While you were sleeping: 12 May 2016

By John Stupart

12 May 2016

ISIL triple blast kills 93, Obama considers arms exports to Vietnam, and Playboy announces Playmate of the Year.

"I’m not interested in the politics of dickness."

– Ntokozo Qwabe

Story of the Day

House of Cards: In the murkiness surrounding O’Sullivan arrest, Hawks reveal new hand

While Gauteng Hawks boss Prince Mokotedi didn’t make his expected turn in the witness stand at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s court on Monday in the Paul O'Sullivan triple passport matter, the NPA did reveal a new but not entirely unexpected hand. O’Sullivan has now been charged along with former SAA CEO Monwabisi Kalawe and chief operating officer of the Mogale City Council, one Abednego Mbulawa, on charges of extortion, intimidation, fraud, forgery and uttering. It appears that the country’s courts have been turned into an “I-see-you-and-raise-you” gambling hall. By MARIANNE THAMM.
Read more

While you were sleeping

Baghdad rocked by car bombings

Iraq has seen 93 people killed in triple car bombings by Islamic State. The largest, in Sadr City, claimed 64 lives. The strikes come as ISIL has been put on the back foot territory-wise, but still appears perfectly capable of striking at the heart of Iraq. Read more

Obama mulls arms to Vietnam

The White House has announced it is seriously considering lifting an arms embargo on Vietnam. This call was made ahead of an impending presidential visit to the country, where the Cold War-era prohibition is likely to be discussed. If lifted, the US will prove that there are no permanent allies, nor any permanent enemies, in international relations. Read more

Debris 'almost certainly' from MH370

Plane debris found earlier in Mauritius and South Africa is highly likely to be from flight MH370. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau's laboratories have reiterated that the debris matches the missing Malaysian Airlines flight. If no wreckage is found within the 120,000 km search range, authorities will ultimately call the plane officially missing. Read more

Playboy announces new playmate

Model and actress, Eugena Washington, is the first Playmate of the Year since Playboy went non-nude. Hailing the announcement as a bold new step, the appointment of Washington to such a hallowed position of power – at least over teenage boys – may bring Playboy a step closer to bringing in new readers. The term "readers" being used very lightly, that is. Read more

In Numbers

63.2

The percentage of Americans who consider their pets to be family members. Just 1% consider them to be property.

Facts of the Day

Today is International Nurses Day. If you happen to be having some treatment that involves a nurse, be thankful.

Fact of the day: 'Le Mons' is a 24-hour race mocking Le Mans. The marathon event sees drivers racing vehicles that can only cost a maximum of $500.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 7° max: 23°, sunny
CPT: min: 12° max: 20°, cloudy
DBN: min: 19° max: 26°, sunny
EL: min: 16° max: 24°, sunny
JHB: min: 9° max: 24°, cloudy
KIM: min: 9° max: 24°, rainy
NLP: min: 7° max: 27°, cloudy
PMB: min: 10° max: 25°, cloudy
PKN: min: 8° max: 26°, sunny
PE: min: 14° max: 23°, sunny
PTA: min: 8° max: 25°, sunny

Oil=$47.35

Gold=$1,277.26
Platinum=$1,066.70
R/$=15.05
R/€=17.19
R/£=21.74
$/€=1.14
JSE All Share=52,130.34
DJIA=17,711.12
FTSE 100=6,162.49
Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURED

	House of Cards: In the murkiness surrounding O’Sullivan arrest, Hawks reveal new hand By Marianne Thamm
	AmaBhungane: Forensic supply firm wins R30m SAPS contract despite contravening tax law By AMABHUNGANE
	Richards Bay: Investment millions at risk as community’s ire endangers Rio Tinto’s operations By CYRIL MADLALA
	Sunday in the Park with Jake: A Fantasy about the day of miracle and wonder By Tony Jackman
	Reporter’s WEF Africa notebook: We need to talk about Kagame By Stephen Grootes
	Venture with Gupta-linked company is above board, Denel insists By Marianne Merten
	Report: A Journey through the Vuwani schools’ ashes By Section 27
	Op-Ed: State Capture vs Justice, The Free State Health edition By ANELE YAWA
	Rural Limpopo cricket club does its bit for transformation By Antoinette Muller
	GroundUp: SA vaccination programme in trouble, says the man who ran it until December By GroundUp
	While you were sleeping: 11 May 2016 By John Stupart