Latest news with #SouthAfrican-American
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Purpose over party: Charlize Theron slams Jeff Bezos‘ $50m wedding, claims many in SA dying
Charlize Theron threw shade at Jeff Bezos' wedding against a backdrop of global issues and claims of South Africans dying due to US aid cuts. Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos depart from the Aman hotel to attend the last party of their wedding celebrations in Venice on 28 June 2025. Actress Charlize Theron pictured at Block Party charity event in Los Angeles over the weekend. Pictures: EPA/ Daniel Aniel dal Zennaro and AFP Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron highlighted the importance of global issues over glamorous excess with a thinly veiled jab at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding extravaganza in Venice over the weekend. Speaking at her fifth annual Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party event in Los Angeles on Saturday, the South African-born star ripped into the A-list wedding guests, saying 'they suck'. 'I think we might be the only people who did not get an invite to the Bezos wedding. But that's OK because they suck and we're cool.' As the crowd applauded her remarks, the 49-year-old actress reportedly added: 'Yeah, f–k them'. Charlize Theron: Bold Bezos wedding statement at Block Party Theron's comment, though delivered with her signature wit, wasn't just a throwaway line. South African-American actress and film producer Charlize Theron arrives at the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) Block Party 2025 held at the Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City, Los Angeles, California. Picture: Image Press Agency / NurPhoto via AFP According to Hollywood Reporter, the Old Guard 2 star quickly pivoted to a serious tone, thanking her guests for attending the CTAOP event 'especially when the world feels like it's burning, because it is'. Burning issues: 'It's personal' – Theron She emphasised pressing global issues, stating: 'Here in Los Angeles, in the US and across the globe, we're moving backwards fast. 'Immigration policy has destroyed the lives of families, not criminals; women's rights are becoming less and less every day; queer and trans lives are increasingly being erased; and gender-based violence is on the rise. 'This isn't just policy, it's personal.' Trump's foreign aid cuts According to Variety, the Academy Award winner claimed many people in South Africa have 'already' died without US aid. Although she didn't mention US President Donald Trump by name, the actress appeared to reference efforts by him and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut foreign aid spending through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds. 'Foreign aid cuts brought HIV and Aids programmes in my home country of South Africa to an absolute standstill. All of this is not just detrimental, it's dangerous,' Theorn told Variety's Mark Malkin at the charity event. 'People will lose their lives. Many have already, unfortunately, and at a frightening rate. It's absolutely heartbreaking to see this kind of unnecessary suffering.' Charlize Theron's Block Party: Focus on impact The CTAOP Block Party, held to raise funds for Theron's nonprofit organisation, featured a performance by Reneé Rapp and a live 'Hot Ones' segment with Theron and her Old Guard 2 co-star KiKi Layne. By juxtaposing her fundraiser with the Bezos wedding, the charity event underscored Theron's deep-rooted commitment to advocacy over Hollywood glitz and glamour. Bezos $50m wedding vs CTAOP's mission The extravagance of the 61-year-old Amazon founder's $50-million (about R889.4 million) Venice wedding celebrations, is in stark contrast to the CTAOP's mission to support youth health and safety in South Africa. Charlize Theron poses with British actor David Oyelowo and his wife British actress, Jessica Oyelowo, as they attend the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project 2025 Block Party at Universal Studios backlot in North Hollywood, California on 28 June 2025. Picture: Unique Nicol/ AFP Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez's wedding bash Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, a former TV journalist and helicopter pilot, tied the knot on Friday, 27 June in a lavish three-day celebration in Venice. With a net worth estimated by Forbes to be $226.7 billion, the executive chair of the e-commerce giant is rumoured to have spent a staggering $50-million for the wedding, The event boasted a star-studded guest list of more than 200, including A-listers like Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Tom Brady and Orlando Bloom. Held on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, the wedding featured a custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding gown for Sánchez, a performance by Matteo Bocelli and over-the-top festivities, including a welcoming party at the Chiostro Madonna dell'Orto and a final celebration at the Arsenale, a former medieval shipyard. Charlize Theron's remarks spark cheers and controversy Theron's remarks sparked a mix of reactions on social media with some supporters praising her for calling out the disconnect between celebrity excess and global crises such as immigration and gender-based violence. One X user commented: 'Charlize is out here speaking truth while the A-listers sip champagne in Venice.' Others, however, dismissed her comments as a sign of envy: 'Theron shouldn't worry. She can go to his next wedding.' Bezos-Sanchez wedding: Venice mass protests Venice itself was divided over the wedding. While city officials welcomed the economic boost, with 80% of provisions sourced from local vendors like Rosa Salva and Laguna B, many residents felt the event epitomized overtourism and inequality. As per Page Six, the 'No Space for Bezos' campaign group threatened to clog canals with inflatable crocodiles, and posters featuring Bezos' head on a rocket appeared across the city. Last week, Greenpeace Italy unfurled a banner in St Mark's Square reading: 'If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax,' while a dummy of Bezos was tossed into the Grand Canal, clutching an oversized Amazon package.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What does DOGE stand for? About the agency, federal firings and stimulus checks
