While you were sleeping: 15 February 2016

Israeli forces kill five attackers, Libya announces a new not-so-unity government, and Taylor wins at Pebble Beach.

By John Stupart

15 Feb

“And also don’t forget, the reason opportunity is often missed is that it usually comes disguised as hard work.”

– Clifford Irving

Story of the Day

Zuma’s Nkandla fairytale and the taming of the ANC mob
This week, Members of Parliament will debate President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address. The way the debate normally goes is that members of the opposition tear into the speech and the leadership of the president while members of the ANC take turns to fawn over Zuma and defend his mistakes. Whoever is chosen to speak for the ANC this week, however, will be cursing themselves. After last week multiple pileup in the Constitutional Court over Nkandla, ANC MPs should be wary about going to the wall for Zuma. But it is far too late to run for cover now. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Israeli forces shoot Palestinian attackers
At least five Palestinian assailants have been killed by Israeli security forces. Two of the dead had attacked police with automatic weapons near Jerusalem's walled Old City. Three others were killed in separate incidents involving stone-throwing and one knife attack.
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Succession battle for Scalia's position now on
The death of ultra-conservative US Supreme Court justice, Antonin Scalia, has left the field wide open for a successor. With President Barack Obama likely to nominate someone slightly less destructive in terms of social rights, and the Republican-dominated Senate likely to deny anyone he nominates, things could get a little sticky. For upcoming presidential nominees, the elections just became even more important. A Sanders/Clinton nominee, after all, will be a far cry from a Trump or Cruz one.
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Libya announces new unity government
Thirteen ministers and five ministers of state have been announced in Libya's revised unity government. However, at least two of the Presidential Council's members have refused to sign off on the proposed government. The dissent is an unfortunate reminder of the ongoing fractures currently plaguing Libyan politics.
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Taylor clinches Pebble Beach with one shot
Vaughn Taylor has won the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and ended over a decade-long PGA victory vacuum. Taylor defeated second place Phil Mickelson, who had been leading the day before. For his efforts, Taylor will walk away from Pebble Beach with $1.26 million.
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In Numbers

105.8

The weight, in millions of pounds (roughly 48 million kilograms) of your average storm cloud.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1965 saw the current Canadian flag being adopted. The iconic maple leaf design replaced an old colonial-esque red ensign.

Fact of the day: David Choe, a graffiti artist who painted Facebook's first office in 2005, was paid in shares. They are now worth more than $200 million.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 18° max: 33°, cloudy
CPT: min: 17° max: 24°, rainy
DBN: min: 23° max: 30°, rainy

EL: min: 20° max: 26°, cloudy
JHB: min: 18° max: 33°, cloudy
KIM: min: 20° max: 34°, rainy
NLP: min: 15° max: 37°, cloudy
PMB: min: 17° max: 34°, rainy
PKN: min: 18° max: 34°, sunny
PE: min: 18° max: 25°, rainy
PTA: min: 20° max: 34°, rainy

Oil=$33.36 Gold=$1,237.97 Platinum=$955.35
R/$=15.88 R/€=17.87 R/£=23.03 $/€=1.12
JSE All Share=48,589.69 DJIA=15,973.84 FTSE 100=5,707.60 : Source