While you were sleeping: 12 August 2016

Blasts rock Thailand, kill four, Canadian shootout an ISIL lone wolf, and 7s score bronze at Rio.

By John Stupart

12 Aug

“Where people aren’t having any fun, they seldom produce good work.”

– David Ogilvy

Story of the Day

Elections aftermath: Why did the ANC ignore its own research?

“This is Radio Freedom, the voice of the African National Congress and its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe…” The ANC is a long way from the days when a crackly prohibited radio broadcast from exile was the only way the organisation communicated with ordinary people in South Africa, and yet loyalty was unwavering. Now, 22 years into democracy the ANC spent a reported R1 billion on an election campaign that delivered its worst ever electoral performance. The ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting is being closely watched to see how the party assesses its performance and responds to the backlash from voters. But the party’s own research rang the alarm bells before the poll and this was disregarded. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Blasts strike southern Thailand

Four people have been killed and 19 injured in southern Thailand. A food vendor was killed during two blasts in Hua Hin, near Bangkok, while other explosions occurred in Trang and Surat Thai respectively. Another bomb exploded in Patong, Phuket. Although no one has claimed responsibility, it is believed separatist insurgents are to blame. Tourists were the targets, however. Read More

Canadian lone wolf shot

A Canadian shot dead outside his home on Wednesday was believed to have been an ISIL lone wolf. Canadian federal police announced the affiliation last night after Aaron Driver, 24, was killed in a standoff with police. Driver had earlier detonated a small explosive device inside a taxi in Ontario. Read More

Swimmers seek redemption

South Africa's Brad Tandy just managed to qualify for the men's 50m free final while Chad le Clos will have a chance to make up for the disappointment of the 200m fly by qualifying for the men’s 100m fly final, finishing second in his heat on Friday morning. That and all the other action from day six in our blow-by-blow account. Read More

Sevens settle for bronze after missed opportunities

The South African Sevens team had to settle for bronze at the Olympics after a bunch of missed chances saw them lose their semi-final to Great Britain 5-7. They made up for it with a thumping win over Japan, though, while Fiji clinched the gold, their country’s first ever gold medal. Read More

In Numbers

230mph

The rough speed at which the Peregrine Falcon hits its prey with a balled foot. Quite literally, it kills its food with a 'Falcon Punch.'

Facts of the Day

Today is World Elephant Day.

Due to governmental interference in its sporting bodies, Kuwait is banned from the Olympics. Its athletes perform under an independent flag.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 4° max: 23°, sunny
CPT: min: 12° max: 17°, rainy
DBN: min: 16° max: 26°, sunny
EL: min: 18° max: 28°, sunny
JHB: min: 5° max: 22° sunny
KIM: min: 8° max: 25°, sunny
NLP: min: 3° max: 26°, sunny
PMB: min: 7° max: 27°, sunny
PKN: min: 5° max: 23°, sunny
PE: min: 17° max: 22°, cloudy
PTA: min: 7° max: 23°, sunny

Oil=$45.87
Gold=$1,337.06
Platinum=$1,140.47
R/$=13.43
R/€=14.96
R/£=17.41
€/$=1.11
JSE All Share=52,321.78
DJIA= 18,626.09
FTSE 100=6,914.71
Source

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