Latest News from Misr 5
News24
12 minutes ago
- General
- News24
No, Joel Netshitenzhe did not call Starlink a Trojan Horse for US military control
A viral post falsely claims former politician Joel Netshitenzhe called Starlink a US military 'Trojan Horse' in South Africa. Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), where Netshitenzhe is an executive director, has confirmed he never wrote or endorsed the analysis. The claim, which itself lacks substantiation, originated from a Facebook post that was wrongly attributed and later publicly retracted. A viral post circulating on social media falsely claims to be a 'concise analysis' by South African policy analyst and politician Joel Netshitenzhe. Dated 27 May 2025, the post alleges that Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, is a covert instrument of the United States military and geopolitical dominance - a 'Trojan Horse' threatening South Africa's digital sovereignty. But the attribution to Netshitenzhe is incorrect. In a statement issued on 28 May, the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA), where Netshitenzhe serves as executive director, disassociated itself from the analysis. READ | 'It has come to the attention of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA) that a contribution providing an analysis of Starlink's interest in South Africa is in circulation on X,' the statement reads. 'We would like to unequivocally state that our Executive Director, Mr Joel Netshitenzhe, has published no such analysis and that MISTRA is in no way associated with the write-up that is being circulated.' The post, which has been widely reshared on Facebook and X, appears to have originated as a Facebook text post. It was subsequently copied and posted on X by Donovan Calvin Meyer, who in turn also wrongly attributed it to Netshitenzhe. Meyer later issued a public apology: I do not know how to undo this, I am embarrassed and ashamed, I just pasted from a FB post, my sincere apology to @SizweLo, I follow him, not sure how I missed this one, this is his writing I am familiar with — Donovan Calvin Meyer (@Calidonny) May 28, 2025 Despite calls to delete it, the post remained live at the time of publication. The original author of the Starlink claims appears to be Sizwe SikaMusi, who describes himself as a 'social commentator and gatekeeper of historical facts'. While some debate continues around Starlink's global military associations - including its use in Ukraine and its connection to US defence contracts via SpaceX - there is currently no evidence that the service will be used to spy on South Africans or bypass national laws. The tactic of attaching a prominent name to a generic statement is a classic tool used by purveyors of online misinformation. Netshitenzhe is a respected public figure and analyst, and using his name alongside unverified geopolitical claims distorts national debate on technology, sovereignty, and regulatory oversight, particularly in the context of growing public interest around Starlink's possible rollout in South Africa.
News18
12 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Mission: Impossible Director Hints At Les Grossman Spin-Off With Tom Cruise
Last Updated: Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning, Christopher McQuarrie, hinted that a Tropic Thunder spin-off featuring Tom Cruise's Les Grossman could happen. Fans of the 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder may be in for a treat. Christopher McQuarrie, director of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, hinted at a possible spin-off starring Tom Cruise's character, Les Grossman. McQuarrie revealed that he and Cruise had 'serious conversations" about creating a film centred entirely on the wild and unforgettable Grossman. During the shoot of The Final Reckoning, they brainstormed ideas on how to bring the character back freshly and excitingly. The director described these discussions as both hilarious and thrilling as they worked to craft the perfect story for Grossman's return. While appearing on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, the filmmaker said, 'Everything will in one way or another happen. It will not necessarily happen in the time or place you think it will. They're all things we're talking about. We have ideas about the conversations we've had about Les Grossman are so funny. I mean, we're talking about it, man. We're having very serious conversations about it and how best to do it and where you know what it ultimately comes to down to what that character is." 'You hit the nail right on the head that I was going to a leading man, Tom Cruise will tell you a leading man has different responsibilities. Tom is just to be sitting at a breakfast table, not talking about the movie we're making for a minute is such decompression, right? And just riffing with Tom playing to Les Grossman at the table was one of the real joys of making this movie. It was all the stuff we were doing, planning the future, while slugging out the present," Christopher McQuarrie added. Fans of Tropic Thunder will instantly recognise Les Grossman—the loud, bald, and fiery movie producer with a short fuse and a larger-than-life personality. One of his most memorable scenes is a video call with the film crew after a disastrous shoot, where he famously orders a crew member to punch the director (played by Steve Coogan) in the face. Another iconic moment fans love is when Grossman breaks into an unexpected, hilarious dance to Ludacris's 'Get Back." Other than Cruise, the 2008 movie also features Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Jay Baruchel and Brandon T. Jackson. First Published:
News18
13 minutes ago
- Sport
- News18
Rashid Khan Picks Virat Kohli As His Favourite Batter, Bumrah As Favourite Bowler
Last Updated: Rashid Khan is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. The 26-year-old spinner from Afghanistan has 643 wickets to his name in 476 T20 matches played so far. Star Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan is one of the greatest bowlers of all time. He holds the record for taking the most wickets in T20s. During a recent interaction with kids, the video of which is going viral on the internet, Rashid was asked about his favourite batter, bowler and all-rounder, and in reply he mentioned Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya's names. Kohli is the all-time leading run getter in IPL history and also has more than 27,000 runs to his name in international cricket, whereas Bumrah has played a big role in India and the Mumbai Indians' success over the years. Rashid Khan picked:– Virat Kohli as his favourite batter.– Jasprit Bumrah as his favourite bowler.