Newsroom

• Eskom load shedding Stage 3 is set to continue.
• Taylor Swift raises the bar with ‘Midnights’.
• The Springboks are on the verge to become one of the most experienced RWC squads. 

Stage 3 load shedding indefinitely, with all Kusile’s units offline – News24

Eskom announced on Thursday night that stage 3 load shedding would continue until further notice due to delays in restoring power units to service and additional failures. According to News24, Kusile power station is not producing any electricity at the moment.

“Currently, there are no units in service at Kusile Power Station due to breakdowns on three units while one unit is out of service on planned maintenance,” Eskom said. Read more here

Taylor Swift returns to pop with poetic ‘Midnights,’ her most deeply personal album yet – USA Today

According to USA Today, the Taylor Swift of “Midnights” could not have existed before “Folklore” and “Evermore.” Swift, who has never been afraid to expose an emotional weak spot, has dug even deeper this time. Swift raises the bar for herself on her tenth studio album by not only sharing some of her most introspective songs but also delivering them with a more refined sense of poetry and storytelling. Read more here

Bok masterplan will see a RWC 2023 team thin on greenhorns – TimesLIVE

“Despite losing a year in preparations for the Rugby World Cup (RWC), the Springboks are likely to arrive in France in 2023 as one of the most experienced squads to contend for the title.” Rassie Erasmus, director of South African Rugby, believes that his team’s average member will have played in 46 Tests by the time they face Scotland in Marseilles on September 10. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Eskom new chair in no rush to fire execs, but will he hit it off with De Ruyter? – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: ‘Will Boris bounce back?’: what the papers say as Liz Truss quits and Tories search for new leader – The Guardian

Headline: Bad news for Springboks, good news for Cheetahs as Frans Steyn’s ‘old knees’ buckle – News24

Headline: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian

Headline: Untold: Inside The Shein Machine – Glamour

Weather: Severe storms in parts of Eastern Cape, with fire warnings for Northern Cape – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Load shedding Stage 3 to continue indefinitely.
• Kanye West isn’t sorry for his anti-semitic comments.
• Ten Hag says he will deal with Ronaldo after “celebrating this victory”. 

Eskom extends Stage 3 power cuts indefinitely – eCNA

Stage 3 load shedding will continue indefinitely, according to a statement from Eskom. “Blackouts were supposed to end at 5am on Thursday and then resume again at 4pm.” Eskom has announced that power generators have stopped working. There are three power plants involved this time around: Kendal (two units), Kriel (one unit), and Arnot (two units). Read more here

Due to the failure of 2 units at Kendal Power Station and a unit each at Kriel and Arnot power stations, Stage 3 loadshedding has been extended from 05:00 today until further notice.

A full statement will be published during the day.

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 20, 2022

Kanye Refuses to Apologize for Antisemitism, Then Says Sorry to Those Who ‘Had Nothing to Do With’ His ‘Trauma’ – Complex

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Kanye West said that he doesn’t feel bad about his recent anti-Semitic comments. In a preview of his conversation with Morgan, Ye was asked if he was “sorry” that he said he was going to “go DEFCON 3 on Jewish people.”

“No. He smiled and said, “Absolutely not.” Morgan told him he should be. Morgan said, “That is as racist as anything you say you’ve been through, and any pain you’ve experienced, it’s the same thing,” Ye replied, “Yeah, obviously, that’s why I said it.” Morgan asked, “So you said it knowing it’s racist?”. Read more here

Cristiano Ronaldo: Erik ten Hag will ‘deal with’ Man Utd forward over early exit down tunnel – BBC

Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, has promised to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo after the unused replacement left the field during the final minutes of United’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham. “I will deal with that tomorrow, not today. We are now celebrating this victory,” said Ten Hag. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Toddler killed, mom critical after giraffe tramples them in KZN – News24

Headline: Suspect arrested for murder of German tourist remanded – TimesLIVE

Headline: Kelly Rowland will be back in SA in December – TimesLIVE

Headline: Jose Riveiro ‘happy’ as Pirates end winless run – News24

Headline: Cosatu, DA call on NPA to pursue criminal charges against Markus Jooste – EWN

Weather: Rain in most provinces, with fire warnings for parts of the Northern Cape – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Gauteng water crisis: Minister admits lack of action led to outages.
• George Floyds’s baby Momma sues Kanye West for $250 million.
• Orlando Pirates triumph over Golden Arrows.

