue. He was assigned to a completely different project working on computer-based algorithms to assess emerging disease threats." Mr. Huff claims that SARS-CoV-2 emerged as a lab leak from the Wuhan Institute of Virology based on research conducted there on bat coronaviruses and, further, that this research was related to U.S. intelligence gathering efforts. This is not true. Huff alleged that the pandemic was brought on by the US government's funding of coronaviruses in China in his most recent book, "The Truth About Wuhan." Huff's book excerpts have appeared in the UK tabloid The Sun. According to the New York Post, Huff argues in his book that China's gain-of-function tests were carried out with insufficient security, which led to a leak at the Wuhan facility. (Disclaimer: An earlier version of this article incorrectly mentioned that Andrew Huff worked at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This article has been updated on December 12)

Is Covid a man-made virus that was leaked from lab? Claims and counterclaims persist over origin of virus

UNBELIEVABLE, but claimed to be REAL: Here are some popular and intriguing UFO sightings

<p>What are they hiding in Area 51? Is Subliminal advertising real? Where is bigfoot cryogenically preserved? Did they really replace Avril Lavigne? Was the American Horror Story right about Nixon’s Watergate scandal?&nbsp;</p>

<p>From the Moon Landing being staged to the Illuminati controlling the content we consume. There’s probably a thread, explaining in great detail the sinister motives and elaborate plans by the government to control us. This is not an investigative study into one of the many conspiracy theories floating around. This is not a deduction of whether they are true or not. This is A written account of a curious mind, from one conspiracy theory enthusiast to another.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Popular conspiracy theories</strong></p>

<ol>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr">The Watergate scandal&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr">Area 51&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr">Was Avril Lavigne replaced with a clone?&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr">Moon Landing. Staged?&nbsp;</p>
	</li>
	<li dir="ltr">
	<p dir="ltr">The Earth is actually flat</p>
	</li>
</ol>

<p><strong>So, why do we love them?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Why do we latch on to them? What is it about these theories? Is it that it tickles our sense of wonder? Does it make us feel like we are on to something big? Profound perhaps? Is it a way of understanding how we humans function and behave?&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/why-do-we-love-conspiracy-theories-so-much-471184/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>There is a growing number of people who believe that the earth is flat. There are perhaps only a handful of Americans who haven't heard of QAnon and there’s a very devoted section of people spending hours trying to debunk moon landing claims. Conspiracy theories and our proclivity to gruesome, sinister, secret plots aren't new.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Let’s start with this - for every conspiracy video on YouTube or Reddit threads, how many people go back and fact-check? You'd be surprised as to how many videos are replete with false data. This brings me to my next question - Why would someone do this? There are a number of reasons - political gain, financial gain, tarnishing a brands’ image, inflated sense of intelligence, and heightened illusory bias.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Illusory Patterns</strong></p>

<p>Ever seen certain shapes in the clouds or distinct patterns on a busy wallpaper? It's a common phenomenon called Illusory Pattern Perception. Research by Vrije University Amsterdam finds that illusory pattern perception is at the centre of irrational beliefs and fears. It suggests that the desire to feel in control often takes centre stage when people feel they lack control in certain aspects of their life. Such heightened subjectivity of perception is a way of making sense of the world around them for some. People are often more inclined to give in to such theories and phenomena when faced with adversity or uncertainty. It was also found to be heightened in those who tend to be more inclined and sensitive to paranormal beliefs. We have all heard of classical conditioning - Pavlov’s experiment being the most commonly used example - this isn't much different either. While there are a lot of variations in pattern perception, there is evidence to suggest that there is a direct link between belief in the Perception of patterns and belief in a conspiracy theory.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Could this be the reason behind such esoteric and abstract surreal creations of Dali and Magritte?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Disposition&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>But that’s been the case with everything we believe in. Hasn't it? It's our ideas, experiences, and beliefs that shape us after all. But another pattern that has emerged out of this is the fact that conspiracy theories may be more prevalent in certain geographical regions than others. Now, what explains that? For instance, as per a study by UNICEF 43% of people worldwide believe in conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and the concealment of pertinent information regarding vaccines. Out of which the percentage of people who believed that information on harmful effects of vaccines was being hidden, was the highest in South Africa - at 57%. And the lowest in Denmark - at 14%. So can we look at the history and discern why one of the two would be more inclined to believe in such theories than the others? Seems likely. One google click and you can find at least 100 articles and threads that support such theories. Soon you’ll be recommended accounts on social media that also have similar leanings. And then starts the procession of targeted ads &amp; posts. Back to square one, are we?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Conspiracies and&nbsp;superstition</strong></p>

<p>Are we more likely to believe in conspiracy theories based on our religious leanings? Or lack thereof? Superstition and conspiracy theories are not synonymous but are equally rampant in our society. A study by the Erasmus School of Philosophy reveals that both may be a way for individuals to cope with uncertainty. This seems to be a recurring theme. And I have to say - it's not very pleasant either. Is it a by-product of us trying to feed our curious mind or just uncertainty and deep-rooted fears that we are trying to cope with?&nbsp;<br />
Really, Where is Freud when you need him?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The ominous conundrum&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>That being said, do we shun conspiracy theories altogether? I say we consume them the way we would a sci-fi movie or a drama series. We see them, we read them and we love and/or hate them. Fact check, fact check and fact check. Learn more about the source of information. Do your own research. &nbsp;<br />
Either way, what fun!</p>

<p>All the scientific jargon aside, the explanation does make sense, doesn't it? Or maybe, this is just another painstakingly elaborate plot right out of your MK-Ultra nightmares. You know what they say, when you truly want something all of deep state conspires in order for you to achieve it. Wait…..that’s not the original quote? Oh well!</p>


What are they hiding in Area 51? Is Subliminal advertising real? Where is bigfoot cryogenically preserved? Did they really replace Avril Lavigne? Was the American Horror Story right about Nixon’s Watergate scandal?

