Tag Archive for: #FactCheck

HOAX: UNICEF is not running this cash promotion in Kenya

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UNICEF Kenya has denounced the promotion.

Writer: PesaCheck

This Facebook post from an account purporting to have received cash from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Foundation is a HOAX.

The post, mostly in Swahili, loosely translates to: “I didn’t think this UNICEF foundation promotion was legitimate. I’m very happy to have received mine today, I’m grateful. I’m also informing my friends to enjoy it too. INBOX ME OR Text this number on WhatsApp (0712266650) starting with the word PROMOTION then follow the instructions given. Thank me later.”

It is accompanied by a screenshot of a text message purportedly from the mobile money service, M-PESA, showing that the user has received KSh85,000 from the UNICEF Foundation.

Similar posts have also been shared here and here.

A review of the account shows similar posts claiming to have received the same amount. Curiously, the funds all seem to have been received at 7:17 a.m. on 22 September 2023.

The posts, using an unofficial communication channel (WhatsApp), are poorly written and are likely online scams, as previously debunked by PesaCheck.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is tasked with safeguarding the rights of children and women in developing countries like Kenya.

Reviewing the official UNICEF Kenya website reveals its support for causes, including education, child protection, emergencies, health, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene. However, there is no indication of the promotion we are debunking.

Likewise, there is no mention of a ‘UNICEF Foundation’ cash promotion on the agency’s Kenya’s Facebook page and X (formerly Twitter) account, where they typically share updates.

PesaCheck also reached out to Dan Oloo, a communication specialist at UNICEF Kenya, who denounced the promotion.

“All announcements, advertisements and other official communication is done only via verified UNICEF digital channels as below: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UNICEFKenya/), Twitter (https://twitter.com/UNICEFKenya), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/unicef_kenya/) and web: (http://www.unicef.org/kenya),” wrote Oloo in response to our query.

Oloo also cautioned against posts from unverified UNICEF Kenya accounts.

PesaCheck has looked into a Facebook post from an account purporting to have received cash from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) foundation and found it to be a HOAX.

This post is part of an ongoing series of PesaCheck fact-checks examining content marked as potential misinformation on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Fact-check: Imposter South Sudan Red Cross Facebook page job ad is a hoax

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The South Sudan Red Cross says the job advertisement is fake

Writer: James Bol Bol Duer

A Facebook page impersonating the South Sudan Red Cross falsely claims to be seeking to recruit trustworthy and reliable individuals to work with them for a long-term engagement in bringing social change to society and urging the applicants to apply urgently before 13 November 2023.

The post with a picture was posted on an imposter South Sudan Red Cross Facebook page named “ South Sudan Red-Cross.” on Tuesday, 07 November 2023with an accompanying post and caption that partly read, “Are you interested in joining and working with the NGO community? We are seeking to recruit trustworthy and reliable individuals to work with us for a long-term engagement in bringing social change to the society.” 

“Interested individuals who wish to be considered in these opportunities are invited to apply,” it added.

D:\Fact-checks\Factcheck2\Screenshot_20231108-081730.jpg
Screenshot of the post as published on the imposter’s Facebook page

The imposter page created on 02 November 2023 and posted the false advertisement on 07 November 2023 had 17 likes and 45 followers. The advertisement post also had 100 likes, 51 comments and one share at the time of publishing.

D:\Fact-checks\Factcheck2\Screenshot_20231108-073152_1.jpg

Screenshot of the Transparency page of the Imposter Account

Claim Verification:

A Google reverse image by 211 Check shows that the photo attached to this advertisement is of a briefing to 150 volunteers of the South Sudan Red Cross by the administration of South Sudan Red Cross led by the Secretary-General, John Lobor, before they are deployed to provide First Aid and life-saving services during the visit of the Pope and other religious leaders to South Sudan on 03 February 2023.

