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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On March 8, 2005, in the Champions League round-of-16 second leg, Barcelona lost 4-2 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea advancing 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-1 first-leg defeat. Ronaldinho's jaw-dropping dead-ball strike from 35 yards silenced the home crowd, following his earlier penalty goal, though Chelsea responded with strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard, Damien Duff, and John Terry. Fans who saw it live called it magical, with one behind the goal naming it the best ever witnessed, while others marveled at the technique and shared playground memories of kids trying to copy it. The clip revives nostalgia for Ronaldinho's flair, even as some gripe about modern football lacking that pure showmanship.

Key Takeaway

Ronaldinho grinned with his trademark braids, then curled a 35-yard free-kick over the wall and past Petr Cech into the top corner at Stamford Bridge.

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After Israel recognized Somaliland's independence in December 2025, the self-declared republic invited Greece to establish a presence at Berbera, near a strait handling 12 percent of world trade disrupted by Houthi attacks since late 2023. The port, partly run by Dubai's DP World, has grown with rising container volumes, and analysts see potential for Greece's massive merchant fleet to help secure shipping lanes against threats from Houthis and others. While Turkey and Somalia oppose the moves, Greek commentators welcome practical ties in ports and security, though Athens has not yet responded officially.

Key Takeaway

Somaliland's leaders reached out to Greece, calling it a 'maritime titan' to partner at the strategic Berbera port right by the busy Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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The 19-year-old Sparkle actress earned her spot in the Ultimate 8 through grit, including a Big Jump Challenge win, now facing off against Caprice Cayetano, Heath Jornales, Joaquin Arce, Krystal Mejes, Lella Ford, Miguel Vergara, and Princess Aliyah. RAVLEYs, fans of her AshRave ship with evicted housemate Rave Victoria, launched trends like 'ASHRAVE SUN2 REUNITE' and engagement parties to boost votes via the Maya app, with six days until polls close. They're also planning a special fan gift, donation challenges, and streaming her track 'Bitter November' to keep morale high ahead of Ultimate Tapatan face-offs and the late February finale.

Key Takeaway

Ashley's fans, the devoted RAVLEYs, are flooding timelines with heartfelt trends for their optimistic sweetheart from Las Piñas as the Big Night approaches.

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The 28-year-old Welsh winger's Fulham contract expires in June, drawing interest from Villa and Everton. Emery likes his right-wing play and set-piece threat, passing on a January move to focus on a striker instead. Villa fans buzz with excitement over his 'bangers' for squad depth, though some call him a safe rotation pick. Fulham supporters debate a pay rise, amid a busy summer of Bosman deals.

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Harry Wilson has lit up the Premier League with eight stunning goals from just four expected, including late winners against Chelsea and Brighton. Now, Aston Villa's Unai Emery sees him as a perfect free-agent fit.

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Cherki, who moved from Lyon to City for £34m last summer, has notched 3 goals and 7 assists in 20 Premier League appearances. The graphic ranks him elite among Europe's top wingers and attacking mids: 91st percentile in progressive carries, 98th in non-penalty xG plus xA, and 99.5th in key passes. Palmer trails sharply with zero assists and low creation numbers amid a groin injury that's kept him out since the Club World Cup, though he holds 77th percentile in non-penalty goals. Fans debate fiercely, with some hailing Cherki's flair and others backing Palmer's past clutch finishes.

Key Takeaway

A detailed stats radar pits Manchester City's new signing Rayan Cherki against Chelsea's Cole Palmer, showing the young Frenchman towering over most metrics this season.

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The 28-year-old Welsh winger's Fulham contract expires in June, drawing interest from Villa and Everton. Emery likes his right-wing play and set-piece threat, passing on a January move to focus on a striker instead. Villa fans buzz with excitement over his 'bangers' for squad depth, though some call him a safe rotation pick. Fulham supporters debate a pay rise, amid a busy summer of Bosman deals.

Key Takeaway

Harry Wilson has lit up the Premier League with eight stunning goals from just four expected, including late winners against Chelsea and Brighton. Now, Aston Villa's Unai Emery sees him as a perfect free-agent fit.

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In his first season with Liverpool, the 22-year-old German playmaker leads all summer signings with 44 chances created, ranking second overall from open play at 41 and fourth in Europe's top five leagues with 66 total. Even Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris called him 'a problem, probably one of the best now in the Premier League,' while fans raved and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said he'd have loved to play alongside his world-class talent. Despite some debate over his four goals and two assists so far, Wirtz's vision in tight spaces stands out as Liverpool chase silverware.

