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While you were sleeping: 23 August 2017

While you were sleeping: 23 August 2017

Jobs and coal in America, ICBMs in North Korea, and frivolous words in Las Vegas.

Wednesday, 23 August 2017

“We must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.” 
David Mamet

 
 

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For the past few years, there has been no family in South Africa more famous for their lavish personal lifestyles than the Guptas. Yet evidence from the #GuptaLeaks email trove shows that between 2011 and 2013, Sars accepted declarations from the three Gupta brothers to the effect that they earned R1-million or less each per year – and paid personal income tax accordingly. That’s a pretty sweet deal, given that the Guptas’ ostentatious way of life was well known. 

 
 
 

Trump talks taxes

Tax cuts for the middle class, “gleaming” new roads, and “beautiful, clean coal” will be thrown once more into the furnace. This was the thrust of President Donald Trump’s Phoenix address. Echoed by the hoots of Trump’s loyal fans, the Trump “plan” held little substantive content, but was strong on promises to deliver. Except, these were about the same set of promises talked about during the campaign season.

 

Kim Jong Un promises more ICBMs

Dear Leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the production of more ICBM components. The move by North Korea is a significant escalation in what had been considered to be a calming of relations between the dictatorship and the United States. When Trump is done huffing the fumes of his late-night speech, expect a torrent of angry tweets to follow.

 

Genocide warning for CAR

United Nations aid chief Stephen O’Brien has warned that the Central African Republic appeared to be headed for a genocide. O’Brien was briefing the Security Council on persistent violence in the country. The warning of early signs of genocide could precipitate a UN intervention beyond the current peacekeeping mission. But then, it could also yield nothing at all.

 

One more media circus for Mayweather and McGregor

Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor traded verbal jabs in one more media frenzy ahead of their Saturday night showdown. Mayweather expressed cynicism that McGregor would make the 154-pound weight limit, a failure of which could result in stiff penalties. McGregor responded with epithets before both entourages engaged in a ragged melee. In all, a great showcase of the state of boxing today.

 
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IN NUMBERS

64 days, 22 hours, 19 minutes and 5 seconds

The length of the world’s longest continuous flight. The plane was refuelled while on the move.

 

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 1991 the internet is opened to the public.

The hacking tools used in the Matrix were real, actual tools.

 

 

FEATURED ARTICLES

OPINIONISTAS

Has the Financial Services Board been captured?

A column by DALE T. MCKINLEY

 

The witch hunt that threatens our very democracy

A column by OSCAR VAN HEERDEN

 
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Weather
BFN: min: 1° max 17°, cloudy
CPT: min: 11° max: 17°,  rainy
DBN: min: 11° max: 21°, sunny
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MHK: min: 2° max: 22°, sunny
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PE: min: 9° max: 22°, cloudy
PTA: min: 7° max: 22°, sunny

Financial Data
Oil=$50.88
Gold=$1,273.07
Platinum=$963.27
R/$=13.31
R/€=15.63
R/£=17.13
$/€=0.88
JSE All Share=54,983.32
DJIA=21,999.36
FTSE 100=7,383.85

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