Twitter/X Trends in New Zealand - Real-Time Analytics & Trending Hashtags

Full Summary

After Larry Ellison backed his son David's $111 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery—beating out Netflix—the plea hit social media: replace Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape with Adam Driver. Essiedu, cast in December 2024, drew backlash for not matching the book's sallow-skinned, hook-nosed description or Alan Rickman's films, with fans pushing Driver's Kylo Ren intensity as ideal. Production on the HBO series started in summer 2025 at Leavesden Studios and nears completion for a 2027 premiere, making a recast unlikely despite the buzz—some fans defend Essiedu and call for enjoying the show.

Key Takeaway

Picture this: fans spotting a billionaire's new grip on Warner Bros. Discovery and dreaming up a Snape swap with Adam Driver's brooding stare.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Attorney General Pam Bondi dated Tuesday, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed requested an investigation by December 1 into World Liberty Financial's compliance with anti-money laundering rules, sanctions, and governance. The demand stems from a September report by Accountable.US alleging the project sold $WLFI governance tokens to wallets linked to North Korea's Lazarus Group, a Russian sanctions-evasion stablecoin, Iran's NoBitex exchange, and the sanctioned mixer Tornado Cash. DT Marks DEFI LLC, controlled by Donald Trump and his family, holds 22.5 billion tokens and receives 75% of sales revenue, while the project lists Trump family members in prominent roles; World Liberty Financial maintains it has robust compliance measures with no evidence of wrongdoing.

Key Takeaway

Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed have fired off a letter urging a federal probe into World Liberty Financial, the Trump family's crypto project, over alleged sales to North Korean hackers and sanctioned entities.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (5)

Full Summary

During a Fox Business interview, Carr praised the Pledge America Campaign, launched February 20, which invites broadcasters to air voluntary pro-America content like the Star-Spangled Banner, 'Today in American History' segments, and patriotic music by John Philip Sousa. The effort backs President Trump's Salute to America 250 Task Force and ties into economic bright spots, such as cooling inflation at 2.4% and wages growing faster. While supporters cheer the civic pride, critics on social media raise alarms over potential First Amendment pressures, though the FCC stresses it's entirely optional and no pledges have come in yet.

Key Takeaway

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr envisions a wave of patriotic broadcasts as the nation nears its 250th birthday in 2026. He's calling on stations to kick off days with the Pledge of Allegiance or spotlight local history.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)

Full Summary

Footage emerged showing the Canadian curling team, including Marc Kennedy, double-touching the stone during the 2026 Winter Olympics, which is alleged to violate curling rules. Kennedy claimed the cameras were deliberately set up to target and frame the team as cheaters.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (10)

+ 4 more posts

Full Summary

Spanberger delivered the Democratic rebuttal to Trump's February 24, 2026, State of the Union, accusing him of raising family costs through tariffs averaging $1,700 per household and weakening safety with warrantless arrests and corruption. She highlighted Democratic efforts on housing, healthcare, and energy relief while pitching for midterms. Critics spotlighted over 50 Virginia Democratic tax proposals on items like dog walking and gun sales, plus a viral AI video from the Loudoun County Republican Committee depicting her imposing taxes and harming businesses.

Key Takeaway

Standing in a historic chamber at Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger asked pointed questions about President Trump's record on affordability and safety. Conservatives fired back swiftly with tax critiques and a mocking AI video.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

The UN General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, release of prisoners, and return of deported civilians and children, while reaffirming Ukraine's sovereignty within its recognized borders. It passed 107-12 with 51 abstentions, including the United States, which cited concerns over clauses distracting from negotiations. Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the vote as proof Ukraine stands with the UN Charter, even as U.S. critics like retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg questioned the abstention after four years of war.

Key Takeaway

On the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked 107 nations for backing a call to end the fighting and bring his people home.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

Leavitt's February 24 remark, made more than 13 months after Trump's January 20, 2025 inauguration, prompted widespread online pushback over the timeline, with critics calling it a gaffe and tying ongoing high prices to Trump's tariffs. Defenders said it referred to lingering Biden-era policies like inflation from 2021-2024 and regulatory burdens. The clip highlighted partisan divides on affordability, a top voter issue, as inflation sits at 2.4% but grocery, housing, and energy costs stay elevated amid policy shifts like tariffs averaging 13% by late 2025.

