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Time of India
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kenyan man's claim of being Elon Musk's son resurfaces, internet debunks with simple math
A 40-year-old Kenyan man has gone viral online after claiming to be the long-lost firstborn son of billionaire Elon Musk. Identifying himself only as a 'mental health activist' with an uncanny resemblance to Musk, the man says he wants a DNA test to prove his relationship with the tech mogul. According to his version of events, his mother supposedly met a 20-year-old Musk in the early 1990s while working at a hotel in Kenya's Masai Mara. Elon Musk's Kenyan son? Viral image raises eyebrows While the man's claim initially stunned many, the momentary shock quickly gave way to scepticism. The story first appeared on a social media account named African Hub, which failed to provide key details like the man's name, current whereabouts, or even a second photograph. That lack of transparency set off alarm bells, and users began picking apart the story almost immediately. The post was shared with the caption, "Kenyan man claims he is Elon Musk's son." Since being shared on August 3 on X, the post has generated 9.7 million views, 55k likes, 4.7k retweets, and 3.3k comments. Kenyan man claims he is Elon Musk's son The maths doesn't add up One of the first red flags netizens pointed out was the timeline. If the man is 40 years old, and Musk is currently 54, then Musk would have been just 14 at the time of the man's birth, not 20, as claimed. 'Elon isn't 60; he's like 53 or 54,' a user wrote, calling the math 'impossible.' The age discrepancy quickly became a central point of contention. Additionally, if the man was born in the 1990s, he couldn't possibly be 40 years old. If the man were born in 1990, he would be 35 in 2025. Anonymity deepens the mystery The second major issue was the man's anonymity. No name, no verifiable records, and no additional images exist to support his identity. Even Pie Radio UK, one of the accounts that shared the story, admitted they hadn't fact-checked it properly when followers pressed for answers. Suspicions of AI involvement The third and most serious concern? The photo itself. Many online users began suggesting that the image wasn't real at all but AI-generated. They cited strange details in the man's shirt, background blurring, and unnatural features. 'If this is not AI, let him drop another picture,' one user commented, voicing a sentiment shared by many. Photo recycled from older trends Internet sleuths then discovered that this exact image and headline had actually surfaced months earlier—on Russian websites in March 2024. Since then, no new photos or updates about the so-called "Kenyan Musk" have emerged, leading to widespread agreement that the image might have originated from a social media trend in 2023. That trend involved using AI to create 'Black versions' of famous white celebrities. Kenyan man claims .@elonmusk is his dad"Dear Kenyans, please help me reconnect with my dad.@elonmusk In the early 90's my mom was a hotel manager at JW Marriot Masai Mara Lodge when Elon Musk toured here. I'm now living in abject poverty despite my dad being a dollar… The rise of AI-generated fakery and Echoes of Dead Internet theory Beyond this specific case, the incident has reignited conversations around the growing flood of AI-generated content. Meta recently revealed that it's launching a suite of AI tools for Facebook and Instagram, including the ability to create AI characters that behave like real users. The bizarre viral claim has also drawn attention to the 'Dead Internet Theory'—the idea that increasing parts of the web are made up of content created, circulated, and consumed by bots. The theory suggests that, in the future, genuine human interaction online could be drowned out by loops of automated fakery. What began as a laughable claim from an anonymous man might actually point to a more unsettling reality. A warning disguised as a hoax? Though most netizens have dismissed the Kenyan man's claim as a hoax, some argue that the image's reappearance is more than just internet mischief. In a time when AI is increasingly blurring the lines between fact and fiction, even harmless fakes could slowly undermine trust in everything we see online. In the end, most viewers dismissed the claim as an obvious fake, and not even a convincing one. 'Desperate,' one user remarked, capturing the overall sentiment. With AI-generated content flooding the internet, many worry that stories like this will only become more common, more believable, and more difficult to debunk. Still, plenty of users saw the humour in it, sharing sarcastic takes and hilarious reactions across social media. Elon Dusk Offspring of Paul Pierce and Elon? If Disney were to produce a movie on Elon Musk ever, he would certainly make it as the lead under DEI found his Chinese uncle too Elon Musk's real children As of now, Elon Musk has publicly acknowledged 14 children with four different women: With Justine Wilson: Nevada Alexander (deceased), Griffin, Vivian, Kai, Saxon, and Damian With Grimes: X AE A-XII, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus With Shivon Zilis: Strider, Azure, Arcadia, and Seldon Lycurgus With Ashley St Clair: Romulus To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.