In comparison, 211 Check noted significant differences between the two pages. The official Facebook page of the South Sudan Red Cross was created on 07 July 2011, with 37,536 followers and 31,837 likes.

D:\Fact-checks\Factcheck2\Screenshot_20231108-073457_1.jpg
The official South Sudan Red Cross Facebook page 

211 Check also visited the official Facebook Page of the South Sudan Red Cross for a similar advertisement. Fortunately, the administration of the South Sudan Red Cross had made a statement on their official page debunking the advertising as fake. 

Their statement partly reads, ”This document is circulating on social media alleging that we are seeking interested people to join us. This is fake information. If the South Sudan Red Cross has a job opportunity, it follows the formal procedures according to the labour laws of South Sudan.”

C:\Users\DELL\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Word\Screenshot_20231108-101748.jpg
Screenshot of the debunk on the South Sudan Red Cross Facebook page

Conclusion:

211 Check concludes that the claim on a Facebook page impersonating the South Sudan Red Cross falsely seeking to recruit trustworthy and reliable individuals to work with them for a long-term engagement in bringing social change to the society and urging unsuspecting applicants to apply urgently before 13 November 2023 is a hoax.

The page was created on 2 November 2023 to solicit applications from unsuspecting job seekers, and this may result in a personal data breach as they collect documents and personal information from the applicants via an attached Google form.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact check: This photo is not of the Serena Hotel in Kenya

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The image shows a proposed tower in the Swiss Alps, Switzerland.

Writer: Nancy Ceasar

A picture shared on Facebook on 28 October 2023 purporting to show the Serena Hotel in Kenya is false. 

The image shows a high-rise building and was posted with the caption, “Serena Hotel Kenya.” 

The post attracted several comments with differing opinions, which prompted 211 Check to do an investigation. 

A screenshot from the page 

Claim Verification: 

211 Check carried out a reverse search on the picture using Google Lens, which returned several instances where the image has been shared as a proposed plan for Fluidity 2.0, a high-rise mega luxury hotel and office hybrid tower in the Swiss Alps.

Amazing Architecture says Fluidity 2.0 High-Rise is a 250 M tall tower proposal for the Swiss landscape. The project was prototyped by Mariana Cabugueira Custodio dos Santos, whose Instagram bio states that she is an architectural designer and founder of MC Studios. Cabugueira is an architect and urban designer from Portugal. 

The image was also shared by Architecture and Design Magazine on their Facebook page in January 2022 and was credited to Cabugueira as the person behind the ‘Amazing Concept Design.’ The post adds that the photo shows a proposed plan, not an actual building. 

Similarly, on February 12, 2022, AAs Architecture shared the picture on X(formerly Twitter) accompanying a post that reads: “Fluidity 2.0 by Mariana Cabugueira Custodio dos Santos.

The image has also been shared here, here, here, here, and here, referencing Fluidity 2.0. 

On the other hand, images of Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, from its website show clearly that the image in the post under investigation is not of Serena. 

Screenshot of the Serena Hotel Nairobi, Kenya, from their website

Conclusion:

211 Check found that the post with an image claimed to be Serena Hotel Kenya is misleading. The picture shows a proposed Fluidity 2.0 Mega High-Rise Luxury Hotel and Office Hybrid Tower plan in the Swiss Alps.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with technical support from Code for Africa’s  PesaCheck newsdesk through the African Fact-Checking Alliance (AFCA).

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: “USAID Business Grant” Facebook page is a hoax

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The page was created on 4 November 2023 to solicit applications, which may result in a personal data breach.

Writer: James Bol Bol Duer

A Facebook page called “USAID Business Grant” falsely claiming to call on all eligible organisations, business owners, farmers, women and miners in South Sudan to apply for a funding opportunity under the Investing in Diversified Economy–led Growth Activity is a hoax.