Key Takeaway

During a Fox News interview, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump would address the 'affordability crisis that Joe Biden created one year ago'—just hours before his State of the Union.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)

Full Summary

Fans across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand are voting daily up to 50 times per category at iHeartRadio.com/awards, with Power Hours doubling each vote's weight to boost their favorites ahead of the March 26 show on FOX from the Dolby Theatre. BTS members shine with j-hope up for K-pop Artist of the Year and collabs like 'Sweet Dreams' with Miguel, while Jimin and Jungkook compete in Favorite On Screen for their 'Are You Sure?!' series; Sabrina Carpenter leads with eight nods including Artist of the Year. Leaderboards from February 20 reveal tight races, like j-hope trailing in Favorite K-Pop Collab and Sabrina topping Favorite Tour Style, with voting open until March 19.

Key Takeaway

BTS ARMY and Sabrina Carpenter fans are coordinating votes like a well-oiled machine during the double-impact Power Hour from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)

Full Summary

Fans across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand are voting daily up to 50 times per category at iHeartRadio.com/awards, with Power Hours doubling each vote's weight to boost their favorites ahead of the March 26 show on FOX from the Dolby Theatre. BTS members shine with j-hope up for K-pop Artist of the Year and collabs like 'Sweet Dreams' with Miguel, while Jimin and Jungkook compete in Favorite On Screen for their 'Are You Sure?!' series; Sabrina Carpenter leads with eight nods including Artist of the Year. Leaderboards from February 20 reveal tight races, like j-hope trailing in Favorite K-Pop Collab and Sabrina topping Favorite Tour Style, with voting open until March 19.

Key Takeaway

BTS ARMY and Sabrina Carpenter fans are coordinating votes like a well-oiled machine during the double-impact Power Hour from 8 to 9 p.m. ET.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)

Full Summary

Douglas competed in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics, won silver at the 1966 World Championships, and retired with a 303-17-7 record before becoming a pioneering coach. At Arizona State, he led the team to its only NCAA title in 1988 as the first Black head coach at a major U.S. university; at Iowa State, he mentored stars like Cael Sanderson to perfection and Olympic gold. He guided U.S. Olympic teams to multiple medals and earned hall of fame honors, leaving a legacy as trailblazer and teacher mourned across the sport.

Key Takeaway

Bobby Douglas broke barriers as the first Black U.S. Olympic wrestler and built wrestling dynasties over decades. Tributes from former athletes highlight the lives he changed.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)

Full Summary

Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo made an exceptional defense-splitting pass to Pedro Neto, contributing to Joao Pedro's opening goal against Brighton. The sequence started with a progressive pass from Santos to Caicedo, who then found Neto leading to the finish.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (10)

+ 4 more posts

Full Summary

RFK Jr., as HHS Secretary, directed a top aide on his second day in office to request CDC officials halt a flu vaccine advertising campaign. He has repeatedly linked the flu vaccine to his spasmodic dysphonia voice condition in at least 21 public appearances.

Related Posts (10)

+ 4 more posts

Full Summary

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged the Taliban to scrap their January 4, 2026, Criminal Procedure Code, which expands the death penalty, allows home-based corporal punishment, and treats beating wives without severe injury as no crime—harsher than penalties for mistreating camels. He decried 'gender apartheid' banning women from education, jobs, parks, and even UN sites, with recent rules enforcing strict hijab and male escorts. Afghan women risk speaking out online, pleading for study amid healthcare barriers like men barred from treating them, as Türk pushes global pressure including ICC probes and no forced refugee returns.

Key Takeaway

In a stark Geneva speech, Volker Türk labeled Afghanistan a graveyard for human rights, spotlighting a Taliban decree that excuses domestic violence and jails women for stepping out alone.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (7)

+ 1 more posts

Full Summary

The ex-Crystal Palace striker's lineup featured Arsenal's Jurrien Timber at right-back, Ilkhom Khusanov and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defense, plus Eberechi Eze in advanced midfield, alongside picks like Dean Henderson in goal and Viktor Gyokeres up top. Fans questioned Timber's spot after his early exit, with comments like 'How awful were all the other RBs?' and 'Why are these people paid?' Meanwhile, lower leagues celebrated their heroes: QPR's Richard Kone for a late winner, Wrexham's Kieffer Moore in a 5-3 thriller, and Plymouth Argyle landing four spots after a 5-2 rout, including skipper Joe Edwards.

