THE THIRD UMPIRE

SOLLY MAPAILA

As the world watches with morbid fascination while Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro leads his country down the tubes after stealing the election, the SA Communist Party deputy general secretary sends him “warm congratulations”. Seriously?

MULTICHOICE

Broadcasting authority Icasa says it will amend its regulations to ensure major sporting events are broadcast on free-to-air channels. That could be the death knell for DStv, whose subscriber-only packages are built on exclusive rights to sport.

DONALD TRUMP

In his mind, everything the US president does is better than anything achieved in the past. Including, as of the weekend, the current shutdown of government due to his insistence on building a wall on the border with Mexico. It is now the longest shutdown ever.