The post with a picture was posted on a USAID Business Grant named Facebook page on 05 November 2023, with an accompanying post and caption that read, 

“ENTERPRISE FUNDING PROGRAM

USAID BUSINESS calls on all eligible organisations, business owners, farmers, women and miners IN South Sudan to apply for a funding opportunity under the Investing in Diversified Economy-led Growth Activity. The goal of this activity is to advance a more inclusive, diversified, and resilient private sector that drives sustainable wealth creation. Submit your applications through http://bit.ly/46GJ6fw “

At the time of publishing, the page created on 04 November 2023 and posted this advertisement on 05 November 2023 had 11 likes and 17 followers.

Screenshot of the post on Facebook

Claim Verification:

211 Check ran a Google Reverse Image Search to verify the claim and found that the picture is of a visit to USAID and WFP–supported projects in Aweil on 17 February 2023, where delegates met with women and children at the Gabat Nutrition site. Michael J. Adler, the US Ambassador to South Sudan, attended that event. Kate Crawford, the USAID Mission Director in South Sudan. H.E. Mrs Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, the vice president of South Sudan and Head of Gender, youth and humanitarian cluster, H.E. Tong Akeen Ngor, Governor of Northern Bahr El- Ghazal State and Mary – -Ellen McGroarty, WFP’s Country Director in South Sudan. In this event, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced a contribution of US $ 288.5 million from the United States Government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support more than two million of the most food-insecure people in South Sudan with lifesaving food and nutrition assistance through the 2023 lean season.

In comparison, 211 Check visited the actual Facebook page and website of USAID South Sudan for a similar call for application. We discovered that USAID South Sudan is not running such a call for application.

For more detailed information about USAID South Sudan and its specific programs and initiatives, it is recommended to visit the official USAID website or explore the relevant sections on their website.

Conclusion:

211 Check concludes that the claim on the Facebook page USAID Business Grant that is calling for applications from organisations, business owners, farmers, women and miners in South Sudan is a hoax.

The page was recently created to solicit applications, and this may result in a personal data breach as they collect documents and personal information from the applicants via a Google form attached.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: This picture of two men carrying a leopard isn’t from Torit

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 The image is from Kenya

Writer Doki Simon James 

A Facebook post published by Juba Eye on 19 October 2023 allegedly of two people carrying a leopard in Torit is false.

Torit town is the state capital of Eastern Equatoria State.

“Fear no gangs spotted in Torit,” the post caption reads. One of the commentators replied, “This is Oguruny Village,” referring to a village in Eastern Equatoria, believing the picture was taken in Torit.

This post attracted 486 reactions, 83 comments and seven shares.

Image used by Juba Eye in the published post

A screenshot of the post made by Juba Eye

Claim Verification:

On conducting a Google Reverse Image Search, the same picture was found to have been posted on Twitter, 9-GAG and Linkedin with varying locations, dates and claims.

On 10 October 2023, the picture was shared on Twitter by Gor Mahia FC (a Kenyan football Club) with the claim, “Bush meat…. ukiona kitu kama hii area yako, tuite we know how to sort it,” in a mix of English and Kiswahili words.

On 20 October 2023, it was shared on 9GAG by Random with the claim, “Just another day in a third-world country… living within our means”.

About a week ago, the picture was shared on LinkedIn by Bakheit Shata with the caption: “Maasai Tribe’s mother-in-law gift to Marriage [ their daughter] this is to approve as Man”

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the claim made by Juba Eye alleging the picture it published in a post on 19 October 2023 was taken in Torit false.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Does this show Israeli soldiers making fake videos to portray Hamas as killing children?

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No, it is false. The video is an old staged short film shot in 2022 about the story of child prisoner Ahmed Manasra in Palestine and is not related to the Hamas-Israel war. 

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A video posted by an X user formerly known as Twitter with a statement claiming that Israeli soldiers were making fake videos to show that Hamas fighters are killing children is false and misrepresents the context.