What are they hiding in Area 51? Is Subliminal advertising real? Where is bigfoot cryogenically preserved? Did they really replace Avril Lavigne? Was the American Horror Story right about Nixon’s Watergate scandal? From the Moon Landing being staged to the Illuminati controlling the content we consume. There’s probably a thread, explaining in great detail the sinister motives and elaborate plans by the government to control us. This is not an investigative study into one of the many conspiracy theories floating around. This is not a deduction of whether they are true or not. This is A written account of a curious mind, from one conspiracy theory enthusiast to another. Popular conspiracy theories The Watergate scandal Area 51 Was Avril Lavigne replaced with a clone? Moon Landing. Staged? The Earth is actually flat So, why do we love them? Why do we latch on to them? What is it about these theories? Is it that it tickles our sense of wonder? Does it make us feel like we are on to something big? Profound perhaps? Is it a way of understanding how we humans function and behave? There is a growing number of people who believe that the earth is flat. There are perhaps only a handful of Americans who haven't heard of QAnon and there’s a very devoted section of people spending hours trying to debunk moon landing claims. Conspiracy theories and our proclivity to gruesome, sinister, secret plots aren't new. Let’s start with this - for every conspiracy video on YouTube or Reddit threads, how many people go back and fact-check? You'd be surprised as to how many videos are replete with false data. This brings me to my next question - Why would someone do this? There are a number of reasons - political gain, financial gain, tarnishing a brands’ image, inflated sense of intelligence, and heightened illusory bias. Illusory Patterns Ever seen certain shapes in the clouds or distinct patterns on a busy wallpaper? It's a common phenomenon called Illusory Pattern Perception. Research by Vrije University Amsterdam finds that illusory pattern perception is at the centre of irrational beliefs and fears. It suggests that the desire to feel in control often takes centre stage when people feel they lack control in certain aspects of their life. Such heightened subjectivity of perception is a way of making sense of the world around them for some. People are often more inclined to give in to such theories and phenomena when faced with adversity or uncertainty. It was also found to be heightened in those who tend to be more inclined and sensitive to paranormal beliefs. We have all heard of classical conditioning - Pavlov’s experiment being the most commonly used example - this isn't much different either. While there are a lot of variations in pattern perception, there is evidence to suggest that there is a direct link between belief in the Perception of patterns and belief in a conspiracy theory. Could this be the reason behind such esoteric and abstract surreal creations of Dali and Magritte? Disposition But that’s been the case with everything we believe in. Hasn't it? It's our ideas, experiences, and beliefs that shape us after all. But another pattern that has emerged out of this is the fact that conspiracy theories may be more prevalent in certain geographical regions than others. Now, what explains that? For instance, as per a study by UNICEF 43% of people worldwide believe in conspiracy theories regarding vaccines and the concealment of pertinent information regarding vaccines. Out of which the percentage of people who believed that information on harmful effects of vaccines was being hidden, was the highest in South Africa - at 57%. And the lowest in Denmark - at 14%. So can we look at the history and discern why one of the two would be more inclined to believe in such theories than the others? Seems likely. One google click and you can find at least 100 articles and threads that support such theories. Soon you’ll be recommended accounts on social media that also have similar leanings. And then starts the procession of targeted ads & posts. Back to square one, are we? Conspiracies and superstition Are we more likely to believe in conspiracy theories based on our religious leanings? Or lack thereof? Superstition and conspiracy theories are not synonymous but are equally rampant in our society. A study by the Erasmus School of Philosophy reveals that both may be a way for individuals to cope with uncertainty. This seems to be a recurring theme. And I have to say - it's not very pleasant either. Is it a by-product of us trying to feed our curious mind or just uncertainty and deep-rooted fears that we are trying to cope with? Really, Where is Freud when you need him? The ominous conundrum That being said, do we shun conspiracy theories altogether? I say we consume them the way we would a sci-fi movie or a drama series. We see them, we read them and we love and/or hate them. Fact check, fact check and fact check. Learn more about the source of information. Do your own research. Either way, what fun! All the scientific jargon aside, the explanation does make sense, doesn't it? Or maybe, this is just another painstakingly elaborate plot right out of your MK-Ultra nightmares. You know what they say, when you truly want something all of deep state conspires in order for you to achieve it. Wait…..that’s not the original quote? Oh well!

Conspiracy Theories. Why do we love them so much?

<p>A wealthy French family obsessed with conspiracy theories linked to Covid jumped to their deaths from their seventh-floor apartment in Montreux, Switzerland, according to police.</p>

<p>The bodies of Eric David, 40, Nasrine Feraoun, 41, her twin sister Narjisse, and their 8-year-old daughter were found at the bottom of a seven-story building just 45 minutes after police arrived at their door.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the 15-year-old son survived the fall, he remains in stable condition in the hospital.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-ice-volcanoes-on-dwarf-planet-pluto-466822" hreflang="en">Scientists discover ice volcanoes on dwarf-planet Pluto</a></strong></p>

<p>Police in Vaud said on Tuesday they were investigating the possibility of a 'collective suicide' based on evidence 'all the victims jumped from the balcony one after the other'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Authorities do not believe anyone else was involved.</p>

<p>During an attempt to execute an arrest warrant on the father over home-schooling, all five members of the family jumped over 65ft to their deaths, police said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The deaths occurred after two officers arrived at the apartment at 6.15 am to serve a warrant for the father on Thursday in relation to the home-schooling of one of the couple's children.</p>

<p>In response to their knock on the door, the officers heard a voice ask who they were, but once they replied, the apartment went silent. After failing to make contact, the officers left. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/love-knows-no-bounds-vietnamese-man-spends-thousands-converting-van-into-wooden-tank-for-son-466760" hreflang="en">Love knows no bounds: Vietnamese man spends thousands converting van into wooden tank for son</a></strong></p>

<p>All five members of the family jumped from the balcony within five minutes of each other shortly before 7 am.</p>

<p>Police said a step ladder was found on the balcony, but there were no signs of struggle.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'Before or during the events, no witnesses, including the two police officers present on the spot from 6:15 am and the passers-by at the foot of the building, heard the slightest noise or cry coming from the apartment or the balcony,' police said.</p>

<p>'Technical investigations show no warning signs of such an act,' they added, noting however that 'since the start of the pandemic, the family was very interested in conspiracy and survivalist theories'.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;U.N. food chief warns of 'catastrophe' as war shakes up the global food supply</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-food-chief-warns-of-catastrophe-as-war-shakes-up-the-global-food-supply-466832/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Living in virtual self-sufficiency, the family had a well-organized stockpile of various foods that occupied most of the apartment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Neither the mother nor the girl, who did not attend school, were registered with local authorities, and only the mother's twin sister worked outside the home.</p>

<p>'All these elements suggest... fear of the authorities interfering in their lives,' said the police.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A wealthy French family obsessed with conspiracy theories linked to Covid jumped to their deaths from their seventh-floor apartment in Montreux, Switzerland, according to police.

A wealthy French family obsessed with conspiracy theories linked to Covid jumped to their deaths from their seventh-floor apartment in Montreux, Switzerland, according to police. The bodies of Eric David, 40, Nasrine Feraoun, 41, her twin sister Narjisse, and their 8-year-old daughter were found at the bottom of a seven-story building just 45 minutes after police arrived at their door. However, the 15-year-old son survived the fall, he remains in stable condition in the hospital. Also read | Scientists discover ice volcanoes on dwarf-planet Pluto Police in Vaud said on Tuesday they were investigating the possibility of a 'collective suicide' based on evidence 'all the victims jumped from the balcony one after the other'. Authorities do not believe anyone else was involved. During an attempt to execute an arrest warrant on the father over home-schooling, all five members of the family jumped over 65ft to their deaths, police said. The deaths occurred after two officers arrived at the apartment at 6.15 am to serve a warrant for the father on Thursday in relation to the home-schooling of one of the couple's children. In response to their knock on the door, the officers heard a voice ask who they were, but once they replied, the apartment went silent. After failing to make contact, the officers left. Also read | Love knows no bounds: Vietnamese man spends thousands converting van into wooden tank for son All five members of the family jumped from the balcony within five minutes of each other shortly before 7 am. Police said a step ladder was found on the balcony, but there were no signs of struggle. 'Before or during the events, no witnesses, including the two police officers present on the spot from 6:15 am and the passers-by at the foot of the building, heard the slightest noise or cry coming from the apartment or the balcony,' police said. 'Technical investigations show no warning signs of such an act,' they added, noting however that 'since the start of the pandemic, the family was very interested in conspiracy and survivalist theories'. Watch | U.N. food chief warns of 'catastrophe' as war shakes up the global food supply Living in virtual self-sufficiency, the family had a well-organized stockpile of various foods that occupied most of the apartment. Neither the mother nor the girl, who did not attend school, were registered with local authorities, and only the mother's twin sister worked outside the home. 'All these elements suggest... fear of the authorities interfering in their lives,' said the police. (With inputs from agencies)

Mass suicide: Obsessed with conspiracy-theories, family of five jumps off of 7 storey building

<p>The sudden deaths of prominent military people around the world have always sparked conspiracy theories, and the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat is no exception.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Following the Mi-17 helicopter crash near Coonoor in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which killed Rawat, his wife, and 12 other passengers, several conspiracy theories are spreading on social media.</p>

<p>According to aviation experts and sources, bad weather and "controlled flying into terrain"&nbsp;may have been the causes of the incident, and a tri-service probe is currently on.</p>