Alarmist to call Gauteng water shortages a crisis, says Mchunu – News24

Minister of Water and Sanitation Senzo Mchunu says that media portrayals of the water problem in Gauteng as a crisis are exaggerated. He acknowledged, though, that Johannesburg was “leaking big time” and that the city’s water supplies might have been managed “in a better way” in the past, News24 reports. “Mchunu said the city was losing more than 40% of the water supply to leaks. This includes water being taken without payment and without recording it.” Read more here

George Floyd’s family sues Kanye West for saying he died from drug abuse – The Guardian

The mother of George Floyd’s daughter, has sued rapper Kanye West for $250 million after he claimed that Floyd died from drug usage rather than police officer homicide.

West, who legally changed his name to Ye, said Floyd died of a fentanyl overdose on the Drink Champs podcast on Saturday. In the same interview, which YouTube has subsequently removed, West also made antisemitic remarks. Read more here

Bucs Ease Past Arrows – Orlando Pirates

On Tuesday night at Princess Magogo Stadium, Orlando Pirates triumphed 2-0 over Golden Arrows to earn three points in a DStv Premiership match. In a matchup in which goals have been sparse in recent years, with only two scored in the last six meetings between the two teams, the Buccaneers were looking for their first victory since September. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Hillary Gardee’s family demands R18m from JCS minister for trauma and constitutional damages – TimesLIVE (for subscribers)

Headline: One rearrested after 7 inmates escape from Makhanda prison – News24

Headline: Sisulu outraged after prison visit blocked – Scrolla

Headline: Crystal Palace 2-1 Wolves: Patrick Vieira impressed with Palace’s ‘character and quality’ – BBC

Headline: ‘Tali’s Joburg Diary’: Showmax releases trailer for season three – The South African

Weather: Rain across several provinces, with fire warnings for parts of Northern Cape – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Eskom implements Stage 4 load shedding due to breakdowns.
• Kanye West purchases the social media platform Parler. 
• Damian Willemse cashes in with big-money deals. 

Load shedding escalates to Stage 4 until further notice

Early on Tuesday morning, Eskom stated that load shedding had progressed to Stage 4. “Stage 4 load shedding was implemented at 05:30 due to breakdowns of five generators at five power stations overnight. The load shedding will be implemented until further notice,” said Eskom’s spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha. Read more here

Kanye West agrees to buy social network Parler – eNCA

Just over a week after his Twitter and Instagram accounts were suspended for anti-Semitic postings, social network Parler announced on Monday that Kanye West would be purchasing the platform popular among US conservatives.

“In a world where conservative opinions are considered to be controversial we have to make sure we have the right to freely express ourselves,” West said in a statement released by Parler. Read more here

Stormers, Bok star Willemse to cash in with mega contract – News24

According to News24, a third-party deal enabled Damian Willemse to become one of the highest-paid rugby players in South Africa.

Recently, the Springbok utility back inked a five-year contract with WP Rugby that would keep him at the Stormers through to at least 2027. The 24-year-old also secured an agreement with worldwide glass packaging company Ardagh last week. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Woman details finding slain 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo’s leg in her garden – News24

Headline: Warning over Mchunu’s emergency plan to urgently give Gauteng residents running water – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Rumors Swirl Rihanna Recorded New Music For ‘Black Panther’ Sequel, And Twitter Goes Wild – Huffington Post

Headline: WATCH | Egyptian king! Smiling Salah mobbed by Liverpool fans after Anfield heroics – News24

Headline: Jhene Aiko And Big Sean Celebrate Their First Baby Shower Together – Essence

Weather: Cloudy day, with storm warnings for parts of KZN, Mpumalanga – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Bokgabo Poo was declared dead.
• Amakhosi failed to secure the win against the Chilli Boys.
• Behati Prinsloo is focused on baby no. 3.

Missing 4-year-old Bokgabo Poo confirmed dead – News24

Bokgabo Poo, age 4, who went missing last week in Wattville, Benoni, has been declared dead, News24 reports. Johannes Sibiye, the girl’s stepfather, who has lived with her since she was a newborn, told News24 that police officers came at the family home on Saturday with a photograph of the clothing she was wearing when she went missing. 

