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[FIRST THING With John Stupart]
Thursday, 4 July 2019
âThereâs someone for everyone, here in London, they always say.â
Philip Hensher
Story of the Day
[Floundering Eskom ship running out of ballast as Treasury prepares Special Appropriation Bill](
By Marianne Merten
An Eskom Special Appropriation Bill to fund its long-term ability to keep South Africaâs lights on, and itself afloat, is just about finalised. Finance DG Dondo Mogajane confirmed this on the sidelines of the parliamentary appropriations committee, adding that the draft law on Eskomâs future funding would be accompanied by an explanatory memo on broader reforms.
WHO IS SA'S NO.1 UNIT TRUST ASSET MANAGER?...[CLICK HERE](
WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
[Facebook, Instagram, facing connectivity issues](
A planned maintenance operation by Facebook has led to global connectivity problems on most of its platforms. WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook all faced massive issues. If you could not see your aunt's latest viral cat video, you can blame Facebook. Somewhere deep inside a server room in Silicon Valley, IT chiefs are being hauled over the proverbial coals. Facebook assured the public that the issue had now been resolved. We hope so (for the viral cats' sake).
[North Korea blame Trump for wanting war](
The North Korean mission to the United Nations has accused the United States of being "more and more hell-bent on hostile acts". The isolated country was responding to a call by the Trump Administration for tighter restrictions on Kim Jong Un's regime for breaching a fuel import cap. Historic DMZ-crossing photoshoot firmly spoiled, in other words.
[Brazil to act on deforestation, Paris Agreement hopes](
If a report emerging from the EU is correct, Brazil has vowed to act against rampant deforestation. The level of CO2 emissions as a result of deforestation in the rain forest has sparked surprising cognisance by Brazil to act in preventing further degradation.
[Boeing makes $100-million pledge for 737 MAX victims](
Families and communities affected by the crashes of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia will be receiving over $100-million from the aerospace company. The gesture was a move towards buffing out the tarnished reputation of the company ahead of the aircraft's recertification. $100-million is less than the sale price of a single 737 MAX 8, just for the record.
[Award-Winning Journalist Sikonathi Mantshantsha joins Daily Maverick](
Award-winning financial journalist Sikonathi Mantshantsha has joined Scorpio, the Investigative Unit of Daily Maverick, as of 1 July 2019. In addition, Mantshantsha will contribute to Business Maverick, one of the latest additions to Daily Maverickâs growing stable, which focuses on the business stories driving South African economic landscape.
Picture of the Day
By EPA-EFE/NICO AGUILERA
A man observes the total solar eclipse with a welding mask while drinking mate tea, in Merlo, San Luis, Argentina, 2 July 2019. A total solar eclipse crossed above Chile and Argentina, as well as the waters of the South Pacific.
In Numbers
250,000
The minimum estimated number of pairs of glasses owned by Elton John.
Facts of the Day
Today is the 4th of July. America will be one giant firework today. Nobody else need pay no mind.
Jamaica's flag is the only one that has no red, white or blue.
WHO IS SA'S NO.1 UNIT TRUST ASSET MANAGER?...[CLICK HERE](
Featured Articles
[Frontieres: Real-life stories of strangers in a strange and hostile land](
[Frontieres: Real-life stories of strangers in a strange and hostile land](
By Nkateko Mabasa
[Seagoing students keep abreast of current trends](
[Seagoing students keep abreast of current trends](
By Morgan Trimble
[Mpumalanga coal mines blatantly flout environment laws â report](
[Mpumalanga coal mines blatantly flout environment laws â report](
By Greg Nicolson
[Urban land reform: Start with informal settlements](
By Lauren Royston and Tiffany Ebrahim
[David Koloane: Artist who found himself on the wrong side of love](
By Premesh Lalu
[Coal hunters dodge the trains to scavenge for fallen rocks](
By GroundUp
Opinionistas
[Our Burning Planet: A Green New Deal for South Africa?](
A column by Saliem Fakir
[Creating Holy Cows in SA destroys accountability](
A column by John Steenhuisen
[The best in the ANC lack all conviction; the worst are full of passionate intensity](
A column by Sello Lediga
Weather
BFN: min: -1° max: 18°, cloudy
CPT: min: 11° max: 16°, rainy
DBN: min: 9° max: 22°, cloudy
EL: min: 17° max: 22°, rainy
JHB: min: 3° max: 18°, sunny
MHK: min: 9° max: 22°, sunny
NLP: min: 8° max: 28°, cloudy
PE: min: 12° max: 17°, cloudy
PMB: min: 7° max: 20°, cloudy
Financial Data
R/$ = 14.08 -0.07%
R/£ = 17.71 -0.08%
R/⬠= 15.89 -0.14%
R/BTC = 167,650.00 +5.59%
At -+5am or latest: % open to close
WHO IS SA'S NO.1 UNIT TRUST ASSET MANAGER?...[CLICK HERE](
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