Newsroom

• Ramaphosa: men should be responsible for ending violence against women and children. 
• Twitter Blue will cost $8 (R145) per month.
• The Springboks bench will be split six-to-two for Saturday.

Ramaphosa condemns ‘barbaric acts’ of GBV – eNCA 

President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke at the two-day presidential summit on gender-based violence and femicide in Midrand. According to eNCA, Ramaphosa stated that men are responsible for ending violence against women and children. He claims that the actions of GBV are cruel and highly unsettling. Read more here

Twitter will charge $8 per month for verification badge – MyBroadband

Elon Musk stated that the Blue premium version of Twitter will cost $8 (R145) per month and will feature a verified blue tick for paying user accounts, MyBroadband reports. Musk, who last week acquired the social network for $44 billion, stated that these Blue users will also receive precedence in replies, mentions, and Twitter search, as well as half as many advertisements. Read more here

Selections show Boks out to match Ireland’s mobility, proficiency in the ruck – TimesLIVE

The Springboks’ bench will be split six-to-two for Saturday’s crucial match in Dublin due to Ireland’s attacking dynamism and strength. Against the top-ranked team in the world, the world champions have placed a heavy emphasis on bench players’ forward mobility. “One of Ireland’s strengths is their multi-phased attack, their fitness and speed at the breakdown. We have to handle their agility and speed”, said Jacques Nienaber. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Rand Water lifts water restrictions – eNCA

Headline: Several KZN beaches reopened due to ‘improved water quality’ – News24

Headline: Davido loses three-year-old son, Ifeanyi – Scrolla

Headline: Adele Sets the Record Straight on How to Say Her Name – E! News

Headline: World Cup hosts Qatar face tough task to get out of group stage – SABC

Weather: Cool day for SA, with thundershowers in several provinces – News24

Image credit: Pexels

• Minister Bheki Cele assures the citizens of Finetown that he will deploy more police officers. 
• Taylor Swift is the first artist in history to hold the top 10 positions on the Billboard Hot 100 list. 
• Max Verstappen accuses Sky Sports of being disrespectful and living in the past. 

Cele deploys Amaberete to Finetown after gunmen killed 7 people – EWN

Police Minister Bheki Cele has assured the citizens of Finetown that he will increase police presence in the coming weeks. A group of gunmen targeted street vendors selling chicken feet over the weekend, resulting in seven fatalities and four injuries, EWN reports. 

Cele allowed people of the community to address him and Mawela about their safety concerns. According to EWN, they have requested the deployment of the Tactical Response Team, popularly known as “amaberete.” Read more here

Taylor Swift becomes first musician to claim entire top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 – Billboard 

Taylor Swift is the first artist in history to hold the top 10 positions on the US Billboard Hot 100 list with songs from her most recent album, Midnights. The new album was released on October 21 as both a conventional edition with 13 tracks and a deluxe release with seven bonus tracks. It has had one of the most successful album releases in the past seven years. According to Billboard, Swift is now tied with Barbra Streisand for the most No. 1 albums by a female artist. 

“10 out of 10 of the Hot 100??? On my 10th album??? I AM IN SHAMBLES,” said Taylor. Read more here

Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing take unprecedented stance boycotting Sky Sports – News24

After Red Bull boycotted the broadcaster at the Mexican Grand Prix, Max Verstappen accused Sky Sports of being “disrespectful” and “living in the past.” On Sunday, Verstappen and his whole Red Bull crew, including Christian Horner, refused to speak with Sky, News24 reports. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Oscar Pistorius parole hopes dashed as SCA backtracks on when murder sentence began – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Gauteng traffic cop in possession of hijacked vehicle arrested in Soweto – TimesLIVE

Headline: Proteas star Ngidi rates Indian masterclass as ‘one of my best’ – News24

Headline: Black joy, art and opulence – Get ready to party with DJ Zinhle at the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town – News24

Headline: TikToker Dylan Mulvaney Responds to Caitlyn Jenner’s “Ridicule” – E! News

Weather: Disruptive rain in parts of Free State, North West and Northern Cape – News24

Image credit: Flickr

• Load shedding won’t affect Matric exams, says Motshekga.
• Celebrities are showing off their intriguing Halloween costumes for 2022.
• Max Verstappen sets new record for race wins in a season. 

Load shedding won’t disrupt matric exams, says Motshekga – EWN

Despite widespread fears, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has assured the public that load shedding will not affect this year’s exams. 

Matrics begin taking their final examinations on Monday, and on Sunday, the Minister gave a public address on the department’s level of readiness.