The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Eastern Cape faces snow warning after floods leave 101 dead
As Eastern Cape residents prepare for another weather challenge this weekend, the focus remains on balancing immediate weather response with ongoing flood recovery efforts. Goats grazing in the snow in the Eastern Cape. Picture: X/@AfricanHub_ Eastern Cape residents, still reeling from catastrophic floods that claimed 101 lives earlier this month, now face another weather challenge as authorities warn of snowfall and damaging winds expected to hit the province this weekend. The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow level 2 warning valid from Thursday, 26 June 2025, until Friday, 27 June 2025, predicting snow in high-lying areas and dangerous coastal conditions that could disrupt traffic and pose risks to life. An extended weather forecast for Friday and Saturday predicts partly cloudy and cold to cool weather with isolated showers and rain in parts of the province. Extended weather forecast for Friday and Saturday, 27-28 June 2025: Partly cloudy and cold to cool with isolated showers and rain in places. #saws #SAWeather — SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 25, 2025 Snow expected in Eastern Cape high-lying areas Provincial Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose confirmed that authorities are preparing for challenging weather conditions ahead. 'We have taken note of the Saws warning for less-than-ideal weather conditions in the province this week. 'Snowfall that may affect the flow of traffic in some areas; we are certainly expecting that in some of our high-laying areas, particularly Barkly East,' Binqose said. The transport department is deploying resources to affected areas, with Binqose explaining: 'We'll deploy resources and personnel to those roads that are expected to be affected by this. Things such as graders to remove snow and officers to redirect traffic should there be any road closures.' When asked whether the snowfall could lead to additional flooding concerns, Binqose expressed cautious optimism based on historical patterns. 'It hardly ever does, from past experiences, but we will take caution,' he said. The weather service forecast indicates 30-60% chance of showers and rain across central and southern parts of South Africa, with 80% probability in the southwest. Snow is expected in high-lying areas in the Cape provinces, accompanied by damaging winds and waves. ALSO READ: Weather alert: Strong winds, rain and snow batter interior Dangerous coastal conditions predicted The weather warning details severe maritime conditions, with a deep low-pressure system expected to bring strong to gale-force winds of 60 to 70 km/h along the coast between Plettenberg Bay and Port Edward. Wave heights are forecast to reach 5m to 6m, with offshore areas potentially experiencing 7m waves. Saws further warned of multiple impacts, including: Difficulty in navigation for vessels at sea, risk to small vessels of taking on water and capsizing, potential rogue wave formation, disruption of harbours and ports, disruption to beachfront activities, and danger to life. Additional damaging winds are expected across several municipalities including Koukamma, Kouga, Ndlambe, Ngqushwa, Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City Metro areas. Eastern Cape flood disaster recovery continues The severe weather warning comes as the province continues grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods that struck between 9-10 June 2025. MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Zolile Williams provided a comprehensive update on the disaster's impact during a media briefing on Thursday. 'As of today, 26 June 2025, we can confirm that 101 people have died following the disastrous weather condition that hit our province, with the youngest victim recovered in Mthatha, an infant of about 12 months,' Williams announced. The death toll breakdown shows OR Tambo District accounting for 77 fatalities, Amatole District 10, Buffalo City 5, Chris Hani 5, Joe Gqabi 2, and Sarah Baartman 2. Williams revealed that of the total deaths, 63 were adults and 38 were children, with 32 of the children identified as minors. The MEC noted the emotional toll the disaster has taken on officials. 'Announcing additional fatalities each day since the tragedy began on the 10th of June has placed an immense emotional toll on the provincial government. The repeated need to relay such tragic updates has been both deeply painful and mentally draining to all of us.' Billion needed to address infrastructure damage The floods caused extensive damage across multiple sectors, with infrastructure repair costs estimated at R5.1 billion. Williams broke down the financial impact: 'About R3.2 billion is required across sector departments with R1.8 billion for the municipal infrastructure as per the municipal agency called Misa assessments.' Housing has been severely affected, with 6 869 households impacted province-wide, excluding Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. A total of 4 724 people have