Forget zodiacs — 2025 is seemingly the year of "Doge." Since its establishment last month, Tesla CEO and SpaceX founder Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has shaken up the federal workforce in a matter of weeks. From firings to controversial emails, the South African-American billionaire has caused uproar with his role in President Donald Trump's administration. But what exactly does "Doge" mean? From silly dog photos to a newly established advisory group, here is what to know about every version of Doge and how its newest addition is impacting the country. As of 2025, the word "doge" can refer to very different things. However, it origin comes from photo of a Shiba Inu with its raised eyebrows and glaring sideways at the camera. The term "doge" was born out of these photos, slang for "dog." Silly, sarcastic messages written in the Comic Sans font would typically accompany the meme. The original photos came from Japanese teacher Atsuko Sato, who posted the photos of her rescue-adopted dog Kabosu to her blog. The first use of the meme is unknown; however, it became popular online in the early 2010s with Reddit and Tumblr users, according to Know Your Meme. Inspired by the meme, software engineers Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer created the cryptocurrency "Dogecoin" in 2013 as a joke on the surge in other digital coins. However, USA TODAY reported it became one of the most popular "meme stocks" amid a boom in retail trading and a viral trend to get the coin to a dollar during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dogecoin's price peaked in May 2021 at $0.72. As of Feb. 25, 2025, it is worth $0.20. Now, "Doge" has an even more powerful definition — standing for "Department of Government Efficiency," which was started by Trump during his first day of the presidency on Jan. 20. It is headed by Musk. NPR notes Trump didn't "create" the department; rather it was renamed from the previously existing United States Digital Service, which was created under former President Barack Obama. What is 'Doge'? Why new government department shares its name with viral 2010s meme What exactly is it about the term "Doge" that Musk loves so much? It's a little harder to track Musk's origins with the meme; however, Business Insider said he once cited his interest in the meme to the fact that it has dogs and "the best humor." The meme has now become an emblem for Musk and his supporters online, with his X followers typing in the same speech pattern and photoshopping the dog into pictures with Musk. Musk has been vocal over the years about his love of memes, flooding his social media accounts with photos and quotes from viral items. He once referred to them as 'modern art" in 2019 and the following year tweeted "Who controls the memes controls the universe." Trump's executive order establishes the Department of Government Efficiency to implement the President's DOGE Agenda by "modernizing Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity." According to Trump himself last year, DOGE will provide advice and guidance from outside of the government, and it will partner with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget to "drive large-scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before." It's not a department, despite the name. Trump tapped Musk and former GOP presidential opponent Vivek Ramaswamy as the heads of the advisory group. Ramaswamy exited the position last month, instead running for governor of Ohio. No, Musk is not a federal employee. White House officials state Musk is a "special government employee." According to Reuters, Trump first floated the idea of Musk becoming an advisor to his administration in August 2024. Musk responded to Trump by tweeting an AI-generated photo of himself in front of a podium marked "Department of Government Efficiency." Trump's executive order earlier this month directs the federal government to implement a "workforce optimization initiative" created by DOGE, which has been moving rapidly from one department to another to slash spending and gut programs. In an effort to downsize the U.S. government, DOGE and Trump created a buyout program promising eight months of pay and benefits to over two million federal employees in exchange for their immediate resignation. Federal employees who chose to continue to work in the federal government are required to return to in-person work and embrace new "performance standards" and be "reliable, loyal and trustworthy" in their work, among other new "reforms" across the government. According to USA TODAY, about 75,000 federal employees accepted Trump's buyout offer. The deadline was originally set for Feb. 6 but U.S. District Judge George O'Toole paused it to hear arguments against the offer. According to the Intelligencer, roughly 30,000 federal workers have been fired by DOGE since it began work in January. Some of these agencies and departments include: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Department of Agriculture Department of Defense Department of Education Department of Energy Department of Health and Human Services Department of Homeland Security Department of Housing and Urban Development Department of the Interior Department of Justice Department of Transportation Department of the Treasury Department of Veterans Affairs Environmental Protection Agency Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and National Labor Relations Board Musk is keeping a running tally of estimated savings on its website. As of Feb. 25, DOGE estimated savings have reached $55 billion. However, USA TODAY has reported previously that DOGE's website has published misleading information on the amount of money it has claimed to save. After stimulus payments from DOGE savings were brought up by Azoria investment firm CEO James Fishback on X, Musk responded to Fishback's post saying, "Will check with the President." Trump announced last week he is considering the idea. "We're considering giving 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% to paying down the debt," Trump said at the Saudi-sponsored FII PRIORITY Summit in South Florida. Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network-Florida This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Elon Musk's DOGE: What is it, why agency's actions are controversial
