South Africa, World
While you were sleeping: 24 March 2017
Trump in do-or-die healthcare bid, massive diamond discovered, and Gorillaz to drop new album.
TGIF, 24 March 2017
“People who cannot find time for recreation are sooner or later to find time for illness.”
John Wanamaker
STORY OF THE DAY
A cry from the wilderness: Marius Fransman comes out to bat for Andile Lungisa
By MARIANNE THAMM
As Thursday’s deadline for the ANC’s newly elected Nelson Mandela Bay chair Andile Lungisa to step down came and went, suspended Western Cape ANC Chair, Marius Fransman, emerged from the political wilderness to bat for President Jacob Zuma’s anointed one. There is no love lost between Fransman and ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe. On Thursday Fransman lashed out at Mantashe, accusing him of threatening Lungisa and abusing the ANC’s constitution. Lungisa, said Fransman, is a “visionary”.
Trump’s final attempt at killing Obamacare
President Donald Trump has laid an ultimatum before his party: Republicans either repeal Obamacare on Friday and run with whatever policy they have at present, or he leaves the whole thing alone. Republicans postponed a vote on repealing Obamacare after the realisation that they simply did not have the votes. “Making a better policy” apparently is not an option for the seasoned dealmaking president.
Westminster attacker identified
The man behind the Westminster attack had been revealed as 52-year-old former convict Khalid Masood. Masood, a British national, lived in Kent and had been described as a nice man. Despite a history of violence-related convictions, Masood showed no apparent tendency towards extremism.
Pastor unearths earthly wealth
Evangelical preacher Emmanuel Momoh in Sierra Leone has uncovered a massive diamond from his small stakes claim. Weighing in at 709 carats, it is believed to be in the top 15 of the world’s largest diamonds ever found. Momoh declined to avoid tax by smuggling the diamond out, opting to hand it over to the government instead. Regardless, the impoverished preacher should make a tidy sum from the rock.
Cartoonified group Gorillaz have announced a new album. Blending their music with a sci-fi/fantasy teaser video, the new album “
IN NUMBERS
4
The number, in millions of square miles, of fertile land that cannot be used for animals due to tsetse flies killing them.
FACTS OF THE DAY
Today in 2013 was the final day of the Battle of Bangui. A series of running fights saw 200 South African soldiers successfully fend off thousands of Seleka rebels.
Dogs look at you while doing their “business” because they feel most vulnerable at that specific point. As do we all, dogs. As do we all.
FEATURED ARTICLES
OPINIONISTAS
The Other News Round-Up: Loneliness, the ‘horror not to be surveyed’
A column by MARELISE VAN DER MERWE
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