While you were sleeping: 7 March 2016

Nancy Reagon passes away, Democrats debate policy, and Manning retires at 40.

7 Mar 2016

"There's a big, wonderful world out there for you. It belongs to you. It's exciting and stimulating and rewarding. Don't cheat yourselves out of this promise."

– Nancy Reagan

Story of the Day

This Way Out: Holomisa's “exit strategy” for Jacob Zuma
During the debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA), one of the statements that stood out was United Democratic Movement Bantu Holomisa’s appeal to President Jacob Zuma to make a dignified departure from public office. As dissent against the president starts to build in the ANC and potentially explosive court rulings hang over his head, there has been some informal talk about how to contain the disaster-prone Zuma presidency. As the “recall” option used against former president Thabo Mbeki is not viable, Holomisa is proposing a way out that the ANC and the opposition could buy into, in the interests of the country. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Nancy Reagan passes away
The former first lady and wife of President Ronald Reagan died last night of congestive heart failure. Aged 94, Reagan's death has seen a wide array of statements, mostly positive, from Republican and Democratic politicians alike. Her involvement in the White House was generally regarded as pivotal in ensuring stability during the Cold War.
Read More

Clinton and Sanders clash on policy
While the Republican candidates still debate penis sizes, the Democrat debate last night saw Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders fiercely contesting policy. Trade, automotive bailouts and a host of other issues dominated the debate.
Read More

ISIL truck bomb kills 60
A bombing in Iraq by ISIL has killed 60 so far. The suicide attack in Hillah, over 100km from Baghdad, also wounded 70 more. This is already the second most devastating attack this year.
Read More

Manning retires
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has announced his retirement. The 40-year-old player's decision to go out on top, as a current Super Bowl champion, should all but guarantee a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Read More

In Numbers

3,700

The length in square metres of the Oscars' red carpet.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1989 the United Kingdom and Iran sever diplomatic ties. The issue? Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses.

Fact of the day: An Asian woman has never won best actress at the Academy Awards. The last nomination was 80 years ago.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 18° max: 32°, cloudy
CPT: min: 20° max: 24°, cloudy
DBN: min: 22° max: 39°, sunny
EL: min: 21° max: 33°, rainy
JHB: min: 15° max: 31°, cloudy
KIM: min: 23° max: 33°, cloudy
NLP: min: 15° max: 36°, cloudy
PMB: min: 14° max: 39°, rainy
PKN: min: 16° max: 30°, sunny
PE: min: 19° max: 32°, cloudy
PTA: min: 17° max: 31°, cloudy

Oil=$38.72 Gold=$1,258.95 Platinum=$978.80
R/$=15.34 R/€=16.88 R/£=21.82 $/€=1.10
JSE All Share=52,200.71 DJIA=17,006.77 FTSE 100=6,199.43: Source