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Top News of the Day: Putin declares Ukraine regions as independent states, Britney Spears lands a $15 million book deal
In a 65-minute televised ceremony on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order of decree recognizing the regions Donetsk and Lugansk of Ukraine as independent states.
“I consider it necessary to make a long overdue decision: to immediately recognize the independence and sovereignty of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic,” Putin said.
According to EWN, Russia will now send troops with the cooperation of separatist leaders, forcing Ukraine to choose between accepting the loss of a portion of its land and fighting a far more powerful neighbour.
In an article published by Variety yesterday, pop star Britney Spears has landed a multimillion-dollar book deal with Simon & Schuster for a memoir. “The book will feature Spears’ accounts of her record-smashing music career, her private life and her fractured relationship with her family.”
The terms of the contract have not been disclosed but it is reported that “multiple publishers had been in a months long bidding war prior to the announcement.”
Here are the top trending stories of the day.
Headline: Defying West, Putin orders troops to Ukraine rebel regions – EWN
Headline: Britney Spears Will Reportedly Receive $15 Million For Tell-All Book – Huffington Post
Headline: Kanye West streaming device sales skyrocket ahead of album release – News24
Headline: Ricoffy drinkers are turning tins into knife racks – and a one-person braai – Business Insider
Headline: Leon Reid: Irish sprinter plans to continue career despite criminal conviction – BBC
Headline: Premier League to continue with Covid-19 testing after restrictions are lifted – The Independent
Headline: Unemployment in Gauteng ‘at its worst’, (another) war room established, Makhura announces – Daily Maverick
Headline: Colombia legalises abortion in move celebrated as ‘historic victory’ by campaigners – The Guardian
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Top News of the Day: South Africans can request to mix their booster shots, Alleged Tinder Swindler breaks his silence in two-part interview
From Wednesday, fully vaccinated South Africans, over the age of 18 years can request a mixer booster vaccine.
According to EWN, “The Health Department has announced that adults who have received one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be eligible to receive a booster dose of either the same vaccine or Pfizer after an interval of three months.”
This is known as the “mix and match” approach.
In a separate piece for Times Live, the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has not yet authorised the mixing of vaccines and booster shots. “Sahpra has not licensed mix-and-match vaccines. However, there is good evidence that mix-and-match vaccines are just as effective, and sometimes better, at increasing antibody levels. Sahpra has requested the submission of evidence to support a ‘mix-and-match’ approach,” commented Cebelihle Bhengu for Times Live.
Evidence is not clear of the efficiency of the mix and match approach at this point.
The Tinder Swindler, Simon Leviev, will break his silence in a two-part interview. Alleged conman Shimon Hayut has spoken out in an interview with Inside Edition. Inside Edition has confirmed that the interview is set to be released in two parts, the first due on Monday February 21 and the second interview released on Tuesday February 22. In the interview, Hayut confirms ‘I was just a single guy that wanted to meet some girls on Tinder. I am not a Tinder Swindler.’
Watch the preview of the interview below:
Headline: SA reduces intervals between COVID vaccine jabs, allows mixing of booster shots – EWN
Headline: From Wednesday you can mix the Pfizer and J&J vaccines on request – at least in theory – Business Insider
Headline: Alleged Tinder Swindler Simon Leviev to break his silence in two-part interview – News24
Headline: SSA DECLASSIFIED I Networks which looted R1.5bn from spy agency still in place as investigations collapse – News24 (for subscribers)
Headline: Man United survive Leeds storm to tighten grip on top four – News24
Headline: La Liga: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scores first Barcelona hat-trick in Valencia win – BBC
Headline: Pitt sues Jolie over sale of French vineyard where they married – EWN
Headline: A South African Just Launched An Afrikaans Wordle Called Wortel! – Good Things Guy
Image credit: Twitter