<p>But numerous Pakistani disinformation networks have begun a sinister social media campaign to attribute the crash to an insurgent strike, internal sabotage, or even a communal attack.</p>

<p><strong>IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/gen-bipin-rawat-indias-first-chief-of-defence-staff-a-life-in-pictures-435226">Gen Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff: A life in pictures</a></strong></p>

<p>None of the allegations have been backed up by any serious evidence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Logically, a tech company of counter-disinformation analysts, revealed in a report that some Pakistani Twitter accounts have reinforced versions of these conspiracy ideas.</p>

<p>Among the most common is the assertion that the chopper was shot down by "Tamil rebels," a phrase used to refer to the the long-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Sri Lankan rebel group that has been dormant since its defeat by the Sri Lankan forces in 2009.</p>

<p>This theory, along with many others,&nbsp;has been largely driven by Pakistani accounts, presumably to capitalise on the presence of pro-Tamil Eelam sympathisers in Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Pakistan Strategic Forum, a blog that claims to be a think tank, was one of them, claiming that Tamil rebels were to blame for the chopper accident.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Tamil Rebels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c517129-675f-4b0b-9e53-0e28f05622b1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/a.JPG" /></p>

<p>The post was eventually withdrawn, and the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch Central Investigation Department filed a case against this Twitter handle.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Tamil Rebels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a6dc3e29-d459-4fa9-a695-b1053dee242c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/d.JPG" /></p>

<p>On December 14, the self-proclaimed think-tank released a 7-minute video with yet another conspiracy theory claiming the crash was caused by an inside job.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Tamil Rebels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4bbd556e-9855-4f39-9aaf-b2dabda29ca2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/b.JPG" /></p>

<p>Some Pakistani Twitter accounts were ecstatic, reassuring Kashmiri terrorists that Tamil rebels and Khalistanis will soon come to their aid.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Tamil Rebels" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de01f3a0-767f-474d-a8ef-f4213d33b576" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/c_0.JPG" /><br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The sudden deaths of prominent military people around the world have always sparked conspiracy theories, and the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat is no exception.

The sudden deaths of prominent military people around the world have always sparked conspiracy theories, and the demise of India's first Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat is no exception. Following the Mi-17 helicopter crash near Coonoor in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, which killed Rawat, his wife, and 12 other passengers, several conspiracy theories are spreading on social media. According to aviation experts and sources, bad weather and "controlled flying into terrain" may have been the causes of the incident, and a tri-service probe is currently on. But numerous Pakistani disinformation networks have begun a sinister social media campaign to attribute the crash to an insurgent strike, internal sabotage, or even a communal attack. IN PICS | Gen Bipin Rawat, India's first Chief of Defence Staff: A life in pictures None of the allegations have been backed up by any serious evidence. Logically, a tech company of counter-disinformation analysts, revealed in a report that some Pakistani Twitter accounts have reinforced versions of these conspiracy ideas. Among the most common is the assertion that the chopper was shot down by "Tamil rebels," a phrase used to refer to the the long-defunct Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Sri Lankan rebel group that has been dormant since its defeat by the Sri Lankan forces in 2009. This theory, along with many others, has been largely driven by Pakistani accounts, presumably to capitalise on the presence of pro-Tamil Eelam sympathisers in Tamil Nadu. The Pakistan Strategic Forum, a blog that claims to be a think tank, was one of them, claiming that Tamil rebels were to blame for the chopper accident. The post was eventually withdrawn, and the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch Central Investigation Department filed a case against this Twitter handle. On December 14, the self-proclaimed think-tank released a 7-minute video with yet another conspiracy theory claiming the crash was caused by an inside job. Some Pakistani Twitter accounts were ecstatic, reassuring Kashmiri terrorists that Tamil rebels and Khalistanis will soon come to their aid. (With inputs from agencies)

Sinister campaign: Pak-based groups spread conspiracy theories on Gen Bipin Rawat's death

<p>England coach Gareth Southgate revealed that some footballers are not vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus and some are not telling&nbsp;their vaccine status because their opinions might be influenced by "conspiracy theories" on social media forums.</p>

<p>Reports published by British media suggest only seven of England's 20 top-flight clubs have more than 50 per cent of their squad fully vaccinated, although there are no official figures or statements available on the same.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Most of the players had to wait longer, a lot of them already caught the virus – and this is me theorising – maybe they feel they already have antibodies from that,"&nbsp;Southgate told British media on Friday (October 8).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"At their age, they are more open to some of these conspiracy theories because they are reading social media more, they are perhaps more vulnerable to those sort of views," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/marcus-rashford-receives-honorary-doctorate-from-university-of-manchester-see-pics-419408">Marcus Rashford receives honorary doctorate from University of Manchester - See pics</a></strong></p>

<p>Although Southgate didn't take anybody's name, but his comments are very similar to a recent report published by Daily Mail that some players are not only refusing to get vaccinated but they are spreading so-called "conspiracy theories" involving Bill Gates, infertility and the power of vitamins about the vaccines.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"From what I can see there is a bit of confusion around. And there are several different threads there to why they are choosing to be jabbed or not to speak publicly about it," said Southgate.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Southgate said he understands why players may not want to speak about having the vaccine. "As I've said all along, I don't see a better way of getting through the pandemic than a vaccination programme," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ballon-dor-2021-nominees-ronaldo-messi-and-jorginho-in-contention-for-prestigious-award-check-full-list-419333">Ballon d'Or 2021 nominees: Ronaldo, Messi and Jorginho in contention for prestigious award; check full list</a></strong></p>

<p>"Nobody has come up with anything. They have come up with reasons not to be jabbed but I've not heard them coming up with a better solution... It's a very complex subject. A very toxic subject and maybe that is why people are a little bit more reluctant to speak up."</p>

<p>Southgate also said that he is unsure of how many of his current England squad are fully vaccinated against the virus, which has caused more than five million deaths globally according to a Reuters tally.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recently, Callum Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, who plays for West Brom in the English Premier League, has admitted he has chosen not to be vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) despite contracting the virus twice.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 26-year-old striker told Irish media on Tuesday (October 5), "It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it but at this moment in time I haven't been vaccinated."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Roma striker Tammy Abraham confirmed earlier this week that he had been jabbed, on the other hand, Fikayo Tomori, who plays for AC Milan, chose not to divulge his status, saying it was a "personal issue".&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


England coach Gareth Southgate revealed that some footballers are not vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus and some are not telling their vaccine status because their opinions might be influenced by "conspiracy theories" on social media forums.

England coach Gareth Southgate revealed that some footballers are not vaccinated against the deadly coronavirus and some are not telling their vaccine status because their opinions might be influenced by "conspiracy theories" on social media forums. Reports published by British media suggest only seven of England's 20 top-flight clubs have more than 50 per cent of their squad fully vaccinated, although there are no official figures or statements available on the same. "Most of the players had to wait longer, a lot of them already caught the virus – and this is me theorising – maybe they feel they already have antibodies from that," Southgate told British media on Friday (October 8). "At their age, they are more open to some of these conspiracy theories because they are reading social media more, they are perhaps more vulnerable to those sort of views," he added. ALSO READ | Marcus Rashford receives honorary doctorate from University of Manchester - See pics Although Southgate didn't take anybody's name, but his comments are very similar to a recent report published by Daily Mail that some players are not only refusing to get vaccinated but they are spreading so-called "conspiracy theories" involving Bill Gates, infertility and the power of vitamins about the vaccines. "From what I can see there is a bit of confusion around. And there are several different threads there to why they are choosing to be jabbed or not to speak publicly about it," said Southgate. Southgate said he understands why players may not want to speak about having the vaccine. "As I've said all along, I don't see a better way of getting through the pandemic than a vaccination programme," he added. ALSO READ | Ballon d'Or 2021 nominees: Ronaldo, Messi and Jorginho in contention for prestigious award; check full list "Nobody has come up with anything. They have come up with reasons not to be jabbed but I've not heard them coming up with a better solution... It's a very complex subject. A very toxic subject and maybe that is why people are a little bit more reluctant to speak up." Southgate also said that he is unsure of how many of his current England squad are fully vaccinated against the virus, which has caused more than five million deaths globally according to a Reuters tally. Recently, Callum Robinson of the Republic of Ireland, who plays for West Brom in the English Premier League, has admitted he has chosen not to be vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) despite contracting the virus twice. The 26-year-old striker told Irish media on Tuesday (October 5), "It's obviously annoying that I've caught it twice but I haven't been vaccinated. Further down the line I could change my mind and want to do it but at this moment in time I haven't been vaccinated." Roma striker Tammy Abraham confirmed earlier this week that he had been jabbed, on the other hand, Fikayo Tomori, who plays for AC Milan, chose not to divulge his status, saying it was a "personal issue". (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19 'conspiracy theories' influence some players, says England coach Gareth Southgate