“They took her grandmother and mother into the mortuary and they were able to positively identify her,” said Sibiye, her stepfather. “It is exactly the same as Bokgabo. She is dead,” he said. “The family is not doing well, especially the mother. Knowing our daughter died a horrible death is heart-breaking.” Read more here

How old Orlando Pirates style helped beat Kaizer Chiefs – Chippa United’s Mammila – Goal

Amakhosi lost 2-1 against the Chilli Boys at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, preventing them from taking over first place in the Premier Soccer League. Siyabonga Ngezana’s first goal of the season gave the Naturena team the lead in the first half, but they were unable to retain it as they surrendered two goals in the second. Read more here

Behati Prinsloo Is All Smiles As She Shows Off Her Baby Bump After Adam Levine DM Scandal – E! News

Adam Levine admitted a few weeks ago that he had acted inappropriately online in response to cheating rumours. His pregnant wife Behati Prinsloo showed that she is happy and focused on their third child, E! News reports. The former Victoria’s Secret model shared a clip of herself modelling a black maxi-dress by Bumpsuit from her closet on her Instagram Stories on Saturday. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: UCT VC Phakeng lambasted for ‘disgusting’ tweet about late colleague – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: From ‘Hot Girl Hospital’ Nurse to Twerking Workout Coach, Here Are Megan Thee Stallion’s Best Moments While Hosting ‘SNL’: Watch – Billboard

Headline: Satawu vows to intensify Transnet strike as members reject latest salary offer – TimesLIVE

Headline: Partey’s superb defensive impact lifts Arsenal against Leeds United – Goal

Headline: AKA Explores Legal Route Over Cassper Posting Him As Billiato Ambassador – SA Hip Hop Mag

Weather: It will be a wet Monday as thunderstorms are expected across SA – News24

Image credit: Facebook

• 8 people were killed in separate attacks in KwaNobuhle.
• JP Morgan Chase has ended its relationship with Kanye West.
• Arsenal remains unbeaten in Europa League.

Eight killed in two incidents in Eastern Cape township – TimesLIVE

According to TimesLIVE, eight people were murdered and one was injured in two different incidents in KwaNobuhle, located near Kariega. The first incident occurred at 11:45 a.m. when four men’s bodies were discovered in a Mazda 323 on Mabi Street. All of them had been shot more than once.

In the second incident, Naidu claimed three men’s remains were discovered on Zolanqini Street around 12:10 p.m. Two of them were discovered inside a silver Volkswagen Polo, while a third was discovered outside. According to Naidu, “all of them had multiple gunshot wounds.” Read more here

Kanye West’s Yeezy Company Dropped By JPMorgan Chase

JPMorgan Chase, a major financial institution, has broken ties with controversial artist Kanye West, Billboard reports. Despite Chase’s refusal to comment, many speculate that the recent anti-Semitic sentiments and the “White Lives Matter” shirt West wore to Paris Fashion Week were to blame for the ruined business relationship.

“Earlier today I learned that @kanyewest was officially kicked out of JP Morgan Chase bank. I was told there was no official reason given, but they sent this letter as well to confirm that he has until late November to find another place for the Yeezy empire to bank,” conservative commentator Candace Owens tweeted. Read more here

Saka earns win for Arsenal at Bodo/Glimt in Europa League

With a goal from Bukayo Saka, Arsenal remained unbeaten in the Europa League, while Manchester United will play Omonia Nicosia in an effort to keep themselves in the quest for a last-16 spot.

According to News24, the Gunners have now won all three of their Group A matches thanks to a goal from Saka halfway through the first half in Norway. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: ‘Operation Hlanza’: Independent Media calls Ramaphosa ‘the tsotsi from Chiawelo’ – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Devastating consequences of Transnet strike worse than energy crisis – EWN

Headline: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian

Headline: Hlanti confident Du Preez will find form: ‘Its a matter of time’ – News24

Headline: Tiffany Haddish Shares Message About “Getting Rid of the Mess” After Abuse Lawsuit – E! News

Weather: Severe storms to lash parts of KZN, heat wave persists in Mpumalanga, Limpopo – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Stage 2 load shedding will continue on Thursday.
• Brandy thanks her fans for their “prayers and support” after being hospitalized. 
• Salah came in as a substitute and turned things around against the Rangers.