“Even if there’s load shedding, tomorrow we are writing English so we’ll use natural light. So it’s really working around it. We can deal with English with normal light so it’s going to be written during the day…whether there’s load shedding or there’s no load shedding, we’ll continue to write,” said Motshekga. Read more here

The Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes of 2022 – Variety 

According to Variety, Hollywood’s elite attended a series of costumed parties over the weekend. Lori Harvey, Kim Kardashian, and Lizzo are just a few of the celebrities who went all out for Halloween 2022. Read more here

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

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A post shared by Lori Harvey (@loriharvey)

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A post shared by Kim Kardashian (@kimkardashian)

Mexico City Grand Prix: Max Verstappen wins from Lewis Hamilton – BBC

Max Verstappen of Red Bull broke the record for most victories in a season with a comfortable and controlled victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix. In the early stages of the race, the world champion resisted a charge from Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes before pulling away for his 14th victory of the year, BBC reports. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: ANC’s December power contest likely to result in Ramaphosa having to ‘muddle through’ — a disaster for SA – Daily Maverick

Headline: Eskom announces Stage 2 blackouts from Monday – eNCA

Headline: Battling Bavuma has backing of Proteas dressing room: ‘We all know his ability’ – News24

Headline: T20 World Cup SF picture: Proteas in control after India win, Pakistan keep hopes flickering – News24

Headline: Cardi B Wants a Third Kid: ‘I Can’t Wait’ – Billboard

Weather: Severe thunderstorms, flooding in store for parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Matshela Koko was released on R300,000 bail. 
• Rihanna releases ‘Lift Me Up’ track for Black Panther.
• Extra precautionary measures are being taken ahead of Soweto Derby. 

Former Eskom chief Matshela Koko out on R300,000 bail – Daily Maverick 

Matshela Koko, Thabo Mokwena, Hlupeka Sithole, Watson Seswai, and the former chief executive of the South African Local Government Association, Hlupeka Sithole, were also released on R300,000 bail, the Daily Maverick reports. 

The bail for Koko’s wife Mosima, his stepdaughters Koketso Aren and Thabo Choma, and attorney Johannes Coetzee was R70,000. They have been forced to surrender their passports and are prohibited from requesting new travel documents. Read more here

Rihanna Returns to Music With ‘Lift Me Up’: Listen – Billboard

According to Billboard, “Lift Me Up” is featured on the soundtrack of the upcoming Marvel sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever marks Rihanna’s long-awaited return to music on Friday, October 28.

The song’s release was revealed earlier this week, preceded by a series of “cryptic billboards” in New York and a teaser post on social media that featured the title of the next film before spotlighting the initial “R” in “Forever.” Read more here

Listen here ‘Lift Me Up’ here:

Extra precautions, bomb sweep at FNB Stadium for Soweto derby after US terror alert – Sowetan Live

The Soweto derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs takes place this Saturday, and precautions, like as a bomb sweep of the venue and additional security, are being taken. This action was taken in response to a US terror alert.

“Bertie Grobbelaar, CEO of Stadium Management, the company that oversees FNB Stadium, said security precautions were discussed at the highest level after the US government issued the alert on Wednesday.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Sandton City ‘trading as normal’ – eNCA

Headline: E-tolls may be dead, but Gauteng drivers will still pay for freeway – Godongwana – News24

Headline: Elon Musk buys Twitter — promptly fires top executives – MyBroadband

Headline: Hamilton: Too early for ‘Verstappen era’ – SABC

Headline: Katy Perry Pokes Fun at Her Viral Eye Glitch – E! News

Weather: Disruptive rain, flooding in parts of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• US government warns of an imminent terror attack in Sandton.
• Kanye West turned away from Skechers HQ.
•  Liverpool qualifies for final 16 of the Champions League.

Gay pride, comedy show potential ‘targets’ of Islamic State terror attack in Sandton – News24 (for subscribers)

News24 reports that a gay pride event and theatre production by Jewish comedian Nik Rabinowitz were potential targets of a terror assault in the heart of Sandton, causing the US Embassy to issue an urgent alert on Wednesday. “Three independent sources – within the police and the Crime Intelligence Division – who spoke on condition of anonymity said that American authorities had warned of the looming attack and identified seven individuals believed to be part of a cell aligned to the Islamic State (ISIS).” Read more here

Hey Skechers, got room for me??? Kanye West shows up uninvited at HQ – TMZ

Kanye West is making a swift move to locate a new home for his Yeezy sneakers, visiting the Skechers headquarters in an attempt to speak with the company’s executives, but he was turned away, TMZ reports. “Ye arrived unannounced and without invitation at one of Skechers’ corporate offices in Los Angeles. Considering Ye was engaged in unauthorized filming, two Skechers executives escorted him and his party from the building after a brief conversation,” a source told TMZ. Read more here

