US intelligence chiefs insist on Russian election hack allegations

[Daily Maverick] FIRST THING with JOHN STUPART TGIF, 6th January “You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.” Mary Oliver [Op-Ed: Independence of Western Sahara is an inalienable right] STORY OF THE DAY [Much ado Abbott nothing: Substantial Kolpak signings concerning, but not surprising] By ANTOINETTE MULLER. Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw became the latest two players in a long list of “Kolpak” signings over the last few months. Both came as a surprise to the team and management staff, but in the grander scheme of things, it speaks more of the global political climate. Still, there is a number of reasons to be concerned, especially considering Abbott high-profile. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Russian hacking theme of intelligence chief briefing] Director of National Intelligence James Clapper has told the Senate that they had a "very high" confidence in their findings that the Russians mounted a major cyber attack aimed at disrupting the 2016 elections. The announcement was made just one day before the USA's intelligence chiefs are set to brief the country's next president. Whether Donald Trump wants to hear the news is another question entirely. [Samsung profits expected to skyrocket] Samsung Electronics announced today that it expects profits to soar by 50 percent this quarter. High memory chip prices and a healthy demand for smartphones has fueled the company's $7.8 billion operating profit. It appears as though having devices that literally explode in your hands does not hamper a company's overall success. [Thai flooding kills six] At least six people have been killed by widespread flooding in southern Thailand. Nine provinces have been affected by the downpour, including the popular tourist spot of Samui. Rail lines have been washed away and flights cancelled. If you'd planned a post-Christmas getaway to Southern Thailand, you may want to double check your flight. [US cancer death rates plummet] A new study released on Thursday has shown cancer-related deaths in the United States fall dramatically. Death rates fell 21 percent from a high point in 1991, according to the American Cancer Society's annual report. New treatments and broader access by the public to healthcare were cited as the main contributing factors to this. — PICTURE OF THE DAY BY EPA/SHAWN THEW A member of the US Army honor guard lies on the floor after passing out during an Armed Forces Full Honor Review Farewell Tribute to US President Barack Obama at Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia, USA, 04 January 2017. IN NUMBERS 23 The years so far that Germans have been maintaining a meme that the town of Bielefeld does not exist. FACT OF THE DAY Today in 1995 Joe Slovo passed away. Riding a Black Unicorn Down the Side of an Erupting Volcano While Drinking from a Chalice Filled with the Laughter of Small Children is the title of a dark cabaret album by 'Voltaire' FEATURED ARTICLES [Much ado Abbott nothing: Substantial Kolpak signings concerning, but not surprising] [Much ado Abbott nothing: Substantial Kolpak signings concerning, but not surprising] BY Antoinette Muller [US: Spy chiefs stand firm on Russia findings] [US: Spy chiefs stand firm on Russia findings] BY AFP [Podcast: Hilton Schilder’s Catheter Symphony] [Podcast: Hilton Schilder’s Catheter Symphony] BY SOUND AFRICA [US: Trump again dismisses intel on Russian hacking] [US: Trump again dismisses intel on Russian hacking] BY AFP [While you were sleeping: 5th January 2017] [While you were sleeping: 5th January 2017] BY John Stupart OPINIONISTAS [ANC unity is the cornerstone of South Africa’s development] [ANC unity is the cornerstone of South Africa’s development] A column by Jessie Duarte [The ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ - or Socialist Revolution?] [The ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ - or Socialist Revolution?] A column by Patrick Craven — Weather BFN: min: 18° max: 23°, PM rain CPT: min: 19° max: 27°, sunny DBN: min: 18° max: 27°, PM rain EL: min: 20° max: 24°, windy JHB: min: 15° max: 29°, PM rain KIM: min: 19° max: 26°, rainy NLP: min: 17° max: 32°, cloudy PMB: min: 17° max: 26°, rainy PKN: min: 15° max: 30°, PM rain PE: min: 19° max: 23°, cloudy PTA: min: 17° max: 30°, PM rain Financial Data Oil=$56.11 Gold=$1,166.33 Platinum=$945.82 R/$=13.57 R/€=14.38 R/£=16.85 $/€=1.05 JSE All Share=50,474.95 DJIA=19,887.73 FTSE 100=7,195.31 [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND] Copyright © 2016 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick First Thing subscriber list. [Preferences] | [Unsubscribe]