While you were sleeping: 11 February 2016

Bombing in Nigeria kills over 60, Twitter beginning to slide in value, and Sharapova out of Qatar Open.

By John Stupart

11 Feb

“When the President does it, that means that it is not illegal.”

– Richard M. Nixon

Story of the Day

The Fallen: Jacob Zuma, Shame of the Nation
On Thursday evening, President Jacob Zuma will stand at the front of Parliament with his hand on his heart as the military band plays the stirring notes of Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika, the 21-gun salute thunders and fighter planes roar overhead. It is a poignant moment at the Opening of Parliament every year, a brief moment of unity and patriotism. This year, the national salute will be taken by a man unworthy of the honour of leading the Republic of South Africa. He shamed himself and he shamed the Parliament he will enter. But Zuma will stand at the podium and Parliament and deliver the State of the Nation Address because he is incapable of recognising the disgrace he brought to himself and the nation. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Suicide bombers kill over 60 in Nigeria
Two female suicide bombers have killed over 60 people in Northern Nigeria. The attackers infiltrated an Internally Displaced Camp (IDP) in Dikwa, 85km outside of the capital of Borno State. Although Boko Haram has not yet claimed responsibility, there is a better-than-good chance they were affiliated with the attackers.
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Twitter's changes leave users unimpressed
A beleaguered Twitter CEO has announced "plans" for the future of the social media service. Thus far a proposed increase to character limits and filtering of news and major events to rise to the front of the homepage has failed to impress Wall Street. Twitter's lack of new members, the first non-increase in its user-base since listing, show potential users have not yet been stirred by Jack Dorsey's announcements.
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Russia proposes March ceasefire in Aleppo
Faced with a mounting humanitarian crisis in the besieged Syrian city, US Secretary of State John Kerry has led pressure on Russian officials to cease its support of the offensive. The regime offensive has thus far displaced countless civilians, and the city's water supply has since been cut off. Syria's 'leader' is currently in a desperate gamble to recapture the rebel-held city by force rather than through diplomacy, a language which its Russian allies appear to speak fluently.
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Nigeria to ask China for massive loan
Nigeria's finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, is to travel to China to negotiate a $2 billion loan. If Adeosun's trip next week is successful, Nigerian coffers will be primed and ready for an immense budgetary year. Nigeria currently plans massive government spending over 2016/17, focusing on infrastructure projects themed around power and transport.
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Sharapova out of Qatar Open
Maria Sharapova has officially withdrawn from the Qatar Open. The former world number one is currently suffering from a left forearm injury that hasn't healed sufficiently enough for her to take part in the upcoming tournament. Serena Williams, meanwhile, remains the top seeded player at the tournament, and her task may well be just a little bit easier in the wake of Sharapova's withdrawal.
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In Numbers

Years since Nelson Mandela was released from prison and the unbanning of liberation movements.

Facts of the Day

Today is the State of the Nation Address. Assuming opposition parties allow President Jacob Zuma to go forward with his speech, expect little cause for hope in the substantive matter.

Fact of the day: 25 percent of all bottled water in the United States comes from the tap.

Weather

Financial Data

BFN: min: 19° max: 33°, sunny
CPT: min: 19° max: 27°, cloudy
DBN: min: 19° max: 30°, cloudy

EL: min: 19° max: 32°, sunny
JHB: min: 17° max: 29°, rainy
KIM: min: 22° max: 36°, cloudy
NLP: min: 17° max: 32°, rainy
PMB: min: 13° max: 31°, cloudy
PKN: min: 16° max: 31°, rainy
PE: min: 20° max: 32°, sunny
PTA: min: 18° max: 31°, rainy

Oil=$31.09 Gold=$1,193.30 Platinum=$932.10
R/$=15.84 R/€=17.86 R/£=23.01 $/€=1.12
JSE All Share=48,273.24 DJIA=16,052.01 FTSE 100=15,713.39 : Source