Stan Lee, architect of superheroes, dies aged 95

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [Daily Maverick] Tuesday, 13 November 2018 “There is only one who is all powerful, and his greatest weapon is love.” Stan Lee (1922 - 2018) Story of the Day [Gwede Mantashe named yet again in State Capture testimony, this time by Barbara Hogan]( By Ferial Haffajee Former ANC boss Gwede Mantashe is again named at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture as he comes up repeatedly in former public enterprises minister Barbara Hogan’s testimony. [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( While You Were Sleeping [The father of superheroes, Stan Lee, dies at 95]( The co-creator of some of the world's most iconic superheroes has died. Stan Lee passed away after suffering from several illnesses. Lee had started out working for an uncle in the comics business, fetching coffee. Eventually the publisher of Marvel comics and its ascending dominance in the superhero universe, Stan Lee was most recently remembered for his regular "guest" appearances in every Marvel movie to hit the big screen. [Israel strikes back after border strikes]( Palestinian militants in Gaza fired over 200 rockets into Israel, prompting a massive retaliation. The IDF struck back at 70 military sites throughout Gaza, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return to Israel and help defuse escalating tensions. Violence has erupted in the aftermath of a botched Israeli operation within Gaza that left several Palestinians and one high-ranking IDF officer dead. [Arizona opts to go to the Sinema]( Kyrsten Sinema clawed back the first Democratic Senate seat in Arizona in 30 years on Monday. An extended vote count lasting six days has now left the Republicans with a four-seat lead in the Senate. However, a recount in Florida and a run-off in Mississippi could swing Democrats forward and leave a 49-49 split. [California wildfires claim more lives]( A fifth straight day of wildfires - California's worst ever - has seen at least 42 people killed and thousands of fire fighters digging breaks to attempt to reduce the devastation. At least 228 more people have been unaccounted for by police, 6,500 homes have been destroyed and a quarter of a million people displaced. Authorities have explained how climate change has contributed to longer, more erratic wildfires in the state. [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( Picture of the Day EPA-EFE/EUGENE GARCIA Fire fighters work to extinguish a flare-up of the Woolsey Fire on a hillside in West Hills, California, US, 11 November 2018. Maverick Insider is more than just about financially supporting quality, independent journalism and keeping Zapiro accessible for all readers. It’s also about building a community with our loyal readers who want to share in unique experiences and help us write this new chapter of Daily Maverick. [Click here]( to get a closer look at the Truth. In Numbers 130 The number of people killed during a co-ordinated terror attack in Paris on 13 November 2015. Seven attackers were killed in the process. Facts of the Day Today is World Kindness Day. Be nice to everyone. Mexican drug cartels make an estimated $152-million a year from growing avocados. Featured Articles [Richtersveld simmers as mining contractors clash with community]( [Richtersveld simmers as mining contractors clash with community]( BY Marianne Thamm [Southern African Muckraking: The disappearance of Tanzanian journalist Azory Gwanda]( [Southern African Muckraking: The disappearance of Tanzanian journalist Azory Gwanda]( BY Bob Wekesa [Sisulu backs Tanzania on detention of journalists]( [Sisulu backs Tanzania on detention of journalists]( BY Peter Fabricius [The problem with populism]( BY Greg Mills [Human identity in the age of Artificial Intelligence]( BY Yu Ke and Tshilidzi Marwala [Tendai Biti’s trial begins with a challenge against the lead prosecutor]( BY Daily Maverick Correspondent [Fisheries department rots from the top]( BY GroundUp Opinionistas [WWF aims to deceive with latest report]( BY Ivo Vegter [Decolonise yourself and denounce homophobia]( BY Sameer Dossani [The DA and ANC have politicised Western Cape policing]( BY Dalli Weyers [We all bear some responsibility for how the Zuma calamity played out]( BY Glen Heneck [What’s the murky truth behind the Gordhan subpoena, Mkhwebane?]( BY Professor Balthazar Weather BFN: min: 19° max: 36°, sunny CPT: min: 14° max: 20°, cloudy DBN: min: 18° max: 26°, cloudy EL: min: 17° max: 28°, cloudy JHB: min: 16° max: 31°, cloudy MHK min: 21° max: 36°, cloudy NLP: min: 13° max: 30°, cloudy PE: min: 14° max: 23°, cloudy PMB: min: 15° max: 33°, cloudy Financial Data Oil=$70.30 Gold=$1,202.05 R/$=14.44 R/€=16.24 R/£=18.56 JSE All Share= 52,259.47 DJIA= 25,558.21 BTC$=6,317 [Exclusive Books - Top 10 For Discerning Readers]( [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( Copyright © 2018 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick First Thing subscriber list. Interested in advertising with us? [Click here](mailto:advertise@dailymaverick.co.za?subject=Advertising%20Query%3A%20First%20Thing%20mailers) to sign the pact. [Getting too many emails from us? Manage your preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](