Following a recent attack at Bondi Beach, Australia, which killed 15 people, two videos began circulating on social media. One claimed that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed Pakistan for the attack and announced a visa ban on Pakistani nationals. Another purported to show Pakistanis celebrating the incident.

Both claims are false.

Claim

A six-second video shared on December 15 shows Australian PM Albanese announcing the arrest of a “Pakistani-origin terrorist” linked to the Bondi Beach attack and suspending all visas for Pakistani nationals.

Fact

This claim is false. The video’s audio has been manipulated using Artificial Intelligence. The original footage is from a press conference on August 3, 2022, three year before the Bondi Beach attack. In the 15-minute press briefing, Albanese speaks about climate change, not the attack.

The presser can be seen here

Additionally, Hiya, a deepfake detection tool, rated the online video’s audio 1 out of 100, indicating it is a deepfake. No credible Australian media outlet has reported any such announcement by the PM.

Claim

A 20-second video circulating online allegedly shows Pakistanis celebrating the Bondi Beach attack.

Fact

This claim is false. The video predates the Bondi Beach attack and has been online since 2023. It was shared by several social media users in 2023 which can be seen here and here.

Verdict: Both videos circulating online are misleading and falsely linked to the Bondi Beach attack.

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Titanic filmmaker Steven Spielberg refused to work with Ben Affleck on a film project as per Hollywood screenwriter and director Mike Binder.

Binder opened up on his recent appearance on One Bad Movie podcast about the tension between the Batman star and Spielberg.

The 67-year-old revealed the man behind Titanic had initially been interested in directing his 2006 satire Man About Town.

The film was intended to be a DreamWorks production.

But Spielberg reportedly backed out after Binder suggested Affleck for the lead role.

Binder recalled, “Steven says, ‘No. Can’t do it with him. We just bombed a movie with him, he’s got that whole J.Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him.'”

The Reign Over Me director mentioned professional concerns and a personal dispute dating back to a family pool party.

According to Binder, Spielberg referenced an incident in which Affleck allegedly threw Spielberg’s young son back into a pool after being pushed in himself which left the child in tears.

Spielberg reportedly told Binder he did not want to work with Affleck whom he described as “cold.”

Binder said Affleck knew the reason behind Spielberg’s refusal.

“Ben calls me up, he says, ‘Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that why I’m not on your movie?’” Binder recounted.

Despite Spielberg’s withdrawal, Affleck went on to star in Man About Town, which was released in 2007 by Sunlight Productions.

The tension appeared to ease years later.

At the 2013 Academy Awards, Affleck’s Argo won Best Picture beating Spielberg’s Lincoln.

The two men were seen embracing on stage.

Binder joked to Affleck afterward, “Tonight you could throw Spielberg’s whole family in the pool and get away with it.”

Binder described both Spielberg and Affleck as ‘great guys’ but admitted that egos and misunderstandings played a role.

“Steven Spielberg is a genius and a great guy, but he can be an a**hole. And Ben Affleck is a great guy, and he can be a bigger a**hole,” he said.

Vince Zampella, a video game developer known for pioneering iconic franchises including “Call of Duty,” has died at 55, gaming company Electronic Arts said. Zampella died Sunday in a car crash on the Angeles Crest Highway in Los Angeles. 

The crash happened at around 12:45 p.m. near mile marker 62 in an unincorporated area part of the county close to Altadena, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers were alerted to the crash by an emergency services request from an Apple device via satellite, according to their incident log. 

In a news release, CHP officers said that for unknown reasons, a car “veered off the roadway” and struck a concrete barrier, which caused it to burst into flames. The driver was trapped inside following the impact and was pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the vehicle was ejected, police said. They died after being taken to a nearby hospital, officers said. 

Zampella founded Respawn Entertainment in 2010 and was the former CEO of Infinity Ward, the studio that develops the “Call of Duty” franchise. 

“As one of the founders of Infinity Ward and Call of Duty, you will always have a special place in our history. Your legacy of creating iconic, lasting entertainment is immeasurable,” a statement from Infinity Ward said.

Electronic Arts, which acquired Respawn Entertainment in 2017, shared a statement with CBS Los Angeles on Zampella’s death. 

“This is an unimaginable loss, and our hearts are with Vince’s family, his loved ones, and all those touched by his work. Vince’s influence on the video game industry was profound and far-reaching,” the statement said. “A friend, colleague, leader and visionary creator, his work helped shape modern interactive entertainment and inspired millions of players and developers around the world.”

Zampella helped develop an extensive list of successful games throughout his career, which began in 2002 with “Medal of Honor: Allied Assault” and continued with the first “Call of Duty” game in 2003. 

In recent years, he helped produce the “Star Wars Jedi” series. His Respawn Entertainment studio has produced games like “Titanfall” and “Titanfall 2,” as well as “Apex Legends.” He was also leading a team at DICE LA, which is an EA studio based in Playa Vista, according to the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.