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While you were sleeping: 28th February 2017

While you were sleeping: 28th February 2017

SpaceX to send tourists to moon in 2018, massive spending increase in US defence budget, and Shakespeare carries Leicester to victory.

Tuesday, 28th February 2017

“The annual exodus of Kiwis to Australia raised the average IQ of both countries.”
Former New Zealand prime minister Robert Muldoon

 
 

South Africans have a certain reputation for public robustness. We fight, scream, and shout at each other, all in the name of deciding what would make for a better country. At times, though, this robustness threatens to derail us at a time when many people could be vulnerable to serious harm. On Friday in Pretoria, violence broke out during a march planned by people who were “opposed to illegal immigrants”. The police struggled to maintain order. And instead of speaking with one voice, everyone in a leadership position was busy pointing fingers, particularly at Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba. By STEPHEN GROOTES.

 
 
 

SpaceX to send tourists to the moon by 2018

Space travel has come a long way from its Cold War competitive roots. SpaceX announced late on Monday that two tourists have paid deposits and are in the process of health screenings in order to be sent around the moon — by 2018. This will be the first space flight to the moon since the Apollo missions of the 60s and 70s. No specific amount for the trip per person was published, however.

 

Trump announces major defence spending increase

Not to be outdone by space exploration, President Donald Trump announced a $54 billion spending increase in defence and security, a bump of 10 percent. The increase will come at a cost for foreign aid, which will bear the brunt of the reduction. In context, this means more drones for counter-terrorism, but God help America should Ebola break out again.

 

Liberian authorities and Sea Shepherd nab poachers

If you thought that the Sea Shepherd spent all its time harassing Japanese whaling trips, think again. The organisation, in conjunction with Liberian authorities, successfully identified and captured three illegal fishing vessels in territorial waters. A Chinese, Ghanaian, and Senegalese-flagged ship were all captured along with their crew. With illegal fishing costing the region $1.3 billion annually, nobody will be showing the poachers much mercy in court.

 

‘Et tu Leicester?’ as Shaespeare takes command

Leicester City’s new manager Craig Shakespeare appeared to watch his new charges stick the blade in Claudio Ranieri’s side even deeper, defeating Liverpool 3-1 and looking like the team of 2016. Ranieri was sacked as manager after a miracle season last year, but failed to produce results this year. Proving the bitter cynicism with which top football is run, Shakespeare looks set to produce both results and a litany of witty headlines.

 
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IN NUMBERS

95

Al Capone’s IQ.

 

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 2013 Pope Benedict XVI resigned. He was the first to do so in six centuries.

WD-40 is not patented, as that would force the makers to reveal its formula.

 

FEATURED ARTICLES

OPINIONISTAS

Why tax collectors love sinners

A column by IVO VEGTER

 

Fixing the economy in a den of robbers

A column by AYABONGA CAWE

 

The deadly power of patriarchy

A column by ROBYN WOLFSON VORSTER

 

An open letter to Brian Molefe

A column by SIPHO PITYANA

 
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