been left homeless, while 2 145 homes suffered partial damage. The cost for temporary residential units is estimated at R461 million, though the province has allocated R120 million for immediate needs. Road infrastructure repair costs alone are estimated at R935 million, with the Department of Transport re-prioritising 102 million rand from its budget, leaving a deficit of R832 million. Currently, 29 roads remain closed in Chris Hani and 22 in OR Tambo districts. The education sector has also been severely impacted, with 431 schools and 69 health facilities affected at varying degrees across the province. Agricultural losses include 1 339 units of livestock and 1 803 hectares of destroyed crops. ALSO READ: Eastern Cape floods: Here's how much victims will be given to rebuild their homes Government response to Eastern Cape flood damage and recovery efforts A national state of disaster has been declared in response to the widespread destruction, enabling additional funding and resources for recovery efforts. The provincial government is implementing a phased disaster response plan, currently focused on immediate relief and stabilisation. Williams outlined the accommodation strategy for displaced families: 'The Department of Human Settlements in partnership with the OR Tambo District Municipality have successfully activated mass cash shelters, including bed and breakfast facilities and community halls, to provide immediate housing for displaced families in OR Tambo and Mthatha. These arrangements will remain in place for a 30-day period.' Land has been identified for approximately 1 100 temporary residential units in Mthatha, while King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality is awaiting a council resolution on identified land parcels. The provincial government continues restoring basic services, with electricity supply restored to over 80% of affected customers and over 95% of water supply restored in OR Tambo and Amatole district municipalities. Ongoing challenges and appeals The recovery process faces several challenges, including the complex task of relocating families from flood-prone areas. Williams explained the approach: 'We have not instructed anyone to return there because the challenge is you are sending the people back to those homes, and the structures have been affected because they have been underwater. So obviously the structural integrity will be in question.' The government continues to appeal for support from private sector partners, requesting donations of non-perishable food supplies, toiletries, sanitary packs, nutrition packs, nappies, baby food, crockery and cutlery, washing basins and buckets, cleaning materials, stoves, clothing, shoes, and basic furniture. ALSO READ: Are Sassa payments in the Eastern Cape at risk due to floods and a looming cold front? Financial accountability measures Addressing public concerns about financial management during the crisis, Williams emphasised the province's commitment to transparency. 'I wish to assure the people of our province and South Africa at large that we are committed to ensuring financial accountability,' he said. Williams highlighted the province's track record, noting: 'This government of the Eastern Cape cannot have more than 13 departments having clean audit opinions, and you still would find us being crazy when it comes to this disaster funding. So the systems we have, internal control mechanisms will be ignited and assist every department to ensure that funds are spent properly and value for money for each and every project is realised.' The province has implemented multiple monitoring mechanisms, including the Provincial Infrastructure Coordination Committee (PICC) and risk-adjusted strategies for local government oversight. As Eastern Cape residents prepare for another weather challenge this weekend, the focus remains on balancing immediate weather response with ongoing flood recovery efforts. NOW READ: Eastern Cape residents say they've been ignored by government after floods
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The anti-woke cardinal who conservative Catholics want as Pope
In the hours after Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday a surprising name began to circulate as a potential successor, sparking fevered speculation in conservative social media circles. Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is exactly the kind of 'anti-woke pope' that many conservative and traditionalist Catholics yearn for after more than a decade in which the progressive element of the Roman Church has been in the ascendant. He has firmly adopted the conservative line on everything from same-sex marriage and gender ideology to the dangers of Western secularism, Islamic fundamentalism and the threat uncontrolled migration poses to European culture and values. There was only one problem. Before Monday, few, not even most credible Catholic conservatives, thought he had the slightest chance. He was thought too outspoken, too conservative and, at 79, quite possibly too old to win sufficient support in the College of Cardinals, who will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel over the coming weeks to choose a new pontiff. Betting sites gave him just a 2 per cent shot at becoming the next pope. Cardinal Sarah's chances however have been boosted somewhat by neatly packaged soundbites circulated rapidly around conservative social media spheres of influence. An unattributed and rather grainy video interview with the cardinal warning of the dangers of migration to Europe also began to do the rounds on Monday as the Pope's death was settling in for many. 