--- title: "While you were sleeping: 13 December 2017" description: "Landmark victory for Alabama Democrat, UN funding drawdown by US, and major GPS project launches more satellites." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-12-13-while-you-were-sleeping-13-december-2017/" published: "2017-12-13T06:13:24" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 719 --- # While you were sleeping: 13 December 2017 > Landmark victory for Alabama Democrat, UN funding drawdown by US, and major GPS project launches more satellites. By John Stupart · Published 13 December 2017, 08:13 SAST ## Content **Wednesday, 13 December 2017** *“I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand them.”* **Baruch Spinoza** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/BB/623/98C/csimport/849x493q70amaB-Alexkor1.054510.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: A tale of two captures – Alexkor, Gupta Inc and ‘WMC’](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuzdht-l-c/) By AMABHUNGANE and SCORPIO The legendary Grootslang of the Richtersveld is a primordial cross between an elephant and a snake. Now the Richtersveld seems beset by the massive dominance, on the one hand, of the Alexkor elephant and, on the other, by a shelf-company whose corporate coils seem to lead back inexorably to the Guptas. And in the background lurks the presence of a Grootslang that survived: Trans Hex, the company controlled by that old giant of White Monopoly Capital, Christo Wiese. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Jones unseats Roy Moore](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuzdht-l-q/) Alabama's Senate tussle left child abuse-accused Republican Roy Moore out in the cold, shaving down the party's Senate majority to just a single seat. Jones' win has been perceived as a rejection of divisive state and national politics. Moore, accused of child abuse and sexual assault, was ultimately defeated by a massive voter turn-out after intense campaigning on both sides. [US demands major cuts to UN budget](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuzdht-l-a/) The United States is looking to cut $250-million from the core budget of the United Nations in 2018-2019. The 5% cut would possibly focus on UN missions in Libya, Afghanistan, and Palestinian rights and communications services. The last office, given recent affairs, is probably considered a bonus of the massive cut proposed. [Crack found in Japan bullet train](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuzdht-l-f/) For the first time in its history, the Japanese "bullet" train has had a serious incident. A large crack and oil leak was discovered on one of the carriages as it pulled out of station heading towards Nagoya. This is the only time such a serious flaw has been discovered mid-journey. This kind of incident would be called "Wednesday" by most other passenger rail companies. [European GPS satellites launched](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-uuzdht-l-z/) Four more satellites of a 30-satellite project were launched today. The Ariane 5 rocket took off from Kourou Space Centre. When eventually online, the GPS network will provide an accurate position to within a metre. Soon you will be able to get lost with your direction device to an even more precise degree. — IN NUMBERS 53m The height of a hill in Rome that was made mostly of broken amphora shards. FACTS OF THE DAY Today in 1949 the Knesset votes to move the**capital of Israel to Jerusalem.** **Synchronised swimmers** have a high risk of concussions due to kicking each other in the head. 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