<p>Iqbal Shaheen, a taxi driver, drove his sick father to this city’s three main hospitals. All of their intensive care beds and ventilators were occupied.</p>

<p>Shaheen was told there might be room at a private hospital, for $625 a day, far above what his earnings of $10 a day could cover. He took his father home to die.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-starts-legal-process-for-ex-pm-sharifs-extradition-350941" hreflang="en">Pakistan starts legal process for ex-PM Sharif's extradition</a></strong></p>

<p>“The poor cannot afford to be sick,” Shaheen said. “Without political connections, a coronavirus patient cannot get admitted at a public hospital, while paying a private hospital’s bills is unthinkable.”</p>

<p>As winter sets in, cold weather, pollution and public apathy to the coronavirus are weighing heavily on Pakistan’s limited health care system.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-refuses-to-take-position-on-pakistans-claims-of-india-firing-at-agencys-vehicles-350934" hreflang="en">UN refuses to take position on Pakistan's claims of India firing at agency's vehicles</a></strong></p>

<p>Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate has rocketed up to about 7.7% of tests administered in recent weeks from only 2% in October, but Prime Minister Imran Khan has closed schools while ruling out a second lockdown, saying it would decimate the economy.</p>

<p>By official figures, Pakistan is weathering the coronavirus better than the United States, Europe and neighboring India. Total infections have reached 448,522, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University using official figures, and more than 9,000 people have died.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-returns-1-billion-of-saudi-arabias-soft-loan-officials-say-350506" hreflang="en">Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say</a></strong></p>

<p>Still, cases are surging, and limited testing compared with other countries suggests the virus could be racing through the country at an even higher rate. Health experts cite ineffective government limits on personal contact and widespread doubts, often fueled by conspiracy theories, that COVID-19 poses a threat.</p>

<p>Despite the rise, people in Karachi show few signs of concern. Even as the positive testing rate topped 18% in the city of 20 million, markets were packed with shoppers without masks. Meanwhile, politicians and clerics have sown doubts.</p>

<p>In April, Tariq Jamil, a popular Islamic preacher, used a televised sermon that was attended by Khan to assert that the virus was God’s wrath over women dancing and dressing immodestly. In another video spread on social media, Kaukab Okarvi, a cleric, accused doctors of killing patients.</p>

<p>Rather than take on powerful political and religious figures, the government has aimed new health restrictions at small businesses.</p>

<p>“Instead of stopping them from holding rallies, government personnel harass small traders, restaurant and marriage hall owners, and mint money in the name of COVID-19 health regulations,” said Hakeem Shah, a merchant who organized a protest against restrictions earlier this month.</p>


Iqbal Shaheen, a taxi driver, drove his sick father to this city’s three main hospitals. All of their intensive care beds and ventilators were occupied. Shaheen was told there might be room at a private hospital, for $625 a day, far above what his earnings of $10 a day could cover.

Iqbal Shaheen, a taxi driver, drove his sick father to this city’s three main hospitals. All of their intensive care beds and ventilators were occupied. Shaheen was told there might be room at a private hospital, for $625 a day, far above what his earnings of $10 a day could cover. He took his father home to die. Also read| Pakistan starts legal process for ex-PM Sharif's extradition “The poor cannot afford to be sick,” Shaheen said. “Without political connections, a coronavirus patient cannot get admitted at a public hospital, while paying a private hospital’s bills is unthinkable.” As winter sets in, cold weather, pollution and public apathy to the coronavirus are weighing heavily on Pakistan’s limited health care system. Also read| UN refuses to take position on Pakistan's claims of India firing at agency's vehicles Pakistan’s COVID-19 positivity rate has rocketed up to about 7.7% of tests administered in recent weeks from only 2% in October, but Prime Minister Imran Khan has closed schools while ruling out a second lockdown, saying it would decimate the economy. By official figures, Pakistan is weathering the coronavirus better than the United States, Europe and neighboring India. Total infections have reached 448,522, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University using official figures, and more than 9,000 people have died. Also read| Pakistan returns $1 billion of Saudi Arabia's soft loan, officials say Still, cases are surging, and limited testing compared with other countries suggests the virus could be racing through the country at an even higher rate. Health experts cite ineffective government limits on personal contact and widespread doubts, often fueled by conspiracy theories, that COVID-19 poses a threat. Despite the rise, people in Karachi show few signs of concern. Even as the positive testing rate topped 18% in the city of 20 million, markets were packed with shoppers without masks. Meanwhile, politicians and clerics have sown doubts. In April, Tariq Jamil, a popular Islamic preacher, used a televised sermon that was attended by Khan to assert that the virus was God’s wrath over women dancing and dressing immodestly. In another video spread on social media, Kaukab Okarvi, a cleric, accused doctors of killing patients. Rather than take on powerful political and religious figures, the government has aimed new health restrictions at small businesses. “Instead of stopping them from holding rallies, government personnel harass small traders, restaurant and marriage hall owners, and mint money in the name of COVID-19 health regulations,” said Hakeem Shah, a merchant who organized a protest against restrictions earlier this month.

A COVID-19 surge and conspiracy theories roil Pakistan

<p>Last Wednesday, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau’s officers were flying in a helicopter to assist the Division of Wildlife Resources in counting bighorn sheep in the region, when they stumbled upon a metal monolith in the middle of the desert -&nbsp;soaking in the sun.</p>

<p>Take a look at the object:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Utah officers, on a routine helicopter flyover stumbled upon a mysterious, shiny, metal monolith in the middle of the desert — leaving everyone baffled...<br />
<br />
“Who would do this?” <a href="https://t.co/G3MJahE4LN">pic.twitter.com/G3MJahE4LN</a></p>
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1331357305309302785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Naturally, Twitterati reacted in the most Twitter way possible: Here's a mix of conspiracy theories, complacent remarks, and even a haiku!</p>

