Twitter/X Trends in South Africa - Real-Time Analytics & Trending Hashtags

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The U.S. Justice Department released nearly 3.5 million pages of Epstein files on January 30, 2026, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act signed by President Trump in November 2025. These documents detail Epstein's sex trafficking, Ghislaine Maxwell's case, and his 2019 death, naming prominent figures but leading to few prosecutions so far. CGTN's mid-February broadcast highlighted victims' exposed names versus protected abusers, contrasting with more measured U.S. coverage and sparking global talks on elite accountability amid international fallout like Prince Andrew's arrest.

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CGTN host Wang Guan likened the newly released Jeffrey Epstein files to a 'CT scan of the whole system,' exposing courts, banks, and politicians too powerful to face charges.

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Armed bandits delivered the threat to leaders in Kebbi State's Ngaski area about a week ago, citing a past deadly raid when demands were ignored. Panic spread as some residents escaped to safer spots, while officials deployed security forces with air surveillance and vowed no compromises. The extortion fits attacks by Lakurawa militants, who just last week killed over 30 in nearby villages during cattle rustling.

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A letter arrived in Utouno village warning of death unless residents pay 100 million naira. Families fled, others pray through sleepless Ramadan nights.

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Videos capture Yoruba ancestral masquerades performing in an Argentine community hall and Orisha tributes lighting up Rio and São Paulo Carnivals, where schools like Unidos de Vila Isabel celebrated Afro-Brazilian roots from Candomblé. These displays, preserved by descendants of the slave trade, contrast with Nigeria, where colonial missionaries suppressed such practices, sparking awe, pride, and regret among viewers. Brazilian Yoruba descendants affirm their heritage, while some Christians distinguish cultural appreciation from deity worship.

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Colorful Egungun dancers in Argentina prostrate and chant to ancestors, while Brazil's Carnival floats honor river goddess Yemoja with vibrant parades.

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Two 18-year-old Palestinians from Hebron and Beit Omar rammed their vehicle into Israelis at the Gush Etzion junction south of Jerusalem on Tuesday, then stabbed victims, killing 71-year-old Aharon Cohen and wounding a man, a boy, and a woman. Israeli security forces killed both attackers on site. Cohen, a Kiryat Arba resident and father of six, was remembered by neighbors as a kind community pillar during his funeral that evening.

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A vehicle slammed into a crowd at Gush Etzion junction, followed by knives flashing in a deadly ambush that claimed an innocent life.

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The Marca graphic details Ronaldo's haul: 5 for Sporting CP, 145 at Manchester United, 451 at Real Madrid, 101 for Juventus, 120 with Al-Nassr, and 143 for Portugal, pushing him to 965 after two goals in a 4-0 win over Al-Hazem. Messi's backers highlight his 896 goals, over 370 assists, eight Ballons d'Or, and 2022 World Cup win, praising his playmaking and efficiency over Ronaldo's volume. At 41, Ronaldo scores nearly once every 90 minutes in Saudi Arabia, while Messi shines in MLS with Inter Miami, keeping the GOAT rivalry as electric as ever.

Key Takeaway

Cristiano Ronaldo's fans lit up timelines with a graphic tallying his 965 career goals, from early days at Sporting to his latest brace for Al-Nassr.

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Gabon's communication authority indefinitely suspended major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp on Tuesday, amid teacher strikes and protests over living costs following a 2023 coup. In contrast, Kenya's National Assembly rejected a petition to ban TikTok, opting instead for stricter age checks, privacy safeguards, and data localization within four months to shield minors from explicit content and bullying. Lawmakers like Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah stressed that platforms empower youth and create jobs, favoring regulation over suppression as African nations balance digital growth with social protection.

Key Takeaway

While Gabon pulls the plug on Facebook, TikTok, and others to curb misinformation and unrest, Kenya's lawmakers draw a firm line: no bans, just smarter rules to protect kids and data.

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Host Iain Dale role-played as Putin on LBC Thursday evening, prompting Polanski to stress negotiation amid nuclear risks. Commentators mocked the remarks harshly, with Alex Massie comparing Polanski unfavorably to Jeremy Corbyn and James Cleverly calling them less sophisticated than children's views. While the Green Party backs Ukraine and sanctions, internal motions push to quit NATO, and defenders like Owen Jones cite past Western interventions as reasons for caution. The controversy underscores divides in British politics over Russia, Ukraine, and NATO amid U.S. shifts.

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During a live radio interview, England's Green Party leader Zack Polanski urged diplomacy with Vladimir Putin, warning of mutual nuclear obliteration if talks fail.

