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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The Benfica manager will speak only to the club's BTV outlet ahead of Saturday's Portuguese league game against Santa Clara, just like he did before last weekend's win over Alverca. The decision drew online criticism from Real Madrid fans calling him a 'coward,' amid fallout from Tuesday's 1-0 defeat where Vinicius Junior scored and alleged racist abuse from Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Mourinho, sent off for protesting the referee, questioned Vinicius's celebration style post-match, while Benfica stays top of the Primeira Liga unbeaten and eyes a comeback in the second leg on February 25.

Key Takeaway

Jose Mourinho, fresh off a heated Champions League loss to Real Madrid, is sticking to his routine by skipping Benfica's pre-match press conference.

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The 2012 YouTube clip, uploaded by Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega, featured Bieber, Gomez, and stars like Ashley Tisdale dancing playfully, helping Carly Rae Jepsen's hit top the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks with over 86 million views. Exactly one year ago in 2025, Gomez joined Gracie Abrams and Benny Blanco for 'Call Me When You Break Up,' a cozy indie-pop track from their album *I Said I Love You First* that hit No. 46 on the Hot 100 and went gold in the U.S. Fans marked the timing with viral reposts, throwback dances, Stationhead parties, and merch like pink hoodies nodding to the songs' heartache, though some miss 2012's unfiltered pop fun.

Key Takeaway

Fourteen years after Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez goofed off in that iconic 'Call Me Maybe' lip-sync video, Gomez dropped a cheeky sequel song with friends—right on the anniversary.

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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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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.

Key Takeaway

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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The Commission accuses PG Glass and Glasfit of a longstanding agreement to align annual increases on laminated and toughened automotive glass supplied to end-users and insurers, violating the Competition Act. Commissioner Doris Tshepe stressed the case's priority in the automotive sector, saying dismantling the cartel would bring fairer pricing for consumers and insurance companies. If found guilty, the firms could face fines up to 10% of annual turnover; drivers highlighted costs like R18,000 to R25,000 for windscreens and frustration over limited cheaper options.

Key Takeaway

South African drivers have long grumbled about sky-high windscreen repair bills—now the Competition Commission is taking two dominant firms to task for allegedly coordinating price hikes since 2004.

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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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Lucia Victoria Marie Cruz, 35, of San Antonio, faces a second-degree felony charge for child endangerment after deputies learned she instructed her daughter to trek nearly 19 miles to Peggy Carnahan Elementary School. A witness spotted the girl a mile from home on State Highway 211 and drove her the rest of the way, prompting a welfare check that found Cruz still reeking of alcohol. The child was placed with a relative, while Cruz posted $15,000 bond and was released; the sheriff's investigation continues amid questions about school bus access in the area.

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An 11-year-old girl set out alone on a seven-hour walk along busy highways, after her mother, hungover from a bottle of wine, told her to go ahead without a ride.

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Noni Madueke, the 23-year-old Londoner Arsenal signed from Chelsea last July for £52m, has impressed with 2 goals and 1 assist in 17 Premier League starts this season, including 4 goal contributions in his last few games. The bold claim comparing him favorably to Mahrez—who boasts 82 Premier League goals, five titles, AFCON success, and a treble—drew fierce pushback from City and Leicester fans listing his honors. Chelsea supporters joined the banter, noting Madueke was theirs first, while Arsenal's side sees echoes of Mahrez's flair in his pace as they top the table chasing a quadruple.

Key Takeaway

An Arsenal supporter posted side-by-side photos of Noni Madueke in Arsenal kit next to Riyad Mahrez in City blue, declaring 'Madueke >> Mahrez.' Replies erupted into a storm of rival loyalties and trophy tallies.

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On February 14, militants from the al-Qaeda-linked JNIM group attacked Titao in northern Burkina Faso, killing seven male tomato traders from a group of 18 Ghanaians and injuring four others. The victims' bodies were buried locally after decomposing in the heat, with DNA samples taken for identification, while survivors received a military escort to safety. Vice President Bawumia offered condolences and called for better regional intelligence, as Ghana holds a security summit amid concerns over jihadist spillover threatening vital cross-border trade routes.

Key Takeaway

Seven Ghanaian men traveling for cheaper tomatoes met a tragic end when jihadists stormed their town, separating men and women before opening fire.

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The Cowboys acquired Wilson from the Bengals on Nov. 4, 2025, sending a 2026 seventh-round pick, but he managed just 24 tackles in seven games without starting. The move saves $6.5 million in 2026 cap space and $7.2 million in 2027, with no dead money, as Dallas eyes extensions for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Fans recalled his Super Bowl LVI performance with the Bengals, while others called it a failed Jerry Jones gamble amid the team's playoff miss and defensive struggles.

Key Takeaway

Dallas hoped Logan Wilson would shore up their linebacker woes after trading for him in November. Three months later, they waived the veteran, freeing up millions in cap space.

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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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New York Post's Stefan Bondy vented frustration on X about influencers dominating access at the event, calling it the NBA's new way. Veteran Darren Rovell countered that younger fans love the casual content, dismissing complaints as out of touch. Bondy fired back labeling Rovell a 'grifter and failed journalist,' sparking a heated exchange and divided reactions that highlight tensions between traditional beat writers and the league's push for digital creators to reach Gen Z.

Key Takeaway

At NBA Cup media day, a reporter watched influencers snag player time with jersey photos and quirky questions like NFL trivia and Christmas gifts.

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During NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell shared that playing alongside LeBron James in Cleveland would feel special, especially as a longtime fan of the 41-year-old Lakers forward. He made the comments on SiriusXM NBA Radio amid rumors of James possibly returning home in free agency this summer after a strong season averaging 22 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. Mitchell stressed his priority remains winning a championship with the 34-21 Cavaliers, led by himself, new addition James Harden, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. Former Cavs GM David Griffin added fuel, saying he'd be surprised if James doesn't return to Northeast Ohio.

Key Takeaway

Donovan Mitchell lit up talking about LeBron James as a teammate, calling it a dream for any fan. Yet he quickly turned focus back to chasing a ring with his current Cavaliers crew.

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Ivory Coast, producing 40% of the world's cocoa, set its 2025/26 farmgate price at 2,800 CFA francs per kilogram in October, but global futures have crashed to around $3,500 per ton. Exporters offer just 1,500-1,800 CFA francs—deals banned by regulators—leaving cooperatives like Sekou Dagnogo's owing farmers money in places like Duekoue. Farmer Frederic Kouassi Kouassi in Remikro says some take low offers out of desperation, while the Coffee and Cocoa Council buys back stocks to prevent waste; neighboring Ghana cut prices 28% to align with markets and boost sales.

Key Takeaway

In Ivory Coast, warehouses are stacked to the ceiling with cocoa beans that risk spoiling, as exporters balk at the government's fixed price for farmers.

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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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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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ENHYPEN leader Lee Heeseung, born October 15, 2001, changed his Weverse display name from 'Evan' to '엔진의 남자,' or 'ENGENE's Man'—a beloved nickname from years ago that honors the group's fandom. The update followed ENHYPEN's six wins at the 2026 D'Awards on February 11, including Heeseung's Upick Global Choice Male award backed by over 1.4 billion fan votes. In shy replies, he laughed off the buzz with 'kekekekekes,' said 'I want to hide,' and shared that he's 'getting ready to go see ENGENEs,' calling them the source of his happiness.

Key Takeaway

Heeseung's switch back to 'ENGENE's Man' on Weverse brought a wave of joy to fans right after ENHYPEN's big award wins.

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