Newsdeck
While you were sleeping: 14 June 2017
Sessions gets serious in testimony, London blaze engulfs apartment block, and Uber CEO takes leave of absence.
Wednesday, 14 June 2017
“The past is always tense, the future perfect.”
Zadie Smith
STORY OF THE DAY
TRAINSPOTTER: #GuptaFreaks – How the monsters are beginning to eat themselves
By RICHARD POPLAK
It’s been a busy few weeks. Let’s get caught up.
Sessions testifies in heated Senate hearing
Attorney General Jeff Sessions has called allegations of his involvement in meddling with the Russian government and the Trump campaign a “detestable lie”. Sessions then went on to defend President Donald Trump’s dismissal of FBI director James Comey. The AG also flatly denied Huffington Post allegations that he had engaged with the Russian ambassador during the Trump campaign.
Massive fire engulfs London building
A 27-storey apartment block in London has gone up in flames. Firefighters responded to the blaze at the Lancaster West Estate, which quickly covered the entire structure. Fears of a building collapse quickly mounted. Ultimately no fatalities have been reported, with just two people treated for smoke inhalation.
Uber CEO takes leave of absence
Uber’s CEO Travis Kalanick has left the building, the ride-sharing company announced today. Aiming at restoring confidence in a company wracked with scandal, ruthlessness, and a sordid workplace, Kalanick stated: “If we are going to work on Uber 2.0, I also need to work on Travis 2.0 to become the leader that this company needs and that you deserve.”
Giant turkeys once roamed Australia
Turkey-like birds the size of kangaroos roamed the Australian wilderness, scientists have revealed. Fossils analysed revealed that what was once originally thought to be a single large creature was actually five distinct bird species. Several were not flightless, including the giant 8kg megapode. Thus far no reliable data on their suitability for chicken nuggets has been published.
IN NUMBERS
350
The number of calories fidgety people can burn per day tapping feet or fingers.
FACTS OF THE DAY
Today is World Blood Donor day.
Beer is drinkable after a nuclear explosion.
FEATURED ARTICLES
amaBhungane and Scorpio #GuptaLeaks: Another CV, another Eskom chief – then cash for the Guptas
BY AMABHUNGANE & SCORPIO
Op-Ed: Elite struggle over Zuma is making weapons against the poor
BY R BRUNETTE, P NQABA, J PEARSON & M PHADI
OPINIONISTAS
Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats: The State of the SA Economy
A column by MCEBISI JONAS
Weather
BFN: min:5° max 21°, sunny
CPT: min: 13° max: 17°, rainy
DBN: min: 18° max: 23°, cloudy
EL: min: 17° max: 23°, sunny
JHB: min: 5° max: 23°, sunny
KIM: min: 7° max: 22°, sunny
NLP: min: 8° max: 27°, sunny
PMB: min: 7° max: 23°, sunny
PE: min: 16° max: 22°, sunny
PTA: min: 6° max: 24°, sunny
Financial Data
Oil=$48.62
Gold=$1,265.21
Platinum=$926.29
R/$=12.76
R/€=14.29
R/£=16.27
$/€=0.89
JSE All Share=51,625.07
DJIA=21,316.86
FTSE 100=7,500.44