--- title: "While you were sleeping: 25th January 2017" description: "Trump brings back pipe deals, Modi invited to the USA, and coral reefs tend to stay damaged once damaged." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-01-25-while-you-were-sleeping-25th-january-2017/" published: "2017-01-25T05:51:29" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 816 --- # While you were sleeping: 25th January 2017 > Trump brings back pipe deals, Modi invited to the USA, and coral reefs tend to stay damaged once damaged. By John Stupart · Published 25 January 2017, 07:51 SAST ## Content **Wednesday, 25th January 2017** *“Set wide the window. Let me drink the day.”* **Edith Wharton** ![Op-Ed: Independence of Western Sahara is an inalienable right](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/5D/CB2/A54/csimport/849x493q70Marianne-incompetence1.050443.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Op-Ed: Black Ops, paid Twitter, fake news – a real threat to SA’s democracy](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-u/) By MARIANNE THAMM Even with the alleged R50-million the ANC was prepared to pump into an “off the books” campaign aimed at rustling up support for the beleaguered ruling party, coupled with the creation of crude propaganda seeking to discredit opposition parties, the ANC still lost three key metros in last year’s local government election. That’s the problem with political patronage. Paying people to do your dirty work usually attracts incompetents. It is also illegal and criminal. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Pipe dreams for Trump's Tuesday](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-o/) President Donald Trump resurrected two key oil pipeline deals yesterday. The Dakota and Keystone XL pipeline projects were brought back from the dead. Aimed at transporting oil to key locations in North Dakota and the Gulf from Canada respectively, the deal could legitimately see a lot of hazardous, expensive oil off the back of rail freight and piped underground. Environmentalists and President Barack Obama both disagreed, however. [Modi cracks a White House nod](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-b/) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to the White House "this year". The Trump administration reiterated the United States's support and ongoing partnership with India. Although not quite getting the immediate invite - they're no Israel - the Indian invite will certainly help shore up some uncertainty of just where they stand with the new president. — [Damaged coral tends to stay damaged](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-x/) A new study released today has indicated that corals suffering bleaching and other damage tended to remain damaged long after. The study examined damaged coral reef systems dating as far back as 1994 and compared them to their 2014 versions. Although some coral did grow back, the variety of types and the marine ecosystem they sustained were greatly diminished. Score another one for global warming. [Oscar nods avoid last year's controversy](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-m/) Hollywood's critics appeared hushed at the revealing of the 2017 Oscar nominations. Six African-American actors were nominated, including Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. A fresh panel of voting judges, this time including women and minorities, appeared to allay fears of another #OscarsSoWhite controversy. — PICTURE OF THE DAY BY EPA/HARISH TYAGI Indian soldiers sit on camels during the Beating the Retreat ceremony rehearsals in New Delhi, India, 24 January 2017. Beating the Retreat is conducted on 29 January in India, three days after the Republic Day, marking the adoption of the constitution of India and the transition of India from a British colony into a republic on 26 January 1950. ![Image](https://i4.createsend1.com/ei/d/5D/CB2/A54/csimport/h_53274896.193958.jpg) IN NUMBERS 16 The percentage of Lithuanians who are resistant to HIV. FACTS OF THE DAY Today in 2011 the first wave of the**Egyptian revolution**began, chiefly in Cairo and Alexandria. **Popsicles** were originally going to be called "Eppsicles" after their inventor Frank Epperson. 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OPINIONISTAS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70e41a4dfa4a643c00376ac2cc63396bfb.jpg) [A new SABC board must comprise skilled, competent members](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-it/) A column by PIERRE DE VOS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Yonela-Diko-new-photo.jpg) [Let’s talk terms: Can we learn a lesson from George Washington?](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-id/) A column by YONELA DIKO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70rhulani-siweya-for-columnist-profile.jpg) [The Nama people ought to be repatriated](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hrhtjjt-l-ik/) A column by RHULANI THEMBI SIWEYA — **Weather** BFN: min: 19° max: 29°, cloudy CPT: min: 16° max: 27°, sunny DBN: min: 23° max: 26°, AM rain EL: min: 20° max: 28°, PM rain JHB: min: 15° max: 30°, rainy KIM: min: 20° max: 30°, sunny NLP: min: 18° max: 37°, PM rain PMB: 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