Liverpool, inter ease into last 16 as Barcelona exit with whimper – EWN 

According to EWN, Liverpool qualified for the final 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, as Jurgen Klopp’s squad defeated Ajax 3-0, while Inter Milan eliminated Barcelona, who suffered a meek loss to Bayern Munich. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Medium-term budget is positive – perhaps too positive, economists say – News24

Headline: Kaizer Chiefs step up their Soweto Derby preparations! – The South African

Headline: T20 World Cup: Rollicking Rillee makes 2nd hundred in a row as Proteas soar – News24

Headline: Eskom implements varying stages of load-shedding until Sunday – TimesLIVE

Headline: Mother of Nick Cannon’s Late Son Announces Pregnancy – E! News

Weather: Thunderstorms in several provinces, with fire warnings in some regions – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Mpho Phalatse is reinstated as Joburg’s mayor on a legal technicality.
• Adidas cuts ties with West over controversial comments. 
• 90, 000 fans expected to flock to FNB stadium for Chiefs vs Pirates game this weekend. 

‘It is just a technicality’: Phalatse warned not to get comfortable as mayor again after court victory – News24 (for subscribers)

Mpho Phalatse was reinstated as Johannesburg’s mayor on a legal technicality, but she may be removed from office again, according to News24. The decision to include a vote of no confidence in Phalatse as executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg on the agenda for the “extraordinary meeting on 30 September is declared is declared unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid”. The ANC in Joburg has already made it clear that it will try to get another vote of no confidence in Phalatse. “While Phalatse is expected to resume her duties on Wednesday, her political opponents and experts have advised her not to get too comfortable.” Read more here

Kanye West reportedly no longer a billionaire as companies cut ties – The Guardian 

Recently made anti-Black and anti-Semitic comments have cost Kanye West his talent representation, connections to major fashion businesses, and other profitable partnerships in the period of two weeks. “As sports brand Adidas ended its estimated €250m partnership with West on Tuesday, reportedly costing the Black American rapper his billionaire status, many are asking if the fashion and music mogul’s actions have ended his decades-long career.” Read more here

90,000 fans to attend sold-out Soweto Derby – Scrolla 

This weekend, two Soweto titans will face off for the first time in three years in front of an expected crowd of 87 000, Scrolla reports. Pride and bragging rights are equally as crucial as actual glory for Chiefs and Pirates. All 87 000 seats at FNB Stadium were purchased on Tuesday, so it will be packed on the day of the event. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Lesufi convinced e-tolls will be a thing of the past – eNCA

Headline: Stellenbosch urination scandal: ‘We can’t shy away from these issues’ – vice-chancellor – News24

Headline: X – proud owner of Chile’s first non-binary ID card – EWN

Headline: 5-star Sundowns crush Maritzburg United to get Rhulani Mokwena-era underway with a bang – News24

Headline: Here‘s Why Swifties Think Taylor Swift Is Teasing ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ – Billboard

Weather: Severe thunderstorms in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Mpho Phalatse is reinstated as Joburg’s mayor on a legal technicality.
• Adidas cuts ties with West over controversial comments. 
• 90, 000 fans expected to flock to FNB stadium for Chiefs vs Pirates game this weekend. 

‘It is just a technicality’: Phalatse warned not to get comfortable as mayor again after court victory – News24 (for subscribers)

Mpho Phalatse was reinstated as Johannesburg’s mayor on a legal technicality, but she may be removed from office again, according to News24. The decision to include a vote of no confidence in Phalatse as executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg on the agenda for the “extraordinary meeting on 30 September is declared is declared unlawful, unconstitutional and invalid”. The ANC in Joburg has already made it clear that it will try to get another vote of no confidence in Phalatse. “While Phalatse is expected to resume her duties on Wednesday, her political opponents and experts have advised her not to get too comfortable.” Read more here

Kanye West reportedly no longer a billionaire as companies cut ties – The Guardian 

Recently made anti-Black and anti-Semitic comments have cost Kanye West his talent representation, connections to major fashion businesses, and other profitable partnerships in the period of two weeks. “As sports brand Adidas ended its estimated €250m partnership with West on Tuesday, reportedly costing the Black American rapper his billionaire status, many are asking if the fashion and music mogul’s actions have ended his decades-long career.” Read more here

90,000 fans to attend sold-out Soweto Derby – Scrolla 

This weekend, two Soweto titans will face off for the first time in three years in front of an expected crowd of 87 000, Scrolla reports. Pride and bragging rights are equally as crucial as actual glory for Chiefs and Pirates. All 87 000 seats at FNB Stadium were purchased on Tuesday, so it will be packed on the day of the event. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Lesufi convinced e-tolls will be a thing of the past – eNCA

Headline: Stellenbosch urination scandal: ‘We can’t shy away from these issues’ – vice-chancellor – News24

Headline: X – proud owner of Chile’s first non-binary ID card – EWN

Headline: 5-star Sundowns crush Maritzburg United to get Rhulani Mokwena-era underway with a bang – News24

Headline: Here‘s Why Swifties Think Taylor Swift Is Teasing ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ – Billboard

Weather: Severe thunderstorms in parts of Mpumalanga and Limpopo – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Stellenbosch double tragedy: Couple killed after the car crashed into the quarry. 
• A fierce bidding battle took place between Blue Ivy and Monique Rodriguez at the Wearable Art Gala.
• Mamelodi Sundowns demotes Manqoba Mngqith. 