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A post highlighting Portugal's median monthly earnings of €950-€1,000 and average around €1,600 drew cheers from some comparing it to U.S. standards, but sparked anger from residents like Rita in southern Portugal. She pointed out how influxes of American retirees and remote workers have driven housing prices up 23.4% nationwide in 2025, with Lisbon seeing 35 people crammed into one apartment and regions turning English-speaking. While government plans tax cuts for landlords and more housing for 2026, the debate reveals Portugal's struggle to balance global appeal with protecting locals from being priced out.

Key Takeaway

An American's quip about retiring cheaply in Portugal hit a nerve with locals facing soaring rents and fading affordability in their own hometowns.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles on November 14, 2025, via X, calling her a key supporter of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda and dismissing critics as chaos agents. Wiles, who previously worked at lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs representing clients like Pfizer, faces backlash from MAHA advocates including podcaster Mike Adams, who argue her background hinders vaccine accountability and health reforms. The dispute highlights tensions in President Trump's administration, with some praising Wiles's operational role while others criticize appointments of industry insiders to agencies like the EPA and USDA ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Key Takeaway

In a bold X post, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. labels MAHA critics 'chaos agents' while staunchly defending Chief of Staff Susie Wiles—whose pharma lobbying past now fuels fears of derailed health reforms.

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Jaxson Hayes, the first Los Angeles Laker in six years to participate since Dwight Howard, attempted a dunk reminiscent of Michael Jordan's iconic slam but executed it poorly. Hayes posted an Instagram story comparing his dunk to Jordan's.

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Born in 1998 in Lagos' Olusosun slum near Africa's largest landfill, Osimhen grew up in a single room with six siblings after his mother's early death, his father scraping by as a dishwasher amid unpaid rent and collapsing roofs. Football became his escape through barefoot games and scavenged boots, leading to a breakthrough at Nigeria's U-17 World Cup in 2015 where he scored 10 goals for the Golden Boot, then pro stints at Wolfsburg, Lille, Napoli's 2023 Scudetto win, and now Galatasaray since July 2025. He shares his story to inspire kids from the same hardships: start in the gutter, but greatness can make your name echo for 1,000 years.

Key Takeaway

At age 12, Victor Osimhen huddled in a fetid gutter, sobbing over his family's cut power and endless struggles. In his raw Players' Tribune essay, he calls it proof of God's grace that anyone knows his name today.

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Users on X are posting countdowns to Ramadan 2026 using notations like 6:22, 7:32, 3/30, Day 2/Day 3, and Arabic times such as ٧:٢١ and ٢, along with emojis and iftar references. The posts express excitement and humor. Activity clusters around February 20, 2026, indicating about 3 days remaining until Ramadan begins.

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Brazil will face Egypt in a pre-2026 FIFA World Cup friendly match at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. The game is part of the Road to '26 series.

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The 30-second Starlink spot opened with Arthur C. Clarke's 1964 prediction of satellite networks, then showed connectivity lighting up deserts, mountains, and remote rivers, urging viewers to visit starlink.com or call 1-888-GO-STARLINK. Airing during the Seahawks-Patriots game at Levi's Stadium for about $8 million, it highlighted low-latency service now reaching nearly 10 million subscribers in over 150 countries, powering most of SpaceX's expected $20 billion-plus revenue in 2026. The push comes as Starlink inks a deal with India's Gujarat state to connect remote tribal and border areas, boosting schools, healthcare, and disaster response.

Key Takeaway

Amid the roar of Super Bowl LX, SpaceX broke new ground with its very first big-game commercial, flashing visions of internet access in the world's remotest corners.

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Game Science released a six-minute in-engine video titled 'Savor the Feast, Slumber in Peace' to celebrate the Year of the Horse starting February 17. The non-canon clip showcases Unreal Engine 5 visuals in a mythical cooking scene, complete with flickering lanterns, lifelike fabrics, and eerie hooded figures—no combat, just atmospheric tech demo. It follows the August 2025 reveal of Black Myth: Zhong Kui, a new action RPG starring the demon hunter from Chinese folklore, building on Wukong's 25 million sales success. Fans love the mouthwatering animations, with 'let them cook' echoing the theme.

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Villagers chop meats and simmer soups in a dimly lit kitchen, while a spiky creature watches and steam rises realistically from the pots.

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Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation mandating that the President obtain Congressional approval before imposing new tariffs.

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Supporters of Senzo Mchunu, suspended by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 13, 2025, over claims of sabotaging probes into KwaZulu-Natal political assassinations, held a vigil themed 'Truth Will Prevail.' Organizers reported strong turnout despite threats to artists, while Mchunu approved the event but did not attend, describing it as a noble church gesture. Church leaders urged him to pray harder as investigations continue without final findings against him, highlighting South Africa's divided views on his tenure.

Key Takeaway

In Mbombela, churchgoers gathered for 12 hours of song and prayer, standing by their leader amid serious accusations. Gospel stars like Babo Ngcobo and Ayanda Ntanzi filled the civic centre with calls for truth.

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