Twitter/X Trends in South Africa - 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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On February 16, 2026, Rabi Muhammad from Kano was arrested while trying to smuggle the opioids to Cotonou, Benin Republic, using the creative fake bump tactic. Videos show officers in pink uniforms carefully removing the device in a search room, as she stood dressed in traditional attire. The bust was part of a busy week for NDLEA, including an Ivorian man excreting cocaine at Kano airport, a real estate CEO with 89 kilograms of cannabis in Lagos, and raids across several states that nabbed hundreds more kilograms of drugs— even a 68-year-old grandmother in Edo. Chairman Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa praised the team's vigilance against these evolving smuggling plots.

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NDLEA officers at Lagos' Seme border spotted a suspicious protruding belly on a 35-year-old businesswoman heading to Benin. A search revealed 3,200 tramadol capsules hidden inside a strapped-on pink calabash disguised as a pregnancy.

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The Gunners lead the Premier League with 58 points from 27 games, yet a late collapse in the 2-2 draw highlighted fatigue in Zubimendi (2,265 minutes) and Timber (2,182 minutes), who top outfield minutes. New signing Christian Nørgaard has played just 32 minutes despite strong international form, prompting journalist Ray Shiraz to challenge Mikel Arteta on his choices. Arteta insisted the players look great and selections follow condition data, but fans called it stubborn amid a packed schedule including Sunday's North London derby at Tottenham.

Key Takeaway

Arsenal blew a two-goal lead at Wolves, leaving fans worried about overworked stars Martin Zubimendi and Jurrien Timber running on empty.

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Ghanaian forward Semenyo joined City from Bournemouth for £64 million in January and has already scored multiple goals, including in their 3-0 win over Fulham. City sit second with 53 points from 26 games, one behind Arsenal's 58 from 27, with a game in hand that could close the gap. Fernandes, United's captain since 2020 with over 100 Premier League goals and assists, has no league title yet despite leading his team to fourth place. The rivalry banter underscores individual stars chasing collective glory in the nail-biting summit battle.

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Antoine Semenyo's quick goals for Manchester City have fans joking he'll lift the Premier League trophy before Bruno Fernandes ever does. The banter highlights the tight title race and old rivalries.

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Tax receipts jumped 13.8 percent to £133.3 billion, driven by £46.4 billion in self-assessed income and capital gains taxes—capital gains alone up 69 percent to £17 billion as investors rushed sales before rate hikes. Spending dipped with £5 billion lower debt interest, beating forecasts by £6.3 billion, though year-to-date borrowing remains high at £112.1 billion and debt hits 92.9 percent of GDP. Treasury officials celebrate fiscal credibility ahead of the March 3 Spring Statement, while critics call it a temporary tax spike amid 5.2 percent unemployment and sluggish growth.

Key Takeaway

January brought a rare bright spot for the UK Treasury: revenues soared past spending by £30.4 billion, the biggest monthly surplus since records began in 1993.

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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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Officers at Isebania border post in Migori County intercepted the vehicle after it slipped through the porous Nyang'iti point from Tanzania, uncovering 12 drums of 50kg sodium cyanide each and two cartons of V6 Explogel hidden in plain packaging. Police called the haul dangerous and illegal, launching a manhunt for the fleeing driver with no arrests yet. The materials match those used in local artisanal gold mining, where cyanide leaches ore and explosives blast rock, though smuggling bypasses tight regulations amid environmental risks like water contamination and livestock deaths.

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A driver spotted police at a quiet border crossing, ditched his white Toyota Probox, and ran into the bush—leaving behind a dangerous cargo of toxic chemicals and mining explosives.

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In a video shared by WeRateDogs, Flambo pads to his FluentPet soundboard, hits 'cat' while eyeing pint-sized Yorkshire Terrier Rupert, who recently joined his Houston foster home after street life. His human corrects him, but Flambo fires back with 'what?' and a decisive 'quiet,' earning both dogs a 13/10 rating. The clip drew thousands of likes and replies, with fans laughing over Flambo's conviction and Rupert's oblivious side-eye in their sibling showdown.

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Flambo the Australian Shepherd stares at tiny foster pup Rupert, then firmly presses his 'cat' button—like he's dead serious about the mix-up.

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Samir Sobha, president of the Mauritius Football Association and CAF Executive Committee member, told The Guardian that Senegal's players should have received yellow cards for leaving the field during a crucial VAR penalty, halting play for 15 minutes. Senegal still won 1-0 on Pape Gueye's extra-time goal on January 18 in Rabat, securing their second AFCON title after Édouard Mendy saved the spot kick. Sobha stressed the result stands but called for accountability, while also criticizing CAF's general secretary for an illegal term extension. Sanctions followed, including bans for coaches and captains plus hefty fines, though Morocco rejected theirs.

Key Takeaway

In a candid interview, a top CAF official admitted Morocco's national team was robbed in the Africa Cup of Nations final, pleading for forgiveness over broken rules.

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Gazetted on February 16, 2026, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill extends parliamentary and presidential terms from five to seven years, delaying the next election to 2030 and shifting the presidential pick to parliamentarians needing a majority vote. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi calls it constructive reforms for stability, while supporters like MP Temba Mliswa point to ZANU-PF's parliamentary strength; critics argue it breaches term-limit rules under section 328 and past court views, with figures like Nelson Chamisa labeling it an assault on the people's will. A 90-day public consultation now runs until mid-May, amid planned protests, petitions for a referendum, and potential court fights.

Key Takeaway

Zimbabwe's government just published a bill to stretch President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term until 2030, replacing direct elections with a parliamentary vote—a move that's ignited fierce backlash from critics.

