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While you were sleeping: 12 February 2016

While you were sleeping: 12 February 2016
By John Stupart
12 Feb 2016
0

Major breakthrough in detecting gravity in space. SONAmbulatory proceedings in Cape Town, and Arsenal to play MLS All-Stars in July.

“Now that we have the detectors to see these systems, now that we know binary black holes are out there – we’ll begin listening to the Universe. “

– Professor Gabriela González

Story of the Day
State of the Nation 2016: Commotion, crisis of credibility and the great appeasement
At the end, everyone got what they wanted. President Jacob Zuma made it through his State of the Nation Address (Sona), the Economic Freedom Fighters caused a din and held up proceedings and the Democratic Alliance came across as the reasonable guys. Even Mosiuoa Lekota got what he wanted – five minutes of fame on the biggest night on the parliamentary calendar. And Mangosuthu Buthelezi looked mightily pleased to crack an acknowledgement in the speech. The Sona was a mega appeasement effort to the business and investment community to undo the damage Zuma had inflicted on the economy. His general message to South Africa was: I have heard you. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Massive breakthrough on theory of relativity
While police were cinching up their evening Kevlar vests in Cape Town, the rest of the world was busy proving the final untested part of Einstein’s theory of relativity. Einstein’s gravitational waves have now been detected in space. A team of physicists successfully recorded the faint cosmic fart of two black holes colliding with each other, thereby proving the last unproved aspect of Einstein’s theory. The ramifications of knowing that gravity exists in space are a bit like an adult suddenly realising that they can hear.
Read More

A taste of everything SONA
At the end of President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address, the EFF achieved its disapproving gesture, the president his speech, and the protestors a whiff of teargas with none of the actual tears. The Democratic Alliance, meanwhile, remained in their seats, but sported a comparatively muted message of “8.3m jobless” by pinning badges to their disgruntled breasts. Daily Maverick has all your analysis here, here, and here. Pictures to be found here.
Read More

MTN to settle its Nigerian fine
MTN has announced plans to settle its $3.9 billion debt/fine with the Nigerian government. A judge ordered that the telecommunications giant has until March to reach a settlement. The positive news immediately sent MTN shares rocketing up eight percent. It appears that the reception of said information were full bars.
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Arsenal to play MLS All-Stars in July
Hosted at the Avaya Stadium on July 28, the elite British team will face off against the best of the MLS. The Gunners could include the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Petr Cech in the squad. Ostensibly a friendly, the MLS team will be out for blood, thereby making this contest an unmissable event.
Read More

In Numbers
13,810
 
The number of days left until the world’s proven oil reserves run out.

Facts of the Day
Today is Darwin Day. This commemorates the birth of Charles Darwin on 12 February 1809.

Fact of the day: The translation of ‘gymnasium’ means “school for naked exercise”. This harks back to Classical Greece, where Greeks used to exercise naked.

Weather

Financial Data
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DBN: min: 20° max: 30°, cloudy
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KIM: min: 22° max: 36°, cloudy
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PMB: min: 13° max: 32°, cloudy
PKN: min: 16° max: 31°, rainy
PE: min: 20° max: 25°, rainy
PTA: min: 18° max: 33°, cloudy
Oil=$30.93 Gold=$1,245.00 Platinum=$959.55
R/$=15.70 R/€=17.82 R/£=22.67 $/€=1.13
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Now on Daily Maverick
FEATURED
State of the Nation 2016: Commotion, crisis of credibility and the great appeasement
By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

Trainspotter: SONA 2016 – behold the Zombie Apocalypse
By RICHARD POPLAK.

In photos: SONA 2016
By GREG NICOLSON.

SONA 2016: Underwhelmed, opposition parties give Zuma a Zero
By MARIANNE MERTEN.

SONA 2016: A cordon sanitaire and a few unexpected guests in the gallery
By MARIANNE MERTEN.

Space/Time/Gravity: A century later, the last prophecy of Einstein’s general theory of relativity is fulfilled
J. BROOKS SPECTOR

Nearly 1,000 hidden galaxies mapped behind the Milky Way – and SA helped find them
By MARELISE VAN DER MERWE
.
State of the Nation Address 2016

Cartoon: From Another Planet?!
By JERM.

Is Rwanda stoking ethnic fires in Burundi?
SIMON ALLISON

Analysis: Chad’s President Deby assumes the mantel of statesman
By SIMON ALLISON.

OPINIONS
Letter to the Editor: “F**k White People”? Seriously?
By Siya Khumalo.

Bye Bye Baby: More tribute than fan-fare

Stephen Grootes: SONA 2016: The night of pain & circumstance

Op-Ed: Thuli Madonsela’s decisive, determined, dignified victory
ALEX ALISEEV.

Op-Ed: Eskom is beyond the tipping point. What’s next?
By DIRK DE VOS

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