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

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Frank McCormick, a former teacher and constitutional conservative, posted on X early Thursday asking if people enjoy Christmas aesthetics like lights, music, and decorations. Over 50 Jewish respondents largely expressed delight in the holiday's vibe and mood-boosting elements amid winter, noting cultural participation such as eating Chinese food on Christmas or decorating neighbors' trees. Many highlighted the irony that iconic songs like 'White Christmas' and 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' were written by Jewish composers including Irving Berlin and Johnny Marks. While a minority opts out, the thread with over 4,000 views reflects American pluralism and shared seasonal goodwill transcending faith.

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A simple question on X about enjoying the Christmas season sparked dozens of positive replies from Jewish users, who praised its twinkling lights, festive music, and communal joy without embracing its religious core.

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Japan's near-universal cremation rate stems from scarce land, earthquakes, and health worries like groundwater risks. For Muslims, whose numbers are rising with workers and students, burial honors the body for Judgment Day and is a religious must. Lawmaker Mizuho Umemura holds firm to tradition, suggesting remains go home, as space stays tight and talks on accommodations stall.

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A bearded man spoke outdoors, subtitles clear: cremation is a sin in Islam, and he wants burial no matter what. His words highlight a deep clash in a country where over 99% choose cremation.

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South Africa is set to host the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg on November 22-23, focusing on global inequalities, debt relief, and climate goals, despite boycotts by the United States under President Donald Trump and Argentina under President Javier Milei, who cited discredited claims of white farmer persecution and governance critiques. A viral X post by radio host Gareth Cliff mocking the reduced attendance as 'G16' has ignited an online debate, with critics like GOOD Party leader Brett Herron accusing some of racial bias and sabotage, while defenders argue it reflects frustration with government failures. The feud highlights persistent racial and political divisions in the nation as the event approaches.

Key Takeaway

In the shadow of international boycotts, a single mocking tweet about South Africa's G20 summit has unleashed a torrent of accusations, exposing raw divides over national pride and governance woes.

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Gerzig, who lives in Spain with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, shared in a recent interview that the cancellation stemmed solely from her Israeli background. She described a sharp rise in judgment, exclusion, and antisemitism toward Israelis and Jews in Spain since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. Her personal experience underscores growing tensions amid pro-Palestinian protests and public calls, like RTVE's stance to skip Eurovision 2026 if Israel joins.

Key Takeaway

Mishel Gerzig was getting ready for a local event in Madrid when the organizers suddenly revoked her invitation. They explained it was to 'not bother anyone,' leaving her devastated and her husband Thibaut Courtois furious.

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Security forces killed four TTP militants in Panjgur, Balochistan, during an intelligence-based operation on December 26, identifying one as high-value target Abdul Mutlib, a former counter-terrorism officer. In Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a joint team eliminated six others, including senior commander Nusrat Wazir with a hefty bounty, though one officer and one civilian died in the fighting. These strikes are part of Pakistan's Azm-e-Istehkam campaign against the group amid ongoing violence in border regions.

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In tense overnight clashes, Pakistani troops and locals took down key TTP figures, recovering weapons and flags from the fallen militants.

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The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.), heard from experts like Eugene Kontorovich, Morton A. Klein, and Jon B. Alterman on the territory's legal status, biblical ties, and implications for U.S.-Israel relations. Republicans stressed strategic interests and Israel's claims, while Democrats dismissed ancient borders as impractical. Protests erupted inside from CODEPINK over missing Palestinian witnesses and outside with clashes involving Israeli leaders, highlighting deep divides with no clear path forward on annexation or a two-state solution.

Key Takeaway

On December 10, tensions rose in a House subcommittee as witnesses debated the West Bank's history and future, while activists interrupted demanding Palestinian voices.

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Greg Ip explains how targeted price jumps in eggs, beef, housing, and more outstrip income gains, leaving first-time homebuyers and renters strained—half now spend over 30% of income on housing alone. Quick policy ideas like tariffs, rent controls, or rate cuts carry risks of recession or renewed inflation, he warns. Leaders like President Trump and NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani highlight the issue, while many call for bold changes from market shifts to reforms ending the Fed or curbing investor home buys.

Key Takeaway

Families feel the pinch from higher housing, groceries, and everyday bills, even as wages slowly rise and inflation eases. A top economist asks if real relief is possible without bigger problems down the road.

