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While you were sleeping: 16 May 2017
Trump leaks sensitive ISIS information to Russia, while a Picasso fetches huge sum at auction.
Tuesday, 16 May 2017
“Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.”
L Frank Baum
STORY OF THE DAY
ConCourt considers Secret Ballot: When politics and the law collide
By RANJENI MUNUSAMY
After almost 10 hours of legal arguments, the Constitutional Court reserved judgment on the United Democratic Movement’s application to direct National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete to hold a secret ballot on a motion of no-confidence against President Jacob Zuma. The matter boiled down to Mbete’s discretion to allow a secret ballot. Advocates representing opposition parties argued the secret ballot was required in this matter, while Mbete and Zuma’s advocates conceded it was permissible. As fascinating as the legal arguments were, this case is about politics. Therefore, the courts can only go so far in dealing with South Africa’s big political dilemma: the disastrous Zuma Presidency.
Trump sends messages to Russia with love
Another week, another Trump fiasco. This time President Donald Trump has been accused of leaking classified information on Islamic State to Russia’s Foreign Minister. According to a close US ally, President Trump went “off script” during a meeting with Sergei Lavrov, divulging sensitive information on the terrorist group. If any American media had been invited to the event perhaps someone would have noticed earlier.
Clinton launches anti-Trump campaign
If you thought Hillary Clinton was done, think again. The Democrat’s former Chosen One-who-wasn’t-chosen has launched a new organisation aimed at resisting President Donald Trump. Talking on Twitter on Monday, Clinton quipped: “We’re launching Onwards Together to encourage people to get involved, organise, and even run for office.” Bernie Sanders probably was not invited to join.
Sharapova out the gate swinging
Maria Sharapova has defeated her first opponent at the Rome Masters handily. Sharapova won against Christina McHale 6-4, 6-2 to advance to the second round. In addition, the former world number one will also hear today whether she will receive a wild card entry for Roland Garros.
Picasso fetches millions at auction
Picasso’s portrait of his mistress, Dora Maar, called “Femme assise, robe
IN NUMBERS
100
The IQ limit under which Nobel Laureate William Shockley suggested people be paid to undergo voluntary sterilisation.
FACTS OF THE DAY
Today in 1997 Mobutu Sese Seko fled the then Zaire.
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
FEATURED ARTICLES
Analysis: The lore of the ‘White Widow’, the 7/7 suicide bomber’s wife, Samantha Lewthwaite
BY J OPPERMAN & V KHAN
OPINIONISTAS
Context matters more than Utopia – the economics of South Africa and Venezuela
A column by
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