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South Africa

While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016

Top Hezbollah commander dead in Syria, Obamacare dealt a blow, and Eurovision 2016 tweaks itself.
While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016
John Stupart
By John Stupart
13 May 2016
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TGIF, 13th May
 
“I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.” 
– Mae West
 

Story of the Day

Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum 

If people like ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Deputy Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe are to be believed, South Africa’s misfortune is being plotted in faraway capitals and being executed here by citizens who are highly paid agents. It seems to be a preferable story to tell rather than to accept that South Africa is caught in a vortex of really bad political leadership that is continuously triggering social and economic turbulence. But why tell the truth and let Hollywood have all the fun producing make-believe political thrillers? By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Hezbollah commander dead

The terrorist organisation has announced the death of key leader. Mustafa Badreddine has been reported as having died in Syria, with little further information indicating how this happened. Badreddine was one the five accused of the assassination of Rafic Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon. Given Badreddine's line of work, and the fact that he died Syria, his could well have been a violent end. Read More

Obamacare dealt a blow

Just months before President Barack Obama is set to leave the White House, his flagship policy, Obamacare, was struck a major blow. A federal judge has ruled that at least two provisions in the healthcare policy violate the US constitution. While welcome news to Republicans, this is likely a devastating blow for the thousands of Americans who have enjoyed the benefits of Obamacare thus far. Read more

Trump's butler calls for Obama's death

The Orange Menace's former butler has been exposed as having ranted on social media about killing the president. Calling President Barack Obama "infested scum" who should be "hung for treason" were among the tamer of 84-year-old Anthony Senecal's comments. This was astounding both in that Donald Trump had a butler, and that an 84-year-old knew how to use social media. Read more

Sweden all set for Eurovision

Eurovision 2016 will launch this Saturday with a few important changes. The flags of Palestine, Kosovo and Spain's Basque region have all been forbidden in an attempt to depoliticise the contest, which sees several healthy inter-European rivalries going on. In addition, a panel of judges will help defuse the emotionally charged viewer-based voting system. Read more
 

In Numbers

8

The number of languages spoken by Nikola Tesla.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1943 German Afrika Korps and Italian troops surrendered fully to the Allies.

Fact of the day: There are no veterans of World War l alive today.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 11° max: 21°, rainy
CPT: min: 12° max: 20°, cloudy
DBN: min: 19° max: 28°, cloudy
EL: min: 19° max: 26°, cloudy
JHB: min: 9° max: 25°, cloudy
KIM: min: 12° max: 18°, rainy
NLP: min: 8° max: 27°, sunny
PMB: min: 10° max: 27°, cloudy
PKN: min: 10° max: 26°, sunny
PE: min: 16° max: 23°, cloudy
PTA: min: 12° max: 26°, sunny

Oil=$47.74
Gold=$1,270.55
Platinum=$1,051.75
R/$=15.03
R/€=17.11
R/£=21.73
$/€=1.14
JSE All Share=51,458.48
DJIA=17,737.93
FTSE 100=6,104.19
Source

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