While you were sleeping: 1 February 2016

Even though February was the shortest month of the year, sometimes it seemed like the longest.” 
? Lorraine Snelling

Story of the Day

In an organisation where the Tambo, Mandela, Mbeki and Sisulu names were once revered, there is now only one family that holds power. For years, people have tried to figure out how the Gupta family is able to maintain their chokehold on the ANC and government despite rubbing so many people up the wrong way. Now a revolt is brewing against them in the ANC and the tripartite alliance. This revolt will probably not be able to halt the capture of the state by this powerful family and their business and political network, but it is a proxy battle over leadership in the ANC. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Mexican cartel raid arrests 22
22 Sinaloa cartel members were arrested and two killed in a dramatic raid on Sunday. On a ranch in a small desert down near the United States-Mexico borders, American and Mexican authorities raided the facility and engaged with cartel members in a brutal gunfight. Assault rifles and 250kg of marijuana were seized.
--- time to read full article: 3min 

Diplomats to push for Burundi intervention
The African Union will send a diplomat-saturated delegation to Burundi to negotiate for the acceptance of peacekeepers. On Sunday AU delegates voted against military intervention, citing wariness of going against Burundi's wishes. This happened despite concrete evidence suggesting the presence of mass graves in Burundi, as well as a civil war on the brink of eruption.
--- time to read full article: 3min 

Toyota halts production for a week
In Japan, Toyota has announced a one week pause in vehicle production. Citing a critical steel shortage, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer noted that a blast at the Aichi Steel Corp  was to blame for the supply problems. Production is expected to resume on the 15th of February. Overseas production - including South Africa - would not be affected, Toyota said.
--- time to read full article: 1min 

De Lange injected into ODI squad
Marchant de Lange has been added to the Proteas' ODI squad. Bereft of Steyn and Philander, de Lange should bring some much-needed fast bowling options to South Africa's five matches against England. With luck, the new placement in the squad will create something like a prospect for redemption following the disastrous test campaign.
--- time to read full article: 1min 

In Numbers

2,181,293

The number of Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey.

Facts of the Day

Today in 2013 The Shard in London opened to the public.

Fact of the day: John McAfee admitted to switching off his own antivirus software. he conceded that his own programme was too annoying.

Weather

Bloemfontein: min: 21° max: 31°, sunny
Cape Town: min: 24° max: 33°, cloudy
Durban: min: 23° max: 34°, sunny

East London: min: 23° max: 36°, sunny
Johannesburg: min: 16° max: 29°, rainy
Kimberley: min: 24° max: 35°, cloudy
Nelspruit: min: 16° max: 30°, cloudy
Pietermaritzburg: min: 15° max: 32°, rainy
Polokwane: min: 16° max: 29°, sunny
Port Elizabeth: min: 21° max: 36°, sunny
Pretoria: min: 18° max: 29°, rainy

Financial Data

Oil=$35.99 Gold=$1,118.21 Platinum=$871.45
R/$=15.89 R/€=17.21 R/£=22.63 $/€=1.09
JSE All Share=49,141.94 DJIA=16,466.30 FTSE 100=6,083.79 : Source

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