<p>Users were quick to make Space Odyssey references in which a similar monolith was shown.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Seeing the news about the weird monolith in Utah gives me 2 reactions:<br />
— Weird memories about that time i needed to watch 2001: a space odyssey for class and seeing the space baby<br />
— Excitement/fear of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ControlRemedy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ControlRemedy</a> being real in this reality this whole time</p>
— Pony ▼ acads is pain + Control brainworms (@DedSec_Pony) <a href="https://twitter.com/DedSec_Pony/status/1331479639248699392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I'm still not over the fact that the monolith from "2001: A Space Odyssey" is on this planet. Maybe it's Kubrick in his next life. 👽</p>
— Dan Hanson (@savantsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/savantsports/status/1331481145414995970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A Twitter user claims that the monolith had been standing still at this location for four years. Reportedly, it was put there in 2016. The user collated satellite images to support his claims.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">4chan has discovered the location of the Utah monolith. It sat there for over 4 years unnoticed. <a href="https://t.co/me50ib6Xsg">pic.twitter.com/me50ib6Xsg</a></p>
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrisonPlanet/status/1331305109465272324?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Naturally, alien claims followed.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We could just leave the Utah monolith alone and mind our business.<br />
<br />
And not summon an alien or demon or whatever during the one of the worst years in our lifetimes. <a href="https://t.co/vEecYsxjR0">https://t.co/vEecYsxjR0</a></p>
— Tinu Abayomi-Paul (@Tinu) <a href="https://twitter.com/Tinu/status/1331142164429103111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Fancy some alien flavoured monolith poetry?</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The humans, conducting patrol,<br />
Discovered the monolith whole.<br />
They believed it a part<br />
Of their culture’s own art<br />
And detected no alien role.</p>
— Limericking (@Limericking) <a href="https://twitter.com/Limericking/status/1331385148168867844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Alien art? You bet!</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The twist with that monolith is that it’s alien installation art</p>
— Giannis Milonogiannis (@musashinoelegy) <a href="https://twitter.com/musashinoelegy/status/1331225213351112705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>While users rambled on about alien invasions and potential hazards of removing the monolith - a user shared a light take.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I loved the random desert monolith so much. I don’t think it’s aliens, I think someone really just made that and put it there for some reason, or no reason at all. Either way it’s beautiful. Humans are wonderful.</p>
— Giles Van Gruisen (@gilesvangruisen) <a href="https://twitter.com/gilesvangruisen/status/1331481923273814019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Twitter is a bizarre place. Here's a bizarre claim:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I live close-ish to the monolith in Utah. for the right price I will go there and find out if we can eat it</p>
— dave whelan (@MrDavidWhelan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrDavidWhelan/status/1331466575740809220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Another user wondered whether you could dab on the monolith</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Had to dab on that Utah Monolith<br />
<br />
📸: <a href="https://twitter.com/JhuskyDuh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JhuskyDuh</a> <a href="https://t.co/bn4SRBjyIJ">pic.twitter.com/bn4SRBjyIJ</a></p>
— Vaz Gay (@VazDrae) <a href="https://twitter.com/VazDrae/status/1331479861056114691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Pokemon gang, too, joined in on the fun</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Utah Monolith is real <a href="https://t.co/zqCDuGL3ra">pic.twitter.com/zqCDuGL3ra</a></p>
— 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕞𝕠 🏳️‍🌈BLM🏳️‍🌈 𝔸𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕜 (@KilmoAardvark) <a href="https://twitter.com/KilmoAardvark/status/1331490038933192705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>A promotion strategy for an upcoming song? A user thinks so&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">we're in 2020's swan song.<br />
<br />
just watch, that monolith in the desert is actually a marketing bit for an upcoming chainsmokers single.</p>
— live. laugh. rage against the machine. (@vincefalconi) <a href="https://twitter.com/vincefalconi/status/1331464295155191811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>It is illegal to put structures or art in public land without authorisation regardless of “what planet you’re from”, as iterated by Utah DPS in a statement.</p>


Last Wednesday, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau’s officers were flying in a helicopter to assist the Division of Wildlife Resources in counting bighorn sheep in the region, when they stumbled upon a metal monolith in the middle of the desert - soaking in the sun.

Last Wednesday, the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Aero Bureau’s officers were flying in a helicopter to assist the Division of Wildlife Resources in counting bighorn sheep in the region, when they stumbled upon a metal monolith in the middle of the desert - soaking in the sun. Take a look at the object: Utah officers, on a routine helicopter flyover stumbled upon a mysterious, shiny, metal monolith in the middle of the desert — leaving everyone baffled... “Who would do this?” pic.twitter.com/G3MJahE4LN — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 24, 2020 × Naturally, Twitterati reacted in the most Twitter way possible: Here's a mix of conspiracy theories, complacent remarks, and even a haiku! Users were quick to make Space Odyssey references in which a similar monolith was shown. Seeing the news about the weird monolith in Utah gives me 2 reactions: — Weird memories about that time i needed to watch 2001: a space odyssey for class and seeing the space baby — Excitement/fear of #ControlRemedy being real in this reality this whole time — Pony ▼ acads is pain + Control brainworms (@DedSec_Pony) November 25, 2020 × I'm still not over the fact that the monolith from "2001: A Space Odyssey" is on this planet. Maybe it's Kubrick in his next life. 👽 — Dan Hanson (@savantsports) November 25, 2020 × A Twitter user claims that the monolith had been standing still at this location for four years. Reportedly, it was put there in 2016. The user collated satellite images to support his claims. 4chan has discovered the location of the Utah monolith. It sat there for over 4 years unnoticed. pic.twitter.com/me50ib6Xsg — Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) November 24, 2020 × Naturally, alien claims followed. We could just leave the Utah monolith alone and mind our business. And not summon an alien or demon or whatever during the one of the worst years in our lifetimes. https://t.co/vEecYsxjR0 — Tinu Abayomi-Paul (@Tinu) November 24, 2020 × Fancy some alien flavoured monolith poetry? The humans, conducting patrol, Discovered the monolith whole. They believed it a part Of their culture’s own art And detected no alien role. — Limericking (@Limericking) November 24, 2020 × Alien art? You bet! The twist with that monolith is that it’s alien installation art — Giannis Milonogiannis (@musashinoelegy) November 24, 2020 × While users rambled on about alien invasions and potential hazards of removing the monolith - a user shared a light take. I loved the random desert monolith so much. I don’t think it’s aliens, I think someone really just made that and put it there for some reason, or no reason at all. Either way it’s beautiful. Humans are wonderful. — Giles Van Gruisen (@gilesvangruisen) November 25, 2020 × Twitter is a bizarre place. Here's a bizarre claim: I live close-ish to the monolith in Utah. for the right price I will go there and find out if we can eat it — dave whelan (@MrDavidWhelan) November 25, 2020 × Another user wondered whether you could dab on the monolith Had to dab on that Utah Monolith 📸: @JhuskyDuh pic.twitter.com/bn4SRBjyIJ — Vaz Gay (@VazDrae) November 25, 2020 × The Pokemon gang, too, joined in on the fun The Utah Monolith is real pic.twitter.com/zqCDuGL3ra — 𝕂𝕚𝕝𝕞𝕠 🏳️‍🌈BLM🏳️‍🌈 𝔸𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕜 (@KilmoAardvark) November 25, 2020 × A promotion strategy for an upcoming song? A user thinks so we're in 2020's swan song. just watch, that monolith in the desert is actually a marketing bit for an upcoming chainsmokers single. — live. laugh. rage against the machine. (@vincefalconi) November 25, 2020 × It is illegal to put structures or art in public land without authorisation regardless of “what planet you’re from”, as iterated by Utah DPS in a statement.

