Newsdeck
While you were sleeping: 13 March 2017
Brexit to formally begin this week, Carlos the Jackal back on trial, and Paris declares war on rats.
Monday, 13 March 2017
“I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.”
Richard Feynman
STORY OF THE DAY
ANC Policy: Old proposals in new wrapping paper, with a dash of perfume
By RANJENI MUNUSAMY
The ANC does a superb job of navel gazing and self-criticism. It seems almost cathartic for the ANC to diagnose its internal problems and society’s growing disenchantment with it. The nine discussion documents released on Sunday in preparation for the ANC’s fifth policy conference in June are largely a rehash of previous policy proposals. But all these, plus some new remedies such as a review of its electoral processes, can only be implemented if adopted at the party’s December national conference. This does not help this year’s messy election campaign that is likely to produce leaders and outcomes the ANC is warning itself against.
Full steam ahead for Brexit announcement
The UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to formally announce her country’s intention to leave the EU this week. Both Houses are expected to arm May with the legislative powers to do so today. In doing so, the UK will be primed to head into utterly unknown waters. Scotland’s leader Nicola Sturgeon, however, is having none of this, hinting that a second independence referendum was “highly likely”.
Carlos the Jackal on trial again
One of France’s original terrorists is going on trial again. This time, the 67-year-old Ilyich Ramirez Sanchez will be going on trial for a bombing of a Parisian shop 40 years ago. He is currently serving two life sentences for the murder of two policemen. His defence attorney is arguing that the entire trial is a waste of time and money given Carlos’ circumstances.
Forget about the Jackal, France has turned its might upon rats. Paris’ mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced $1.6-million in funding to be used to kill or control Paris’ out of control rat populations. The romantic city of lights appears to be infested with rats. In addition to controlling the rodents, Hidalgo wanted to roll out public ashtrays to control rampant littering from cigarette butts in the city.
Federer sails into third round at Indian Wells
Roger Federer has defeated Stephane Robert in a handy 6-2, 6-1 performance to progress to the third round at Indian Wells. The Australian Open champion will next face Steve Johnson, who in turn defeated South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4).
IN NUMBERS
5,000
The dollar amount Bernard Madoff started off with on Wall Street as a trader.
FACTS OF THE DAY
Today in 1940 saw an end to the Russo-Finnish Winter War.
Cats are generally attracted to eating human earwax.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Cricket: Elgar resistance underscores how tough first Test against New Zealand was
BY ANTOINETTE MULLER
OPINIONISTAS
Sassa and JSE’s Project Orion: When a big institution misjudges the difficulty of a task
A column by
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