While you were sleeping: 15 July

By John Stupart

15 Jul 2016

At least 80 killed in attack, Hollande vows revenge, and important science on baby ducks.

“The best fate for Africa would be if the old colonial powers, or their citizens, scrambled once again in her direction; on the understanding that this time they will not be asked to feel guilty."

– Britain's new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson

Story of the Day

Public Protector: SA’s massive accountability failure prompts search for another saviour

In three months, one of 14 people shortlisted for the position of Public Protector will most likely step into the position vacated by Thuli Madonsela – barring any hiccups in the process. There is significant interest in this appointment because of the important role the Office of the Public Protector has come to play in society. But perhaps Madonsela’s courage and valiant work in investigating corruption and maladministration in government has made South Africans much too complacent. Tolerance of corruption and accountability failures is dangerous, especially when there is a false perception that it is someone else’s problem to deal with. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Nice attack kills 80

At least 80 people have been killed in an apparent terrorist attack in Nice, France. A truck ploughed into a Bastille Day crowd in the French city, driving for more than a mile before the driver was shot dead by police. The attack has drawn global condemnation, with both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton framing it in terms of war. Read more

Hollande vows greater role against ISIL

Although Daesh has not yet claimed responsibility for the Nice attack, French President François Hollande has promised a greater French military role in Iraq and Syria. With only a limited strike force in the region at present, the Nice attacks appear to have finally tipped France's hand. Read More

Trump delays VP announcement

In an uncharacteristic display of decorum, Donald Trump announced the delay in announcing his vice presidential running mate, citing sensitivity to the devastating Nice attacks. Speculators warn, however, this could well be the Orange Menace's way of making a last minute change from the man anticipated to be his choice, Mike Pence. Read more

Baby ducks can learn object differences

This may not seem like a big deal, but the ability, revealed by scientists in the United States, was previously only observed in apes, crows, and parrots. The ability is linked to imprinting, whereby the baby duck will follow the first person it sees. This is also alternatively known as Donald Trump's VP selection process. Read more

In Numbers

43m23s

The average amount of time a day users spend on Pokémon Go. This is higher than WhatsApp, Snapchat and Messenger.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1815 Napoleon surrendered aboard Britain's third-rate HMS Bellerophon.

Fact of the day: Entrance to the Louvre is free on Bastille Day. Unlike Britain, where museums are all free, all the time.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 2° max: 19°, sunny
CPT: min: 8° max: 16°, rainy
DBN: min: 16° max: 23°, sunny
EL: min: 17° max: 25°, cloudy
JHB: min: 2° max: 19°, sunny
KIM: min: 4° max: 21°, cloudy
NLP: min: 2° max: 24°, sunny
PMB: min: 5° max: 24°, sunny
PKN: min: 4° max: 18°, sunny
PE: min: 15° max: 19°, cloudy
PTA: min: 3° max: 19°, sunny

Oil=$47.17

Gold=$1,330.87
Platinum=$1,098.60
R/$=14.20
R/€=15.80
R/£=18.92
$/€=1.11
JSE All Share=52,837.03
DJIA=18,483.78
FTSE 100=6,654.47
Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURED

	Public Protector: SA’s massive accountability failure prompts search for another saviour By Ranjeni Munusamy
	House of Cards: Hawks ready to arrest Paul O'Sullivan, again By Marianne Thamm
	Analysis: Zimbabwe – Where does #ThisFlag go from here? By Simon Allison
	SABC mess, now in Parliament’s care. Don’t hold your breath. By Marianne Merten
	Uber Wars: Brutal attack on driver sparks Mother City clash between meter taxi protesters and police By MARELISE vd MERWE, SHAUN SWINGLER & SUMEYA GASA
	Op-Ed: How This Became the Era of the Gunman By John Feffer
	GroundUp: #MugabeMustFall – Zimbabweans in South Africa demonstrate in solidarity with swelling protests across the border By GroundUp
	Ivory sales: Fast-track to elephant extinction? By Don Pinnock
	Letter to the Editor: Morally blind to cruelty against animals By Daily Maverick
	Letter to the Editor: Office of the African Union Commission chair By Daily Maverick
	The Donald about to pick Mike Pence for running mate. Mike, WHO? By J Brooks Spector
	Kenya: Six cops murdered in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack on a police station By Njeri Kimani
	While you were sleeping: 14 July By John Stupart