Watch the strange metal monolith in Utah and the conspiracy theories that followed

<p>YouTube said Thursday it was tightening rules for propagation of conspiracy theories, notably targeting the QAnon movement already limited on Twitter and Facebook.</p>

<p>The Google-owned video-sharing service said it was expanding its policies on hate and harassment "to prohibit content that targets an individual or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence."</p>

<p>This could mean removing videos threatening or harassing people by suggesting they are complicit in a conspiracy like Pizzagate -- about a supposed child sex trafficking ring with links to former Democratic White House candidate Hillary Clinton that operated from a Washington pizzeria.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-to-ban-content-which-denies-and-distorts-the-holocaust-334797"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Facebook to ban content which denies and distorts the Holocaust</strong></a></p>

<p>QAnon has grown sharply during the pandemic because it acted as a binding force -- mixing its core tenet of anti-Semitic and white supremacist tropes with long-running conspiracy theories about vaccines and 5G mobile technology, as well as far-right and libertarian politics.</p>

<p>YouTube said it had previously removed "tens of thousands of QAnon videos" and terminated some channels used by the movement, notably those that explicitly threaten violence or deny the existence of major violent events.</p>

<p>Earlier this month Facebook banned QAnon-linked accounts on its core social network and on Instagram. Twitter began a crackdown on QAnon earlier this year.</p>

<p>The latest move by YouTube comes amid heightened tensions over misinformation spreading on social media, while some conservatives have accused platforms of bias in taking down content.</p>


YouTube said Thursday it was tightening rules for propagation of conspiracy theories, notably targeting the QAnon movement already limited on Twitter and Facebook.

YouTube said Thursday it was tightening rules for propagation of conspiracy theories, notably targeting the QAnon movement already limited on Twitter and Facebook. The Google-owned video-sharing service said it was expanding its policies on hate and harassment "to prohibit content that targets an individual or group with conspiracy theories that have been used to justify real-world violence." This could mean removing videos threatening or harassing people by suggesting they are complicit in a conspiracy like Pizzagate -- about a supposed child sex trafficking ring with links to former Democratic White House candidate Hillary Clinton that operated from a Washington pizzeria. Also read| Facebook to ban content which denies and distorts the Holocaust QAnon has grown sharply during the pandemic because it acted as a binding force -- mixing its core tenet of anti-Semitic and white supremacist tropes with long-running conspiracy theories about vaccines and 5G mobile technology, as well as far-right and libertarian politics. YouTube said it had previously removed "tens of thousands of QAnon videos" and terminated some channels used by the movement, notably those that explicitly threaten violence or deny the existence of major violent events. Earlier this month Facebook banned QAnon-linked accounts on its core social network and on Instagram. Twitter began a crackdown on QAnon earlier this year. The latest move by YouTube comes amid heightened tensions over misinformation spreading on social media, while some conservatives have accused platforms of bias in taking down content.

YouTube toughens rules for QAnon conspiracy content

<p>The other night, as President Donald Trump convalesced at Walter Reed, I took a spin through social media to see the latest news on his health.</p>

<p>Instead, what I found were a bunch of paranoid partisans posting grainy, zoomed-in photos, analyzing video footage frame by frame, and people straining to connect the dots on far-fetched conspiracy theories involving a cabal of nefarious elites staging an elaborate cover-up.</p>

<p>No, I didn’t stumble into a room for QAnon, the pro-Trump conspiracy theory. In fact, many of the people sharing bogus and unverified claims on my feeds were die-hard Democrats. Some of them were speculating, with no evidence, that Trump was faking his bout with COVID-19 to engender sympathy and boost his reelection chances. Others claimed that Trump had died and been replaced by a body double (nope), that he had gotten a secret vaccine from Russia and was quarantining until it took effect (also nope) or that he had deliberately contracted the disease to distract the public from a New York Times article about his taxes (creative, but doubtful).</p>

<p>None of these theories passed the smell test, but they were retweeted and shared thousands of times anyway. Zignal Labs, a firm that tracks online misinformation, said that the theory that Trump had faked his illness had been mentioned more than 85,000 times on social media and that the hashtag #TrumpCovidHoax, which trended on Twitter in the United States, had been mentioned more than 75,000 times.</p>

<p>To be clear, none of the rumormongering I saw from the left was comparable to a dangerous extremist movement like QAnon, which alleges that the world is controlled by a cabal of satanic pedophiles led by prominent Democrats. And it’s understandable that people would question the official narrative of Trump’s illness. Presidents have a long history of hiding their health problems from the public, and the barrage of conflicting, confusing and dishonest information emanating from Trump and his medical team this week has made it hard to take their claims at face value.</p>

<p>But it is notable how easily the conspiracist’s creed — that the official narrative is always a lie, and that the truth is out there for those willing to dig for it themselves — has penetrated our national psyche. After Trump tested positive for COVID-19 last week, social media sleuths raced to dissect every statement, tweet and photograph that might reveal clues about his real condition. (Is that lump in his jacket a hidden oxygen tank? Was that video edited to remove a telltale cough?)</p>

<p>Unsatisfied with the official explanations given by Trump’s doctors, they sought out their own sources, like the TikTok account of Claudia Conway, the 15-year-old daughter of the former presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway, who offered a grimmer prognosis.</p>

<p>And when the president did emerge from Walter Reed, armchair pulmonologists pored over his homecoming video as if it were a modern-day Zapruder film, looking for evidence that he was still in dire shape.</p>

<p>Trump’s hospitalization — a high-stakes medical drama starring a president who is known to exaggerate his own health — made for perfect conspiracy theory fodder. And according to several experts I talked to, the lack of reliable information coming from Trump administration officials made speculation about a cover-up inevitable.</p>

<p>“Conspiracy theorists love a vacuum,” said Kathryn Olmsted, a professor of history at the University of California, Davis, who has studied the history of conspiracy theories. “If they’re not getting answers, they’re going to come up with their own.”</p>

<p>Some of what’s happening is related to the dynamics of social media platforms, which favor bold, engaging claims over dry and careful ones. But there seems to be something else happening, too — a force that is pulling us all toward conspiracy theories these days, no matter our political persuasion.</p>

<p>On Tuesday, Facebook officially banned the QAnon movement from its services, labeling it a “militarized social movement.” The purge was good news for those of us who have watched QAnon morph from a fringe message board stunt to a dangerous quasi-religion that organizes mass harassment campaigns, spreads life-threatening misinformation and threatens its enemies with violence.</p>

<p>But while QAnon may be a singularly dangerous movement, the reflexive paranoia and rejection of authority it represents is not an isolated phenomenon, or one that is limited to far-right extremists.</p>

<p>On Monday, as I watched a video clip of the president standing on a White House balcony, I was struck by the realization that virtually no one was simply accepting the scene at face value. Democrats were theorizing about what secret maladies he was trying to cover up. Republicans were speculating about what signals he was trying to send to his political opponents. Everyone was “doing their own research,” and looking behind the curtain for the real story. There was no text, only subtext.</p>

<p>I thought of Martin Gurri, a media theorist whose work I find provocative, even if I disagree with some of his conclusions. In his book “The Revolt of the Public,” Gurri writes that social media, and the internet more broadly, have eroded the authority of long-standing mass-media gatekeepers — like the newspaper you’re reading right now — and replaced it with “vital communities” of digital insurgents who are united around shared interests.</p>

<p>These groups, Gurri writes, develop their own sources of authority. For one group, a phalanx of white-coated doctors standing outside Walter Reed might seem authoritative. For another group, a teenage girl’s TikTok feed or a QAnon believer’s YouTube channel might hold more sway. Every group creates its own evidentiary standards, and processes information in its own way. There is no “consensus reality” they can all agree to because the idea of a single, shared reality was an artifact of the 20th century, when most people got information from a handful of big mainstream sources.</p>

<p>I called Gurri, who told me that he wasn’t surprised that people were turning to conspiracy theories about Trump’s illness. Uncertainty always breeds distrust, and in the age of social media, he said, authority is held by people who can effectively get their message out — even if those messages are false or misleading.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Dissemination is validation,” he said. “If you can concoct something that travels on the web, then you’re on the same plane as any expert in the world.”</p>

<p>Gurri, a former CIA analyst, is skeptical that we will ever return to accepting information handed to us by elites at face value. There’s simply too much information now, traveling over too many channels, for people on any side to be satisfied with a single, straightforward answer to any question — whether it’s about the president’s blood oxygen levels, an imaginary pedophile cabal or something else entirely.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>I don’t think, as some of Gurri’s fans in Silicon Valley do, that authority and expertise are relics of a bygone age, and I don’t think we should let social media platforms off the hook for amplifying lies and propaganda. But as I look around my feeds this week, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s right that the internet — and the erosion of authority it has enabled — has made conspiracy theorists of us all.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>“This is not Trump,” Gurri said. “This is structural, and even if Trump loses in November, it’s going to continue.”</p>


The other night, as President Donald Trump convalesced at Walter Reed, I took a spin through social media to see the latest news on his health. Instead, what I found were a bunch of paranoid partisans posting grainy, zoomed-in photos, analyzing video footage frame by frame, and people straining to connect the dots on far-fetched conspiracy theories involving a cabal of nefarious elites staging an elaborate cover-up.

