Breakfast Edition: 23 November 2015

TUT EXAMS CANCELLED: Instead of hosting final exams for the year from today, the Tshwane University of Technology's Soshanguve campuses will be locked today. The University management decided to postpone exams at the north and south campuses indefinitely, after three exam rooms in Soshanguve were damaged in arson attacks over the weekend. TUT spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter confirmed that exams at both campuses have been postponed indefinitely and could give any details as to when they will resume with academic activities.

STRIKE STILL ON AT PARLIAMENT: In Cape Town, the strike by Parliamentary workers will resume today. This after workers, who mostly belong to the union, Nehawu, rejected the compromise reached by a task team set up last week to address the workers' demands. The task team, comprising three members each from Nehawu and Parliament's management, was established to devise a plan on how to put into effect an agreement the two parties reached on Tuesday last week. Nehawu's Sthembiso Tembe says at issue is the calculations and payment of performance bonuses. He says they will be downing tools today.  

COSATU KICKS OFF NATIONAL CONGRESS: Today sees the start of Cosatu's 12th National Congress, in Midrand. Where the federation will among other things elect new leadership. The four day congress is being held at Gallager Estate in Midrand, and will see guests such as President Jacob Zuma and the SACP's Blade Nzimande address the event. Maryke Vermaak reports.

SA'S ROLE IN FIGHTING TERRORISM: As the world continues to react to the horrific events that transpired in France, and most recently in Mali, some experts believe South Africa has the right approach to dealing with terrorism. On Friday Al-Qaida affiliated militants laid siege to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako taking close to 170 people hostage. 19 people were killed during the seven hour standoff with security forces. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation reacted by condemning the attack. "South Africa stands firmly with the rest of the international community in its condemnation of attacks targeting innocent civilians," the department said in a statement. Pesident Jacob Zuma spoke about the terror last night at an event of the Jewish Board of Deputies in Johannesburg.  

FLABBA TRIAL RESUMES: The trial of Sindisiwe Manqele, the alleged killer of South African rap star, Nkululeko 'Flabba' Habedi, is set to continue at the High Court sitting in Randburg today. Manqele has claimed that she acted in self-defence after Habedi allegedly pinned her on his bed, grabbed her hands and poked and stabbed her five times in the stomach. She received stitches for one of the wounds, which was 1.5cm long. 

CELINE DION PAYS TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF PARIS ATTACKS: Celine Dion performed Edith Piaf song Hymne a L'Amour as a tribute to the people of Paris at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. The Canadian diva sang the song on stage at the Microsoft Theatre in front of a screen showing images of places in Paris targeted in the November 13 attacks that killed 129 people.

AMA WINNERS: One Direction took top honours at the American Music Awards, winning Artist of the Year. Click here for a FULL LIST OF WINNERS.

OBAMA'S NEW HAIRSTYLE: Twitter was a blaze yesterday with users using Photoshop to give US president, Barack Obama a new haircut. The trend kicked off after Obama's comments at the G20 summit that" If folks want to pop off and have opinions about what they think they would do, present a specific plan."

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