Key Takeaway

On a rainy night at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, Florian Wirtz lit up the pitch, earning player of the match in Liverpool's gritty 1-0 FA Cup win.

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On February 14, 2017, Australian-born Felix, then Lee Yong-bok, arrived in Seoul to train with JYP Entertainment despite not speaking Korean fluently. He debuted with Stray Kids in 2018, shining as lead dancer and sub-rapper with his deep voice and freckles. Fans marked the milestone with #9yearswithFelix posts, sharing his goodbye note to his mom—promising to cherish home memories—and clips of his rise from shy trainee to global icon, Louis Vuitton ambassador, and charity advocate. His journey from homesick teen to 'sunshine' idol inspires thousands who celebrate his talent and kindness.

Key Takeaway

Nine years ago, 16-year-old Felix left Sydney alone for Seoul, armed with a dream and a heartfelt letter to his mom. Today, fans are flooding posts with love for the Stray Kids star who's made that dream real.

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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 Sky Sports poll drew nearly a million views, splitting opinions right after Saka's five-year deal until 2031 made him Arsenal's highest earner at over £300,000 a week. The 24-year-old has 57 Premier League goals and 48 assists in 217 games, plus strong showings against top teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, helping Arsenal lead the table with 57 points from 26 matches. Pundits like Wayne Rooney say Arsenal lack world-class players, while Danny Murphy calls Saka a super talent who needs trophies to prove it—Arsenal's only win in his era is the 2020 FA Cup.

Key Takeaway

Bukayo Saka just signed a massive Arsenal contract extension, yet a simple poll asks if he's world class—and fans can't agree, with votes hovering around 60-40 against.

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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.

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Brandon Herrera, Gonzales' primary challenger in Texas' 23rd District, shared claims of text messages suggesting the congressman had an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, his former Uvalde district director who died by suicide in September 2025. The San Antonio Express-News verified a screenshot where Santos-Aviles wrote of the affair; her husband separated after finding related texts, and his attorney accused Gonzales of abusing power. Gonzales denies it all, calls it blackmail and political attacks ahead of the March 3 primary, while an ethics review proceeds and a petition demands his resignation.

Key Takeaway

A leaked text from a late staffer sparked fresh turmoil for Rep. Tony Gonzales, just as early voting heats up in his Republican primary.

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Akhonamathemba Zwane, known as Sweet Guluva after winning Season 5 Umlilo in 2025, has fans fiercely defending him against rumors tying him to an ex's child, where another man now claims paternity. Supporters push for a DNA test, as he called for proof to avoid deadbeat labels, while sharing his chill Instagram stories of scenic outfits and close chats with a possible new partner. Hashtags like #HandsOffSweetGuluva trend as the SweetGs celebrate his grace, though some call the defense overly aggressive amid deleted posts and blocks.

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Sweet Guluva, Big Brother Mzansi's stylish champ, faces whispers of dodging dad duties for an ex's newborn—just as Valentine's arrives with cozy new posts.

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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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Chelsea supporters expressed frustration over former manager Enzo Maresca's decisions to bench midfielder Andrey Santos despite his fitness and deploy right-back Malo Gusto in midfield. Discussions highlighted Santos' strong recent performances alongside Moisés Caicedo, which reduced Caicedo's workload and provided team balance. Fans also criticized tactical choices such as the lineup against Atalanta and underutilization of players like Nkunku and Palmer.

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The 21-year-old Argentine winger, who moved to Chelsea from Manchester United for £40 million last summer, shared photos from Egypt's pyramids, a desert camel ride, and a Red Sea boat trip during a short mid-season break. Fans loved the stylish snaps in white linen and a shemagh scarf, with Chelsea supporters cheering his off-pitch vibe while rivals teased the Egypt pick over Dubai. After 29 appearances and six goals this season, he's recharging ahead of the February 21 Premier League clash with Burnley.

Key Takeaway

Alejandro Garnacho stands arms-crossed in front of the Great Pyramid, tattoos gleaming under the sun, camel ride and yacht cruise close behind.

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Footage from the February 13-15 AU summit showed Kiir walking unsteadily during a C5 meeting, prompting widespread criticism on X about aging African leaders holding onto power despite health concerns. Commentators referenced past incidents like a 2022 event where he appeared to wet himself, and broader frustrations with figures like Uganda's Museveni, contrasting Nelson Mandela's voluntary exit. Kiir has led South Sudan since 2011 independence, through a civil war that killed nearly 400,000, with elections now set for December amid fragile peace; officials insist he remains capable, but no comment addressed the video.

