While you were sleeping: 17 August 2016

By John Stupart

17 Aug 2016

Poor day in Rio for SA, Forest fires cause havoc in California, and "I am Cait" cancelled.

“I cannot bear to associate with the ordinary run of people. I have to surround myself with individuals who for the most part are more than a trifle insane”

– Wallace Thurman

Story of the Day

LGE2016: Hung municipalities destined for minority councils as EFF opts to abstain

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will on Wednesday finally announce the role it intends to play in local government following intense negotiations over possible coalitions. With both the African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA) unable to secure the EFF’s support for coalition governments in the hung metros, negotiations were still underway with smaller parties on Tuesday on the formation of minority councils. The new councils will now be in uncharted territory with posts, policies and budgets all up for debate and no majority to push these through. Continued turbulence at national level could also impact on the functioning of municipalities. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Poor track day at Rio

It was another tough night out on the track for South Africa's athletes. None of the hurdlers managed to make it through to their semi-finals. All started well, but faded towards the end. But Sunette Viljoen did qualify for the women's javelin final and Chad Ho finished in the top 10 of people swimming 10km in open water. If you missed any of the action, here's our blow-by-blow account.Read More

California fires cause havoc

More than 82,000 California residents have been forced to evacuate due to raging forest fires. No fatalities have been reported as yet, and two trapped firefighters have since been rescued. The fires, however, have shown little sign of slowing down. Read More

Day 12 at Rio

Big one coming up today: Caster Semenya runs in the 800m heats at 16:02. Some other South African action includes Willem Coertzen taking part in the decathlon with events starting at around 14:30. Then there's Elroy Gelant in the 5,000m and BMX racer Kyle Dodd will show his stuff. There are other events too and you can follow the action on our live blog right here.

'I am Cait' cancelled

Caitlyn Jenner's series has been shelved after two seasons. Poor ratings were given as the reason behind the decision. The show attempted to initiate thought-provoking, genuine debate on gender, sprinkled with spa days and an unhealthy dose of first world problems. Read More

In Numbers

The number, in millions, of shipwrecks estimated to remain undiscovered in the ocean. Less than 1% have been found.

Facts of the Day

Today is Marcus Garvey's birth date. The prominent activist and politician was born in 1887.

Processed cheese slices are not actually sliced. They are placed on the plastic sheets as blobs of pseudo-cheese, and flattened into shape. Scrumptious.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 12° max: 22°, rainy
CPT: min: 11° max: 21°, sunny
DBN: min: 18° max: 23°, cloudy
EL: min: 17° max: 25°, cloudy
JHB: min: 6° max: 22° sunny
KIM: min: 14° max: 20°, cloudy
NLP: min: 8° max: 24°, cloudy
PMB: min: 11° max: 24°, rainy
PKN: min: 8° max: 21°, cloudy
PE: min: 15° max: 23°, cloudy
PTA: min: 9° max: 23°, cloudy

Oil=$49.30
Gold=$1,348.30
Platinum=$1,118.70
R/$=13.35
R/€=15.06
R/£=17.41
€/$=1.12
JSE All Share=52,396.40
DJIA= 18,582.70
FTSE 100=6,893.92
Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURES

	LGE2016: Hung municipalities destined for minority councils as EFF opts to abstain By Ranjeni Munusamy
	Report: The SA Platinum Belt’s silent struggle with sexual assault By Marelise van der Merwe
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	Free, but not fair: Zambia’s flawed elections By Simon Allison
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	Doping and Imperialism: The Modern Relationship between Sport and War By Daniel Gallan
	United We Stand, Divided We Fall: ASEAN skirts around the South China Sea ruling By Mandira Bagwandeen
	While you were sleeping: 16 August 2016 By John Stupart
	Rio 2016 day 11 as it happened: All the South African action from the Olympics on Tuesday By Daily Maverick Team
	Rio 2016, live blog, day 12: All the South African action from the Olympics on Wednesday By Daily Maverick Team