– Hardik Pandya as his favourite All Rounder. — Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 29, 2025 The 31-year-old fast bowler from Ahmedabad has played a total of 204 matches for India in international cricket across formats and has 443 wickets to his name. He played a big role in India's T20 World Cup title win last year and, for his superb bowling performances, won the Player of the Tournament award as well. Hardik, on the other hand, has played alongside Rashid for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and 2023. The duo helped the Ahmedabad-based franchise win the IPL title in 2022 and finished as runner-up in the next season. Rashid, who will be seen in action for Gujarat Titans on Friday (May 30) against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 eliminator match in Mullanpur, has been horribly out of form in the world's richest franchise cricket league this year. In 14 matches played so far, he has only picked up nine wickets. His performance with the ball has been a cause of concern for the 2022 champions, and the team management of Gujarat Titans will expect him to come up with a big show with the ball in the eliminator clash against MI. GT will miss the services of England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler in the eliminator match against MI. Buttler has left India to join the England team for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies. MI will also miss the services of Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch in the eliminator match. While Jacks will play for England in the home series against the Men in Maroon, Rickelton and Bosch have left for South Africa as part of the team's World Test Championship (WTC) final preparations. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
News18
13 minutes ago
- General
- News18
10-Year-Old Honoured For Serving Lassi, Tea To Jawans During Operation Sindoor
Last Updated: A resident of Tara Wali village in Ferozepur, Punjab, Shravan Singh supplied the Indian soldiers with refreshments during Operation Sindoor. No age is too young to serve the nation. 10-year-old Shravan Singh proved this with his actions during Operation Sindoor. A resident of Tara Wali village in Ferozepur, Punjab, Shravan supplied refreshments to soldiers who were involved in Operation Sindoor in the border district. The 10-year-old was honoured for his patriotism recently. The brave child was part of a ceremony honouring 'civilian warriors', where he was presented with a gift-wrapped memento. The Indian Army felicitated him as the 'Youngest Civil Warrior" for his efforts. Shravan's father, Sona Singh, told PTC News, 'The soldiers were stationed on our land, and from the very first day, my son began taking milk, lassi, water, and ice to them. We never stopped him because he found happiness in serving the Army. He kept visiting them regularly, and it made us proud. He now dreams of becoming a soldier one day." A Kargil War veteran, Retd. Major Rajpreet Singh Aulakh, posted a photo of Shravan Singh with Major General RS Manral, General Officer Commanding of the Golden Arrow Division, on social media platform X. One user recalled the time when soldiers used to serve in his area. 'As a child, I recall when army exercises took place in our fields, we served soldiers lassi, Makhan, milk and mangoes, and they, in return, offered us puris. This bond remains strong," he said. As a child, I recall when army exercises took place in our fields, we served soldiers lassi, Makhan, milk and mangoes, and they, in return, offered us puris. This bond remains strong— balbir singh (@balbirs93368041) May 28, 2025 Some also gave credit to Shravan's parents. 'Well done,The parents deserve appreciation for giving him values which Shravan will carry throughout his life," a comment read. Well done,The parents deserves appreciation for giving him values which Shravan will carry throughout the life.— Amit Pinge (@amit_pinge) May 28, 2025 Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian armed forces on May 7 in response to the tragic Pahalgam attack last month. The Indian military carried out precision strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK). First Published:
News18
17 minutes ago
- Politics
- News18
'Trade Issue Didn't Come Up': MEA Again Rejects Trump's Claims On India-Pakistan Ceasefire
Last Updated: The Ministry of External Affairs denied that trade issue came up, days after Trump took credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor. The Ministry Of External Affairs on Thursday once again rejected the claims of any discussions of trade being held with the United States in the discussions that took place between the two countries since India launched Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). While addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, 'I refer to you the position made clear on 13th May. From the time Operation Sindoor commenced on 7 May, issue of trade or tariff did not come up in any of these discussions. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had also clarified it was established directly through DGMOs." Jaiswal further reiterated that the ceasefire plea came from Islamabad, specifically from Pakistan's Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO), who reached out to his counterpart in Delhi. There was 'no American intervention during Operation Sindoor'. In its May 13th briefing, Jaiswal had said that India had a firm stance that it would not give in to nuclear blackmail or allow cross-border terrorism to be conducted invoking it. 'In conversations with various countries, we also cautioned that their subscribing to such scenarios could hurt them in their own region," he had said. His remarks came after US President Donald Trump time and again asserted that he had 'settled" the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan, attributing the resolution to his efforts in pursuing trade agreements with both nations. The US President has consistently maintained that he played a pivotal role in de-escalating the conflict between India and Pakistan. He had also portrayed the ceasefire as a major diplomatic success, stating that he had prevented a potential nuclear war and even envisioned the leaders of India and Pakistan dining together in peace. However, India has stated that the recent ceasefire with Pakistan was a bilateral agreement, worked out directly between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. India has consistently denied any third-party mediation emphasising that the decision to halt military actions was a result of direct communication between New Delhi and Islamabad and not linked to any trade discussions. Earlier government sources told CNN-News18 that there was no reference to trade in talks between top leaders of India and the US during the India-Pakistan military conflict. Notably, US Vice President JD Vance spoke to PM Modi on May 9, where trade was not discussed. First Published:
