Zoomic Media

17/02/2025

*𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26
Making the leap from employee to employer is no small feat. It’s a big step. You’ve invested money, time, and energy into your new venture. Everything is riding on its success. In recent years, we’ve seen big conglomerates and small businesses alike have closed their doors. We’ve also seen new businesses start up, find their place in the marketplace, and not just survive, but thrive. So, if you’re looking for the best tips to get your business off the ground, keep reading.

Tips to Launch Your Business
*Plan*

A solid business plan is the first place to start. If you fail to plan; you plan to fail. Read as much as you can about your industry, competition, the markets, your target group, pitfalls to avoid and everything you can get your hands on. Analyse the risks and rewards of every decision. Develop strategies and put into place solutions to common problems you’ll likely encounter. This doesn’t mean you’ll use them all. It’s like insurance, you don’t like to pay for it, but it’s good to know you have it if you ever need it. When you have everything in place, should situations arise, you already know what to do and won’t lose time in figuring out how to solve problems.

*Get Organised*

Chances are that you’ll be juggling many balls, needing to complete many tasks, and managing a lot of things that need to get done. Failure to organise yourself and keep accurate details of everything could result in things falling through the cracks and jeopardising your business success. Invest in software tools to help you keep on track. Record keeping will help ensure you always know where you stand, and the potential challenges and give you time to develop strategies to overcome these before they sink your ship.

*Start Lean*

Your big business dream of occupying space in that office block or street is valid. But the time for it will come. Now is not the time to splurge on luxurious furnishing and a decked-out office space. Cut unnecessary spending and redirect those funds to marketing and getting your brand name out there. Start off lean and set yourself on a solid platform to accelerate as your business grows.

*Create Value*

Billionaire Richard Branson said, “To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.” And he’s right. There are 100s of businesses selling products or services. They aren’t wrong. But you can set yourself apart by listening to what customers’ biggest issues and needs are and providing them with a solution – at a profit.

*Be Consistent*

Consistency is key. Day in. day out. This helps you create long-term habits that will make you successful. When you’re consistent, your customers will know what they’ll get from you. From a business owner’s point of view, when you know what is needed on any given day, you’ll reduce your risk of missing something.

With these in place, the next steps to take to go to the next level is one of the most important in any business. Marketing.

Ways To Market Your Business With A Limited Budget
Marketing is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects of a successful business strategy. An unlimited budget is nice to have but is not always possible for a start-up. The good news is there are ways and means to market your business successfully with little to no spending.

*Word-Of-Mouth*

This is undeniably the cheapest marketing tool ever created. It requires no spending, but the results will reflect in your bottom line. To do this, you need to ensure you satisfy your customers and clientele. When they are happy, they are bound to spread the word and get you free publicity and therefore more feet through your door. Commit to them and their needs. And if you encounter an adverse situation, working with them to find a solution and – excellent service will be your best advocate.

*Connect*(

It’s difficult to do business without going out there and creating awareness for your brand and company. This requires connecting with other businesses, attending networking events, seminars, fairs, trade shows, and other opportunities to network and introduce your brand to potential clients.

*Go Online*

We’re living in the digital age. No matter what business you’re in, you’d place yourself at an advantage by using suitable digital media platforms to meet, attract and engage with your target market. Research which platform will best suit your business, create profiles, and begin connecting with people online.

Create valuable content. Be mindful of what you share on social platforms. Don’t like, share, comment, or retweet for the sake of it. Everything you say or do says a lot about your company so share worthwhile, interesting, and informative content with your audience that they can react to/engage with and share.

*Educate Yourself*

To stay in the business, you need to stay on top of your game and know all there is to know about your business, trends, and customers. This knowledge will not only make you interesting to talk to at work-related events but can be eye-opening and informative for your customers when you share what you know. Online education platforms like Alison mean you can learn just about anything without breaking the bank, and on your own time.

Take your education a step further and educate others. Put yourself forward as a thought industry leader by doing guest blog articles, interviews, being a speaker at events or webinars and others. These will make people begin to identify with you and your brand and consider you as an industry leader.

*Upskill Yourself*
Starting a business is not a simple thing. Keeping your business running is a daunting task. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses and understand which areas you may need to upskill in. Take our Workplace Assessment below to determine your workplace personality and our recommended courses to boost your skills.

With the right motivation, knowledge, support, team, and attention to detail, you can launch your business and see it soar.

-------

*
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26
Making the leap from employee to employer is no small feat. It’s a big step. You’ve invested money, time, and energy into your new venture. Everything is riding on its success. In recent years, we’ve seen big conglomerates and small businesses alike have closed their doors. We’ve also seen new businesses start up, find their place in the marketplace, and not just survive, but thrive. So, if you’re looking for the best tips to get your business off the ground, keep reading.

Tips to Launch Your Business
*Plan*

A solid business plan is the first place to start. If you fail to plan; you plan to fail. Read as much as you can about your industry, competition, the markets, your target group, pitfalls to avoid and everything you can get your hands on. Analyse the risks and rewards of every decision. Develop strategies and put into place solutions to common problems you’ll likely encounter. This doesn’t mean you’ll use them all. It’s like insurance, you don’t like to pay for it, but it’s good to know you have it if you ever need it. When you have everything in place, should situations arise, you already know what to do and won’t lose time in figuring out how to solve problems.

*Get Organised*

Chances are that you’ll be juggling many balls, needing to complete many tasks, and managing a lot of things that need to get done. Failure to organise yourself and keep accurate details of everything could result in things falling through the cracks and jeopardising your business success. Invest in software tools to help you keep on track. Record keeping will help ensure you always know where you stand, and the potential challenges and give you time to develop strategies to overcome these before they sink your ship.

*Start Lean*

Your big business dream of occupying space in that office block or street is valid. But the time for it will come. Now is not the time to splurge on luxurious furnishing and a decked-out office space. Cut unnecessary spending and redirect those funds to marketing and getting your brand name out there. Start off lean and set yourself on a solid platform to accelerate as your business grows.

*Create Value*

Billionaire Richard Branson said, “To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.” And he’s right. There are 100s of businesses selling products or services. They aren’t wrong. But you can set yourself apart by listening to what customers’ biggest issues and needs are and providing them with a solution – at a profit.

*Be Consistent*

Consistency is key. Day in. day out. This helps you create long-term habits that will make you successful. When you’re consistent, your customers will know what they’ll get from you. From a business owner’s point of view, when you know what is needed on any given day, you’ll reduce your risk of missing something.

With these in place, the next steps to take to go to the next level is one of the most important in any business. Marketing.

Ways To Market Your Business With A Limited Budget
Marketing is undoubtedly one of the most critical aspects of a successful business strategy. An unlimited budget is nice to have but is not always possible for a start-up. The good news is there are ways and means to market your business successfully with little to no spending.

*Word-Of-Mouth*

This is undeniably the cheapest marketing tool ever created. It requires no spending, but the results will reflect in your bottom line. To do this, you need to ensure you satisfy your customers and clientele. When they are happy, they are bound to spread the word and get you free publicity and therefore more feet through your door. Commit to them and their needs. And if you encounter an adverse situation, working with them to find a solution and – excellent service will be your best advocate.

*Connect*

It’s difficult to do business without going out there and creating awareness for your brand and company. This requires connecting with other businesses, attending networking events, seminars, fairs, trade shows, and other opportunities to network and introduce your brand to potential clients.

*Go Online*

We’re living in the digital age. No matter what business you’re in, you’d place yourself at an advantage by using suitable digital media platforms to meet, attract and engage with your target market. Research which platform will best suit your business, create profiles, and begin connecting with people online.

Create valuable content. Be mindful of what you share on social platforms. Don’t like, share, comment, or retweet for the sake of it. Everything you say or do says a lot about your company so share worthwhile, interesting, and informative content with your audience that they can react to/engage with and share.

*Educate Yourself*

To stay in the business, you need to stay on top of your game and know all there is to know about your business, trends, and customers. This knowledge will not only make you interesting to talk to at work-related events but can be eye-opening and informative for your customers when you share what you know. Online education platforms like Alison mean you can learn just about anything without breaking the bank, and on your own time.

Take your education a step further and educate others. Put yourself forward as a thought industry leader by doing guest blog articles, interviews, being a speaker at events or webinars and others. These will make people begin to identify with you and your brand and consider you as an industry leader.

*Upskill Yourself*
Starting a business is not a simple thing. Keeping your business running is a daunting task. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses and understand which areas you may need to upskill in. Take our Workplace Assessment below to determine your workplace personality and our recommended courses to boost your skills.

With the right motivation, knowledge, support, team, and attention to detail, you can launch your business and see it soar.

-------

05/02/2025

𝗖𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘆𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗦$𝟮𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗭𝗜𝗙𝗔'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘄𝗶𝘇𝗶
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26
Prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo has made headlines again with a grand gesture in support of the newly elected Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president, Nqobile Magwizi. Chivayo has donated a brand-new 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, valued at over US$200,000, as a token of his commitment to Zimbabwean football development. The luxury vehicle is expected to be delivered to Magwizi in the coming days.

Chivayo, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and involvement in various philanthropic initiatives, said the donation is part of his efforts to support the revitalization of Zimbabwean football under Magwizi's leadership.

"This is my contribution to ensuring that the ZIFA president has the resources and mobility needed to effectively lead football administration in the country. I believe in Magwizi's vision and his potential to transform the game," Chivayo said in a statement.

Magwizi, who was elected ZIFA president last month, has expressed his plans to reform football structures in Zimbabwe, strengthen grassroots development, and improve the national team's performance on the international stage. The donation is expected to bolster his ability to carry out his duties with greater efficiency.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, renowned for its durability and luxury, is a symbol of Chivayo's confidence in Magwizi's leadership. Football analysts view the gesture as a vote of confidence in the new ZIFA executive, which has promised transparency and accountability after years of administrative challenges.

However, the donation has also sparked mixed reactions within the football community. While some have praised Chivayo for his generosity, others have raised concerns about potential undue influence on the ZIFA leadership.

Chivayo has long been associated with Zimbabwean football and has previously made significant financial contributions to the sport. His support is seen by some as a lifeline for ZIFA, which has faced financial difficulties in recent years.

As Magwizi takes the reins at ZIFA, the spotlight will now be on his administration's ability to deliver on its promises and rebuild confidence in the association. The donation marks the beginning of what many hope will be a new era for football in Zimbabwe.
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B24

01/02/2025

*𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗗𝗥 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼 𝗮𝘀 𝗨𝗡 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱*
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakN1c7LY6d0qMEEZf44
Rwanda-backed rebels are quickly expanding their presence in eastern DR Congo after capturing Goma, the region's major city, the U.N. said on Friday.

The UN also expressed concerns over executions it learned were carried out by the rebels which came after a major escalation of their years-long rebellion in the mineral-rich region.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the World Health Organisation and its partners conducted an assessment with DR Congo’s government between Jan. 26-30 “and report that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured” in Goma and the vicinity.
“These numbers are expected to rise as more information becomes available,” he said.

The rebels were now about 60 kilometres from South Kivu's provincial capital of Buakavu and “seem to be moving quite fast,” U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said at a press briefing on Friday. M23 has captured several towns after seizing neighbouring Goma, a humanitarian hub critical for many of the six million people displaced by the conflict.
The central African nation’s military has been weakened after it lost hundreds of personnel and foreign mercenaries surrendered to the rebels after the fall of Goma.

Goma's capture has brought humanitarian operations to “a standstill, cutting off a vital lifeline for aid delivery across eastern (DR Congo)," said Rose Tchwenko, country director for Mercy Corps aid group in DR Congo. “The escalation of violence toward Bukavu raises fears of even greater displacement, while the breakdown of humanitarian access is leaving entire communities stranded without support."

The Southern African regional bloc, of which DR Congo is a member, resolved on Friday to maintain its peacekeeping force deployed in eastern DR Congo in 2023. The group's chairman, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa, called for “bold” and "decisive steps” to boost the force’s capacity. At their meeting in Zimbabwe's capital Harare, the 16-nation bloc also pledged to work towards a ceasefire.

At the United Nations, France circulated a draft Security Council resolution to all 15 members on Friday urging a halt to the current offensive in eastern DR Congo, the withdrawal of “foreign elements,” and a resumption of talks to achieve a cessation of hostilities, France’s U.N. Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere said. He expressed hope it can be adopted soon.

The M23 group is the most potent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control in Congo’s mineral-rich east, which holds vast deposits critical to much of the world’s technology. They are backed by around 4,000 troops from neighbouring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, far more than in 2012 when they first captured Goma for days in a conflict driven by ethnic grievances.

Observers say that unlike the rebels' first takeover in DR Congo, their withdrawal could be more difficult now.

The rebels have been emboldened by Rwanda, which feels Congo is ignoring its interests in the region and failed to meet demands of previous peace agreements, according to Murithi Mutiga, programme director for Africa at the Crisis Group think tank. “Ultimately, this is a failure of African mediation - the warning signs were always there," said Mutiga.

U.N. human rights office spokesman Jeremy Laurence spoke at a briefing on Friday about the worsening human rights crisis in the aftermath of the rebellion, including bomb strikes on at least two internally displaced persons camps that killed an unspecified number of people.

“We have also documented summary executions of at least 12 people by M23 from Jan. 26-28," Laurence said, adding that the group has also occupied schools and hospitals in the province and are subjecting civilians to forced conscription and forced labour.

