Listen to Pravin Gordhan’s interview about the medium term budget and the market analysis intrviews on Summit. His major balancing act is applauded.

Main points:
Gordhan cuts forex controls to curb rand
Making it easier for companies and individuals to invest offshore.
- Business Day

- Pravin Gordhan – Finance Minister and Market Reaction intervieiws
- Transcripts
- Look out for more indepth analysis form the Financial Mail, from Oct. 30 2009

Apparently this was leaked through to the Boston Globe – that Obama is receiving 400% more threats than his predecessor, Bush. It comes as no surprise really – but the fact that the Secret Service has to refocus its resources completely and have their sole mission on protecting the US president is something else. These have been blamed on hate groups and technology making it easier to spread it through virtual communities etc. - READ MORE

I have an issue with the billboards that go up every time this event comes around. You always see women’s legs and undies… why? Why should that be the image of representation when you have an event like that? Highly disturbing – we’re closing the first decade of the 21st century and objectifying women as sex symbols is still viciously strong. And Jo’burg prides itself as a 1st world  African city. Who am I kidding – anywhere you go in the world, 1st world or not – that is the mentality.

Sad news about Patrick today. It was horrible to see him a fefw month back while he was battling with the cancer. I had a friend who lost someone close to it, so it was quite scary to see it happening again to someone else.

I was so heart broken when I saw poor nineteen year old Taylor Swift’s face  after Kanye West dissed her when she was accepting her best video award.

That was such a horrible thing to do. I say big up to Beyonce for giving her, her moment back, but seriously, how low. I know loads of bloggers are saying something about this – but it was heart breaking to see her face like that. What a big moment for her and for it to be thwarted like that. Here’s a detailed report from YAHOO

It was beautiful and it was dignified.  Some people thought that Paris’s words were staged by the adults as a ploy because of the allegations that were against her father – I say stuff you – it’s a little child who has lost her father so that’s that.

Here’s a link to view some of the highlights of the event. From Yahoo!

Interesting Stuff for all you curious minds: http://www.ismichaeljacksonstillalive.com

Elvis – Tu Pac Fever?

Nobody vouched for Madoff’s character. An opportunity is given to persons to do so when one is on trial for such things an no one said anything.

Here are a couple of examples of what Madoff’s actions have led to:

Carla Hirschhorn mother was living off social security and her daughter had two jobs to pay off her tuition – “Don’t fail us”, she told the judge.

Miriam Siegman of Connecticut told Chin that Madoff “dicsarded me like road kill” and that now she relied on food stamps, collected recyclable bottles and digging through dumps – READ MORE ON BUSINESS DAY

Another Airplane tragedy – after Air France went down about a month ago a whole lot of articles came out about how flying is actually safer now than ever to ease people’s – fears. Eish! Here’s a detailed article on the crash from Reuters.

Here is a list of airlines banned in Europe.

Afghanistan: Ariana Afghan Airlines
Comores: Air Service Comores
Democratic Republic of Congo: Africa One, African Company Airlines, Aigle Aviation, Air Boyoma, Air Kasai, Air Navette, Air Tropiques, Air Transport Office, Blue Airlines, Business Aviation, Butembo Airlines, Compagnie Africaine dAviation, Cargo Bull Aviation, Central Air Express, Cetraca Aviation Service, CHC Stelavia, Comair, Compagnie Africaine d’Aviation, C0-ZA Airways, Das Airlines, Doren Aircargo, Enterprise World Airways, Filair, Free Airlines, Galaxy Corporation, GR Aviation, Global Airways, Goma Express, Great Lake Business Company, International Trans Air Business, Jet Aero Services, Kinshasa Airways, Kivu Air, Lignes Aériennes Congolaises, Malu Aviation, Malila Airlift, Mango Mat, Rwabika Bushi Express, Safari Logistics, Services Air, Tembo Air Services, Thom’s Airways, TMK Air Commuter, Tracep, Trans Air Cargo Services, TRACO, Uhuru Airlines, Virunga Air Charter, Waltair Aviation, Wimbi Diri Airways
Equatorial Guinea: Air Consul, Avirex Guinee Equatoriale, Compagnie Aeree de Guinee Equatoriale, Ecuato Guineana de Aviacion, Ecuatorial Cargo, Guinea Ecuatorial Airlines, Getra, Jetline Inc, KNG Transavia Cargo, Prompt Air GE SA, Union de Transport Aereo de Guinea Ecuatorial
North Korea: Air Koryo
Kazakhstan: BGB Air, GST Aero Air Company
Kyrgyzstan: Phoenix Aviation, Reem Air

25 June 2009 is a major News Day – Major Legend and Musical Genius who roused major controversy in his later years – Michael Jackson unexpectedly passed away last night from cardiac arrest. Farrah Fawcett also lost her battle with cancer on the same day.

With Confederations Cup in South Africa Bafana Bafana team – ranked 77th in the world held their own against 5 time world champions Brazil, until the 87th minute, where they lost 1 – 0 to Brazil with a penalty kick. Now they’ll be battling with Spain for 3rd place. Nobody thought they’d get this far! Homeground advantage?

Then of course there’s the rate cut that didn’t happen and the electricity hike that did happen – I think the fat cats out there are just asking for a revolution. The recession is biting hard!