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Top News of the Day: Can Zuma afford a R18.2m legal bill, Brazilian singer hospitalised for “trapped farts”.
Former President Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial with arms company Thules is set to begin on 11 April this year. But the Office of the Solicitor-General (OSG) has confirmed: “it will sue the former president for the R18.2 million plus interest he allegedly owes in state-funded defence costs.”
According to News24, Zuma has now applied for the case to be postponed, while urgently seeking to resurrect his failed Supreme Court of Appeal bid to have Billy Downer removed as his prosecutor (SCA).
Zuma’s organization launched a crowdfunding campaign last year to help seek funds for his legal bills. In addition to the crowdfunding campaign, they also sold autographed copies of his book, Jacob Zuma Speaks, for R1000 per copy.
The state attorney’s planned battle to reclaim R18.2 million in state-funded legal expenses from Zuma would exacerbate his defense financing issues. He also faces a multimillion-rand legal expense for his failed attempt to overturn the State of Capture report by then-Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, Karyn Maughan reports for News24.
Brazilian singer Viviane de Queiroz Pereira has been hospitalized with a case of “trapped farts”. The reason? She refused to fart in front of her boyfriend.
The 27-year-old told her 15.7 million Instagram followers that she couldn’t pass gas in front of her boyfriend, so she held her farts in for long periods of time. Pocah told Metro that she had watched TikTok videos telling her to ignore any discomfort produced by the gas, but the ache grew so intense that she sought medical help.
“I’m now fine. Just an accumulation of trapped farts,” she reported in a post on Instagram. “Girls, don’t be ashamed to fart in front of your guy. Because what’s really embarrassing is not letting your guy sleep because you’re in discomfort, going to hospital with your guy, and the diagnosis being ‘trapped farts.’ From now on, I’m letting them rip, guys. I’m medicated and I’m fine.”
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Zuma’s financial woes worsen: State attorney comes knocking for R18.2m legal bill, can he afford a costly corruption trial? – News24 (for subscribers)
Headline: Brazilian Singer Hospitalized After Refusing to Fart in Front of Boyfriend – Complex
Headline: Taxi operators block N2 as CATA, Codeta embark on strike action – News24
Headline: Look Up! There’s a political asteroid heading our way – Daily Maverick
Headline: All Bafana players to taste action in friendlies – Sowetan Live
Headline: Major phone and SIM-card change planned for South Africa – what you should know – Business Tech
Headline: Google Tests Letting Apps Like Spotify Offer Own Billing – Daily Maverick
Headline: Bob Saget Reportedly Told Crew Members He Was Experiencing COVID and Hearing Issues Before Death – Complex
Image credit: Commons Wikimedia
Top News of the Day: What Ramaphosa’s easing of SA’s Covid-19 regulations means for you
While the state of disaster remains in place, the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations will make it possible for South Africans to fill venues to half capacity. In his state of the nation address on Tuesday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa said visitors have to show proof of their vaccination card or have a negative Covid test. Further to that, citizens no longer have to wear masks outside.
“Both indoor and outdoor venues can now take up to 50% of their capacity, provided that the criteria for entrance is proof of vaccination or a COVID test that’s no older than 72 hours.”
Here are the new lockdown rules:
- From today, you are no longer required to wear a mask outside with a “1-metre space between people”. According to Business Insider, “masks will only be required indoors, and on public transport, but no longer when you are otherwise outdoors.”
- Anyone who cannot verify they have been fully vaccinated, “must nevertheless submit a PCR test that is no more than 72 hours old,” said Ramaphosa. Venues are allowed to fill a maximum of 1000 people indoors and 2000 people outdoors.
- At South African borders PCR testing has been a standard entry requirement “with an option for testing on arrival reserved for special cases. Proof of immunity by way of previous infection has not been considered as an alternative to vaccination for any rules related to travel.”
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Here’s how lockdown rules change today, from masks to PCR entry tests – Business Insider
Headline: LISTEN | ‘I work for fuel only’ — e-hailing driver speaks out during strike – Times Live
Headline: Ukraine’s Zelensky sees hope in ‘confrontational’ Russia talks – News24
Headline: Monare won’t pay attention to naysayers – Sowetan Live
Headline: More than 42,000 tickets snapped up for Shane Warne memorial at MCG – The Guardian
Headline: Paul Pogba: Burglars stole World Cup winner’s medal, Man Utd & France midfielder says – BBC
Headline: Naked DJ labels his relationship with Kayleigh Schwark as ‘unique love’ – Sowetan Live
Headline: Bridgerton Season 2: All the Fashion You MUST See – E! News
Image credit: Getty Images
Top News of the Day: Uber and Bolt are going on strike today, Pete Davidson: On a rocket to Mars.
Uber, Bolt, InDriver, and DiDi drivers in South Africa plan a national shutdown from Tuesday until Thursday this week confirms Private Public Transport Association (PPTA).
The national shutdown includes services like Uber Eats.
The spokesperson and organiser of the PPTA, Vhatuka Mbelengwa, believes that drivers are being exploited by e-hailing services.
“We believe a regulated industry will serve South Africa better, it will curb the exploitation. It will end the abusive commissions that we don’t have a say in negotiating,” said Mlelengwa.
“We are not happy with the pricing, we are not happy with the over-saturation of the market, but most importantly, we are not happy with the fact that government has not shown up in defence of its people.”
E-hailing drivers have demanded more pay in the face of rising fuel prices, and they want the safety of all e-hailing drivers and customers to be prioritized.
Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Pete Davidson will travel to space as part of a six-person crew on Blue Origin’s second voyage, which will take place next week.
