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South Africa

While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016

Top Hezbollah commander dead in Syria, Obamacare dealt a blow, and Eurovision 2016 tweaks itself.

By John Stupart

13 May 2016

TGIF, 13th May

“I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.”
– Mae West

Story of the Day

Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum

If people like ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Deputy Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe are to be believed, South Africa’s misfortune is being plotted in faraway capitals and being executed here by citizens who are highly paid agents. It seems to be a preferable story to tell rather than to accept that South Africa is caught in a vortex of really bad political leadership that is continuously triggering social and economic turbulence. But why tell the truth and let Hollywood have all the fun producing make-believe political thrillers? By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Hezbollah commander dead

The terrorist organisation has announced the death of key leader. Mustafa Badreddine has been reported as having died in Syria, with little further information indicating how this happened. Badreddine was one the five accused of the assassination of Rafic Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon. Given Badreddine's line of work, and the fact that he died Syria, his could well have been a violent end. Read More

Obamacare dealt a blow

Just months before President Barack Obama is set to leave the White House, his flagship policy, Obamacare, was struck a major blow. A federal judge has ruled that at least two provisions in the healthcare policy violate the US constitution. While welcome news to Republicans, this is likely a devastating blow for the thousands of Americans who have enjoyed the benefits of Obamacare thus far. Read more

Trump's butler calls for Obama's death

The Orange Menace's former butler has been exposed as having ranted on social media about killing the president. Calling President Barack Obama "infested scum" who should be "hung for treason" were among the tamer of 84-year-old Anthony Senecal's comments. This was astounding both in that Donald Trump had a butler, and that an 84-year-old knew how to use social media. Read more

Sweden all set for Eurovision

Eurovision 2016 will launch this Saturday with a few important changes. The flags of Palestine, Kosovo and Spain's Basque region have all been forbidden in an attempt to depoliticise the contest, which sees several healthy inter-European rivalries going on. In addition, a panel of judges will help defuse the emotionally charged viewer-based voting system. Read more

In Numbers

The number of languages spoken by Nikola Tesla.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1943 German Afrika Korps and Italian troops surrendered fully to the Allies.

Fact of the day: There are no veterans of World War l alive today.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 11° max: 21°, rainy
CPT: min: 12° max: 20°, cloudy
DBN: min: 19° max: 28°, cloudy
EL: min: 19° max: 26°, cloudy
JHB: min: 9° max: 25°, cloudy
KIM: min: 12° max: 18°, rainy
NLP: min: 8° max: 27°, sunny
PMB: min: 10° max: 27°, cloudy
PKN: min: 10° max: 26°, sunny
PE: min: 16° max: 23°, cloudy
PTA: min: 12° max: 26°, sunny

Oil=$47.74

Gold=$1,270.55
Platinum=$1,051.75
R/$=15.03
R/€=17.11
R/£=21.73
$/€=1.14
JSE All Share=51,458.48
DJIA=17,737.93
FTSE 100=6,104.19
Source

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FEATURED

	Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum By Ranjeni Munusamy
	Future’s so bright, we gotta wear shades: Outages may be a thing of the past, says Eskom’s Brian Molefe By Marianne Merten
	Elvira Karaeva: The story of the Russian Spy That Wasn’t By Jasmine Opperman
	Analysis: Judgment day for silicosis class action application By Greg Nicolson
	‘Cold Case’ Alex: Finding the truth among angels and demons By Alex Eliseev
	Op-Ed: Democracy beyond electoralism By Raymond Suttner
	Speaker Mbete: ‘Nothing untoward about Mgidlana’s overseas tour’ By Marianne Merten
	‘UCT is winning’: Judgment with costs leaves RMF protesters demoralised By Daily Maverick Chronicle
	Analysis: The real Mad Men of world politics By J Brooks Spector
	ICG: National Liberation Army joins Colombia’s search for peace By International Crisis Group
	While you were sleeping: 12 May 2016 By John Stupart

OPINIONS

	Spinning for the doctor, Independent Media’s campaign against critics reeks of dishonesty By Micah Reddy
	False claims create fear among the electorate and deflect them from the real debate By Mmusi Maimane
	Payouts, Facts and Profits: Odd media threesome share an uncomfortable bed By Dirk de Vos
	SAA: Vigilance in a time of Darkness By Siya Khumalo

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South Africa

South Africa

While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016

Story of the Day

Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum

While you were sleeping

Hezbollah commander dead

Obamacare dealt a blow

Trump's butler calls for Obama's death

Sweden all set for Eurovision

In Numbers

Facts of the Day

Weather & Financial Data

Now on Daily Maverick

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