Key Takeaway

Clinton Morrison packed his Premier League Team of the Weekend with Arsenal stars after their strong showing. But naming Jurrien Timber at right-back—despite his halftime hook in a draw with Manchester City—left fans scratching their heads and firing back.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

On the Mohr Stories podcast on Feb. 24, Dyson accused Lamar of reducing Black identity to Compton origins, comparing the track's 'not like us' hook to divisive rhetoric and noting Drake's Black heritage tied to figures like Aretha Franklin's babysitter. Fans split sharply, with some seeing attacks on Lamar—a dark-skinned Compton native who dominated 2024 with the track, swept 2026 Grammys including for 'Luther,' and headlined Super Bowl LIX—as rooted in colorism and media bias against his success. Others back Dyson, arguing Lamar first weaponized identity by labeling Drake a culture outsider, keeping debates alive on authenticity, skin tone, and hip-hop's cultural lines.

Key Takeaway

Scholar Michael Eric Dyson called out Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' for drawing lines around Blackness that left out Drake's deep family roots in Memphis and beyond.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (7)

+ 1 more posts

Full Summary

The film *Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Beginning of a New Era* hits over 600 North American theaters on February 27, following horse girl Jungle Pocket's quest for racing glory at Tracen Academy amid rivals inspired by real 2001 Japanese races. Viewers like Kestin Howard praised its accessible story, fun sports drama, and jaw-dropping visuals, with many wiping away tears seven or eight times. Originally a May 2024 Japan hit from Cygames' popular franchise blending idol vibes and horse racing, it's drawing crowds at chains like Cinemark and AMC with Japanese audio and English subs.

Key Takeaway

Fans dashed into theaters today, eyes misty from heart-pounding races and stunning animation that left even newcomers hooked.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

Woods accused her Grammy-nominated sister GloRilla of ghosting the family despite hits like 'FNF,' demanding $2,500 monthly for rent after their tough Memphis upbringing on ketchup sandwiches. GloRilla responded by sharing proof of her $500,000 family home gift, with siblings backing her generosity, while incarcerated rapper Tory Lanez paid Woods directly. Woods then posted videos splurging on luxuries and teamed up with comedian Skinbone for a hilarious skit featuring Hot & Spicy McChickens, drawing roasts from Finesse2Tymes and mixed online reactions ranging from laughs to calls of entitlement.

Key Takeaway

Victoria Woods, GloRilla's sister known as BroRilla, begged publicly for rent money—then celebrated Tory Lanez sending her $2,500 with champagne flexes and fast-food troll videos.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (8)

+ 2 more posts

Full Summary

Kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, Gilboa-Dalal described in a Channel 12 News interview how a captor dragged him from a shower, assaulted him despite protests invoking Islamic prohibitions, and silenced him with weapons. He emerged emaciated with potential permanent hearing loss from tunnels and homes, as one of the last living hostages freed in an October 13 exchange. His account is the second public testimony from a male survivor of sexual abuse, amid prior reports of systematic violence against hostages.

Key Takeaway

Guy Gilboa-Dalal froze as his naked body was groped by a Hamas guard, who then pressed a knife to his neck and rifle to his head, threatening death if he spoke. The 25-year-old endured this assault after 738 days in Gaza captivity.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (7)

+ 1 more posts

Full Summary

The letter, addressed to council homes about pothole repairs, lists translations ahead of English, prompting claims that the language is now secondary in a borough where White British residents make up about 35% according to the 2021 census. Separate unconfirmed reports suggest the Labour-led council told staff to avoid eating at desks during Ramadan, which started around February 18, to respect fasting Muslims. Supporters view the multi-language approach as practical for Camden's over 60% non-White British population, while critics demand integration over special accommodations amid ongoing tensions in urban Britain.

Key Takeaway

A video of a council letter in Bengali, Portuguese, and Arabic before English has residents questioning priorities in diverse Camden.

Context & Entities

Related Posts (6)