While you were sleeping: 9 March 2016

Trump wins more states, ISIL leader bombed, and Sharapova-criticism continues.

By John Stupart

9 Mar 2016

“And I realised that there’s a big difference between deciding to leave and knowing where to go.”

– Robyn Schneider

Story of the Day

Local Government Elections 2016: SA’s big issue poll
The date of South Africa’s fifth municipal elections is unlikely to be announced for at least another month with another round of registrations scheduled to take place on 9 and 10 April. Once the elections are proclaimed, the voters’ roll will be closed. There will be many differences between these elections and previous polls. Apart from the threat to the ANC’s dominance in urban areas, this election will take into account big issues: financial management of municipalities, service delivery, corruption, the drought, public transport, housing and job opportunities for the youth. And if the ANC has its way, Jacob Zuma should not be the issue. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

While you were sleeping

Trump wins Michigan and Mississippi
The Orange Menace has surged ahead of his Republican rivals, showing that bombast and contradiction could be a winning formula. The result now sets Donald Trump up very comfortably for a March 15 win in the crucial Florida primary.
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Uncle Kim announces nuclear capabilities
Kim Jong-Un has said that the North Korean dictatorship possesses miniaturised nuclear warheads. The report by state media today does not in any way really authenticate such claims, but the rhetoric on its own is cause for concern.
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ISIL commander likely killed in strike
A United States air strike has likely eliminated a key ISIL commander. Omar al-Shishani, a Georgian fighting for the terrorist organisation, was possibly killed by successive waves of drone and air strikes. The leader had a $5 million bounty on his head, which drone and strike pilots will probably wish they were eligible for.
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Ex-WADA boss condemns Sharapova
An ex-World Anti-Doping Agency boss has told the BBC that Maria Sharapova's use of an illicit substance was "reckless beyond description". Sharapova has lost many blue ribbon sponsors in the wake of her announcement, and has a long way to go before expunging her record.
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In Numbers

80.56

The winning rate (percentage) of Maria Sharapova's professional tennis career.

Facts of the Day

Today in 1959 saw the debut of the Barbie doll.

Fact of the day: Forget about driving while on the cellphone. Kids are 12 times more distracting for drivers than mobile phones.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 18° max: 25°, rainy
CPT: min: 20° max: 27°, cloudy
DBN: min: 22° max: 22°, rainy
EL: min: 21° max: 25°, windy
JHB: min: 15° max: 21°, rainy
KIM: min: 23° max: 30°, cloudy
NLP: min: 15° max: 23°, rainy
PMB: min: 14° max: 19°, rainy
PKN: min: 16° max: 30°, sunny
PE: min: 19° max: 23°, rainy
PTA: min: 17° max: 25°, cloudy

Oil=$39.86 Gold=$1,268.76 Platinum=$994.93
R/$=15.38 R/€=16.97 R/£=21.85 $/€=1.10
JSE All Share=52,459.83 DJIA=16,982.63 FTSE 100=6,114.61 : Source