While you were sleeping: 8 July 2016

France makes Euro history, US to deploy missile shield, and a new planet discovered.

By John Stupart

8 Jul

"No man is himself, he is the sum of his past.”

– William Faulkner

Story of the Day

State Capture: Thuli’s final quest for the truth – investigating the Guptas’ political influence

Just three months before she is due to vacate what must be one of the hottest seats in South Africa, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Thursday learnt that Treasury had approved her request for funds to conduct an investigation into allegations of state capture by the Gupta family. Madonsela’s approach to Treasury in March for an additional R3-million is an unprecedented move for her office. But considering the extent and scope of the alleged state capture, it is unlikely that she will be in office when the investigation is completed. For this reason her successor will feel the blinding heat of a spotlight with enough candlepower to illuminate every dark corner. By MARIANNE THAMM
Read more

While you were sleeping

France defies odds to beat Germany

France has beaten Germany 2-0 to advance to the Euro 2016 finals. Capitalising on German injuries and errors, Antoine Griezmann proved a catalytic ingredient in the French victory. With massive crowds cheering throughout France, one would be forgiven for thinking the final had already been played. Read more

Police shot in Dallas

Demonstrations against recent police shootings in the US have resulted in, well, the shooting of police. Police said at least two snipers opened fire resulting in 11 officers being shot,four of them fatally, during a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas on Thursday evening. One sniper is currently cornered in a parking garage by police.

US to deploy missile defence systems to Korea

The United States and Korea have agreed to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) systems. The system can intercept missiles both inside and outside the earth's atmosphere. China and Russia are naturally annoyed at such 'aggression', although Korea maintained THAAD would be devoted to thwarting North Korean aggression. Read more

New planet discovered

A planet surrounded by three suns has been discovered. Named HD 131399Ab, the rare three-sunned planet was discovered in the Centaurus constellation. Think Tatooine, only even more unique. Read more

In Numbers

1992

The age of the laptop model used by McLaren Automotive to service the 100-odd remaining McLaren F1s.

Facts of the Day

Today in the Tour de France is the 162.5km L'Isle-Jourdain > Lac de Payolle Stage 7.

Fact of the day: Visa and MasterCard were both registered as non-profit organisations until the mid 2000s.

Weather & Financial Data

BFN: min: 0° max: 16°, sunny
CPT: min: 8° max: 18°, sunny
DBN: min: 13° max: 22°, cloudy
EL: min: 13° max: 23°, sunny
JHB: min: 3° max: 18°, sunny
KIM: min: 2° max: 17°, sunny
NLP: min: 2° max: 24°, cloudy
PMB: min: 2° max: 22°, sunny
PKN: min: 4° max: 18°, sunny
PE: min: 12° max: 21°, rainy
PTA: min: 2° max: 20°, cloudy

Oil=$46.54

Gold=$1,361.28
Platinum=$1,090.05
R/$=14.81
R/€=16.35
R/£=19.10
$/€=1.10
JSE All Share=51,097.48
DJIA=17,895.88
FTSE 100=6,533.79
Source

Now on Daily Maverick

FEATURED

	State Capture: Thuli’s final quest for the truth – investigating the Guptas’ political influence By Marianne Thamm
	Op-Ed: The rise of Label Weaponry and the shattering of public discourse By Marianne Merten
	Analysis: South Sudan, five years later By Lauren Hutton
	How the Maite Have Fallen: Whatever happened to informed, worldwise foreign ministers? By J Brooks Spector
	Open letter to Indian PM Narendra Modi: Leave Lawyers Collective alone By Daily Maverick
	Op-Ed: South Africa’s cities must include everyone By Geci Karuri-Sebina
	South Sudan economic woes threaten new crisis By Ian Schechtman
	Op-ed: The war for peace in South Sudan By Remember Miamingi
	Grahamstown ArtsFest ‘16: Naked in the solo spotlight By Tony Jackman
	GroundUp Op-Ed: Manenberg in dire need of more police – DA By GroundUp
	ICG: Insights from the Burundian Crisis – Back to Arusha and the Politics of Dialogue By International Crisis Group
	While you were sleeping: 7 July 2016 By John Stupart