While you were sleeping: 3 March 2016

Sanctions for North Korea, poor ticket sales in Brazil, and Church-related sex scandals.

By John Stupart

3 Mar 2016

“The heart of a father is the masterpiece of nature.”

– Abbé Prévost

Story of the Day

SARS Wars, The Phantom Menace: Nhleko and Mahlobo come out to bat for the Hawks Just one day after SARS had been sent to mop up some of the fallout from the SARS wars saga between Commissioner Tom Moyane and Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, the Ministers of Police and State Security were sent out on Wednesday to bat for the Hawks. The most alarming takeout from a media briefing is Nhleko's claim that the Hawks don't need a particular law or charge to question suspects, this in spite of the existence of a case number. As the two ministers addressed the media, Pravin Gordhan’s attorneys dropped a letter to the Hawks asking exactly the nature of the offence they are investigating. By MARIANNE THAMM.

While you were sleeping

Toughest sanctions yet for North Korea
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed new sanctions against North Korea. Effectively forcing all goods imported into the DPRK to undergo inspection, the sanctions make those old restrictions against Iran look positively generous.
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Pentagon invites hackers to test network
For the first time in its history, the Pentagon is inviting selected hackers to try and break it's cyber defences. This is a new approach by the United States security administration to harden its defences at a fraction of the cost of hiring internal 'red teams'.
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Vatican Cardinal denies sexual abuse cover up
Australian Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's treasurer, has denied attempting to cover up a sexual abuse case. Pell allegedly asked the Australian man "what it would take" for the allegations to disappear. The victim, David Ridsdale, who had been abused by his uncle, specifically implicated Pell in the cover-up.
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Slow sales for Rio Olympics
The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics has sold less than half its allotted tickets. Concerns over the ongoing Zika virus outbreak, an economic slump and general negativity abound for the upcoming Olympics. IOC president, Thomas Bach, noted that he was unconcerned, since Brazilians apparently don't buy their tickets early. Very well then...
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In Numbers

193

The amount, in gallons, of recycled urine and sweat NASA astronaut Scott Kelly drank during his record-breaking stay in space.

Facts of the Day

Today in 2014 saw the start of the Oscar Pistorius trial.

Fact of the day: The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the most-awarded movie series ever.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 18° max: 32°, cloudy
CPT: min: 17° max: 31°, cloudy
DBN: min: 22° max: 27°, cloudy
EL: min: 19° max: 29°, sunny
JHB: min: 15° max: 30°, cloudy
KIM: min: 23° max: 35°, cloudy
NLP: min: 15° max: 32°, cloudy
PMB: min: 17° max: 29°, rainy
PKN: min: 16° max: 30°, sunny
PE: min: 19° max: 29°, cloudy
PTA: min: 17° max: 31°, cloudy

Oil=$36.93 Gold=$1,241.20 Platinum=$937.14
R/$=15.54 R/€=16.90 R/£=21.89 $/€=1.08
JSE All Share=50,966.93 DJIA=16,863.05 FTSE 100=6,147.06 : Source