While you were sleeping: 19 February 2016

Pope calls out Trump, Britain in EU deadlock, and Blatter refuses to endorse candidates.

By John Stupart

19 Feb

People from Karamojong tribe wait in line to vote in front of a polling station during the presidential elections in a village near town of Kaabong in Karamoja region

Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.”

? Spike Milligan

Story of the Day

SONA 2016 Reply: The journey back from Planet ZumaPerhaps someday President Jacob Zuma will look back at his disastrous term of office and say sorry to South Africa and to his party, the ANC. But he is not going to do so now. In his reply to the State of the Nation Address debate, Zuma committed to economic recovery, offered an olive branch to the opposition and appealed to people’s patriotism to navigate through South Africa’s bad patch. He also tried to assume the role of an elder to calm things down in Parliament. Considering the squandered political capital and credibility deficit, it turned out to be a satisfactory performance. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Pope calls Trump unchristian
Pope Francis has entered the US political fray and called the Orange Menace's anti-immigration blather "not Christian". In true classy style, Trump retorted that the Pope's comments were "disgraceful", which may well place him up there with ISIS in anti-Papal terms .
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Cameron remains steadfast on EU concessions
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron is urging EU leaders to give him a credible compromise he can sell to his people. Ahead of a major EU summit, the British contingent are attempting to seal British participation in the EU, but also want to effectively write their own banking and immigration rules.
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Panasonic endorses same-sex marriage
The Japanese electronics giant has broken away from the country's unhealthy homophobic national attitude and endorsed a corporate culture that supports same-sex marriage. Aside from breaking Japan's taboo on the topic, this would pave the way to a host of employee-related benefits, such as marital leave and the like.
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Blatter won't back any candidate
Former FIFA president and longstanding member of the Sith Order, Sepp Blatter, has refused to back any of the candidates running for president of the football organisation. The disgraced ex-president noted it was "not possible" to take sides. All but one of the candidates has reportedly asked the emperor himself for an endorsement.
Read More

In Numbers

83,120

The percentage increase in value of an unopened, original 1978 Star Wars Luke Skywalker action figure. They originally retailed for $2.99.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1878 Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. This later became commonly known and owned as the gramaphone. Now, it is the pride and joy of many a hipster's living room.

Fact of the day: Scarlett Johansson was considered "too sexy" for the lead role in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 19° max: 32°, rainy
CPT: min: 17° max: 26°, sunny
DBN: min: 23° max: 37°, rainyEL: min: 22° max: 31°, cloudy
JHB: min: 17° max: 31°, rainy
KIM: min: 22° max: 31°, rainy
NLP: min: 20° max: 38°, cloudy
PMB: min: 17° max: 37°, rainy
PKN: min: 18° max: 33°, sunny
PE: min: 18° max: 33°, rainy
PTA: min: 20° max: 31°, rainy

Oil=$34.55 Gold=$1,225.21 Platinum=$943.08R/$=15.39 R/€=17.09 R/£=22.07 $/€=1.11JSE All Share=49,857.70 DJIA=16,434.21 FTSE 100=5,971.95 : Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURED

SONA 2016 Reply: The journey back from Planet Zuma

By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

Analysis: The Politics of the Great South African Drought

By MARIANNE MERTEN.

A return to civil action: Clergy to spearhead new movement to tackle crises in South Africa

By MARIANNE THAMM.

Budget 2016: Gordhan’s back, but his back needs watching

By ISMAIL LAGARDIEN.

Buthelezi: Out from the cold and back in the fold?