While you were sleeping: 29 January 2016

By John Stupart

29 Jan 2016

Syrian talks hampered from the start, Trump's absence noted, and IAAF in hot water.

"What gunpowder did for war, the printing press has done for the mind."

- Wendell Phillips

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

The much anticipated Syrian peace talks have been derailed before they even began. Expected to start this week, Syrian opposition delegates opted to stay away from the Geneva negotiating table. While likely still enjoying five star accommodations somewhere nice, the opposition groups claimed the regime had not provided convincing answers to its demands to display some manner of goodwill. That, and a good layer of ski-able snow just fell in the Alps.

The Zika virus is now approaching the four-million infection mark. Despite the best efforts at countering the mosquito-borne virus, South America appears to be in the grips of an epidemic. That said, an emergency vaccine being developed in the United States may well be ready before the end of the year. However, despite the pressing emergency in finding actionable treatment for the virus, the vaccine could see trials last years before a human consumable product is finalised.

The absence of Trump has become a key topic during the Iowa Republican debate. Bereft of their orange mascot and of any original thematic content, Republicans and moderator Megyn Kelly resorted to discussing the toupée'd elephant in the room. Ted Cruz opened the debate – still underway – with the quip, "I'm a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly, and Ben, you're a terrible surgeon." With the Trump portion of this roadshow out the way, Republicans can now return to a socially conservative agenda that remains utterly unimaginative.

IAAF president Sebastian Coe has denied any wrongdoing involving himself or his organisation in the awarding of the 2017 World Athletics Championships. This statement was issued in the wake of UK Athletics chairperson Ed Warner's testimony before the British parliament that vote-able representatives had received brown envelopes prior to the awarding of the event to Qatar. Coe, despite his evasiveness, will likely not be able to sprint away from these allegations.

IN NUMBERS

24

The number of rabbits introduced into Australia in 1859. In 10 years they had multiplied to over two million.

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 1950 saw South Africa's greatest auto-racing champion born. Jody Schechter, 1979 Formula One champion, was born today.

Fact of the day: There are more trees in the United States now than ever before in recorded history.

WEATHER

Bloemfontein: min: 18° max: 32°, sunny
Cape Town: min: 24° max: 33°, rainy
Durban: min: 19° max: 30°, rainy

East London: min: 21° max: 29°, sunny
Johannesburg: min: 16° max: 30°, cloudy
Kimberley: min: 23° max: 33°, cloudy
Nelspruit: min: 19° max: 33°, cloudy
Pietermaritzburg: min: 15° max: 31°, rainy
Polokwane: min: 16° max: 32°, cloudy
Port Elizabeth: min: 19° max: 26°, sunny
Pretoria: min: 18° max: 31°, cloudy

FINANCIAL DATA

Oil=$34.65 Gold=$1,116.15 Platinum=$867.55
R/$=16.24 R/€=17.76 R/£=23.36 $/€=1.09
JSE All Share=48,702.61 DJIA=15,880.39 FTSE 100=5,928.30: Source

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