Stage 2 load shedding to continue on Wednesday and Thursday – EWN

In a statement released on Wednesday, Eskom announced that stage 2 load shedding will continue on Thursday from 4 pm to midnight, but would be reduced to stage 1 on Friday.

#POWERALERT1

Stage 2 loadshedding will continue to be implemented on Wednesday and Thursday at 16:00 –00:00 and be reduced to Stage 1 on Friday pic.twitter.com/P84AFQBDuy

— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 12, 2022

Eskom said that it would like to schedule outages until the evening if possible. Eskom said on Wednesday that they will provide another report by Friday afternoon, or as soon as any major developments occurred. Read more here

R&B singer Brandy updates fans on her health after being ‘rushed to hospital’ – Mirror

Brandy has thanked her followers for their “prayers and support” during her hospitalisation. The 43-year-old singer-actress went to Instagram to provide an update on her health after it was reported on Wednesday that she may have experienced a possible seizure on Wednesday. Read more here

Mohamed Salah scores fastest Champions League hat-trick as Liverpool thrash Rangers – Independent (for subscribers)

Salah showcased his genius in a dazzling display that lasted for six minutes and twelve seconds. A game in which Liverpool trailed finished in a blowout with Salah coming off the bench to earn their tardy first away victory of the season in spectacular manner, the Independent reports. Rangers may feel themselves unfortunate to have encountered him at his rampaging best. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Hundreds of law enforcement officers descend on Cape Town’s Philippi East in joint operation – Daily Maverick

Headline: Tourists flying to SA this summer will be greeted by a video on how to stay safe – Business Insider

Headline: Chiefs: Meet Zwane number two at Amakhosi – The South African

Headline: Crew member linked to Krugersdorp gang rape -Scrolla

Headline: ‘My Story, My Way:’ Lizzo Teases New HBO Max Documentary – Essence

Weather:  Hot day for SA, with heat wave expected in Mpumalanga, Limpopo – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Man linked to one of six women’s bodies found in panel beating workshop.
• Lizzo discusses her recent difficulty with a racist and fatphobic comment.
• SA’s ODI series loss to India is tough to digest – David Miller.

Man charged with one count of murder despite six sex workers’ bodies being found – Sowetan Live

Six dead women’s bodies belonging to sex workers, were found at a panel beating workshop in Johannesburg on Sunday. The man who was arrested will only be charged with one murder, not six. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane said outside the magistrate’s court on Tuesday that the suspect has only been linked to one murder. Read more here

Lizzo Has a Message for Critics Who Share Racist, Fatphobic Comments: ‘F–k Them!’ – Billboard

In a recent interview, Lizzo reminds everyone how cruel racist and fatphobic comments can be. Lizzo addressed a video she recorded in August following the release of “Rumors” with Cardi B in a Vanity Fair cover story released on Tuesday. In the 13-minute video, she emotionally called out a racial and weight-shaming insult. “People have been calling me fat my entire life, but that was the first time seeing an insult of how I looked, who I am, and my music wrapped into one, and it really hurt me,” she said. Read more here

Proteas stand-in skipper David Miller on loss to India: ‘To finish off a series like that is disappointing’ – News24 

David Miller said South Africa’s seven-wicket defeat to India on Tuesday, which gave the hosts the ODI series 2-1, was tough to digest. Miller, who led the side with Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj out, thought the batting could have done better, giving the bowlers an uphill struggle. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: ‘Murder, She Wrote’ star Angela Lansbury, 96, has died – News24

Headline: Explosion at substation leaves huge areas of Durban without power – TimesLIVE

Headline: Disallowed goal, a missed penalty and a red card as Man City held by Copenhagen – News24

Headline: Kanye West Told Tucker Carlson That ‘Fake Children’ Were Trying To Manipulate His Kids – Huffington Post

Headline: Cops arrest Joburg Arsonist – Scrolla

Weather: Warm day, with heat wave expected in Limpopo, Mpumalanga – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images