News moves at the speed of social media in today’s world, and that’s especially the case on the weekend. Take a look at the world news you might’ve missed this weekend through the 140-character lens of Twitter (with a splash of Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for good measure).
Welcome to the Weekend News in Tweets (14 October – 15 October 2016).
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World News: DDoS leaves internet ailing
Friday was a day of total chaos for many who rely on the internet, after one of the net’s biggest DNS providers, Dyn, was attacked. The DDoS attack plunged its servers into disarray, and as a result, plunged much of the net into darkness too.
Popular websites, services and apps like PayPal, Twitter and Etsy were all dark for many.
Mr. Assange is still alive and WikiLeaks is still publishing. We ask supporters to stop taking down the US internet. You proved your point. pic.twitter.com/XVch196xyL
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) October 21, 2016
While the US Dept. of Homeland Security is currently investigating the incident, no one has yet claimed responsiblity for the attack. Whistleblowing website Wikileaks, however, suggested that it was its “supporters” who were the perpetrators.
See the full story below.
DDoS attack on Dyn DNS leaves internet crippled
South Africa, if you’re struggling to access the likes of Twitter, SoundCloud and Reddit at the moment, don’t worry, it’s not just you. Read more…
In other news, AT&T made its plans to buy Time Warner known. The telecoms company is interested in purchasing the media conglomerate for around US$85-billion — a sum that would be one of the tech industry’s biggest cash exchanges.
While talks are still ongoing, government officials and politicians are trying to suppress the move.
See the full story below.
AT&T, Time Warner in $85bn deal – but will it happen?
US network AT&T has agreed to acquire Time Warner in a deal worth around US$85.4-billion. The acquisition, which will take the form of stock and cash, values Time Warner shares at US$107.50 per share. Read more…
SNL continued its Donald Trump skit this weekend, with Tom Hanks also playing a Fox News correspondent. Trump himself last weekend expressed his disdain at Alec Baldwin’s portrayal of him, but that didn’t stop the late night comedy show from poking fun at him.
Have a look at the video below.
Africa news: Mthembu turns on Zuma, Cameroon train tragedy leaves 50 dead
ANC’s chief whip Jackson Mthembu has called on the ANC’s national executive committee to resign. Mthembu also called into question the charges laid against SA’s financial minister, Pravin Gordhan.
#JacksonMthembu on whether President Zuma should resign: when I said entire ANC leadership should take the fall, I meant everyone, incl me
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) October 23, 2016
While the ANC Youth League called on Mthembu to quit, some on Twitter came out in full support of the latter:
Jackson Mthembu, let your conscious and soul be blessed, you have bravely stood for justice, it takes a man of integrity to defend justice.
— Zamaanie (@Zamaanie) October 24, 2016
Absolutely nothing wrong with what Jackson Mthembu said. I back his statements. The NEC must step down.
— Agent Provocateur (@De_Imperial) October 24, 2016
Mamelodi Sundowns will now face the likes of Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup in December
In other news, Johannesburg’s Dome played host to the MTV African Music Awards Saturday. Hosted by Bonang Matheba, the show featured performances by the likes of US rapper Future.
As for the winners, they included Nigeria’s Wizkid (as Best Male), South Africa’s Shekinah & Kyle Deutsch (as Best Pop/Alternative) and Canada’s Drake (as Best International Act).
See all the winners here.
#MTVMAMA2016 | @1future blowing up the stage
pic.twitter.com/0U9hblcyrP — MTVAfrica (@MTVAfrica) October 22, 2016
It was a horror weekend for Cameroon, as a train crashed killed at least 70 people, with over 300 injured. The incident, which occurred Saturday between Yaounde and Douala, saw the train carrying 1300 passengers — nearly double its usual capacity.
Horrifying. Train derailment in Cameroon killed at least 70 people. Thoughts to their families pic.twitter.com/WwGiY9d1le
— Teymour (@Teymour_Ashkan) October 22, 2016
Cameroon’s president, Paul Biya, issued a statement on Facebook, and declared Monday 24 October a national day of mourning.
World Sport: Sundowns makes South Africa proud, Hamilton wins 50th Grand Prix
Mamelodi Sundowns won the CAF Champions League for the first time in its history, and the first for a South African team since 1995. The Brazilians beat Zamalek 3-1 on aggregate, after losing 1-0 in the second leg of the final.
The team will now face the likes of European champions Real Madrid and Mexico’s CONCACAF champions Club America in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup in December.
Congratulations Mamelodi Sundowns – Champions of Africa and on their way to the #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/O4mwHe7Apg
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) October 23, 2016
The kings of Africa! #Sundowns pic.twitter.com/u7vD05aSry
— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) October 23, 2016
Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won his 50th Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend, leading his teammate Nico Rosberg home in Texas. The Brit, who is chasing his fourth World Championship, is now 26 points behind Rosberg with three races remaining in the season.
He is also now just one win away from the second-most successful Formula 1 driver, Alain Prost.
50 #F1 wins for @LewisHamilton
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 24, 2016
The Free State Cheetahs beat the Blue Bulls in this weekend’s Currie Cup Final with a convincing 36-16 final score. It’s the teams fifth Currie Cup win in its history.
#CCFinal #diebekerisbydiehuis #ToyotaStadiumBloem @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/zd0SoCyooU
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) October 23, 2016
Feature image: Mamelodi Sundowns via Twitter