The video, which was posted on the 9th of October, 2023, shows a scene where a boy laid down with his right leg twisted behind with cameras set up toward him while surrounded by people, among others, two soldiers in military uniforms, others in police uniforms as well as in plain clothes hold guns and pistols aimed guns at him as being filmed.

“See how Israelis are making fake videos saying that #hamas killed children,” reads the text posted while accompanying the video with a hashtag written in Arabic, which Google translated, “Flood of Jerusalem, the Palestinian resistance, Gaza_Al-Azza Jerusalem_Arab.”

The screenshot of the claim as posted by an X user

The same claim was posted on Facebook here on the 9th of October, 2023

Claim Verification:

211 Check ran a screenshot of the video on Yandex reverse image search and returned that the video was also shared on a Russian Telegram channel on the 2nd of September, 2023, with a part of the statement Google translated saying, “As you might guess, the people in the video are a Palestinian film crew”.

Further, a Google reverse image search of the video screenshot returned that the video claim was debunked by the YouTurn App website on the 12th of October, 2023, as falsely linked to the Israel-Hamas war.

Context:

According to the YouTurn App website, the video claimed was a short film derived from the footage of Ahmed Manasra, who was once shot and injured after he was accused of a stabbing attack by Israeli authorities citing a media report by Aljazeera Mubasher as the video was uploaded on its YouTube channel in 2015.

The screenshot of the video footage of Ahmed Manasra as injured on the ground.

An Arabic news channel, Al-Mayadeen, also ran a news story featuring the footage of Ahmed Manasra, which it described as the moment the young Palestinian boy was arrested by Israeli security operatives in 2015 in Jerusalem.

The screenshot video footage of Ahmed Manasra lying on the ground while injured.

In addition to that, the Sada Elbalad news channel reported the incident in 2015 when Ahmed Manasra was shot and wounded.

The screenshot of the Sada Elbalad YouTube news footage about Ahmed Manasra

The video claim appeared to be staged filmmaking as the young boy received instructions to twist his leg behind, and cameras were set up to shoot the scene.

However, the footage showing the Palestinian child Ahmed Manasra’s moment of arrest by Israeli security, as per media report, indicates blood spots under his head and back on the ground where he is seen lying with his two legs twitted uncontrollably behind.

Both videos have different background appearance.

The Hamas-Israel war started earlier in October this year, 2023, after Hamas forces launched an attack on Israeli territory that led to the deaths of several people.

Conclusion:

211 Check finds the footage, which was claimed to be Israeli soldiers faking a video to show Hamas killing children, is false and misleading.

The video footage was a film documentary that was shot by the Palestinian filmmaking entity in 2022 to represent the context in which a Palestinian boy named Ahmed Manasra got shot and injured by Israel security operatives after he was accused of a stabbing attack in 2015 in Jerusalem, according to media reports.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Is this a long, winding road in South Sudan? 

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 No, the image is of Kingfisher Oilfield Road in Hoima, Uganda. 

Writer: Jibi Moses

A post with a picture showing a long, winding road supposedly taken somewhere in South Sudan is false. 

Juba Eye shared the picture on 9 September 2023 and captioned it: “Since you claim to know South Sudan well, where is this?”

The post generated 819 reactions, 378 comments, and five shares within five days. However, a few remarks under the post differed from the post’s author, suggesting locations within South Sudan and Uganda. 

These differences prompted 211 Check to investigate to establish the image’s correct location. 

A screenshot of the post by Juba Eye. 

Claim Verification: 

A Google Reverse Image Search shows the picture is of Kingfisher Oilfield Road in Hoima, in the mid-western part of Uganda.

On October 25, 2021, the image was posted by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, CNOOC Uganda Limited, on their X (formerly Twitter) account. It accompanied a post that reads: “Aerial View of the Kingfisher Oil Field Road.”

A screenshot of the Tweet by CNOOC Uganda,

The same picture has also been used in other instances, clearly describing it as Kingfisher Oilfield Road in Hoima, Uganda, as seen here, here, and here, where the road is said to have been commissioned by CNOOC Uganda and was completed in 2013. 

