Story of the Day
Supra Mahumapelo’s fightback aims to tear the province, and the ANC, apart
By Qaanitah Hunter
It is often said that a day can be a lifetime in politics. It couldn’t be any truer for the 24 hours that saw North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo go from confirming he would soon resign, to his office stating on record a day later that he has actually gone on leave.
While You Were Sleeping
Iran fires missiles at Israeli positions
Israeli troops stationed on the Golan Heights were hit with a barrage of missiles fired from what appeared to be Iranian forces. The attack, if true, is the first such deliberate action against Israel by Iran, and severely escalates bilateral tensions. Israel, in turn, launched strikes against Iranian forces stationed in Syria.
Three US detainees freed from North Korea
In the run-up to North Korea’s historic meeting with President Donald Trump, Pyongyang released three American prisoners on Wednesday night. Agricultural expert Kim Hak-song and former professor Tony Kim, along with Kim Dong-chul, a pastor, were all released into US Air Force custody, to be repatriated home. President Trump praised the move by North Korea, indicating that it would positively impact on upcoming talks. Much like in Iran, it appears as though the United States is marching firmly to the beat of their adversary’s drum.
Malaysia elects oldest leader in world
In what could be a how-to guide for Julius Malema, Malaysian elections have voted in 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamad. Mohamad had governed the country previously for over two decades, ruling with an iron fist until going to war with his own ruling party. Mohamad, running with a coalition of allied opposition parties that he once opposed, surged to victory. Looking quite spritely for someone in their 90s, Mohamad will now be trading the retirement loafers for appropriate business attire once more.
California to require solar power on new houses
By 2020, those building new houses in California will be required to have solar panels installed on them. The is a first for any American state and would contribute greatly to California’s aim of achieving 50% renewable energy on its grid by 2030. Critics, however, warned that the move could add at least $10,000 to the cost of a new home, in a state that is already suffering a major housing crisis.
In Numbers
0.05%
The percentage of the sun’s mass that has been lost over its 4.5-billion year lifespan.
Facts of the Day
Today in 1994 Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa’s first democratically-elected president.
Almost 163,000 pints of Guinness are wasted annually due to moustaches.
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