While you were sleeping: 4 February 2016

Japan's military on high alert, US won't rule out intervention in Libya, and the world's most terrifyingly-named spider discovered.

A suspect is handcuffed and detained by policemen after a grenade attack of Burundi's capital Bujumbura

Illustrative Photo

By John Stupart

4 Feb 2016

“There are two methods, or means, and only two, whereby man's needs and desires can be satisfied. One is the production and exchange of wealth; this is the economic means. The other is the uncompensated appropriation of wealth produced by others; this is the political means.”

– Albert Jay Nock

Story of the Day

Trainspotter: The Moveable Palace — Jacob Zuma and his Great Nkandla Dodge

The money is to be #PaidBack. Is this President Jacob Zuma meeting the terms of the Public Protector’s Nkandla report, or is this just a political ploy meant to run interference on a major loss of ANC electoral momentum? By RICHARD POPLAK.

The definitive account of the massacre at Marikana. By Greg Marinovich

While you were sleeping

Japanese military on high alert
The Japanese Self Defence Forces (JSDF) have been put on alert following an announcement by North Korea indicating a possible satellite launch. The JSDF has been ordered to shoot down any missile or rocket threatening Japanese air space. South Korea has, in turn, threatened a "severe price" should the North go ahead with the launch. "Severe" in this case may translate to a severe cross-border talking-to.
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--- Time to read full article: 4min

US to intervene against ISIL in Libya if needed
President Barack Obama has noted that the United States is not afraid to take "unilateral action" in the North African country. With the formation of a unity government pending, the possibility of ISIL increasing its operations in Libya has never been higher.
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--- Time to read full article: 2min

France dismisses British eurozone veto
French President François Hollande has explicitly ruled out any chance of Britain attaining veto powers in the eurozone. Although Britain is a desired member of the regional bloc, it currently falls outside of the EU monetary union. Thus, Hollande argued, giving Britain veto powers in a union in which it does not enjoy full membership was out of the question. David Cameron, it seems, cannot have his eurozone cake and eat it too.
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--- Time to read full article: 3min

New spider to receive terrifying name
A newly discovered cousin of the daddy long-legs is to be named the 'Cryptomaster behemoth'. The spider, discovered in the forests of Oregon, now officially holds such a daunting moniker that children and adults will forever weep at the thought of such a beast of the green depths crawling upon their faces. At any rate, the Cryptomaster behemoth is amber in colour and possesses "pincer-like extensions". Truly the end times are nigh.
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--- Time to read full article: 2min

Super Bowl preparations keeps Paris attacks in mind
Unless you've been living under a rock with the Cryptomaster behemoth spider, you would have read about the impending Super Bowl 50 this weekend. Organisers have been in contact with Paris security officials in order to best-prepare the sporting event for possible terror attacks. Previous Super Bowls have included major security operations, such as the use of snipers placed inside the building itself. Regardless, it appears as though Super Bowl 50 is being geared towards super counter-terrorism as well.
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--- Time to read full article: 3min

The definitive account of the massacre at Marikana. By Greg Marinovich