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
From breast cancer to HIV, how AI is set to revolutionise healthcare
This week's artificial intelligence summit in Paris highlights the potential for use of the technology in healthcare, with AI offering new diagnostic tools and treatment options – although experts stress it will not replace human expertise, and caution there is still work to do in how it is implemented. Among the AI projects being showcased beneath the glass roof of the Grand Palais is a robot that could help to break down barriers in healthcare. "Our AI will provide practical, tailored answers to questions about sexual health and HIV prevention, which are still very taboo subjects. Our users can ask all the questions they want, and our AI will guide them through self-testing and, if necessary, put them in touch anonymously with clinicians," said Sarah Morris, marketing manager for South African-American company Audere, which produces this robot. Why the African continent has a role to play in developing AI While this week's AI Action Summit in Paris is a showcase for future developments in the sphere, AI is already being used to support healthcare professionals. Read more on RFI English
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump goes all-in on crypto: Bitcoin soars as new policies shake up the industry
Donald Trump has wasted no time making cryptocurrency a centerpiece of his presidency. During his campaign, Trump vowed to make America the crypto capital of the world, and since taking office on January 20, he has made good on that promise. One of his first major actions in office was signing an executive order to establish an internal working group dedicated to advancing cryptocurrency adoption. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead One dozen eggs in America now costs $4.15 — and $14.35 for a pound of sirloin steak. Both record highs. 3 simple ways to protect your wealth in 2025 Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) He also appointed South African-American venture capitalist David Sacks as chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The shift toward digital currency — with fewer restrictions from banks and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — has become a defining feature of Trump's 47th presidency. 'You like (cryptocurrency)?' Trump said, upon signing the executive order on January 23, 'We're gonna make a lot of money for the country.' His aggressive pro-crypto stance has reignited the industry. After struggling through disappointing years, Bitcoin surged over 36% between November 6 — when Trump's election win was certified — and December 31. During his 2024 election campaign, Trump positioned himself as a 'pro-Bitcoin' candidate, claiming it 'stands for freedom sovereignty, and independence from government, coercion and control.' He also pledged to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler on his first day in office. Gensler, who had spent years imposing regulatory restrictions and fines on crypto firms like Coinbase and Binance, tendered his resignation on November 21, 2024, after Trump's election victory and officially stepped down on January 20. According to Federal Election Commission data, the crypto community donated over $245 million to Trump's campaign — accounting for more than 50% of all corporate donations. However, Trump wasn't always pro-crypto. In 2021, he dismissed Bitcoin as a 'scam' and preached the U.S. Dollar as the 'currency of the world.' 'I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air,' Trump wrote in a series of posts on X in 2019. He also linked crypto to the rising crime rates during his first term. 'Unregulated crypto assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity,' Trump wrote in another X post. Just a few days before taking office, Trump launched a meme coin called $TRUMP, while First Lady Melania Trump followed with her own, $MELANIA. The president's cryptocurrency skyrocketed, climbing from roughly $6.50 to $73 in just two days. Meanwhile, $MELANIA rose by nearly 40% to $13 before correcting to $2.30. The Trump family's net worth increased by billions following the meme coin launches, but the move hasn't gone without criticism. 'We write with deep concern about the decision by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to launch two meme coins, $TRUMP and $MELANIA, that allow them to earn extraordinary profits off his Presidency,' said Congressional Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Jake Auchincloss in a letter to multiple regulators. Read more: 82% of Americans are missing out on a savings account that pays over 10 times the national average Trump has touted his 47th presidency as a 'golden age for America,' and the cryptocurrency industry stands to benefit. 'The reign of terror against crypto is over,' said Sacks, the newly appointed AI and crypto czar, at the Crypto Ball in New York on January 17, 'The beginning of innovation in America for crypto has just begun.' Bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time since December 2024, hitting an all-time high of over $109,000 on Trump's inauguration day. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, predicts this momentum will continue through 2025, with Bitcoin potentially surpassing $200,000 by year-end. However, investing in crypto comes with risks. Bitcoin has already pulled back by over 3% in the past week as initial enthusiasm around Trump's presidency fades. 'Investors should also recognize that volatility can work in both directions: while it presents the possibility of substantial upside gains, it equally entails the risk of significant losses,' said Dovile Silenskyte, Director of Digital Assets Research at WisdomTree Investments. To mitigate risk, consider diversifying your investments. Allocating a portion of your total portfolio to tried-and-true assets can help reduce exposure to crypto volatility. Gold, for example, has long been a hedge against inflation and stock market downturns. With geopolitical tensions rising, analysts at JPMorgan predict gold prices could reach $3,000 in 2025. A gold IRA can help diversify your portfolio while offering tax benefits. Real estate is another way to hedge against market risks while building wealth. As commercial real estate makes a comeback, investing in grocery-anchored properties could provide a stable passive income stream amid uncertainty. Self-made $500M mogul Ben Mallah reveals his 'essential' US portfolio that he says Amazon 'can't hurt' — here's his secret formula and how you can copy it in 2025 I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump goes all-in on crypto: Bitcoin soars as new policies shake up the industry
