Morning Newsletter -

Top News of the Day: André Leon Talley, former Vogue Editor-at-Large, dies at 73

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 19, 2022 January 19, 2022

Image: Getty Images

Fashion icon, André Leon Talley, died at a hospital in White Plains, NY on Tuesday at age 73. The former US Vogue director was the driving force behind the magazine throughout the 1980s and ’90s. He was a pioneer in the fashion industry and advocated for more black models and designers. Celebrities from all over the world paid tribute to Talley. Diane von Furstenberg paid tribute to Talley on Instagram, “Goodbye darling André. No one saw the world in a more glamorous way than you did. No one was grander and more soulful than you were. The world will be less joyful. I have loved you and laughed with you for 45 years… I miss your loud screams… I love you soooo much.” The cause of his death is unknown.

The IEB (Independent Examinations Board) for South Africa’s private schools has been released, showing an increase in the pass rate from 98.06% in 2020 to 98.39% in 2021. Despite the pandemic and many challenges learners faced, 12, 857 full-time and 968 part-time candidates wrote their IEB exams in 238 centres across South Africa. The 2021 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations will be announced on 20 January.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Global Fashion Trailblazer André Leon Talley Dead At 73: Reports – Huffington Post

Headline: IEB class of 2021 better than 2020 — achieves 98.39% pass rate – Times Live

Headline: Eskom reconfigures plan for 2022: burn more coal, burn more diesel – News24

Headline: South Africa’s fourth wave is waning, but don’t celebrate just yet, say experts – Daily Maverick

Headline: Matric results: Harvard and Oxford the next stop for top achieving St John’s pupils – News24

Headline: Beijing Winter Olympics should not be Chinese ‘sportswashing’ opportunity, Amnesty International warns – Sky News

Headline: Proteas ponder extra all-rounder for first ODI v India – Sowetan Live

Headline: Siyethemba Sithebe would’ve rejected Kaizer Chiefs if it was for this one reason! – The South African

Top News of the Day: Eskom calls for a 20.5% tariff increase

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 18, 2022 January 18, 2022

Image: Gallo Images

It’s the second day of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) public hearing. Yesterday Eskom proposed a 20.5% tariff increase for 2022/2023 starting in April this year. Eskom argued that the price increase is mainly affected by independent power producers and carbon taxes, which account for 13.8% of the proposed price increase. South African citizens expressed concern and criticism regarding the tariff increase and many questioned whether they can afford it. The hearing continues today with submissions from KwaZulu-Natal.

In sports news, Orlando Pirates have finally revealed the five targets for January. The Buccaneers received pressure from fans and soccer experts to strengthen their team and make replacements before Jele and Thulani Hlatshwayo leave. Victor Letsoalo, Chibuike Ohizu, Thabo Nodada, Yusuf Maart and Evidence Makgopa are the five PSL players they’re targetting this month.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Eskom plans further electricity price hikes for South Africa – Business Tech

Headline: Orlando Pirates transfer news: Five January targets finally revealed – The South African

Headline: Muguruza on a mission as she sweeps into second round – News24

Headline: Martin Luther King’s family joins call for US voting reform – EWN

Headline: Chlöe Bailey Downplays Gunna Dating Rumors, Says Her ‘Love Life Is Music’ – Complex

Headline: Twitter Responds to Naledi Chirwa Calling President Cyril Ramaphosa “a Weak Little Boy” – Youth Village

Headline: The Real Price Of Fast Fashion – Age of Awareness

Headline: German govt backs SA’s green hydrogen economy with over R700m in grant funding – Fin24

Top News of the Day: Technical glitch on DBE matric result program

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 17, 2022 January 17, 2022

Image: Gallo Images

On Sunday, the department of basic education (DBE) published a post on social media informing pupils to register online to receive their partial results. Parents and pupils eagerly registered but faced technical difficulties on the website. After learners took to social media to voice their concerns regarding the website, Elijah Mhlanga, the department spokesperson said the system was up and running. “People are registering in large numbers we have gone over 10,000 people so far. It’s working,” he said. Pupils are encouraged to register online inspite of the legal obligations not to publish the results. Matric results will be released on 20 January.

Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, landed in Dubai on Monday after he was deported from Australia. Djokovic said he was “extremely disappointed” after the Federal Court cancelled his visa twice. The Serbian star appealed the ruling but lost on both accounts.

Last week Cardi B opened up about her struggle with mental health and suicidal thoughts. The Grammy-winning artist testified in the defamation case against YouTuber Latasha Kebe. Cardi B filed a lawsuit against Kebe in 2019, after Kebe made false claims to damage her reputation. “I felt extremely suicidal, only an evil person could do that s***” she said.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Matrics can get results online — but glitches leave many frustrated – Times Live

Headline: Novak Djokovic lands in Dubai after Australia deportation – The South African

Headline: Cardi B Says She Was ‘Extremely Suicidal’ After Alleged Online Harassment – Self

Headline: Govt can still introduce demerit point system despite Aarto verdict, say AA and Outa – Citizen

Headline: Kylie Jenner tops 300 million followers on Instagram ahead of baby boy’s birth – Citizen

Headline: SA’s Lloyd Harris ousted in Australian Open first round by wild card – News24

