Technologies

Be Wary of AI Videos as Hurricane Melissa Hits Jamaica. How to Spot a Fake

AI-generated storm videos are spreading rapidly online. Here’s where to find reliable information.

As Category 5 Hurricane Melissa bears down on Jamaica with winds topping 180 mph, social media is being hit by a surge of AI-generated and misleading videos, showing catastrophic flooding, collapsing buildings and rescue scenes that never happened.

Across X, TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp and other social media platforms, fake clips spread quickly, racking up millions of views in hours. Many of these videos are spliced footage from past storms or clips created entirely with text-to-video AI tools.

In times of crisis, like a dangerous and imminent natural disaster, these fake videos can create confusion, panic and distraction at a time when accuracy can be life-saving.

Natural disasters have always bred rumors and recycled footage, but the rise of AI-generated video has supercharged the problem. Tools like OpenAI’s Sora and other AI-video platforms can render realistic-looking images of storms, floods and damage scenes in seconds, reaching millions online in just a few hours.

Read also: The Deepfakes Are Winning. How Can You Tell if a Video Is Real or Sora AI?

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Why storms are a magnet for fake news

Storms are visual, emotional and fast-moving, which is the perfect recipe for viral misinformation. In years past, videos were often taken out of context or labeled as a different storm. Now, they can be digitally fabricated from scratch.

Some depict apocalyptic flooding that hasn’t occurred, while others claim to show «real-time» conditions hours before landfall. Several videos that have circled this week include images of sharks swimming in the storm surge and unsettling depictions of human suffering.

False videos like these can exaggerate the danger of the storm, create panic, undermine trust and distract emergency responders, as misinformation pulls attention from verified reports.

The following three videos are all fake. They are labeled (albeit briefly) with the Sora watermark, which indicates they were made in OpenAI’s video generator.

How to separate truth from fiction online

When social feeds fill with dramatic hurricane clips, it’s important to separate truth from fiction.

«You have to be very discerning,» Senator Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica’s information minister, said. «You have to know what is good information from bad information. If you want to know where the storm is going, if you want to know what to do, you need to look for official sources.»

Dixon highlighted that the Jamaica Information Service, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management’s information sites and the Office of the Prime Minister page are resources for legitimate, timely updates.

Here are some ways to be discerning.

Check the source. If the video comes from an unfamiliar account, lacks a timestamp or carries no recognizable media branding, assume it is fake until verified. Also, look for the Sora watermark indicating it was made in OpenAI’s app, or read the comments to see if someone else has flagged the video as fake.

Ask yourself if it’s new and local. Does the geography match Jamaica? Is the footage recent? Many «Melissa» clips could actually be from past Caribbean or Gulf storms.

Cross-check before believing. Confirm through trusted outlets, like the Meteorological Service of Jamaica and the US National Hurricane Center, or established media like the BBC, Reuters or the Associated Press.

Pause before sharing. A viral video can cause harm if it spreads misinformation. Wait until a credible source verifies it before reposting.

Go local. If you’re in the affected area, rely on local emergency agencies, radio stations and city or county-level officials for evacuation and safety updates.

Monitor official alerts. For real-time instructions, stick with government channels and local emergency feeds. Your safety depends on accurate information, not viral content.

As AI-generated media becomes easier to produce, hurricanes like Melissa offer a preview of a new reality: one in which you can’t trust much of the information you see online.

Staying safe means being skeptical and diligent when looking for accurate and even lifesaving news.

Read also: What Is AI Slop? Everything to Know About the Terrible Content Taking Over the Internet

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for Oct. 29, #871

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for Oct. 29, No. 871.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle has some very tricky words in the grid. You might not know the meaning of all of them, but if you need help, you’re in the right place. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times now has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for today’s Connections puzzle groupings, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Bravery.

Green group hint: Delivery method for media.

Blue group hint: Say, say, say.

Purple group hint: All the letters.

Answers for today’s Connections groups

Yellow group: Fortitude.

Green group: Channel.

Blue group: Words starting with the «say» sound.

Purple group: Things featuring letters A through Z.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is fortitude. The four answers are backbone, courage, heart and spirit.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is channel. The four answers are medium, outlet, platform and venue.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is words starting with the «say» sound. The four answers are sacrum, seitan, Seychelles and seance.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is things featuring letters A through Z. The four answers are abecedarium, computer keyboard, Ouija board and Scrabble.

Technologies

Nothing’s Unique Ear (Open) Earbuds Are Back Down to $99 for a Limited Time

This limited-time deal knocks $50 off the $149 list price, a 33% savings on these open-ear favorites.

If you’re not a fan of silicone tips jamming uncomfortably inside your ears, open-ear buds are a great alternative. These lightweight models prioritize comfort, resting gently on your ear canal rather than inside it like traditional buds. They also let external sound in, so you can stay aware of your surroundings. And right now, you can treat yourself to one of our favorite open earbuds for less.

Amazon is currently offering the Nothing Ear (Open) earbuds for just $99, a 33% discount off the $149 list price. Grab the deal while it lasts. For more audio savings, check out our best headphone deals and top wireless earbuds picks.

Stepped drivers move sound closer to your ear without blasting it in. An automatic algorithm detects music signals, adjusting sound settings on its own for a more personalized experience. The diaphragm is uniquely shaped and titanium-coated for clear, balanced audio and the earbuds support EQ tuning and low-latency gaming via the Nothing X app.

You’re also getting a sound seal system that keeps the audio from leaking, so while you’ll stay aware of your surroundings, your listening stays private. One full charge gets you 30 hours of playback, and when you’re running low on power, a quick 10-minute charge gives you an extra two hours of use. The earbuds themselves offer up to 8 hours of playtime, with the fast-charging case adding 22 more.

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Bluetooth 5.3 ensures stable, low-latency audio and multipoint pairing — which lets you switch between devices seamlessly. Dual microphones with AI noise reduction trained on 28 million samples help keep calls clear, while ChatGPT voice control is available when paired with Nothing or CMF phones.

There’s also an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance — perfect for sweaty workouts, long commutes and the occasional adventure.

In his review, CNET’s audio expert David Carnoy calls these the best lightweight earbuds with earhooks among all the open-ear models he’s tested. Featuring the brand’s signature translucent plastic, they are super lightweight, fit comfortably and actually feel like nothing when you’re wearing them.

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Why this deal matters

Good quality earbuds that offer a secure-yet-comfortable fit, 30-hour battery life and AI-enhanced features typically cost well over $150. This deal gets you one of our favorite lightweight open-ear models for under $100 — a rare price drop on a standout design. Just be sure to get your orders in before Amazon pushes the price back up.

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 29

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 29.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It’s a bit trickier than normal, so read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.