According to News24, on board the New Shepard rocket, the Saturday Night Live performer will be the lone non-paying passenger. It will be the company’s fourth human journey, after sending its billionaire founder and CEO Jeff Bezos to space on its first crewed mission last summer.
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Uber and Bolt national shutdown planned for South Africa – My BroadBand
Headline: Pete Davidson blasting off to space – Channel24
Headline: Clasico demolition vindicates Barcelona, shifts doubts to Real Madrid – African Insider
Headline: This change will impact every person with a mobile phone in South Africa: Ramaphosa – Business Tech
Headline: British Airways flight fails to land four times after Comair suspension lift – Citizen
Headline: ‘Looking like rich Jewish old money’ – Somizi on a high after announcing new talk show – The Citizen
Headline: Chrissy Teigen Confirms She’s Just Finished Latest Round Of IVF – Huffington Post
Headline: Kylie Jenner Reveals Baby Boy NO LONGER Named Wolf – E! News
Image credit: Getty Images
Top News of the Day: How is your groccery list impacted by the war in Ukraine?
Your grocery list is about to get more expensive.
Because of the conflict in Ukraine, shipments of critical commodities, such as wheat, are disrupted, causing bread costs in South Africa to soar.
Consumers, on the other hand, will most likely only see the effects three months from now.
According to Business Insider, “Russia’s invasion has sent prices for essential commodities soaring, including wheat, and disrupted wheat exports. The two nations control more than a quarter of the world’s wheat exports, and South Africa has imported 30% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia over the past five years.”
The good news is the difference between market pricing and consumer prices on store shelves is usually three months. So there’s enough time to stock up on bread and store it in the freezer.
In a separate piece for Times Live, Ramaphosa assured South Africans that the government is doing everything in its power to address the rise of living costs.
Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Cassper Nyovest finally broke his silence on the Braai show court case lawsuit.
The rapper finally shared his stance on the legal battle between AKA, MakhuduCom and Cake Media, where AKA won 50% of the show’s intellectual property.
“No story to tell. I was offered a job, I got paid what I wanted, including getting (a) promotion for my shoes and alcohol which I’m making Multi Millions from and the story ends there. Even if the broer did cartwheels naked on Mandela bridge, there’s nothing that’s gonna happen. Lol” Cassper tweeted on Thursday.
According to Hip Hop SA Mag, Cassper stated that he was only offered a task that he would accept, and he was able to advertise his Billiato Alcohol brand and The Root Of Fame footwear line in the process.
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Yes, bread prices are going to skyrocket. No, you shouldn’t buy a new freezer just for bread. – Business Insider
Headline: Rising food and fuel prices caused by war are concerning, says Ramaphosa – Times Live
Headline: Cassper To AKA : “Even If he did cartwheels naked on Mandela bridge, there’s nothing that’s gonna happen” – SA Hip Hop Mag
Headline: ‘Thank you for making me trend’ – Thuli P bags more gigs after trolls tore apart her skills behind the DJ deck – African Insider
Headline: Nange concedes he’s not hit top level yet for Chiefs – Sowetan Live
Headline: Everton 1-0 Newcastle: Frank Lampard suffers broken hand celebrating dramatic Toffees’ winner – BBC
Headline: President Cyril Ramaphosa visits Project Panda – Biz Community
Headline: Tied up: The perils and pitfalls of a Ramaphosa second term – News24
Image credit: Pixabay
Top News of the Day: US committed to sending their ‘most cutting-edge systems to Ukraine’, Ye suspended from Instagram.
President Joe Biden has commended Ukrainians for showing “remarkable courage” amidst the Russian invasion.
President Joe Biden said that the US will send drones and thousands of anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in response to the country’s president’s heartfelt call for help in fighting Russia’s invasion.
“Putin is afflicting appalling, appalling devastation and horror on Ukraine,” said Biden at the White House on Wednesday. The US will send their most “cutting edge systems” to assist Ukraine.
Together with drones and a longer-range-anti-aircraft system, the US will aid Ukraine with “800 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 9,000 anti-tank missiles and 7,000 small arms along with 20 million rounds of ammunition”.
It seems like Ye’s harassment has come to an end.
According to TMZ, Ye, formally known as Kanye West, is suspended from Instagram for violating their harassment and bullying policy.
The rapper and fashion mogul targetted comedians Trevor Noah and Pete Davidson in his social media posts on Wednesday.
According to Huffington Post, Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend, Pete Davidson, have been targeted by Ye, who has exposed facts about their personal lives to his millions of fans. He also produced a new music video earlier this month that looked to show a claymation version of West decapitating Davidson and burying him alive.
“Instagram removed content from the rapper’s account for violating those policies and restricted the account from posting, commenting and sending direct messages, among other actions, for 24 hours.”
Instagram may take further action against Ye if he further violates the rules.
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Biden ramps up military aid to Ukraine, including armed drones – Daily Maverick
Headline: Kanye West Suspended From Instagram For Violating Harassment, Bullying Policy – Huffington Post
Headline: Kim Kardashian DISHES on Pete Davidson’s New Tattoos – E! News
Headline: The transparency tightrope: Why regulators are being taken to court over Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine – News24
Headline: Kaizer Chiefs star Dolly ready to help Bafana acclimatise in France – Sowetan Live
Headline: Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Relentless Reds throw down the gauntlet to Premier League leaders Man City – BBC
Headline: Bella Hadid on being the ‘uglier sister’ and the nose job she now regrets – Times Live
Headline: Thousands of households without power in northeast Japan after earthquake kills four – Daily Maverick
Image credit: Commons Wikimedia
