While you were sleeping: 29 February 2016

Oscars latest, Iran's new order, and Tiger Woods back on track.

By John Stupart

29 Feb

"Societies suffer when the poor are unable to see a path toward betterment."

– Dambisa Moyo

Story of the Day

Gordhan in the crosshairs: Dirty tricks campaign targets finance minister
After a dramatic day on Friday, with a flurry of media statements relating to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the battle around the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the situation seemed to have quietened down over the weekend. But behind the scenes, discussions are raging in the ANC and the alliance. The matter is now taking an ugly turn with disinformation and “dirt” about Gordhan being planted in the media and opposition parties. The new developments raise even more questions – primarily: why is there so much heat on Gordhan? By RANJENI MUNUSAMY

While you were sleeping

Mad Max dominates Oscars
Mad Max: Fury Road has swept the floor at the 2016 Academy Awards. Still underway, the major awards such as best actor and actress have yet to be announced. Producers have been strict with the 45-second limit on acceptance speeches, however, forcing many a 'thank you' to go leave the stage, drowned out with music.
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Iranian reformer warns establishment to step aside
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and reformist partners have warned his conservative rivals to back off, as it were. Elections results appear to reflect a widespread desire by Iranians for reform, the opening up of Iran, and the removal of the old guard. Whether the anti-Western Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will allow such nonsense, however, is another matter entirely.
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Top CEO calls Trump 'unfit' for president
Hewlett Packard Enterprise head, Meg Whitman, has strongly condemned the Orange Menace, despite his ongoing popularity with Republican voters. When the chief of an actual, successful company calls you "unfit" for the presidency, that might be a strong hint from big business.
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Woods appears to be in good shape
Tiger woods appeared fit and motivated at a Ryder Cup dinner hosted on Sunday. Jack Nicklaus said that Woods looked "very healthy", despite media reports that Woods had been anything but.
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In Numbers

595

The number of delegates at stake for Republicans in the upcoming 'Super Tuesday' primaries. This is roughly 25 percent of total available votes.

Facts of the Day

Today is a leap year day. People born on the 29 of February are technically called 'leaplings'. If you are a leapling, rejoice in your specialness.

Fact of the day: The UK virtually eliminated Salmonella by vaccinating its chickens. The United States has declined to do such a thing to theirs.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 19° max: 30°, cloudy
CPT: min: 17° max: 32°, sunny
DBN: min: 24° max: 33°, cloudy

EL: min: 22° max: 32°, cloudy
JHB: min: 13° max: 29°, cloudy
KIM: min: 20° max: 32°, cloudy
NLP: min: 18° max: 30°, cloudy
PMB: min: 18° max: 33°, sunny
PKN: min: 19° max: 29°, sunny
PE: min: 19° max: 33°, sunny
PTA: min: 19° max: 30°, cloudy

Oil=$35.10 Gold=$1,223.46 Platinum=$914.25
R/$=16.16 R/€=17.67 R/£=22.41 $/€=1.09
JSE All Share=49,429.40 DJIA=16,639.97 FTSE 100=16,188.41 : Source