Stellenbosch deaths: Family loses ‘light of life’ after horror discovery of capsized car in quarry – News24 (for subscribers)

Leila Lees and Ethan Kirkland’s lifeless bodies were discovered in a Stellenbosch quarry as their devastated families clung to one another in grief. The two Stellenbosch students disappeared on Friday evening. On Monday afternoon, their bodies were found in a quarry. “It was a car accident. The vehicle swerved off the road and into the quarry. It’s quite deep and has a lot of water. The car landed on its roof under the water,” said Kirkland’s father Paul Midlane. Read more here

Watch Blue Ivy Get Into a Bidding War for Beyoncé’s Diamond Earrings at Charity Gala – Billboard

Blue Ivy Carter engaged in a fierce bidding battle at the 2022 Wearable Art Gala for a pair of diamond earrings previously worn by Beyoncé. Blue Ivy competed with Mielle Organics CEO Monique Rodriguez for the necklace. Rodriguez posted the bid on Instagram after the event, joking that her husband had won the battle (for charity). The Wearable Art Gala helps raise funds for the organization’s artistic and youth mentorship programs. Read more here

Mamelodi Sundowns demote Manqoba Mngqithi in shock technical reshuffle – TimesLIVE

Manqoba Mngqithi, the more seasoned coach of Mamelodi Sundowns’, has been demoted to the senior coach position. The club announced on Monday that after a reorganisation of their technical staff, Rulani Mokwena would continue as the Brazilians’ head coach while Steve Komphela would move up from the position of senior coach to “first team coach.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Stage 4 blackouts under way – eNCA

Headline: Dis-Chem faces legal action over CEO’s memo – News24

Headline: Kanye West documentary shelved by studio following rapper’s anti-Semitic remarks – Daily Maverick

Headline: Kim Kardashian Condemns Antisemitic Hate Speech After Kanye West’s Comments – Billboard

Headline: Zwane laments Kaizer Chiefs’ lack of killer instinct – TimesLIVE

Weather: Damaging winds, heavy rain warning for parts of Limpopo, Mpumalanga – News24

Image credit: SAPS

• President Ramaphosa: New chapter in the fight against corruption.
• Travis Scott denies cheating rumours with Instagram model Rojean Kar.
• The Springbok fly half Elton Jantjies has checked himself into drug rehabilitation.

1 000 entities, 26 cases, and 165 accused: Ramaphosa adamant SA turning ‘new leaf’ in corruption fight – News24

According to President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa has entered a new chapter in fighting corruption. During his Sunday evening address to the country, he stated that the state capture report was a critical milestone in the fight against corruption.

“Through the implementation of the actions contained in this report, we can start a new chapter and a new leaf in our struggle against corruption. No matter the challenges, we will walk this path together,” said Ramaphosa. Read more here

Travis Scott Slams Rumors He Cheated on Kylie Jenner – E! News

Travis Scott, the boyfriend of Kylie Jenner, has denied cheating rumours after becoming entangled in an infidelity controversy involving Rojean Kar. Instagram model Rojean Kar shared a video of Astroworld rapper Travis Scott on the set of a photoshoot on her private Instagram Stories late last week, fueling reports that the two had met. Then, Travis uploaded a statement to his account denying the rumours. Read more here

Elton Jantjies goes to rehab – News24

To restore his career, Elton Jantjies, the Springbok fly half has checked himself into a drug rehabilitation centre. Jantjies, who has been out of the public for several weeks since his alleged extramarital affair with Zeenat Simjee became public knowledge (both reject the charges). Jantjies admitted on Friday that he has sought therapy for his mental problems. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: State Capture Report | R2.9bn recovered, returned to SOEs – eNCA

Headline: Eskom confirms load shedding for the week: Here’s the full schedule – The South African

Headline: Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’ Off to Record-Breaking Start in U.S. – Billboard

Headline: Trevor Noah Addresses Supposed Beef With Kanye West: ‘I Grew Up Loving This Man’ – Huffington Post

Headline: Max Verstappen overcomes heartache and rare pit stop fumble to win 2022 US GP – News24

Weather: Today’s weather conditions – South Africa Weather Service

Image credit: Gallo Images