While you were sleeping: 7 July 2016

Troops to remain in Afghanistan, Clinton not to be charged for emails, and Wales bowed by unbroken.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair responds to Chilcot Iraq inquiry

7 Jul 2016

"Despite explicit warnings, the consequences of the invasion were underestimated. The planning and preparations for Iraq after Saddam Hussein were wholly inadequate.?"

– The Chilcot Report

Story of the Day

Oscar Pistorius sentence: Masipa’s homage to exceptionalism and privilege

High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa delivered a much-needed reality check on the continued triumph of exceptionalism and white privilege in our society. The laughable six-year sentence she handed down to convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius was a reminder of how inequality penetrates and impairs every aspect of our lives. Why should the showcase trial of South Africa’s former Olympic star be any different? Judge Masipa validated his bullshit version of events and his feigned remorse and told us that the “fallen hero” shouldn’t suffer because of our “unjustified outrage” at Reeva Steenkamp’s murder. So thank you My Lady for that “zombie stopper” shot in the head. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Troops to remain in Afghanistan: Obama

President Barack Obama has opted to slow the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Obama announced on Wednesday that 8,400 troops wouldl remain until 2017 to help in the fight against the Taliban. Read more

No charges for Clinton emails

The United States Justice Department announced on Wednesday that no charges would be brought against Hillary Clinton for using a private email server while secretary of state. Donald Trump, as if on cue, cried foul, accusing Bill Clinton of bribing an attorney general and labelling Hillary "crooked". Read more

Wales's proud defeat against Portugal

Wales has been knocked out of the Euro 2016 semi-finals, losing 2-0 to Portugal. With the stadium's fans streaming tears of pride, the defeat seemed, much like Iceland, less of a loss and more of a great achievement. One fan wryly commented, "We've done better than England. That's what counted." Read more

Murray through to semi-finals

Andy Murray has defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (12/10), 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-1 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. In doing so, Murray has achieved his 100th grass court win, and a match-up against Czech 10th seed, Tomas Berdych. Read more

Ridealong Episode Two

target="_blank"> Ridealong Episode 2: Ghost Squad

target="_blank">Click here to watch Ridealong Episode 2.

In Numbers

140

The number of litres of water required to grow enough beans to make one cup of black coffee.

Facts of the Day

Today is World Chocolate Day. Nothing else needs to be said. You have permission from the world.

Fact of the day: Japanese scientists have developed a way to capture simple images from the brain. Eventually, this technology could theoretically lead to the recording of dreams.

Weather

Financial Data

BFN: min: -4° max: 16°, cloudy
CPT: min: 6° max: 16°, sunny
DBN: min: 13° max: 17°, cloudy
EL: min: 12° max: 17°, sunny
JHB: min: 2° max: 18°, sunny
KIM: min: -1° max: 14°, sunny
NLP: min: 4° max: 17°, cloudy
PMB: min: 3° max: 15°, cloudy
PKN: min: 4° max: 18°, cloudy
PE: min: 11° max: 17°, cloudy
PTA: min: 2° max: 20°, cloudy

Oil=$48.82

Gold=$1,365.17
Platinum=$1,086.75
R/$=14.73
R/€=16.35
R/£=19.03
$/€=1.11
JSE All Share=50,811.66
DJIA=17,871.40
FTSE 100=6,463.59
Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURED

	Oscar Pistorius sentence: Masipa’s homage to exceptionalism and privilege By Ranjeni Munusamy
	SABC crisis: Defending Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Chairman Maguvhe paints alternate reality By Stephen Grootes
	House of Cards: Magistrate says Paul O’Sullivan free to fly By Marianne Thamm
	Oscar’s 6-year sentence: Speaking volumes on SA By Greg Nicolson
	Ridealong: On the streets with Cape Town's Ghost Squad By Daily Maverick Chronicle
	Shadow play: Louise Linton and the arrival of the African age By Kevin Bloom
	Medupi, Kusile, and the massive cost/time overrun By Chris Yelland
	Grahamstown ArtsFest ‘16: Digging Deep – parallel quests to understand ourselves as human beings By Tony Jackman
	Kenya: DisCORD in main opposition as election looms By Njeri Kimani
	Rio Olympics: Concerns mount after ‘Super Bacteria’ discovery By Antoinette Muller
	GroundUp: Deductions from social grants – Reserve Bank enters the fray By GroundUp
	ICG: Central Mali – an uprising in the making? By International Crisis Group
	ICG: The Philippines, renewing prospects for peace in Mindanao By International Crisis Group
	While you were sleeping: 6 July 2016 By John Stupart