Fernando Alonso Quizzed On Taylor Swift Rumours: ‘I Knew You Were Trouble!’ – Fernando Alonso has been asked about the online rumour suggesting he and pop music superstar Taylor Swift are dating, which he was quick to brush aside, saying he was “just focused on Baku and racing” this weekend. [planetf1]

$2B Powerball Winner Edwin Castro Spotted Gleefully Cashing Out At bank – The California resident who became an overnight millionaire after winning the $2 billion Powerball prize flashed a wide grin as he was spotted dipping into his large fortune on Wednesday. [nypost]

WATCH | Can Jack Dorsey’s Bluesky App Take On Twitter? – Bloomberg discusses how Twitter users are exploring the Jack Dorsey-backed app Bluesky as a possible alternative to the social media network. [news24]

De Ruyter Refuses To Name Corrupt Politicians Due To ‘Possible Repercussions’ – Former CEO André de Ruyter appeared virtually before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts with regard to his allegations of corruption at Eskom. [capetalk]

US Funded Research To Create ‘Mutant Viruses’ At Wuhan Lab Ahead Of COVID-19, Records Show – EcoHealth Alliance, which worked with Wuhan Institute of Virology, insists COVID-19 did not originate from lab. [fox]

Ukraine war: Deaths reported as Russian missiles hit cities – Russian air strikes have hit cities across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv, killing at least five people. [bbc]

Freedom Day: Ramaphosa Announces R2 Trillion to Create Jobs For Unemployed Youth – President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to improve governance and service delivery in South Africa – 29 years into democracy. [ewn]