The other night, as President Donald Trump convalesced at Walter Reed, I took a spin through social media to see the latest news on his health. Instead, what I found were a bunch of paranoid partisans posting grainy, zoomed-in photos, analyzing video footage frame by frame, and people straining to connect the dots on far-fetched conspiracy theories involving a cabal of nefarious elites staging an elaborate cover-up. No, I didn’t stumble into a room for QAnon, the pro-Trump conspiracy theory. In fact, many of the people sharing bogus and unverified claims on my feeds were die-hard Democrats. Some of them were speculating, with no evidence, that Trump was faking his bout with COVID-19 to engender sympathy and boost his reelection chances. Others claimed that Trump had died and been replaced by a body double (nope), that he had gotten a secret vaccine from Russia and was quarantining until it took effect (also nope) or that he had deliberately contracted the disease to distract the public from a New York Times article about his taxes (creative, but doubtful). None of these theories passed the smell test, but they were retweeted and shared thousands of times anyway. Zignal Labs, a firm that tracks online misinformation, said that the theory that Trump had faked his illness had been mentioned more than 85,000 times on social media and that the hashtag #TrumpCovidHoax, which trended on Twitter in the United States, had been mentioned more than 75,000 times. To be clear, none of the rumormongering I saw from the left was comparable to a dangerous extremist movement like QAnon, which alleges that the world is controlled by a cabal of satanic pedophiles led by prominent Democrats. And it’s understandable that people would question the official narrative of Trump’s illness. Presidents have a long history of hiding their health problems from the public, and the barrage of conflicting, confusing and dishonest information emanating from Trump and his medical team this week has made it hard to take their claims at face value. But it is notable how easily the conspiracist’s creed — that the official narrative is always a lie, and that the truth is out there for those willing to dig for it themselves — has penetrated our national psyche. After Trump tested positive for COVID-19 last week, social media sleuths raced to dissect every statement, tweet and photograph that might reveal clues about his real condition. (Is that lump in his jacket a hidden oxygen tank? Was that video edited to remove a telltale cough?) Unsatisfied with the official explanations given by Trump’s doctors, they sought out their own sources, like the TikTok account of Claudia Conway, the 15-year-old daughter of the former presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway, who offered a grimmer prognosis. And when the president did emerge from Walter Reed, armchair pulmonologists pored over his homecoming video as if it were a modern-day Zapruder film, looking for evidence that he was still in dire shape. Trump’s hospitalization — a high-stakes medical drama starring a president who is known to exaggerate his own health — made for perfect conspiracy theory fodder. And according to several experts I talked to, the lack of reliable information coming from Trump administration officials made speculation about a cover-up inevitable. “Conspiracy theorists love a vacuum,” said Kathryn Olmsted, a professor of history at the University of California, Davis, who has studied the history of conspiracy theories. “If they’re not getting answers, they’re going to come up with their own.” Some of what’s happening is related to the dynamics of social media platforms, which favor bold, engaging claims over dry and careful ones. But there seems to be something else happening, too — a force that is pulling us all toward conspiracy theories these days, no matter our political persuasion. On Tuesday, Facebook officially banned the QAnon movement from its services, labeling it a “militarized social movement.” The purge was good news for those of us who have watched QAnon morph from a fringe message board stunt to a dangerous quasi-religion that organizes mass harassment campaigns, spreads life-threatening misinformation and threatens its enemies with violence. But while QAnon may be a singularly dangerous movement, the reflexive paranoia and rejection of authority it represents is not an isolated phenomenon, or one that is limited to far-right extremists. On Monday, as I watched a video clip of the president standing on a White House balcony, I was struck by the realization that virtually no one was simply accepting the scene at face value. Democrats were theorizing about what secret maladies he was trying to cover up. Republicans were speculating about what signals he was trying to send to his political opponents. Everyone was “doing their own research,” and looking behind the curtain for the real story. There was no text, only subtext. I thought of Martin Gurri, a media theorist whose work I find provocative, even if I disagree with some of his conclusions. In his book “The Revolt of the Public,” Gurri writes that social media, and the internet more broadly, have eroded the authority of long-standing mass-media gatekeepers — like the newspaper you’re reading right now — and replaced it with “vital communities” of digital insurgents who are united around shared interests. These groups, Gurri writes, develop their own sources of authority. For one group, a phalanx of white-coated doctors standing outside Walter Reed might seem authoritative. For another group, a teenage girl’s TikTok feed or a QAnon believer’s YouTube channel might hold more sway. Every group creates its own evidentiary standards, and processes information in its own way. There is no “consensus reality” they can all agree to because the idea of a single, shared reality was an artifact of the 20th century, when most people got information from a handful of big mainstream sources. I called Gurri, who told me that he wasn’t surprised that people were turning to conspiracy theories about Trump’s illness. Uncertainty always breeds distrust, and in the age of social media, he said, authority is held by people who can effectively get their message out — even if those messages are false or misleading. “Dissemination is validation,” he said. “If you can concoct something that travels on the web, then you’re on the same plane as any expert in the world.” Gurri, a former CIA analyst, is skeptical that we will ever return to accepting information handed to us by elites at face value. There’s simply too much information now, traveling over too many channels, for people on any side to be satisfied with a single, straightforward answer to any question — whether it’s about the president’s blood oxygen levels, an imaginary pedophile cabal or something else entirely. I don’t think, as some of Gurri’s fans in Silicon Valley do, that authority and expertise are relics of a bygone age, and I don’t think we should let social media platforms off the hook for amplifying lies and propaganda. But as I look around my feeds this week, it’s hard not to wonder if he’s right that the internet — and the erosion of authority it has enabled — has made conspiracy theorists of us all. “This is not Trump,” Gurri said. “This is structural, and even if Trump loses in November, it’s going to continue.”