Donald Trump has wasted no time making cryptocurrency a centerpiece of his presidency. During his campaign, Trump vowed to make America the crypto capital of the world, and since taking office on January 20, he has made good on that promise. One of his first major actions in office was signing an executive order to establish an internal working group dedicated to advancing cryptocurrency adoption. Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead One dozen eggs in America now costs $4.15 — and $14.35 for a pound of sirloin steak. Both record highs. 3 simple ways to protect your wealth in 2025 Home prices in America could fly through the roof in 2025 — here's the big reason why and how to take full advantage (with as little as $10) He also appointed South African-American venture capitalist David Sacks as chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The shift toward digital currency — with fewer restrictions from banks and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — has become a defining feature of Trump's 47th presidency. 'You like (cryptocurrency)?' Trump said, upon signing the executive order on January 23, 'We're gonna make a lot of money for the country.' His aggressive pro-crypto stance has reignited the industry. After struggling through disappointing years, Bitcoin surged over 36% between November 6 — when Trump's election win was certified — and December 31. During his 2024 election campaign, Trump positioned himself as a 'pro-Bitcoin' candidate, claiming it 'stands for freedom sovereignty, and independence from government, coercion and control.' He also pledged to fire SEC Chair Gary Gensler on his first day in office. Gensler, who had spent years imposing regulatory restrictions and fines on crypto firms like Coinbase and Binance, tendered his resignation on November 21, 2024, after Trump's election victory and officially stepped down on January 20. According to Federal Election Commission data, the crypto community donated over $245 million to Trump's campaign — accounting for more than 50% of all corporate donations. However, Trump wasn't always pro-crypto. In 2021, he dismissed Bitcoin as a 'scam' and preached the U.S. Dollar as the 'currency of the world.' 'I am not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air,' Trump wrote in a series of posts on X in 2019. He also linked crypto to the rising crime rates during his first term. 'Unregulated crypto assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity,' Trump wrote in another X post. Just a few days before taking office, Trump launched a meme coin called $TRUMP, while First Lady Melania Trump followed with her own, $MELANIA. The president's cryptocurrency skyrocketed, climbing from roughly $6.50 to $73 in just two days. Meanwhile, $MELANIA rose by nearly 40% to $13 before correcting to $2.30. The Trump family's net worth increased by billions following the meme coin launches, but the move hasn't gone without criticism. 'We write with deep concern about the decision by President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to launch two meme coins, $TRUMP and $MELANIA, that allow them to earn extraordinary profits off his Presidency,' said Congressional Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Jake Auchincloss in a letter to multiple regulators. Read more: 82% of Americans are missing out on a savings account that pays over 10 times the national average Trump has touted his 47th presidency as a 'golden age for America,' and the cryptocurrency industry stands to benefit. 'The reign of terror against crypto is over,' said Sacks, the newly appointed AI and crypto czar, at the Crypto Ball in New York on January 17, 'The beginning of innovation in America for crypto has just begun.' Bitcoin crossed $100,000 for the first time since December 2024, hitting an all-time high of over $109,000 on Trump's inauguration day. Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, predicts this momentum will continue through 2025, with Bitcoin potentially surpassing $200,000 by year-end. However, investing in crypto comes with risks. Bitcoin has already pulled back by over 3% in the past week as initial enthusiasm around Trump's presidency fades. 'Investors should also recognize that volatility can work in both directions: while it presents the possibility of substantial upside gains, it equally entails the risk of significant losses,' said Dovile Silenskyte, Director of Digital Assets Research at WisdomTree Investments. To mitigate risk, consider diversifying your investments. Allocating a portion of your total portfolio to tried-and-true assets can help reduce exposure to crypto volatility. Gold, for example, has long been a hedge against inflation and stock market downturns. With geopolitical tensions rising, analysts at JPMorgan predict gold prices could reach $3,000 in 2025. A gold IRA can help diversify your portfolio while offering tax benefits. Real estate is another way to hedge against market risks while building wealth. As commercial real estate makes a comeback, investing in grocery-anchored properties could provide a stable passive income stream amid uncertainty. Self-made $500M mogul Ben Mallah reveals his 'essential' US portfolio that he says Amazon 'can't hurt' — here's his secret formula and how you can copy it in 2025 I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Jamie Dimon issues a warning about the US stock market — says prices are 'kind of inflated.' Crashproof your portfolio with these 3 rock-solid strategies This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
