THREAD: sp on shaky ground

ANC on SHAKY Ground: South Africa’s Opposition Parties Gaining Momentum

14 March 2024 — Recent polling data indicates a potential shift in South Africa’s political scene, the likes of which haven’t been seen since 1994. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has experienced a decline in support from 44% to 39% since November 2022.

On the other hand, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has seen its share rise from 23% to a notable 27%. A newcomer on the scene, the MK Party, has made an impressive debut with a surprising 13%, while support for the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has dwindled to just 10%.

This changing landscape could potentially pave the way for DA to form a majority coalition with other parties excluding ANC and EFF. This tactic proved successful in Cape Town’s municipal elections back in 2006. Despite ANC’s historical appeal due to its instrumental role in ending apartheid, ongoing issues such as electricity and water shortages, high crime rates, and rampant corruption have strained voters’ loyalty.

The shifting political climate suggests that voters are seeking change and are willing to look beyond traditional party lines. This could lead to significant changes in South Africa’s political landscape moving forward.

SENIOR CITIZEN Soars Skyward: Security Shutter in Wales Store Lifts Woman Off Ground

06 March 2024 — In an unusual turn of events, Anne Hughes, a 71-year-old woman, found herself lifted off the ground when her coat became entangled with a security shutter outside a store in Wales.

Hughes, who works as a cleaner at the Best One shop near Cardiff, was caught off guard when her coat snagged and she was hoisted into the air. “I thought “flipping heck!”” said Hughes. A quick-thinking colleague came to her aid and helped her down after she spent 12 seconds suspended mid-air.

Despite the odd incident, Hughes managed to retain her sense of humor about it all. She expressed relief that she hadn’t landed face-first and even joked that such an event could only happen to her.

The store seized this unexpected opportunity by using the footage for online promotion with a humorous caption about their deals and staff members’ antics. The video clip was shared on social media platform X with this playful tagline: "Don’t hang about like Ann, come down to Best One for unbeatable deals! The only thing going up in our shop is our staff — not our prices!

BRUTAL HAMAS Attack on Israeli Music Festival: An Unprecedented Horror Revealed

16 October 2023 — This past weekend, the Supernova music festival in southern Israel fell victim to a savage attack by Hamas militants. This brutal assault marked one of the first targets and resulted in widespread devastation across several towns. The attack led to at least 260 deaths, making it one of the most deadly civilian incidents in Israel’s history.

ABC News collected accounts from survivors and relatives of the missing to reconstruct this chilling event. They scrutinized and authenticated witness videos as well as security footage. Numerous festival attendees also contributed their experiences and original cell phone videos.

The pandemonium erupted just after sunrise at 6:40 a.m., signaled by initial rocket trails streaking across the sky. As crowds tried to escape by car, roads quickly became jam-packed and impassable. One witness reported close-range fire from Hamas militants while fleeing via the main road north—a claim backed up by images of their bullet-riddled vehicle.

ABC News has confirmed video evidence that emphasizes the intentional nature of this attack on Supernova. This episode marks a bleak moment in Israel’s history, spotlighting an escalating conflict with potentially wide-ranging implications.

REVEALED: Hamas SHOCKING Deception — Secret Attack Plans on Israel While ‘Governing’ Gaza

13 October 2023 — In a recent Russian TV interview, senior Hamas official, Ali Baraka, dropped a bombshell. He revealed that while the group projected an image of governance and concern for the welfare of 2.5 million Palestinians in Gaza, they were secretly planning attacks on Israel for years.

Baraka confirmed their deceptive tactics. While appearing to be engrossed in governance, they were covertly preparing for a large-scale assault. He boasted that their rockets could target all parts of Palestine and even bragged about bombing Tel Aviv on the first day of their attack.

This startling admission has put Israeli intelligence under intense scrutiny for failing to foresee this surprise attack. Baraka’s statements have exposed Hamas’ duplicitous strategies and underscored their readiness to sacrifice themselves in what they believe is a defense of their land.

HEARTBREAKING TRUTH: Maya Kowalski’s Shocking Testimony on Alleged Medical Abuse and Mother’s Suicide

10 October 2023 — Maya Kowalski, the young woman embroiled in a high-profile alleged child medical abuse case in Florida, delivered her testimony on Monday. The case has catapulted into national consciousness due to its ties with the Netflix documentary “Take Care of Maya”. In 2016, Maya was diagnosed with a rare condition known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and was subsequently admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (JHAC).

Hospital staff raised suspicions of “medical abuse” by her parents and promptly notified the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). This led to an enforced separation between Maya and her parents while she remained hospitalized. During her testimony in a Sarasota County courtroom, she portrayed this separation as “unbelievably cruel”.

The allegations had devastating consequences for Maya’s family. Her mother, Beata Kowalski, tragically ended her own life after enduring months without seeing her daughter. According to family attorney Greg Anderson, Beata committed suicide on January 7th, 2016.

