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While you were sleeping: 4 August 2017

While you were sleeping: 4 August 2017

The Gathering peers into South Africa's political entrails, Grand Jury appointed for Trump-Russia connection, and Rwanda heads to the polls.

TGIF, 4 August 2017

“We are experiencing a reality based on a thin veneer of lies and illusions. A world where greed is our God and wisdom is sin, where division is key and unity is fantasy, where the ego-driven cleverness of the mind is praised, rather than the intelligence of the heart.”
Bill Hicks

 
 
 

ANC MPs have political consciousness and most will do what’s best for the party and country, Daily Maverick’s The Gathering: Media Edition heard on Thursday. But don’t get ahead of yourself. That doesn’t mean enough ANC MPs will vote to boot Zuma out of power on Tuesday. 

 
 
 

The Gathering ends with a bang

Yesterday’s #NandosDMTheGathering started with a bang – the ignomonious departure of BLF’s “broke” leadership in a loaned luxury German vehicle , but proceeded on to some heavy and far more pertinent topics. The broader problem of fake news, of which BLF form a cog within, how state capture should be uncaptured, and finally, Pravin Gordhan’s words of wisdom on what to do about it all. There is a lot to see, but all of it should be read with your morning coffee.

 

Rwanda set to go to polls

Rwanda is expected to vote President Paul Kagame in for a controversial third term today. With 98% supporting the term amendment in a constitutional referendum earlier, the odds are certainly in his favour. Opposition leaders have complained of intimidation, suppression of the media, and a general air of unfairness. In Rwanda, however, this appeared to do nothing to dampen Kagame’s rise.

 

Grand Jury for Trump-Russia probe

Special counsel Robert Mueller has convened a Grand Jury to investigate links between the Trumps and Russia during the 2016 election. The move allows Mueller the ability to subpoena documents and gain a solid level of information over the links – or lack thereof – between House Trump and House Putin. Whether President Trump will pre-empt such truth-finding by firing Mueller, however, is a distinct possibility.

 

Australia plane plot directed by IS

Australian authorities have revealed what they believe to have been a plot by Islamic State that directed the attempted bombing of an outbound flight. Khaled Khayat and Mahmoud Khayat are believed to have planned to build a second toxic gas bomb aimed at bringing down an Etihad Airways flight from Sydney, all of which had been directed by IS. With a third suspect about to be charged in addition, the plot is definitely thickening.

 
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IN NUMBERS

389

The dive speed of a Peregrine Falcon, as measured by the National Geographic.

 

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 2007 Nasa launches its Phoenix spacecraft.

Bumblebees can fly higher than Mount Everest.

 
 

 

FEATURED ARTICLES

OPINIONISTAS

The Other News Round-Up: Blatant Lies First

A column by MARELISE VAN DER MERWE

 

Captured states, captured imaginations

A column by JOEL MODIRI

 
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Weather
BFN: min: 8° max 23°, cloudy
CPT: min: 10° max: 17°,  cloudy
DBN: min: 13° max: 22°, sunny
EL: min: 14° max: 21°, rainy
JHB: min: 7° max: 18°, sunny
KIM: min: 8° max: 24°, sunny
NLP: min: 9° max: 23°, cloudy
MHK: min: 9° max: 23°, cloudy
PMB: min: 6° max: 26°, cloudy
PE: min: 6° max: 18°, rainy
PTA: min: 9° max: 21°, sunny

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