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The Bank of Botswana launched the commemorative note last year for its 50th anniversary, featuring 22-year-old Tebogo's 200m gold from the 2024 Paris Olympics and the relay team's silver—Botswana's first Olympic medals. That inspired South Africans to call for a limited R100 note honoring DJ Black Coffee, the Grammy-winning house music star who's elevated the nation's sound globally through Coachella sets and philanthropy. While supporters praise his cultural impact, critics argue athletes like Springboks captain Siya Kolisi better represent national glory on currency currently featuring Nelson Mandela.

Key Takeaway

Botswana put Olympic gold medalist Letsile Tebogo's face on its 50 Pula note, turning everyday cash into a daily dose of national pride for kids and fans alike.

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A popular post challenged fans to start two, bench one, and sell one from those iconic wingers, sparking lively choices like starting Robben and Neymar while benching Bale and shipping out Salah for his consistency over flair. Liverpool fans got their own version pitting ex-Reds Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino against new €80 million signing Hugo Ekitike, who's already scoring dozens and winning over Anfield. Debates highlight nostalgia for Robben's cut-ins, Bale's Champions League peaks, Neymar's magic, Firmino's link-up play, and Sturridge's finishing, all against Ekitike's raw promise in Arne Slot's system.

Key Takeaway

Imagine picking your dream wing lineup from prime Arjen Robben, Mohamed Salah, Gareth Bale, and Neymar—then benching and selling one. Fans dove right in, with Salah often catching the most flak.

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The Southside Collectives, a Benin City music community, released a 75-second trailer for 'B-Side to Lasgidi,' blending Edo heritage with Lagos energy through vivid shots of rituals, cathedrals, and danfo buses. They describe it as a bridge and movement building on past releases like 'The B-Side Album,' spotlighting Benin youth carrying ancestral roots into modern culture. Fans praise the storytelling and art direction, urging collabs with stars like Rema and Shallipopi, while celebrating Benin's rising talent hub beyond Lagos dominance.

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Masked figures in traditional attire gather outside clay-brick homes, as the trailer pulses with Afrobeats and shifts from Benin streets to Lagos hustle.

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The Disney Junior track dropped on February 13 in the 'Minnie's Bow-Toons: Pet Hotel' episode, racking up 1.8 million TikTok views and inspiring over 1,300 user videos with pet dances and edits. Fans compare its echoey vocals and quick rhythm to modern pop hits, joking 'Like was PinkPantheress in the studio' or calling it 'Ditto NewJeans in a different font.' Songwriters Rachel Ruderman, Alex Geringas, and Mike Himelstein made it for preschoolers, but adults stream it too, with one gushing 'Minnie is so adorable im acc tearing up.'

Key Takeaway

Minnie Mouse sings to her cat Figaro in a pastel pet hotel, crooning lyrics like 'so furry, so cuddly and sweet dear' over a bubbly beat that echoes PinkPantheress and NewJeans.

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Bukayo Saka opened the scoring early with a header from Martinelli's lay-off, and Piero Hincapie made it 2-0 soon after halftime, but Hugo Bueno pulled one back and debutant Tom Edozie leveled in the 90+4th minute via Riccardo Calafiori's own goal. Martinelli assisted the opener and had chances, yet drew ire for heavy touches, poor passes, and no further impact, with fans calling his play stagnant and lacking killer instinct. The draw cuts Arsenal's lead over Manchester City to five points ahead of the North London derby, as Declan Rice showed his fury by ripping off his shirt at full time.

Key Takeaway

Arsenal raced to a 2-0 lead at Molineux, only for a second-half meltdown to hand Wolves a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time. Fans turned their frustration squarely on Gabriel Martinelli's shaky display.

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The Nigerian winger scored his first La Liga goal in the 58th minute to make it 3-1, helping Atletico Madrid beat Espanyol 4-2 with Alexander Sorloth's brace and Giovanni Simeone's strike. Since his €35 million move from Atalanta on February 2, Lookman has notched four goals and two assists in six appearances across competitions. The win ended a mini winless run, keeping Atletico in the title hunt, while coach Diego Simeone praised his scoring instinct but urged better overall play. The club and Nigerian fans celebrated with 'Naija 🇳🇬🫶' vibes, highlighting his instant impact on the attack.

Key Takeaway

Ademola Lookman launched himself at a corner and buried a diving header, sending the Metropolitano into raptures as Atletico took a commanding lead.

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Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the 50-something DR Congo superfan known as Lumumba, signed a 100 million Congolese franc deal (about $44,000 USD) to become the face of TECNO's CAMON 50 smartphone. His iconic motionless pose during the Leopards' AFCON 2025 games in Morocco made him a national hero and social media star, earning emotional fan farewells. At the signing, he grinned alongside cheering staff, holding the phone box, while most praised his principled rise—though a few questioned profiting from the independence leader's image. This follows his appointment as national sports brand ambassador, complete with a luxury SUV.

Key Takeaway

Lumumba stood frozen with a raised fist through every tense match, channeling Patrice Lumumba's spirit—and now that dedication has led to a life-changing payday.

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Oaveed Rahman, 26, from Crays Hill near Billericay, ran an unregistered 'Save A Paw' scheme, luring owners via social media with rehoming and training offers. He took fees up to £500 per dog from 11 people across 20 UK counties but starved the animals, leading police to find 41 dead dogs amid maggots and rats, plus 21 emaciated survivors in filthy conditions on May 13, 2025. Sentenced February 20, 2026, to five years in prison plus a lifetime animal ban, Judge Richard Conley called it 'an act of betrayal of epic proportions.' Owners wept in court, charities rehomed survivors, but advocates push for more digs fearing up to 180 missing pets.

Key Takeaway

Pet owners handed over their beloved dogs, trusting a promise of care, only to discover a nightmare of neglect and death at a backyard operation.

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