The Washington Post today published an article by a reporter who is not a member of the editorial staff suggesting in no uncertain terms that those who criticize First Lady Michelle Obama for holding too much weight in her derriere are racist. While opening her article by reporting an obviously insulting remark by a high
First US city to ban drones
Charlottesville, Va., has become the first city in the United States to formally pass an anti-drone resolution. The resolution, passed Monday, “calls on the United States Congress and the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia to adopt legislation prohibiting information obtained from the domestic use of drones from being introduced into a Federal or
Africa doesn’t need mediocre white coaches
Nigeria soccer coach Stephen Keshi has spoken out against the appointment of “mediocre” European coaches by African teams, ahead of his side’s tie with Mali “I am never against white coaches in Africa,” said Keshi. “I am happy to work with a quality, experienced white coach, who is better than me, so that I can
South Africa’s Zuma equates mine layoffs with ‘blackmail’
South African President Jacob Zuma said on Monday that mining companies were almost engaging in “blackmail” when they announce plans to close mines and lay off workers. Zuma’s pre-recorded comments broadcast on CNBC Africa come as the government, unions and ruling African National Congress have come out strongly against proposals by Anglo American Platinum (Amplats)
Read more: South Africa’s Zuma equates mine layoffs with ‘blackmail’
More U.S. troops died by suicide than in Afghanistan combat in 2012
Suicides by active duty U.S. troops last year exceeded the number of servicemen and women killed in combat in Afghanistan. More than half of the soldiers who killed themselves had already sought help from a mental health The statistics are stunning. According to the Associated Press, suicides among active-duty troops reached a new high last
Read more: More U.S. troops died by suicide than in Afghanistan combat in 2012
The rise of the machine
Early in his first term Barack Obama joked that he would “keep an eye on the robots in case they try anything”. He should have known resistance is futile. During Mr Obama’s presidency, IBM’s Watson has proved computers can outfox the most agile minds, drones have become America’s weapon of choice, the driverless car is
Boer mystique? Paul Kruger wins US Super Bowl for Baltimore Ravens
With a name like Paul Kruger, the same as that of the famous Boer president, any football player is bound to make history. In a close match between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, Kruger swung the game in the Ravens’ favour, giving them a three-point win in America’s most important sporting competition.
Read more: Boer mystique? Paul Kruger wins US Super Bowl for Baltimore Ravens
Counterfeit goods gang arrested near Johannesburg
An alleged kingpin operating in counterfeit goods in the West Rand was arrested in Westonaria on Saturday morning, Gauteng police said. “Police arrested 15 suspects and recovered goods with a street value of R10 million in the early hours of Saturday morning,” spokeswoman Captain Julia Claassen said. She said the arrest followed a crime intelligence
Read more: Counterfeit goods gang arrested near Johannesburg
Mulder regrets passing away of Louis Luyt
The passing away of Dr. Louis Luyt is a huge loss to South Africa. As a businessman, rugby administrator, Afrikaner leader and politician he consistently made contributions to the country. Dr. Luyt played a huge role in South African rugby during the most important transfer period following 1994. He especially never received the necessary recognition
The network that runs the world
Science may have confirmed our worst fears. An analysis of the relationships between 43,000 transnational corporations has identified a relatively small group of companies, mainly banks, with disproportionate power over the global economy. The study’s assumptions have attracted some criticism, but complex systems analysts contacted by New Scientist say it is a unique effort to
America’s Middle East policy is doomed
Over the past half century or so the United States has pursued two main but disconnected objectives in West Asia and North Africa: on the one hand, Americans have sought strategic and economic advantage in the Arabian Peninsula, Persian Gulf, and Egypt; on the other, support for the consolidation of the Jewish settler state in Palestine. These
Stunning drop in US GDP
The U.S. economy posted a stunning drop of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter, defying expectations for slow growth and possibly providing incentive for more Federal Reserve stimulus. The economy shrank from October through December for the first time since the recession ended, hurt by the biggest cut in defense spending in 40 years, fewer
Israel ignores UN human rights review
Israel has boycotted the UN human rights forum over fears of scrutiny of its treatment of residents of the occupied territories. Israel is now the first state in history to win a deferment of the periodical review of its human rights record. Tel Aviv has refused to send a delegation on Tuesday to the United
White Power to the Rescue
On a windy afternoon a few days ago I went to a depressed section of North Memphis to visit an old clapboard house that was once owned by a German immigrant named Jacob Burkle. Oral history—and oral history is all anyone has in this case since no written survive—holds that Burkle used his house as