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South Africa, World

While you were sleeping: 28 March 2017

While you were sleeping: 28 March 2017

Cyclone Debbie cuts swathe across NE Australia, DRC blame rebels for mass grave, and Proteas face Herculean task in New Zealand.

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

“The real problem of humanity is the following: we have paleolithic emotions; medieval institutions; and god-like technology.”
Edward Wilson

 
 

The story of this country is impossible to script. President Jacob Zuma keeps redefining his catastrophic legacy by dragging this nation from one disaster to another. Why would the President sabotage the gains made to steady the economy and the strengthening of the rand by suddenly instructing Minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas to cancel an international investor roadshow? It is because Zuma is so beholden to his benefactors that he is willing to pummel the economy and impair the country’s interests by again dabbling with the finance ministry. But this is a complicated gamble for everyone, including Zuma. By RANJENI MUNUSAMY.

 
 
 

Cyclone Debbie ravages Australian coast

Category four winds relating to Cyclone Debbie have cut a swathe of destruction along north-eastern Australia. After the winds uprooted trees and cut power to 30,000 homes, officials are advising tourists and locals alike to remain inside during the storm. Winds of 270/kph have been recorded, but no fatalities have been reported as yet.

 

DRC officials blame rebels for 39 dead

The mass grave revealing 39 bodies on Friday was the work of rebels, or so say the Congolese national police. Thirty-nine police officers were killed in an ambush in Kasai, DRC, by supporters of the late militia leader Kamwina Nsapu. Kasai has been characterised as one of the more violent regions in the DRC recently.

 

Scotland expected to bring independence vote in today

A last-minute pre-Brexit meeting between Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon appeared fruitless, as Scottish politicians announced their intention to bring a vote on an independence referendum today. Scotland is seeking to remain a part of the EU’s single market and avoid the bundling of itself with whatever Brexit brings.

 

Proteas face uphill struggle

A half century by Colin de Grandhomme preceded by a century by Kane Williamson has combined to a 175-run lead by New Zealand. For South Africa, an uphill struggle in its second innings now looms. Whether the Proteas opt for a safe defensive innings or go all out for a win remains to be seen.

 
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IN NUMBERS

60

How many bottles of liquor Winston Churchill took with him during his time in the Boer War.

 

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 1871 the Paris Commune is officially formed.

Princess Diana once invited Cindy Crawford to Buckinham Palace because her son Prince William had a crush on her.

 

FEATURED ARTICLES

OPINIONISTAS

Our democracy: Fleeing in a marked police vehicle

A column by NOMATTER NDEBELE

 

Let’s give Helen Zille the benefit of the doubt

A column by GHALEB CACHALIA

 
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Weather
BFN: min: 12° max: 29°, sunny
CPT: min: 15° max: 24°, sunny
DBN: min: 19° max: 28°, AM rain
EL: min: 19° max: 26°, cloudy
JHB: min: 10° max: 30°, sunny
KIM: min: 15° max: 30°, cloudy
NLP: min: 14° max: 32°, sunny
PMB: min: 11° max: 28°, cloudy
PE: min: 197° max: 24°, cloudy
PTA: min: 11° max: 30°, sunny

Financial Data
Oil=$50.70
Gold=$1,255.76
Platinum=$968.50
R/$=12.74
R/€=13.85
R/£=16.02
$/€=1.08
JSE All Share=51,724.92
DJIA=20,523.97
FTSE 100=7,293.50

Gallery

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