Iran war talk from Trump affects Iraq, flight bans to Venezuela

[Click here for the web version of this email]( [FIRST THING With John Stupart]( Thursday, 16 May 2019 “Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?” Stephanie Perkins Story of the Day [Free State university bars ‘Gangster State’ book discussion]( By Daily Maverick Reporters The University of the Free State has decided to prohibit a panel discussion on Pieter-Louis Myburgh’s book ‘Gangster State’ that was due to take place on its campus next week. A choice of the finest coffee is roasted at Origin and we focus on ensuring we have the widest selection of single origin coffees in South Africa. [Visit our website for more information.]( WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [US pulls staff from Iraq, ratchets up Iran threats]( Non-essential US personnel working in Iraq have been recalled amidst escalating tensions targeted at Iran. President Donald Trump recently requested new plans for an Iranian invasion based on "increased threats" from Iran. As usual with the United States and sandy Middle Eastern countries, however, what those "threats" were remained largely opaque. [SpaceX shoots for the disconnected masses]( By the time you read this SpaceX will be hurriedly preparing to release 60 satellites into Earth's orbit. Their sole aim: to provide broadband internet access to four-billion disconnected, most of whom reside in Africa and Asia. The entire operation will see SpaceX launch its payload, recover the Falcon rocket, and systematically distribute 60 satellites into a near-global coverage. A lot could go wrong, but if it works a hell of a lot will go right for the developing world. [Democrat candidate offers $1,000 a month to Americans]( Andrew Yang, another Democratic 2020 candidate, wants to give Americans $1,000 a month. The contender is offering a technocratic, policy-centric platform that is centred around the Universal Basic Income. UBI, largely received with scepticism, would certainly be appealing to any American if it came with cold, hard cash each month. [US bans flights to Venezuela]( Violence and unrest near Venezuela's airports has prompted the US Department of Transport to order a halt to all commercial and cargo flights coming in or out of the country. Ongoing coup-not-coup related events have heavily curtailed Venezuelan economic traffic. Anyone mad enough to be going to Venezuela from America as a tourist will now face one heck of a return journey. In an age where it’s difficult to tell the difference between real politics and fake news, quality independent journalism is more important than ever. Daily Maverick has become renowned as a news source that you can trust because our journalists tirelessly research and investigate the stories we publish. [Click here to sign up to become a Maverick Insider and help us Defend Truth.]( Picture of the Day By EPA-EFE/NIC BOTHMA Single leg amputee Simo Mdudu of South Africa drives the ball during round three of the Canon South African Disabled Golf Open on the Magalies Park Golf course in Hartbeespoort, South Africa, 15 May 2019. In Numbers 4 The number of fingers on all Simpsons characters, except God. He has five. Facts of the Day Today in 1929 the first Academy Awards is held. "Goodbye" is a contraction of "God be with ye". THE GLENLIVET: Celebrate the Pioneers, Celebrate the Fearless, Celebrate the Mavericks, Celebrate the Definitive...[CLICK HERE]( Featured Articles [Ramaphosa never promised Alexandra community a million houses, say officials]( [Ramaphosa never promised Alexandra community a million houses, say officials]( By Bheki C. Simelane [How safe is your personal information in a digital world?]( [How safe is your personal information in a digital world?]( By Yanga Sibembe [North West premier wrangle a crucial indicator of Ramaphosa’s power in the ANC]( [North West premier wrangle a crucial indicator of Ramaphosa’s power in the ANC]( By Carien Du Plessis [SAPS/SITA capture: The continuing mess around firearms and exhibit control systems – a systemic threat to South Africa]( By Marianne Thamm [Don’t betray the people, Chief Justice Mogoeng urges prospective MPs, MPLs]( By Chanel Retief [Malawi elections: ‘Suspicious’ R66m ballot paper tender contract causes ruckus]( By Gregory Gondwe II for amaBhungane Opinionistas [The 2019 election’s partial endorsements]( A column by Susan Booysen [OPINIONISTA: New chapter for international arbitration in SA]( A column by Des Williams [Cyril Ramaphosa has his work cut out for him, but he is trusted by the international market]( A column by Jon Foster-Pedley Weather BFN: min: 8° max: 23°, sunny CPT: min: 13° max: 20°, sunny DBN: min: 17° max: 24°, cloudy EL: min: 14° max: 24°, cloudy JHB: min: 9° max: 22°, sunny MHK: min: 8° max: 26°, sunny NLP: min: 11° max: 29°, cloudy PE: min: 13° max: 21°, cloudy PMB: min: 12° max: 26°, sunny Financial Data R/$ = 14.23 R/€ = 15.95 R/£ = 18.29 $/BTC = 8,373.21 JSE All Share = 56234 -0.25▼ DJIA = 25,648.02 Brent Crude = $72.12 Gold = $1,295.93 * At +- 5am / % open to close THE GLENLIVET: Celebrate the Pioneers, Celebrate the Fearless, Celebrate the Mavericks, Celebrate the Definitive...[CLICK HERE]( [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND]( [Fb] [Tweet] [Link] [Yt] Copyright © 2019 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. 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