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Umar, also known as Oro, terrorized travelers in remote bushes, assembling weapons and enforcing control over hostages. The old footage resurfaced amid Nigeria's ongoing kidnapping crisis, where highways like Abuja-Kaduna remain dangerous and recent cases like Hon. Mu’azu Gwashi's death in captivity highlight the toll. People expressed outrage over the suspect's demeanor compared to harsh treatment of protesters, and frustration with persistent violence despite security promises. Seven years later, families still fear these roads.

Key Takeaway

In a chilling 2018 police parade, young gang leader Ibrahim Umar calmly described killing over 10 captives and drinking their blood when ransoms went unpaid. Paraded by anti-robbery officers along the Abuja-Kaduna highway, he handled rifles without remorse as a survivor recounted negotiating his release for 350,000 naira.

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The assets, worth €183 billion and held mostly at Euroclear in Brussels, would fund Ukraine's defense and budget needs now, with repayment from future Russian reparations. De Wever demands EU-wide risk sharing and points to Belgium's ongoing aid via taxes on the assets' interest, expected to yield €1 billion next year. EU allies criticize Belgium's handling of those funds, while the standoff highlights strains in supporting Ukraine amid shifting U.S. policies. Diplomats hope for progress at December's summit.

Key Takeaway

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever wrote a firm letter this week, calling the EU's proposal to back €140 billion in loans with frozen Russian funds fundamentally wrong. He worries it breaks international law and risks Belgium's financial standing.

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Anastasia Zorchinsky, born in Kfar Saba, Israel, in 1995, was refused a passport at a Montreal Service Canada office on November 10 when officials cited political conflict and suggested listing Palestine instead. Her lawyer, Neil Oberman, intervened, securing the document with accurate details after confirming no such policy exists. Global Affairs Canada attributed the incident to staff misunderstanding, not an official directive, following backlash over perceived discrimination amid Canada's recent recognition of Palestine.

Key Takeaway

Imagine arriving to claim your new Canadian passport, only to be told your birthplace—Israel—can't be listed due to 'political conflict,' with Palestine offered as the alternative.

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Late Monday, the former middleweight champion posted about the challenge of selecting one religion, caricaturing each while arguing the universe points to intelligent design by God. He called scriptures a tough sell since they're written long after humans appeared 300,000 years ago, yet if forced to choose, Christianity feels more like a way of life. Replies poured in with defenses of various faiths, historical corrections noting Judaism as the oldest monotheistic tradition, and jabs at atheists or rival beliefs, blending conviction, facts, and humor.

Key Takeaway

Sean Strickland, the unfiltered UFC fighter, shared his honest struggle: he leans toward Christianity but wonders how anyone picks between faiths like Judaism, Islam, or others.

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Pakistan U19 chased 227 with three balls remaining to beat Afghanistan U19 in the second match of the Zimbabwe U19 OD Tri-Series at Harare Sports Club. Hamza Zahoor's unbeaten 68 off 51 balls rescued them from 201-9, building on captain Farhan Yousaf's 65, while Usman Khan took 4-37 to earn player of the match. Afghanistan posted 226 with Osman Sadat's 75, but Pakistan's bowlers struck late to set up the tense chase. Pakistan now lead the table ahead of their next game against Zimbabwe.

Key Takeaway

With one run needed off four balls and one wicket left, Hamza Zahoor and Niqab Shafiq scampered a single to seal a wild victory celebration.

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In his Foreign Affairs essay, Stubb divides the world into the West's democracies, the East's authoritarians led by China, and the pivotal Global South swing states like India and Brazil. He proposes adding permanent UN Security Council seats for underrepresented regions, ending veto power, and rebalancing IMF and World Bank voting to match today's economic realities. Drawing from Finland's NATO entry amid Russia's Ukraine invasion, Stubb urges a 'values-based realism' to rebuild shared norms and prevent wider conflicts.

Key Takeaway

Alexander Stubb sees the post-World War II system cracking under multipolar strains. He warns the West has just five to ten years to adapt and avoid chaos.

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New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters sharply rebuked his coalition partners on Monday for proposing state asset sales to tackle rising unemployment at 4.7%, record business insolvencies, and government debt at 42% of GDP. Peters advocated building value in state assets to drive growth and jobs, citing Singapore's model, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon minimized the disagreement, focusing on spending cuts and tax relief in the 2025 Budget. Opposition leaders like Labour's Chris Hipkins and the Greens' Chlöe Swarbrick echoed concerns about privatization risks amid slow GDP growth of 0.2%.

Key Takeaway

In a fiery RNZ interview, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters slammed his own government's asset sale push as a 'tawdry, silly argument'—a desperate bid to fix an economy reeling from 4.7% unemployment and soaring debt.

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