According to the Petroleum Authority of Uganda, the Kingfisher Oil Field is located in the Kingfisher Development Area, which is named after the kingfisher bird, which is common 

in the area. 

The road seemingly also goes by ‘Escarpment Road’ as in this news report by Ugandan outlet New Vision, and ‘Kingfisher Access Road’ as in this article by The Observer, another Ugandan outlet. 

The winding road can also be seen from satellite images of the area. 

Kingfisher Oilfield Road in Hoima, Uganda on Google Maps

Conclusion:

211 Check finds a Facebook post with a picture of a long, winding road supposedly taken somewhere in South Sudan false. The image is of Kingfisher Oilfield Road in Hoima, Uganda. 

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

Fighting misinformation and disinformation in the media is crucial to avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Picture of man with burning candles on head wasn’t taken in Juba

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The picture was not taken from Juba. It initially first shared in South Africa.

Writer: Makur Majeng

A Facebook post shared by Juba Media on 27th October 2023 claiming that a picture of a man with burning candles on his head was taken in Juba, South Sudan, is false. 

The post further claimed that a rich girlfriend did that to her poor boyfriend, questioning where the poor man would breathe in South Sudan. “In juba last night, a Rich girlfriend did this to her poor Boyfriend Where will the poor breath from in South Sudan ?” The post reads

The Facebook post shared by Juba Media has generated significant engagement with over 70 likes, 21 comments, and two shares. 

The screenshot of the Facebook post shared by Juba Media.

Claim Verification:

211 Check has conducted a Google reverse image search and discovered this claim is false. 

The picture was not taken in Juba and has no relation to South Sudan. The Individual in the picture have no reported connection to Juba.

The picture first appeared online in May 2019. It was reported to have been shared by a Facebook user of a Church in South Africa, according to BestNewsGH, Nairaland, and WithinNigeria blogs. 

The BestNewsGH initially posted the image with the heading, “Church burns candle on member’s head to deliver him from the spirit of homosexuality.” 

While Nairaland and WithinNigeria posted it with the heading “My parents took me to a Church to burn out the spirit of homosexuality – Man cries out” and “Man Cries Out As Church Burns Out The Spirit Of Homosexuality In Style”

Conclusion:

211 Check found the claim shared by Juba media regarding the picture of a man with burning candles on his head being taken in Juba false.

The source of the picture was South Africa, unrelated to South Sudan.

A publication under 211 Check’s ‘Fact-check for a pay’ Initiative with Support from the International Fact-checking Network through the BUILD grant.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.

It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter

Fact-check: Some of these WhatsApp chain health tips aren’t scientifically proven

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There isn’t scientific proof to back some of these “important health tips”. 

Writer: Beatrice Amude Paulino 

A WhatsApp message circulating in groups and claiming to offer important health tips, such as answering phone calls with the left ear instead of the right one, is misleading. 

According to the message, people should adhere to the following:

-Answer phone calls with the left ear

-Do not eat heavy meals after 5 p.m.

-Drink more water in the morning and less at night

-The best sleeping time is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

-Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine or after meals.

-When the phone’s battery is low to the last bar, do not answer the phone because the radiation is 1000 times stronger.

The WhatsApp message reiterates that people should forward the message to loved ones because “Kindness costs nothing, but knowledge is power.” 

Screenshot from the WhatsApp message

The message has seemingly been circulating for a while and was also shared on Quora in 2015, on Facebook on March 11, 2017, and then on June 23, 2020 here. 

Claims Verification:

Claim 1: Answering phone calls with the left ear.

No scientific evidence suggests that using your left ear while talking on cell phones is better than using your right ear.

In a 2014 factsheet, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that “a large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones can have potential health risks, but no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.’