'My biggest worry is that Europe has lost the sense of its origins,' the footage shows Cardinal Sarah as saying. 'It has lost its roots… I'm afraid the West is dying… You are invaded still by other cultures, other people which will progressively dominate you by their numbers and completely change your culture, your convictions, your culture.' The video was seized on with delight. Nick Sortor, a MAGA influencer and podcast host with 953,000 followers, posted: 'WOW! One of the frontrunners for Pope, Cardinal Robert Sarah, is a HARDLINER against mass migration.' Dominik Tarcsýnski, a Polish MEP from the populist Law and Justice Party, joined the clamour, calling the cardinal 'our hope.' It was not just conservatives. Accounts known to promote pro-Russian narratives, like Radio Genoa and African Hub, with more than 2m followers, between them, joined in. 'Catholics worldwide want Cardinal Robert Sarah to be the next Pope,' African Hub posted. More assertive statements on X, formerly Twitter, were soon declaring that, far from being an outsider, Cardinal Sarah was actually among the frontrunners. Much of the initial impetus behind the frenzy appears to have been driven by a Catholic social media influencer from Kerala in India called Sachin Jose Ettiyil, who posted a list of candidates most likely to be elected pope to his 206,000 followers and placed Cardinal Sarah at the top. The post was viewed 1.6m times. Mr Ettiyil has long been a fan of the Guinean, frequently posting quotes from the cardinal reflecting his conservative views on contentious issues, particularly on the rise of secularism in Europe. 'By losing its Christian roots, Europe loses its identity,' Mr Ettiyil quoted Cardinal Sarah as saying in one post, 'if Christianity disappears in Europe, the whole world is threatened,' in another. It remains to be seen whether the online attention the cardinal has received translates into the kind of momentum that could propel him to the papacy. His odds have certainly significantly shortened in the past 24 hours, with William Hill quoting him at 14/1, making him the seventh favourite. And a handful of conservative Catholic commentators have long predicted that he is a genuine 'Papabile', the Italian term used to denote a credible candidate for the Papacy. In a 2020 article in Crisis Magazine, a Catholic publication, Michael Warren Davis, a prominent American conservative Catholic writer, argued that 'Cardinal Sarah is most likely to succeed Pope Francis' on account of his doctrinal soundness and liturgical positions. That remains very much a minority view, however. Cardinal Sarah has long defended himself against accusations of disloyalty to Pope Francis, telling Corriere della Sera in 2019: 'Those who place me in opposition to the Holy Father cannot present a single word of mine, a single phrase or a single attitude to support their absurd – and I would say, diabolical – affirmations.' Such protestations, however, have done little to assuage concerns that the cardinal is too outspoken and too forthright to become the unifying figure the Roman Catholic Church needs following a papacy that divided the faithful. His courage in standing up to two Guinean dictators, Ahmed Sékou Touré and Lansana Conté, coupled with his traditional views may win him support in African and US conservative circles but might not count for much in conclave, according to an African Catholic clergyman who says there is 'little likelihood' of the cardinal becoming Pope. Many Catholic conservatives are instead pinning their hopes on Cardinal Peter Erdö, the Hungarian Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. He has also expressed concern about migration and is seen as a traditionalist who would restore the primacy of religious teachings after Pope Francis's reformist moves. However, he is also seen as a more accommodating figure than Cardinal Sarah, meaning he could potentially win over moderates at conclave. William Hill has quoted Erdö at 8/1, making him fifth favourite — still a long way behind the leading contenders, the reformist Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's softly spoken secretary of state under Pope Francis. Papal elections are notoriously unpredictable, however — meaning that few would be willing entirely to write off Cardinal Sarah's chances. Pope Francis himself was considered a rank outsider: the bookies ranked him before his election in 2013 as the 15th favourite -- which goes to show how little, in ecclesiastical matters, the pundits really know. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.


Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The anti-woke cardinal who conservative Catholics want as Pope
In the hours after Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday a surprising name began to circulate as a potential successor, sparking fevered speculation in conservative social media circles. Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea is exactly the kind of 'anti-woke pope' that many conservative and traditionalist Catholics yearn for after more than a decade in which the progressive element of the Roman Church has been in the ascendant. He has firmly adopted the conservative line on everything from same-sex marriage and gender ideology to the dangers of Western secularism, Islamic fundamentalism and the threat uncontrolled migration poses to European culture and values. There was only one problem. Before Monday, few, not even most credible Catholic conservatives, thought he had the slightest chance. He was thought too outspoken, too conservative and, at 79, quite possibly too old to win sufficient support in the College of Cardinals, who will meet in conclave in the Sistine Chapel over the coming weeks to choose a new pontiff. Betting sites gave him just a 2 per cent shot at becoming the next pope. Cardinal Sarah's chances however have been boosted somewhat by neatly packaged soundbites circulated rapidly around conservative social media spheres of influence. An unattributed and rather grainy video interview with the cardinal warning of the dangers of migration to Europe also began to do the rounds on Monday as the Pope's death was settling in for many. 'My biggest worry is that Europe has lost the sense of its origins,' the footage shows Cardinal Sarah as saying. 'It has lost its roots… I'm afraid the West is dying… You are invaded still by other cultures, other people which will progressively dominate you by their numbers and completely change your culture, your convictions, your culture.' The video was seized on with delight. Nick Sortor, a MAGA influencer and podcast host with 953,000 followers, posted: 'WOW! One of the frontrunners for Pope, Cardinal Robert Sarah, is a HARDLINER against mass migration.' 🚨 WOW! One of the frontrunners for Pope, Cardinal Robert Sarah, is a HARDLINER against mass migration HUGE! "I'm afraid the west is dying. You're being invaded by other cultures, other will progressively dominate you by their numbers,… — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 21, 2025 Dominik Tarcsýnski, a Polish MEP from the populist Law and Justice Party, joined the clamour, calling the cardinal 'our hope.' It was not just conservatives. Accounts known to promote pro-Russian narratives, like Radio Genoa and African Hub, with more than 2m followers, between them, joined in. 'Catholics worldwide want Cardinal Robert Sarah to be the next Pope,' African Hub posted. More assertive statements on X, formerly Twitter, were soon declaring that, far from being an outsider, Cardinal Sarah was actually among the frontrunners. Much of the initial impetus behind the frenzy appears to have been driven by a Catholic social media influencer from Kerala in India called Sachin Jose Ettiyil, who posted a list of candidates most likely to be elected pope to his 206,000 followers and placed Cardinal Sarah at the top. The post was viewed 1.6m times. Mr Ettiyil has long been a fan of the Guinean, frequently posting quotes from the cardinal reflecting his conservative views on contentious issues, particularly on the rise of secularism in Europe. 'By losing its Christian roots, Europe loses its identity,' Mr Ettiyil quoted Cardinal Sarah as saying in one post, 'if Christianity disappears in Europe, the whole world is threatened,' in another. It remains to be seen whether the online attention the cardinal has received translates into the kind of momentum that could propel him to the papacy. His odds have certainly significantly shortened in the past 24 hours, with William Hill quoting him at 14/1, making him the seventh favourite. And a handful of conservative Catholic commentators have long predicted that he is a genuine 'Papabile', the Italian term used to denote a credible candidate for the Papacy. In a 2020 article in Crisis Magazine, a Catholic publication, Michael Warren Davis, a prominent American conservative Catholic writer, argued that 'Cardinal Sarah is most likely to succeed Pope Francis' on account of his doctrinal soundness and liturgical positions. That remains very much a minority view, however. Cardinal Sarah has long defended himself against accusations of disloyalty to Pope Francis, telling Corriere della Sera in 2019: 'Those who place me in opposition to the Holy Father cannot present a single word of mine, a single