While you were sleeping: 8 march 2016

Maria Sharapova in doping scandal, Obama snubbed by Netanyahu, and Bloomberg not to run for president.

By John Stupart

8 Mar 2016

"I tried to drown my sorrows, but the bastards learned how to swim"

– Frida Kahlo

Story of the Day

Trainspotter: The Madness of King Mbeki, HIV/AIDS edition
As you’re no doubt aware, former President Thabo Mbeki has been addressing his legacy in a series of letters published on his Foundation’s homepage. Interested South Africans wondered when he was going to get around to dealing with the most controversial aspect of his presidency. They should wonder no longer. Mbeki is still nuts about Aids. The first time, lots of people died unnecessarily. Now, it’s just pathetic. By RICHARD POPLAK.

While you were sleeping

Bloomberg won't run for US president
New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has announced that he will not be running for president. Bloomberg justified the decision as a move to increase the chances that a Republican will not see the inside of the White House.
Read More

Netanyahu declines to visit Obama
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declined an invitation to visit President Barack Obama. Relations between Obama and the Israeli leader have been strained following the nuclear agreement with Iran. Obama will now visit Havana in Cuba instead.
Read More

Guantanamo prisoners return to fighting
A new report by the Obama administration has indicated that at least 12 former Guantanamo Bay detention camp inmates have returned to fighting in the past six months. This brings the total to 111 militants out of 532 released overall, with another 74 suspected of returning to the battlefield.
Read More

Sharapova faces suspension
The highest paid female sports professional is likely to be suspended for using a banned substance. Maria Sharapova admitted to using Meldonium for "health issues". The drug is commonly used to treat diabetes and low magnesium, and was banned by the World Doping Agency in January. Sharapova faces a maximum suspension of four years.
Read More

In Numbers

1/7

The odds, as of last week, of Donald Trump winning the GOP nomination, according to Paddy Power.

Facts of the Day

Today is International Women's Day.

Fact of the day: Before it became a major food fad, Pizza Hut largely bought Kale as a salad garnish. After 2012, however, it was pretty much the salad itself.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 18° max: 26°, rainy
CPT: min: 20° max: 26°, cloudy
DBN: min: 22° max: 26°, rainy
EL: min: 21° max: 22°, rainy
JHB: min: 15° max: 31°, cloudy
KIM: min: 19° max: 28°, rainy
NLP: min: 15° max: 34°, sunny
PMB: min: 14° max: 24°, rainy
PKN: min: 19° max: 32°, sunny
PE: min: 19° max: 21°, rainy
PTA: min: 18° max: 32°, cloudy

Oil=$40.86 Gold=$1,261.20 Platinum=$995.42
R/$=15.26 R/€=16.80 R/£=21.77 $/€=1.10
JSE All Share=52,673.79 DJIA=17,081.35 FTSE 100=6,182.40 : Source