Congolese forces have also been accused of sexual violence as fighting rages on in the region, Laurence said.

“We are verifying reports that 52 women were r***d by Congolese troops in South Kivu, including alleged reports of gang rape,” he said.
An attack by the rebels in Kalehe territory, about 140 kilometres from the South Kivu provincial capital, on Thursday was repelled by security forces, said Lt. Gen. Pacifique Masunzu, who commands a key military defence zone in South Kivu.

Congolese military bases in Bukavu were being emptied on Thursday to reinforce those along the way to the provincial capital, residents have told The Associated Press.

Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, said the United Nations has about 1,200 international and national staff and dependents in Bukavu. “We’re moving some people out of there as a precaution,” he said.

Hundreds of young people on Friday registered as volunteers to join military training in the provincial capital, according to Gabriel Kasanji, a local administrative officer. This follows Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s call on Thursday for a mass military mobilisation.

As he took office on Friday as the new governor of North Kivu, which includes Goma, Maj. Gen. Somo Kakule Evariste vowed to “move as soon as possible” to Goma to restore government control.

“This is not the time for speeches,” the general said. “The flame of resistance will never be extinguished.”

In Goma, U.N. peacekeeping chief Lacroix said “the situation remains tense and volatile, with occasional shooting continuing within the city.”

Overall, calm is gradually being restored and water and electricity have been restored in much of Goma, but the airport remains closed and the runway unusable, he said.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in the city, known as MONUSCO, continues to grapple with unexploded ordnance that is “a very serious obstacle to freedom of movement,” Lacroix said.

“We are going to struggle until we restore democracy,” said Corneille Nangaa, one of the political leaders of M23. “From a failed state to a modern state."
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31/01/2025

31/01/2025

𝗭𝗶𝗽𝗿𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻 𝗘𝗗’𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26
By PETER DUBE | Newsday
https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200037645/zipra-war-vets-condemn-eds-term-extension
Zanu PF has been agitating to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office by two years to 2030 against the constitutional mandate of two terms.
ZIMBABWE People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) war veterans have added their voice to the outcry over the proposed presidential term extension by a ruling Zanu PF party faction describing the proposal as grossly “unconstitutional”.

Zanu PF has been agitating to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term in office by two years to 2030 against the constitutional mandate of two terms.

The Zanu PF national people’s conference held in Bulawayo in October last year endorsed a resolution to extend the term limit, with Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi saying government was moving towards moving a constitutional amendment to effect it.

However, Mnangagwa, who turns 83 this year, has said he does not intend to stay in office beyond 2028, adding that he will go and rest.

Despite that, the Zanu PF leader has not denounced the 2030 agenda.

Addressing journalists in Bulawayo yesterday, Zipra national spokesperson Buster Magwizi warned Zanu PF functionaries pushing the agenda saying the Constitution should be adhered to for the benefit of the nation.

“We have witnessed a section of some politicians moving the motion to extend the presidential term despite concerns from the public,” he said.

Magwizi said there was a problem of several individuals who are being rewarded for supporting the extension of the presidential term.

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“There (is money) and vehicles being dished out to those bootlicking corrupt individuals for the aim of extending the presidential term for their own benefit,” he said.

He said war veterans were living in misery without benefiting for liberating the nation.

“We did not fight for the benefit of a certain section of individuals or politicians, but for the benefit of the nation, but a small section of society is benefiting at the expense of the whole population,” Magwizi said.

“As war veterans, we are worried about the economy due to corruption. At the moment, the citizens are suffering due to the bad economy and we as war veterans, our welfare has not been taken care off.”

His deputy Joachim Moyo weighed in calling on Mnangagwa to uphold the Constitution.

“We are worried that the President has failed to punish those who are moving the motion for his term extension,” he said.

“Corruption has moved our nation from being the breadbasket of southern Africa to a basket case, leading to poor standards of living for the citizens as politicians have been looting resources for their own benefit.”

Moyo said government officials should be democratic so that they rule according to the will of the people and not concentrate on lining their own pockets.
Newsday.....

latest news

31/01/2025

*𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵: 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝟭𝟵 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱 – 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄*

https://chat.whatsapp.com/JuCIubgOuJg7F6II7ObGzg

At least 19 people have been killed, but the majority are thought to be dead, after an American Airlines commercial flight collided with a Black Hawk military helicopter. The horrific scene took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, just a short walk from the Pentagon in Washington DC.

It is thought that the Black Hawk helicopter was on training at the time when it crashed into American Airlines Flight 5342 being operated by PSA Airlines.