In addition, Africa Check fact-checked this claim and found it to be incorrect.

Claim 2: Do not take medicine with cold water

The same claim has also been posted here.  It says cold water reduces digestion and, as a result, makes the effect of the medicine take longer.

According to the findings by 211 Check, this claim is true: Future of Nursing (Nurselk), cold water will reduce digestion, and the medicine will take more time to act.

Claim 3: Do not eat heavy meals after 5 p.m. 

This claim is highly controversial as food consumption habits impact different people in varied ways depending on factors such as health conditions. In some cases, heavy meals closer to bedtime reduce the body’s rate of metabolism, while in other cases, depending on the nutrition and fitness goals, it could be beneficial. 

According to the Family Doctors Organization, during the eating window (time allowed for eating), the focus should be on eating a healthy diet and maintaining portion control. 

Claim 4: Drink more water in the morning and less at night:

Healthline, a medically reviewed website, noted that as long as one can compensate for the body’s water loss, it doesn’t make much of a difference whether you start your day off with a glass of water or drink it at any other time of day. 

Similarly, according to clevelandclinic.org water is essential to keep your body hydrated and joints lubricated, break down waste, and much more, but there isn’t an ideal time for your water intake unless it frequently interrupts your sleep if you consume more water close to bedtime. 

Various medical sites, here, here and here, also advise that thirst alone should be enough to guide most people on how much to drink, and not necessarily the time of water consumption. 

Claim 5: The best sleeping time is from 10 pm to 4 am.

According to VeryWell Health, ‘The amount of sleep you need each night changes over the course of your life. Therefore, your age can help you figure out what time you should go to bed to feel refreshed and able to function optimally during the day.’

Additionally, according to Dr. Colleen G. Lance, a physician in the Sleep Disorders Centre at the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic,  “there’s not a magic number that someone has to adhere to. It has to do with what your personal need is, and everyone has a different need.’’

So, while 10 p.m. may be ideal for others, instead of focusing on the digits on your alarm clock, Dr Lance says consistency should be your goal.

Other sources found here, here, and here also support the sentiment that it is better to be consistent with going to bed and waking up at a certain time for better sleep quality.

Claim 6: Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine or after meals.

Johns Hopkins Medicine published an article with the headline Medicines and the Digestive System,where they explain many good practices for taking medicine and some dangers that taking medicine can have. They particularly explain that people should not take medicine and lie down immediately when the tablets are still in the oesophagus to avoid heartburn.

Claim 7: When the phone’s battery is low to the last bar, do not answer the phone because the radiation is 1000 times stronger.

211 Check has found out that mobile phones communicate by sending radio waves through a network of antennas. The US National Cancer Institute says they emit radiation in the radiofrequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum, but the frequency and energy are considered ‘too low to damage DNA’. It also adds that ‘there are no other clearly established dangerous health effects on the human body from radiofrequency radiation.’

Further, the World Health Organization says there are no known adverse health effects associated with low-level, long-term exposure to radiofrequency or power frequency fields.

In addition, this particular claim has been fact-checked by AAP Fact-check, Australia and found to be false.

211 Check also reached out to Dr. Francis Geri, the Executive Director of Vital Care Medical and an Obstetrician and a Gynaecologist at the Juba Teaching Hospital who corroborated the evidence above: “Most of the health claims are scientifically unproven, but number 2 and 6 are true. Typically, taking medicine with very cold water can affect how the medicine works and laying down immediately after taking medicine may cause heartburn or may cause the patient to vomit.’’

Conclusion: 

211 Check finds that four claims listed in a WhatsApp message “Important Health Tips” scientifically unproven; however, two of the claims number 2 and 6 are found to be true. The claim is a long-running social media hoax spreading misinformation.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, we at 211 Check welcome corrections from our readers. If you spot an error in this article, please request a correction using this form. Our team will review your request and make the necessary corrections immediately, if any.It’s vital to fight misinformation and disinformation in the media by avoiding fake news. Don’t share content you’re uncertain about. False information can harm and mislead people, risking their lives—Fact-check before sharing. For more details, visit https://211check.org/ or message us on WhatsApp at +211 917 298 255. #FactsMatter.

