“Fear and debt. The two most powerful tools of empire.”
– John Perkins

Story of the Day

amaBhungane: Jonas Makwakwa, then SARS No 2 executive, secured a job for his girlfriend

Suspended tax chief Jonas Makwakwa allegedly used his influence at the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to secure a position for his then-26-year-old girlfriend. Kelly-Ann Elskie was transferred from her position as a personal assistant in March last year, and given the title of junior consultant: legal and policy in SARS’s high court litigation unit, which deals with the tax authority’s most high-profile and sensitive cases. By Susan Comrie for AMABHUNGANE.
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While you were sleeping

Dozens killed in stampede at Ethiopian festival

At least 52 Ethiopians have been killed in a stampede and police crackdown. Celebrations at a religious festival in Bishoftu went horribly wrong when police fired rubber bullets and teargas at anti-government protestors, who had thrown stones at the security forces. Read More

Colombia votes against FARC peace deal

The Colombian public has rejected the proposed FARC peace deal in a public referendum, with the 'no' voters winning by a narrow margin. The shock result saw the ‘no’ camp win by half a percent, or 54,000 votes, which has thrown the historic peace agreement into utter doubt. A lack of punishment for the rebel FARC was perceived by the no camp as the primary voting motivator. Read More

Pope speaks against gender theory in schools

Despite an unprecented stance towards homosexuals and transexuals, Pope Francis has spoken against the notion of teaching gender theory in schools. Calling it "insidious indoctrination", the Pope is apparently fine with treating all with dignity and respect, but not with the introduction of new theories to explain their differences. Read More

Palmer 'watching over' US team in Ryder Cup

US captain Davis Love has said the late Arnold Palmer was watching over the American team during their 17-11 victory against Europe in this year's Ryder Cup. That, and perhaps the throngs of anti-European hecklers, several of whom had to be ejected from the course. Read More

In Numbers

14,000

The number of landmines sniffed out by rats in Mozambique.

Facts of the Day

Today is World Animal Day.

Fifty Shades of Grey initially started out as Twilight fan fiction.

Weather

Financial Data

BFN: min: 5° max: 24°, sunny
CPT: min: 13° max: 25°, cloudy
DBN: min: 12° max: 17°, rainy
EL: min: 14° max: 20°, rainy
JHB: min: 2° max: 17°, sunny
KIM: min: 3° max: 23°, sunny
NLP: min: 9° max: 21°, cloudy
PMB: min: 6° max: 14°, cloudy
PKN: min: 8° max: 19°,cloudy
PE: min: 14° max: 20°, cloudy
PTA: min: 6° max: 22°, cloudy

Oil=$50.19
Gold=$1,315.87
Platinum=$1,027.35
R/$=13.72
R/€=15.43
R/£=17.80
€/$=1.12
JSE All Share=51,949.83
DJIA= 18,308.15
FTSE 100=6,899.33
Source

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