NO RELIEF: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Unyielding Stance on High Taxes

02 October 2023 — Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will address the record-breaking taxation rates burdening families and businesses in his speech today. Despite the unprecedented tax hike during this peaceful Parliament, he offers no respite. He strongly believes that promising a tax cut would undermine his goal of controlling inflation.

Hunt’s comments reflect a preference for substantial state support and an economic theory that individual expenditure fuels inflation. However, he neglects to recognize that government spending doesn’t have the same impact. In an attempt to distinguish his Conservative Party from the opposing Labour Party, who also resist tax cuts, Hunt professes belief in reducing taxes but doesn’t anticipate actual reductions.

Despite caution from the Institute of Fiscal Studies about high-tax systems becoming entrenched due to governmental choices, Hunt disagrees. He maintains that this shift isn’t inevitable with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ready to make “tough calls.” Regarding potential future tax cuts, Hunt implies efficient government spending and hard decisions are vital for corporate growth.

NET NEUTRALITY Revival Pushed by Biden’s New FCC Pick: The Real Impact on Telecom Companies

26 September 2023 — Following the unsuccessful Senate endorsement of Gigi Sohn, President Biden has now confirmed Anna Gomez as the new commissioner for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This appointment breaks a 2-2 deadlock at the Commission. In response, Democrats and progressive nonprofits have begun to advocate for the return of Title II regulations on telecom companies.

On Monday, a group of 27 Senate Democrats, which included Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), called on FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to reestablish Title II regulations on internet service providers. These were regulations that had been withdrawn during Trump’s tenure.

Last week, progressive nonprofit Free Press also stepped up its efforts by starting a petition urging the FCC to bring back net neutrality rules. These rules were first introduced during Obama’s presidency before social media censorship became widespread. Net neutrality was initially touted as a means to safeguard an open internet by classifying telecom companies as common carriers.

Free Press emphasized that net neutrality is essential for preserving an internet that is “free, open and accessible to all.” However, critics contend that such regulation could potentially stifle innovation and competition within the sector.

CANADA’S Wonderland Terrifying Ordeal: Guests Trapped Upside Down on Thrill Ride

26 September 2023 — A delightful evening took a shocking turn at Canada’s Wonderland amusement park over the weekend. Visitors experienced a chilling ordeal, finding themselves trapped upside down on the “Lumberjack” ride for an extended period of nearly 30 minutes.

The ride malfunctioned and became inverted at 10:40 p.m. local time on Saturday, as confirmed by park officials. By 11:05 p.m., all thrill-seekers were safely evacuated and checked by First Aid staff before being allowed back into the park.

Two guests reported experiencing chest pain but were evaluated without requiring further medical intervention. Spencer Parkhouse, an 11-year-old rider, shared his fears with CBC News, wondering if he would ever be right-side up again.

CHINA’s MILITARY Might on Display: Taiwan Braces for Intensifying Threats

14 September 2023 — China is consistently fortifying its military stations along the coast facing Taiwan, says a report from Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. This development coincides with Beijing escalating its military activities around the territory it claims. In response, Taiwan pledges to strengthen its defenses and keep a close eye on Chinese operations.

In just one day, 22 Chinese aircraft and 20 warships were detected near the island by Taiwan’s Defense Ministry. This is perceived as part of Beijing’s ongoing intimidation campaign against the self-governed island. China has not dismissed using force to integrate Taiwan with mainland China.

Maj. Gen. Huang Wen-Chi from Taiwan’s Defense Ministry emphasized that China is aggressively augmenting its weapons and constantly modernizing crucial coastal military bases. Three airfields in China’s Fujian province — Longtian, Huian, and Zhangzhou — have recently been enlarged.

The surge in Chinese military activity comes after recent challenges to Beijing’s territorial claims by US and Canadian warships navigating through the Taiwan Strait. On Monday, a naval formation led by China’s aircraft carrier Shandong sailed about 70 miles southeast of Taiwan for drills simulating various attacks.

CONVICTED KILLER on the Loose: Danelo Cavalcante’s Daring Escape from Pennsylvania Prison

07 September 2023 — Convicted murderer, Danelo Cavalcante, is now a fugitive. After a daring escape from Chester County Prison in Pennsylvania, he has successfully evaded capture. The U.S Marshals Service has confirmed that Cavalcante, sentenced to life for the 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend, is also implicated in a homicide case in Brazil.

Acting Warden Howard Holland unveiled surveillance footage of Cavalcante’s escape during a press briefing. The video captures the moment when Cavalcante scales a wall and braves through razor wire to make his audacious exit.

Cavalcante’s breakout commenced at 8:33 a.m., as he mingled with other inmates in the exercise yard. By 9:45 a.m., prison officers reported him missing—an unsettling indication of severe lapses in prison security measures.