While you were sleeping: 24 Feb

Kenya suspends Supreme Court Justice, Swedish teen rescued from ISIL, and Chinese smartphones march out of Asia.

24 Feb

Ethnic Miao people celebrate Lantern Festival with fireworks in Taijiang

“If spiders were the size of cats, would they be less scary or more scary? On the one hand, they wouldn’t get into your house as easily. But on the other hand, once they’re in there, ohhhhhh boy. Oh boy.”

– Channing Tatum

Story of the Day

SARS Wars: Health warning - tobacco may be harmful to your democracy
This month nine US politicians wrote to the US Department of Justice demanding that it investigate the London-listed British American Tobacco (BAT) following claims that the company engaged in widespread bribery of politicians and policymakers in Africa. Police in the UK are also investigating claims in relation to BAT's dealings in South Africa and an explosive affidavit by a whistleblower summited to the Competition Commission also suggests large scale industrial espionage and the corruption of government officials. Meanwhile, the Fair-Trade Independent Tobacco Association has come out guns blazing. By MARIANNE THAMM.

While you were sleeping

Kenya suspends Supreme Court judge
President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has suspended Supreme Court judge, Justice Philip Tunoi. Tunoi is on the hook for a $2 million bribe possibly paid in relation to an election petition.
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Swedish teenager rescued by Kurds
Iraqi Kurdish soldiers have rescued a Swedish teenager from ISIL forces near Mosul. The unnamed teenager left Sweden for Iraq with her boyfriend. The boyfriend appears to have led the girl into Iraq.
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Mars and Snickers bars recalled
Fifty-five countries have had their candy bars recalled due to plastic hazards inside the bars themselves. Although chocolate maker Mars declined to list each country, the sheer existence of Snickers on this list may make you think twice about your snack today.
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Flying under the radar behind Apple and Samsung
If you thought the Barcelona Wireless Show was purely an Apple and Samsung festival of VR goggles, think again. Chinese smartphone manufacturers have also made clear their intentions to take on the global market. Offering similar technology to mainstream alternatives, Chinese brands such as TCL and OPPO will soon be supplying cheaper smartphones to the world, including Africa.
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In Numbers

7.438

The expected 2016 production tonnage, in millions, of mielies for South Africa. Consumption is around 11.25 million tonnes.

Facts of the Day

Today is the day Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan delivers the state's budget. Prepare for a financial bloodbath. Tighten the belt, get the no-name brands, and drive a lot less. Cuts and taxes loom.

Fact of the day: The walls in the Vatican City were constructed to keep pirates out.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 19° max: 33°, cloudy
CPT: min: 17° max: 26°, cloudy
DBN: min: 22° max: 40°, cloudy

EL: min: 22° max: 35°, sunny
JHB: min: 18° max: 29°, rainy
KIM: min: 22° max: 32°, rainy
NLP: min: 17° max: 36°, rainy
PMB: min: 16° max: 38°, rainy
PKN: min: 18° max: 31°, rainy
PE: min: 17° max: 27°, rainy
PTA: min: 18° max: 30°, rainy

Oil=$34.08 Gold=$1,222.16 Platinum=$938.75
R/$=15.18 R/€=16.69 R/£=21.35 $/€=1.09
JSE All Share=48,375.91 DJIA=16,567.55 FTSE 100=6,017.75 : Source