phrase or a single attitude to support their absurd – and I would say, diabolical – affirmations.' Such protestations, however, have done little to assuage concerns that the cardinal is too outspoken and too forthright to become the unifying figure the Roman Catholic Church needs following a papacy that divided the faithful. His courage in standing up to two Guinean dictators, Ahmed Sékou Touré and Lansana Conté, coupled with his traditional views may win him support in African and US conservative circles but might not count for much in conclave, according to an African Catholic clergyman who says there is 'little likelihood' of the cardinal becoming Pope. Many Catholic conservatives are instead pinning their hopes on Cardinal Peter Erdö, the Hungarian Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. He has also expressed concern about migration and is seen as a traditionalist who would restore the primacy of religious teachings after Pope Francis's reformist moves. However, he is also seen as a more accommodating figure than Cardinal Sarah, meaning he could potentially win over moderates at conclave. William Hill has quoted Erdö at 8/1, making him fifth favourite — still a long way behind the leading contenders, the reformist Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's softly spoken secretary of state under Pope Francis. Papal elections are notoriously unpredictable, however — meaning that few would be willing entirely to write off Cardinal Sarah's chances. Pope Francis himself was considered a rank outsider: the bookies ranked him before his election in 2013 as the 15th favourite -- which goes to show how little, in ecclesiastical matters, the pundits really know.


Voice of America
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
X influencer misleads on DRC offer of rare minerals to US, EU
African Hub, an X content creator with over 800K followers, misquoted Tshisekedi, claiming he requested the U.S. military intervention in exchange for control over his nation's vast resources. This is misleading. African Hub's post went viral. It seems to have originated from Tshisekedi's Feb. 20 interview with The New York Times. However, in that interview, Tshisekedi did not offer the U.S. control over DRC's mineral resources, nor did it suggest any military intervention. The DRC leader told the newspaper that he hoped international pressure against Rwanda, coupled with investments from Western countries, would bring stability to his war-ridden nation. Tina Salama, the DRC presidential spokesperson, clarified the issue on X in a Feb. 23 post. "Setting the record straight: President Tshisekedi invites the USA, whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda — materials looted from the DRC and smuggled through Rwanda while our populations are massacred — to purchase them directly from us, the rightful owners," Salama wrote. Salama's statement directly contradicts the claim made by African Hub. Eastern DRC is facing a violent armed conflict with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, who occupy significant parts of the country. DRC is rich in vital minerals, including coltan and cobalt, which are crucial for high-tech industries such as electronics and electric vehicles. In her X post, Salama further emphasized that Tshisekedi's offer was not exclusive to the U.S. but was extended to European countries as well: "And it's not just the Americans, it's also offered to Europeans and all the receivers of our resources who get their supplies from Rwanda." In February 2024, the European Union negotiated a $935 million deal with Rwanda for access to minerals such as tin, tungsten and gold. Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of plundering DRC's resources using the M23 rebels. European involvement is facilitating this illegal trade, Tshisekedi said. In response, the EU has halted its deal with Rwanda and instead is considering sanctioning Kigali for its role in the DRC war. On Feb. 25, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Rwanda and paused bilateral financial aid, signaling increased international pressure. As part of the sanctions, the U.K. said it would suspend defense training assistance to Rwanda and review export licenses for the Rwandan Defense Force. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, a Rwandan official accused of facilitating support for M23 rebels. Conclusion: Tshisekedi invited international companies to buy minerals directly from the DRC. He did not request military intervention or promise control over DRC natural resources. His spokesperson clarified that the mineral deal was open to multiple international players and was aimed at combating Rwanda's illegal resource trade through M23 rebels.