Headline: Gugu Khathi denies being fired from RHOJ – Citizen

Headline: Bain’s private equity spin-off wants to buy outsourcing firm for R30 billion – Fin24

Top News: Djokovic released from detention

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 10, 2022 January 10, 2022

Novak Djokovic, the 34-year-old Serbian tennis star, has been released from detention and can compete in the Australian Grand Slam tournament. Judge Anthony Kelly found unreasonableness in his case and ruled that Djokovic’s visa cancellation order is “quashed” immediately. Djokovic’s can now enter Australia.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the ANC will place a strong focus on the issue of land expropriation without compensation in 2022. Ramaphosa addressed ANC members at the 110th-anniversary celebration this weekend. “The land reform process that we need to embark upon will promote economic development for the benefit of all. The ANC will implement its resolution on the expropriation of land without compensation despite the refusal of other parties in Parliament.”

Friends, family and fans took to social media to mourn the sudden loss of Bob Saget. The 65-year-old actor and comedian died suddenly on Sunday, 09 January. The “Full House” and “Fuller House” star was found dead in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Djokovic wins case in triumphant hearing – BBC

Headline: More needs to be done for SA’s economic recovery – EWN

Headline: Bob Saget’s Sudden Death Leaves John Stamos ‘Gutted’; Entertainers Pay Tribute – Huffington Post

Headline: What next for South Africa after the Zondo report has been made public? – Daily Maverick

Headline: Covid-19: Universities, student bodies could be headed for showdown over vaccination policies – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Kaizer Chiefs complete VITAL new off-field signing! – The South African

Headline: Best foot forward as you step into the new year – Sowetan Live

Headline: Family, friends mourn as death toll rises to 10 in Brazil cliff fall tragedy – News24

Top News: Fire doors left open at the National Assembly building

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 6, 2022 January 6, 2022

JP Smith, Cape Town’s safety and security committee member has issued a report confirming all the fire doors in the National Assembly building were open. News24 interviewed Smith and reported the following. “They have applied latches to the backs of the fire doors and they were all latched open. The point of a fire door is to compartmentalise a fire to make sure that when a fire happens it’s confined to a certain area. The door is of a material that makes it difficult for a fire to spread and it denies the fire oxygen to an adjacent area and these parliamentary offices the fire doors were not in fact closed, they were all latched open.”

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson are starting the New Year with a romantic vacation in the Bahamas. The couple jetted off in a private plane and arrived in the Bahamas yesterday. TMZ reports they are staying in a private residence with a group of friends, enjoying private time together.

Novak Djokovic, the number one tennis male player, is expected to be deported from Australia on Thursday evening. Djokovic was denied entry into Australia after his visa did not support the vaccination exemption on medical grounds. All foreign visitors entering the country are required to be double vaccinated.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: EXCLUSIVE | ‘Useless’ Parliament fire doors were kept open by ‘cheap latches’, report finds – News24

Headline: Kim Kardashian Hits the Bahamas With Pete Davidson – Complex

Headline: Novak Djokovic: The twists and turns of his Australia visa mess – BBC

Headline: From giving away money to selected empowerment: Here’s how Zondo found corruption was organised – Business Insider

Headline: DStv Compact Cup: The 4 team COACHES have been announced! – The South African

Headline: Kanye West and Billie Eilish Will Reportedly Headline 2022 Coachella – Complex

Headline: North Korea reveals it tested hypersonic missile that travels ‘five times faster than speed of sound’ – Sky News

Headline: 4 Expert-Approved Tips To Be More Empowered In Your Health In 2022 – Mind Body Green

Top News: State Capture Report highlights corruption in public and private sectors

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / January 5, 2022 January 5, 2022

Cape Town – The Zondo Commission dedicated four years to investigating corruption, fraud and state capture activities during Zuma’s eight-year rule. The investigation is based on findings against the government and top officials. On Tuesday, senior judge Raymond Zondo handed over a three-part report to President Cyril Ramaphoma involving more than 300 witnesses and testimonials.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic has sparked fury when he was granted an exception from Covid-19 vaccination requirements in the Australian Open in Melbourne. Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley confirmed, “special favours” were granted.

International pop star and TikTok sensation Jason Derulo reportedly got into an altercation with two individuals after being mistaken for Usher. CCTV footage shows Derulo attacking two men before security asked him to leave the premises under a trespass order. The LA police confirmed no reports of injuries.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: South Africa state capture report advises on a way forward – Business Insider

Headline: Djokovic got no ‘special favours’ on vaccine exemption: Aussie Open boss – Sports24

Headline: Jason Derulo Fights Two Guys Who Allegedly Mistake Him for Usher – TMZ

Headline: ‘He’s a shy guy’: Neighbours of parliament arson accused shocked by his arrest – Times Live

Headline: ‘Dishonest’ Zuma ‘fled’ from accountability: Zondo slams ex-president, says he helped Guptas capture state – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Matt Cecchin on rugby league, retirement and being an LGBTQ+ role model – BBC

Headline: Meghan to receive just £1 from Mail on Sunday for privacy invasion – The Guadian

Headline: Old Man Weeknd Wants You To Tune Into New Album Dawn FM This Week – MTN