Cardinal Stephen Ameyu Courtesy Photo

Explainer: Implications and Significance of South Sudan Archbishop Ameyu being made a cardinal

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Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

Metropolitan Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Juba, Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, has become the first-ever Cardinal from South Sudan since the country gained independence in 2011

The Pope named Stephen Ameyu during a noontime Sunday prayer from St. Peter’s Square on 09 July 2023 alongside 20 other clergymen worldwide. They became cardinals in a ceremony held on 30 September 2023.

Stephen Ameyu says that his selection as a Cardinal is a testament to the church’s work, recognised by Pope Francis. He underlined the importance of their ongoing efforts and the hope they instil in South Sudan’s people.

“There are many expectations of us. For example, what does my appointment as a Cardinal mean for the Catholic Church in South Sudan? It is simply the continuation of the work we have been doing that the Holy Father has witnessed the face of God’s people in South Sudan. This appointment shines a spotlight on us, particularly most young people, and we are grateful for the recognition,” Archbishop Ameyu asserted.

The appointment of South Sudan Archbishop Stephen Ameyu as a cardinal by the pope carries several implications and significance. Here are some key points:

  1. Recognition of Leadership and Service: The appointment of Archbishop Ameyu as a cardinal is a recognition of his leadership, service, and dedication to the Catholic Church. It acknowledges his contributions to the Church and his commitment to peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.
  1. Representation of South Sudan: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment is significant for South Sudan as it highlights the importance of the region and the Catholic Church’s presence there. It provides a platform for Cardinal Ameyu to advocate for the needs and concerns of the people of South Sudan at the highest levels of the Church.
  1. Role in the College of Cardinals: As a cardinal, Archbishop Ameyu becomes a member of the College of Cardinals, which is responsible for advising the pope and participating in the election of a new pope when the position becomes vacant. Cardinals play a crucial role in shaping the policies and direction of the Catholic Church.
  1. Influence in Church Affairs: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment gives him a more excellent voice and power in Church affairs. He can contribute to discussions and decision-making processes within the Church, particularly on issues related to South Sudan and Africa.
  1. Symbol of Hope: In a country that has faced significant challenges, including tribalism and conflict, Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment serves as a symbol of hope and encouragement for the people of South Sudan. It highlights the Church’s commitment to peace, reconciliation, and the nation’s well-being.
  1. Representation of Diversity: Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment reflects the Catholic Church’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. He is one of the few cardinals from Africa and the first cardinal from South Sudan. This diversity brings different perspectives and experiences to the College of Cardinals.

The appointment of South Sudan Archbishop Stephen Ameyu as a cardinal holds great significance for the Catholic Church, South Sudan, and the African continent. It recognises his leadership, provides a platform for advocacy, and symbolises hope for a country striving for peace and stability.

Will Stephen Ameyu have to leave his archbishop position?

No, Stephen Ameyu will not have to leave his position as Archbishop of Juba in South Sudan due to his appointment as a cardinal. 

The role of a cardinal is an additional responsibility within the Catholic Church hierarchy, and it does not require the individual to step down from their current position. Cardinal Ameyu will continue to serve as the Archbishop of Juba while also fulfilling his duties as a cardinal.

The appointment of a cardinal does not automatically result in a change of position or location for the individual. Cardinals are often chosen from existing bishops or archbishops who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the Church. In this case, Cardinal Ameyu’s appointment recognises his contributions to the Catholic Church in South Sudan and his role as the Archbishop of Juba.

Therefore, Cardinal Ameyu will continue to carry out his responsibilities as the Archbishop of Juba while also participating in the broader responsibilities and duties associated with being a cardinal.

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