Putin Says Trump Is ‘Absolute Leader’ In U.S. Presidential Race – Russian President Vladimir Putin found a moment Thursday during a wide-ranging news conference to offer a strong endorsement of Republican front-runner Donald Trump, calling the billionaire presidential candidate the “absolute leader in the presidential race.” [washpo]

Trump Says ‘Great Honor’ To Get Compliments From ‘Highly Respected’ Putin – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump seems to have a new fan in his corner –- Vladimir Putin — an the real estate mogul thinks it was a “great honor” to get compliments from the Russian leader. [abc]

Zuma’s Grip On Power Is Slipping – Academic Jannie Rossouw says that the president’s abrupt change of tack is evidence that his control of power is not as complete as was thought. [mg]

Coke /SABMiller Deal Gets Approval – SABMiller and Coca-Cola’s proposed deal to combine their operations that mix, bottle and distribute soft drinks in Africa, cleared a major hurdle on Thursday after South Africa’s competition watchdog gave its preliminary approval. [ewn]

Anti-Zuma March ‘Just The Beginning’  – The organisers of the #ZumaMustFall movement said they were pleased at the outcome of the marches on Reconciliation Day this week, but said that it was just the beginning of a push for change. [iol]

Apple CEO Tim Cook Finally Picks His Right-Hand Man – Apple CEO Tim Cook has finally picked a number two, a leader who followed a similar career path and seems tipped to one day be the next CEO of Apple. [mash]

Supermodel Bar Refaeli Investigated Over Tax Evasion In Israel – Authorities question Refaeli over claims she failed to report discounts on luxury goods and other perks subject to tax. [guardian]

IMF Chief Lagarde To Face French Trial Over Tapie Affair – A French court has ordered Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to face trial over her role in a payout of some 400 million euros ($434 million) to businessman Bernard Tapie, her lawyer said on Thursday. [reuters]

South Africa’s MTN To Challenge Nigeria Fine In Court – South Africa’s MTN Group said on Thursday it would challenge in a Lagos court a fine imposed by Nigeria’s telecoms regulator for failing to cut off unregistered users. [reuters]

Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld Step Up Security – Major theme parks are installing metal detectors for the holiday season, reflecting heightened security nationwide following the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif., and other incidents of gun violence. [usat]

Man Charged With Supplying Guns To San Bernardino Shooters – A former neighbor suspected of supplying guns to the married couple who massacred 14 people in San Bernardino, California, was charged on Thursday with conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, the U.S. Justice Department said. [stuff]

Oxford College Considers Removing Rhodes Statue – An Oxford college is considering removing a statue of the 19th Century politician, Cecil Rhodes, in response to a student anti-racism campaign. [bbc]

Get These Headlines Delivered To Your Inbox – Get these Morning Spice headlines delivered to your inbox every morning. Forward the good stuff to your friends and be a hero. Turn it on [here]

Mother Teresa to Be Made a Saint, Report Says – Pope Francis has paved the way for Mother Teresa, the Nobel Prize winning Catholic missionary, to become a saint, according to a new report. [time]

Jose Mourinho Sacked By Chelsea – Chelsea confirm Jose Mourinho’s second spell at the club has come to an end. [tele]

On The Trail Of An ISIS Suicide Bomber – How Turkish police nabbed a suspected ISIS suicide en route to blow up the U.S. consulate. [db]

Urban Legend Of Table Mountain’s Penny’s Cave Busted – As the oldest city in South Africa, Cape Town is home to a number of myths and legends. Some of them true, others are so popular they’ve actually taken on a life of their own and then there are those that need a little bit more investigating. [n24]

Rich Kid Of Instagram Who Spends £15,000 A MONTH (R340k) On Shopping – and is so out of touch she even thinks the average Briton has £5,000 to blow in the shops each month. [dm]

Start 2016 With An Extra R3 Billion In The Bank – You won’t forget this day. Especially if your numbers come through for tomorrow’s $202 million (R3 billion) Powerball jackpot. That’s a lot of money. It’s real and you have a chance of winning it. Get your tickets [here]

Michael Moore: I’m Coming for ‘Big Wuss’ Donald Trump – The Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker discusses his new film Where to Invade Next, gun violence in America, the Sandy Hook anniversary, and his anti-Trump campaign. [db]

N.W.A. to Be Inducted Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame – Gangsta rap pioneers N.W.A. will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [people]

Why Are South African Women Buying ‘Punani Fruit’ For Their Vaginas? – A Chinese dried fruit delicacy is selling like hot cakes in the Free State and it’s not for its taste. [tlive]

‘Downton Abbey’ Actress Michelle Dockery Gives Emotional Speech At Boyfriend John Dineen’s Funeral – “Downton Abbey” actress Michelle Dockery’s boyfriend, John Dineen, died Sunday morning after reportedly battling a rare form of cancer. [huff]

Man Will Be Your Real-Life Elf On The Shelf For $100 An Hour – A Boston area man is taking the holiday Elf on the Shelf tradition to truly disturbing places, offering to be an IRL version of the toy at your events and parties for the low, low price of $100 an hour. [mash]

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DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T TELL YOU..

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Check out our brand new 2oceansvibe Radio site with all the latest Entertainment, Music and Fashion news as well as all our DJ’s info, Schedules, Charts and loads more: 2oceansviberadio.com