Three soldiers were on board the helicopter at the time – no deaths have been confirmed at this time, but it has been confirmed that no “senior military leaders” were on it at the time.

It has been confirmed that the flight from Wichita, Kansas, had 60 passengers and four crew members on board, with Senator Jerry Moran stating: “I know that flight. I've flown it many times myself. It is certainly true that in Kansas and in Wichita in particular, we're going to know people who are on this flight, know their family members, know somebody.
“So this is a very personal circumstance, as well as an official response.”

Most recently, DC Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly said in a Thursday morning news conference: “We are now at a point where we’re switching from a rescue operation to a recovery operation. At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,"

United States President Donald Trump gave a short statement to express his shock at the news, while a video of the moment the crash happened – which was caught on CCTV – quickly went viral on social media.

Here's what we know so far:

What happened
American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a US military Black Hawk helicopter above Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport overnight.

The moment was captured on nearby CCTV and shows the plane almost sliced in two by the helicopter, which has was later confirmed as being on a training exercise.

Air traffic control scanner audio confirms that the plane and helicopter landed in the river nearby, stating: “The accident happened in the river – both the helicopter and the plane crashed in the river."

The airport was immediately closed down and will remain closed until 5am on Friday, and a search and rescue operation is still underway.

Confirmed victims
It has been confirmed that 18 people died, although a search and rescue mission of the nearby river is still underway. There were 60 passengers and four crew onboard the flight, while three soldiers were inside the helicopter – no deaths have been reported by military officials. It has been confirmed by USA Figure Skating that several of those on board were figure skaters, parents and coaches.

A spokesman said: "We are devastated by this unspeakable tragedy and hold the victims’ families closely in our hearts. We will continue to monitor the situation and will release more information as it becomes available"

What has President Donald Trump said
President Trump released a short statement on social media, stating: I have been fully briefed on the terrible accident which just took place at Reagan National Airport. May God Bless their souls. Thank you for the incredible work being done by our first responders. I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

What did President Trump say unofficially
Despite the official statement, Trump took to his own Truth social media site to post his real thoughts.
He wrote: “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!"
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18/12/2024

𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaD22E27YScxhpM8Re26

NASA's two stuck astronauts have been given more bad news as their space mission is extended again and are now not expected back until spring.
NASA has now announced their mission has been pushed back again, as their relief team has been delayed another month, and their expected return would mark ten months since they left Earth.

The next crew of four was supposed to launch in February, followed by Wilmore and Williams' return home at the end of the month alongside two other astronauts.

However, the most recent announcement said that SpaceX needs more time to prepare the brand-new capsule for liftoff and it's now scheduled no earlier than late March.

NASA said that it considered using a different SpaceX capsule to fly up the replacement crew to keep the flights on schedule, but decided they would wait for the new capsule.

Earlier this year, at their 60-day mark, many fans reacted to the horror of the situation on social media and described the delay as 'torture'.
One commenter wrote: 'Stuck in space for 60 days with no known solution is inhumane and torture.

'Why did y'all teams send those astronauts in the first place? Where is the Change.Org petition to bring back the astronauts?'

Another worried commenter wrote: 'Hope they come back alive and tell us about it. Nightmarish. Only happens in movies.'

The scandal-laden Starliner - which was built and developed using over $4 billion of taxpayer money - had been plagued by helium leaks and thruster issues in the weeks leading up to launch, and even on the day of.

The spacecraft safely delivered Williams and Wilmore to the ISS, but by the time it got there, it had sprung more helium leaks and five of its 28 thrusters had failed.
The decision for their delayed return was humiliating for Boeing, which has struggled for years to get their Starliner program off the ground only to be bailed out at the eleventh hour by their biggest competitor.

'We have had so many embarrassments lately, we're under a microscope. This just made it, like, 100 times worse,' one employee anonymously told the New York Post.

'We hate SpaceX,' he added. 'We talk s*** about them all the time, and now they're bailing us out.'

A number of commenters fixated on the rivalry between Boeing and rival company SpaceX founded by Elon Musk.

Both companies are part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program (CCP) but while Boeing's Starliner has been mired in failures SpaceX capsules and rockets are used routinely.

On X, which is also owned by Mr Musk, one commenter wrote: 'Space X needs to go rescue them.'

Another added: 'Elon is going to have to get them isn't he...'

'How much is Elon going to charge for the uber lift home?', another asked jokingly.

NASA prefers to have overlapping crews at the space station for smoother transitions, according to officials.

While Wilmore and Williams are used to long haul missions, typically most missions last six months with only a few reaching a full year. .....