Why conspiracy theories are so addictive right now

<p>Outrage and intrigue over the apparent suicide in prison of well-connected accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein soared Sunday as US lawmakers pushed for answers, including whether "criminal acts" played a role in his death.</p>

<p>Epstein, a convicted paedophile who hobnobbed with countless politicians and celebrities over the years, was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wealthy-financier-jeffrey-epstein-kills-himself-in-prison-242042">found dead in his cell Saturday</a> while awaiting trial on federal charges he trafficked underage girls for sex.</p>

<p>The discovery came a day after a court released documents in which one of Epstein's alleged victims claimed she was forced to have sex with well-known American political and business personalities. They have all denied the allegations.</p>

<p>Epstein's death in a high-security New York jail, an apparent suicide that came just weeks after an earlier possible attempt on his own life, meant he should have been under close watch and has fueled anger and a conspiracy theory frenzy.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Jeffrey Epstein 'Found Dead In Cell'</strong></p>

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<p>"These survivors deserved a day in court. They deserved justice," Democratic Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said Sunday.</p>

<p>"It is a shame that he committed suicide," she told CBS's "Face the Nation."</p>

<p>New York's chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson said Sunday that an autopsy had been completed, but the determination of the cause of death was "pending further information at this time."</p>

<p>The procedure was observed by an outside pathologist at the request of Epstein's representatives, she added.</p>

<p><strong>Cellmate reportedly moved</strong></p>

<p>US Attorney General Bill Barr has instructed the Justice Department's inspector general to probe Epstein's death, saying it "raises serious questions that must be answered."</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-fbi-now-justice-department-probing-jeffrey-epstein-death-242081">FBI is also investigating</a>.</p>

<p>The New York Times reported Sunday that guards were supposed to check Epstein every half hour but that procedure was not followed the night before he was found, citing an unnamed law enforcement official.</p>

<p>The jail had also transferred his cellmate, leaving him alone, the Times said, citing two officials.</p>

<p>Epstein, 66, had been charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prosecutors said Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage teens, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005.</p>

<p>The young women were paid hundreds of dollars in cash to massage him, perform sexual acts and to recruit other girls, prosecutors alleged.</p>

<p>Epstein denied the charges and faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, Epstein was found unconscious with marks on his neck after a possible suicide attempt.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was put on suicide watch for six days before being returned to his cell in a high-security section of the prison, the Times has reported.</p>

<p>"Pedophiles facing federal criminal charges are at high risk for suicide," tweeted Rod Rosenstein, the former US deputy attorney general.</p>

<p>"Detained paedophiles require special attention. Stopping people from harming themselves is difficult."</p>

<p><strong>'Unfounded conspiracy theories'</strong></p>

<p>Epstein -- whose friends included Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew -- had been convicted in 2008 in a Florida state court of paying young girls for sexual massages at his Palm Beach mansion.</p>

<p>Those men have all denied knowing anything about Epstein's alleged crimes.</p>

<p>The two thousand pages of previously sealed court documents released Friday focused on testimony by a woman who claimed she was Epstein's "sex slave."</p>

<p>Virginia Giuffre detailed new allegations against Epstein and his high-profile acquaintances.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Some of wealthiest people in the world committed a horrible crime. If they think for a second that they got away with it because Jeffrey Epstein is dead, they're dead WRONG," tweeted New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, as prosecutors pledged to pursue the indictment.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">While a full investigation into how the federal government let this happen needs to be launched IMMEDIATELY, we won’t stop fighting for justice for every single victim.</p>
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1160239963742638086?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-retweets-conspiracy-theory-about-bill-clinton-amid-outcry-on-jeffrey-epsteins-death-242088">Trump weighed in on Saturday</a>, retweeting a conspiracy theory alleging -- without any evidence whatsoever -- that Bill Clinton may be connected to Epstein's death.</p>

<p>"This is another example of our president using this position of public trust to attack his political enemies with unfounded conspiracy theories," Beto O'Rourke, another Democrat running for president, told CNN.</p>

<p>Senator Cory Booker, also in the 2020 race, described Trump's retweet as "more recklessness" and "dangerous."</p>

<p>Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, asked on "Fox News Sunday" about her boss's retweet, said that "the president just wants everything to be investigated."</p>

<p>Epstein avoided a lengthy jail sentence when facing the charges in Florida over a decade ago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He served just 13 months under a secret plea deal struck with the then federal prosecutor in the state, Alex Acosta, who was forced to resign as US labor secretary last month over the issue.</p>

<p>Alleged victims were hoping for more justice this time around.</p>

<p>"I really wanted him to... be put in jail and have to sit there and think about what it is he exactly did to so many people," one accuser, Michelle Licata, told ABC's "This Week."</p>


Outrage and intrigue over the apparent suicide in prison of well-connected accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein soared Sunday as US lawmakers pushed for answers, including whether "criminal acts" played a role in his death.

Outrage and intrigue over the apparent suicide in prison of well-connected accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein soared Sunday as US lawmakers pushed for answers, including whether "criminal acts" played a role in his death. Epstein, a convicted paedophile who hobnobbed with countless politicians and celebrities over the years, was found dead in his cell Saturday while awaiting trial on federal charges he trafficked underage girls for sex. The discovery came a day after a court released documents in which one of Epstein's alleged victims claimed she was forced to have sex with well-known American political and business personalities. They have all denied the allegations. Epstein's death in a high-security New York jail, an apparent suicide that came just weeks after an earlier possible attempt on his own life, meant he should have been under close watch and has fueled anger and a conspiracy theory frenzy. Watch: Jeffrey Epstein 'Found Dead In Cell' × "These survivors deserved a day in court. They deserved justice," Democratic Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said Sunday. "It is a shame that he committed suicide," she told CBS's "Face the Nation." New York's chief medical examiner Barbara Sampson said Sunday that an autopsy had been completed, but the determination of the cause of death was "pending further information at this time." The procedure was observed by an outside pathologist at the request of Epstein's representatives, she added. Cellmate reportedly moved US Attorney General Bill Barr has instructed the Justice Department's inspector general to probe Epstein's death, saying it "raises serious questions that must be answered." The FBI is also investigating. The New York Times reported Sunday that guards were supposed to check Epstein every half hour but that procedure was not followed the night before he was found, citing an unnamed law enforcement official. The jail had also transferred his cellmate, leaving him alone, the Times said, citing two officials. Epstein, 66, had been charged with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Prosecutors said Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage teens, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005. The young women were paid hundreds of dollars in cash to massage him, perform sexual acts and to recruit other girls, prosecutors alleged. Epstein denied the charges and faced up to 45 years in prison if convicted. Last month, Epstein was found unconscious with marks on his neck after a possible suicide attempt. He was put on suicide watch for six days before being returned to his cell in a high-security section of the prison, the Times has reported. "Pedophiles facing federal criminal charges are at high risk for suicide," tweeted Rod Rosenstein, the former US deputy attorney general. "Detained paedophiles require special attention. Stopping people from harming themselves is difficult." 'Unfounded conspiracy theories' Epstein -- whose friends included Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Britain's Prince Andrew -- had been convicted in 2008 in a Florida state court of paying young girls for sexual massages at his Palm Beach mansion. Those men have all denied knowing anything about Epstein's alleged crimes. The two thousand pages of previously sealed court documents released Friday focused on testimony by a woman who claimed she was Epstein's "sex slave." Virginia Giuffre detailed new allegations against Epstein and his high-profile acquaintances. "Some of wealthiest people in the world committed a horrible crime. If they think for a second that they got away with it because Jeffrey Epstein is dead, they're dead WRONG," tweeted New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, as prosecutors pledged to pursue the indictment. While a full investigation into how the federal government let this happen needs to be launched IMMEDIATELY, we won’t stop fighting for justice for every single victim. — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 10, 2019 × Trump weighed in on Saturday, retweeting a conspiracy theory alleging -- without any evidence whatsoever -- that Bill Clinton may be connected to Epstein's death. "This is another example of our president using this position of public trust to attack his political enemies with unfounded conspiracy theories," Beto O'Rourke, another Democrat running for president, told CNN. Senator Cory Booker, also in the 2020 race, described Trump's retweet as "more recklessness" and "dangerous." Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, asked on "Fox News Sunday" about her boss's retweet, said that "the president just wants everything to be investigated." Epstein avoided a lengthy jail sentence when facing the charges in Florida over a decade ago. He served just 13 months under a secret plea deal struck with the then federal prosecutor in the state, Alex Acosta, who was forced to resign as US labor secretary last month over the issue. Alleged victims were hoping for more justice this time around. "I really wanted him to... be put in jail and have to sit there and think about what it is he exactly did to so many people," one accuser, Michelle Licata, told ABC's "This Week."

As victims express outrage over sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's death, US lawmakers push for investigation for any foul play

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