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At the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, 75-year-old President Salva Kiir shuffled slowly with a cane beside his aides. The moment fueled online questions about his fitness to lead a nation still healing from war.

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The Nigerian striker, fresh off a £30m move from Atalanta, scored in the 34th minute and set up Julian Alvarez before halftime during Thursday's first leg at Riyadh Air Metropolitano. An Eric Garcia own goal and Antoine Griezmann strike completed Barca's humiliation, leaving them facing a tough return leg on March 3 at Camp Nou. Rival supporters clashed on X, with Lookman backers hyping him over Barca's young stars like Lamine Yamal, while some Barca fans fired back harshly—one viral post called a troll a 'hippopotamus,' drawing cries of hypocrisy and hate from the other side.

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Ademola Lookman arrived at Atletico Madrid and immediately dismantled Barcelona with a goal and assist in a 4-0 Copa del Rey rout. Fans traded blows online, turning banter into accusations of outright hate.

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Dave Moody and Nate Ryan received the 2026 American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence as co-recipients during a ceremony at Daytona International Speedway. Moody, who has called races since 1978 and leads MRN's NASCAR coverage, was praised for his signature 'trouble!' calls from the turns. Ryan, a veteran journalist from outlets like USA Today and co-host of 'Hauler Talk,' earned acclaim for his lyrical writing. Separately, Mike Joy picked up the 2025 NMPA Myers Brothers Award, capping his 57-year career leading NASCAR broadcasts.

Key Takeaway

Dave Moody beamed with his plaque amid cheers from peers at Daytona's media center, a heartfelt moment for the veteran announcer known as 'The Godfather.'

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Delap, signed from Ipswich for £30 million last summer and given the No.9 shirt, has struggled in 2025/26 with injuries limiting him to 28 appearances and three goals. Fans and rivals piled on the club's belated wish with comments like 'outrageous,' while Everton supporters teased a potential swoop. Some Chelsea backers defend his potential as a target man needing more service, as transfer interest brews from Everton, Newcastle, and Manchester United.

Key Takeaway

Chelsea FC remembered striker Liam Delap's 23rd birthday with a post at 8:45pm on February 8 – just hours before the day ended, prompting fans to flood replies with jokes and mockery.

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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency confirmed its intent to back the project, which targets rare earth elements vital for magnets, defense, and clean energy. CEO Cedric Simonet called it powerful validation of the site's strategic value, backed by a 2023 study projecting strong returns from a 13.6 million tonne resource. Shares jumped from 1.3 pence to over 2.15 pence, lifting the market cap past £6 million, as investors noted the low valuation and upside from fluorspar and gallium.

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Altona Rare Earths' stock more than doubled Monday after a key U.S. agency signaled support for its Monte Muambe project in Mozambique.

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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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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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At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Swiss figure skater Livia Kaiser performed her signature free skate program in Milan, blending 'Lucy Gray (Part 1)' from The Hunger Games prequel with poetry and instrumental tracks. Dressed in flowing silver-gray that echoed the character's folk vibes, she earned 171.52 total points for 23rd place after a strong short program featuring a triple Lutz-triple toe. Fans celebrated the crossover, with clips of her spins and spirals drawing Hunger Games enthusiasts who cheered the program's return from the 2025/26 season.

Key Takeaway

Picture the Olympic ice transforming into a misty Appalachian ballad as 21-year-old Livia Kaiser glides to Rachel Zegler's haunting 'Lucy Gray' voice.

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Manchester United fans are debating starting Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo in the front three over Amad Diallo following a draw against West Ham. Critics highlight Diallo's lack of efficiency in scoring and creating chances, including a late-game pass to Sesko instead of shooting, while supporters note his 2 goals and 2 assists in 15 Premier League games under manager Ruben Amorim. The discussion references Mbeumo's recent assist and Sesko and Mbeumo's four goal contributions each in their last five appearances.

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South Africans tuned into Moja Love at 21:00 for the ninth season of Uyajola99, where host Jub Jub exposed cheating partners in stories like Siphosethu's doubts since 2019 and Mpho's test of childhood sweethearts. Clips spread fast showing market chases, physical grabs, side chicks fleeing, and Xhosa women's sharp, vulgar insults that had viewers laughing and praising their flair. While Jub Jub stayed cool amid one cheater's attempted kick, some lamented women fighting over unapologetic men on national TV in 2026.

Key Takeaway

A man bolts in a blue tracksuit while women grab his belt to stop him—classic Uyajola99 chaos unfolded in tonight's Xhosa-packed episode.

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