---
title: "While you were sleeping: 15 March 2016"
description: "Russia withdraws from Syria, global sea levels to rise 1.8m, and Andy Murray out of Indian Wells."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "South Africa"
author: "John Stupart"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-while-you-were-sleeping-15-march-2016/"
published: "2016-03-15T06:02:51"
updated: "2016-03-15T06:05:31"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 871
---

# While you were sleeping: 15 March 2016

> Russia withdraws from Syria, global sea levels to rise 1.8m, and Andy Murray out of Indian Wells.

By John Stupart · Published 15 March 2016, 08:02 SAST · Updated 15 March 2016, 08:05 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| *"Whenever I don’t know whether to fight or not, I fight."*  – **Emily Murphy** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |
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| \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/4188f6fd-c505-4db1-9219-578160f84ed4.jpg) \\| \\| --- \\| \\| [Analysis: The ringing sound of Pravin’s silence](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-analysis-the-ringing-sound-of-pravins-silence/#.Vud68px9600) Silence sometimes speaks louder than words. In our cacophonous democracy, few people choose not to speak when they can speak. Those who stay silent are often the ones powerful enough to do so — think Jacob Zuma when it comes to almost any controversial issue. And think Pravin Gordhan, on Monday, who chose to keep quiet on the subject of whether the Gupta family offered the finance ministry to Mcebisi Jonas last year. But even though Gordhan’s not using words, his message is deafening. By STEPHEN GROOTES. \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Russia withdraws forces from Syria** Five months after sending military forces into Syria to prop up Bashar al-Assad's leaky regime, President Vladimir Putin has instructed his troops to withdraw. The retreat from one of the world's hottest warzones puts the Syrian leader on what can be strategically termed a 'sticky wicket'. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-syria-opposition-says-waiting-to-see-impact-on-ground-of-russia-withdrawal-order) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **North Korea rattles the nuclear sabre** Dear Leader Kim Jong-un has instructed his military leadership to prepare to test a nuclear warhead. Combined with ballistic missile tests, this is all adding to the tension for South Korea and her allies. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-n.-korea-leader-orders-nuclear-warhead-test-missile-launches) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **US at risk of rising seas** Climate change-related effects on the United States will see 13 million Americans at risk. By the end of this century, researchers believe sea levels will rise by 1.8 metres. Forgetting about the Americans for a second, this would also see untold numbers of other coastal populations in peril. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-millions-in-us-at-risk-from-rising-seas-study) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Andy Murray out of Indian Wells** The world number two has been defeated in a shock third round result in the Californian tournament. Murray lost to Argentina's Federico Delbonis 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3). Murray will now resurface at the ATP Miami leg. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-tennis-murray-crashes-out-of-indian-wells) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| 15,080,330 \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The total number of Lego bricks required to successfully recreate The Lego Movie. You'd also need 183 minifigures. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Today in 1892 saw the founding of Liverpool.**Manchester United fans have hated this fact ever since.  **Fact of the day: Nobody climbed to the top of Mount Everest in 2015.**This is the first such instance in 41 years.  **Ride along**. By murder rate, Cape Town is the ninth most dangerous city in the world. The gangs that terrorise the Cape Flats and surrounds are leading drivers of this violence. [In the pilot episode of this new web series](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-while-you-were-sleeping-14-march-2016#.VuY6Tfl95hF), Chronicle's Shaun Swingler takes you behind the scenes into the operations of the Cape Town Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team to show what it's like to battle gangsterism, crime and drug abuse in one of the most notoriously violent places on earth.  ---[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-hIXxLiM6s) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 18° max: 29°, cloudy CPT: min: 15° max: 24°, sunny DBN: min: 21° max: 32°, cloudy EL: min: 18° max: 30°, sunny JHB: min: 15° max: 28°, rainy KIM: min: 20° max: 31°, cloudy NLP: min: 18° max: 29°, cloudy PMB: min: 14° max: 32°, sunny PKN: min: 18° max: 26°, cloudy PE: min: 19° max: 23°, cloudy PTA: min: 17° max: 28°, rainy \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$39.30 Gold=$1,242.38 Platinum=$959.78 R/$=15.56 R/€=17.29 R/£=22.30 $/€=1.11 JSE All Share=52,471.72 DJIA=17,194.51 FTSE 100=6,176.00 : [Source](http://emma.thewww.dailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/618590/129788333/3233800) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURES**\\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/H7Ascs9KPdLrS6IaNstQyZfxBhMXOqE2c1ZSJ0PjMgojR1KiV6pRa8JGSfYwMjD9rwJGdWkZsWC7xeNhuVgJXqX1ENtqEvdAR-uEVKtlb5dGlDp47gQd-AxHzCZdGtXZE6MELUK4hsnevDndUntfQw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Pravin-silence-Grootes.jpg)by Greg Nicolson." /> \\\| [Analysis: The ringing sound of Pravin’s silence](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-analysis-the-ringing-sound-of-pravins-silence/)  By Stephen Grootes \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Photo: Judge John Hlophe (Sapa)](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2DFtD1vy7ob8SzzWBtRisLHjzX3N2SknsSbXJaFLnRdy-YvG3SbSGv7uR1oeBsls57FhP2enAZ7Aiug3i9dIZTFV1BF5cMPoQHgIMMRB_5hve5iCXdTIhScqotXgmZ5aMvIZSAzaCrrdRhC-VZABkm7irN4=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70John-Hlophe-Marianne-Thamm.jpg) \\\| [John Hlophe misconduct: Another NeverEnding story](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-john-hlophe-misconduct-another-neverending-story/)  By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/2MoQpSLym_RYiwb0h9zWLmZVvMEXfMonnjKEpmvU1Ree3ISRU7bXlwuxLWTG40ba_h30o1F78pUodlv6tH6VUBqxMSlv350RGfrPZfrLOTGfD02ju-YO3YCS6uaZ9epGlIyFzzAA-BC0PXM8TQU0_YtWHg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Impeachment-merten-subbed.jpg)Nation Address in Cape Town, South Africa, 12 February 2015. The State of the Nation address was disrupted by the EFF resulting in the party being ordered out of the chamber by security forces. EPA/RODGER BOSCH/POOL" /> \\\| [Playing by the book: Parliament to review rules for removing a president](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-playing-by-the-book-parliament-to-review-rules-for-removing-a-president/)  By Marianne Merten \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/j-IcVWr30_vLupyPJKclEMFzZ7yx4eIE2bCJdDMhj91ttiBHBK-sB7R5xIDhE9bJajsULzkA5gzpTVX4MnXqDgRsQ_QqO0012D9b-75WetHa9VRJ-n2W_ax0v0SRZUp8GodUuYl5U5A=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70pravin-presser.jpg)glasses at a news conference during the annual IMF-World Bank meeting at the IMF headquarters building in Washington on October 7, 2010. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas." /> \\\| [Gordhan: Time to take responsibility for our own economy](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-gordhan-time-to-take-responsibility-for-our-own-economy/)  By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![MarianneKPMGletter(1).jpg](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Wulum7dtyuQyDxHs7WSusPjWBqJvVPtNVivFijdNVKA8eBbwAQ1XcgsDeoB7tmb7dXYFFK9zn2W5S4DykMsrkO_taQd0bhOeZXgk1oqPtDTFWcMybynvntJyGXHJrb7O2kgTCzSNXcnLwCcVm3yh=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70MarianneKPMGletter\(1\).jpg) \\\| [SARS Wars: KPMG report compromised by interference, undeclared conflicts of interest and press leaks](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-13-sars-wars-kpmg-report-compromised-by-interference-undeclared-conflicts-of-interest-and-press-leaks/)  By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_gEaNAO7xlRJsgp-dq6BgPtwtBQTMHX6Ls6y8zVFocjmS9_18V8VSBqAVyAG8_VDsCDyaXIXqEraeVWzCdScaCMA5W_NA2s9OEpyXYkT_17f0pudJHTm3eJ-syd2ObM9zlpxkFOadB2V7LiL9Bd5p6eN60osViVE4KmasObeyOowCuk0lDj7BPEDS0MWbUXGSoup=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Stephen_Lewis_-_photo_by_Gordon_Griffiths_-_17_April_2009.jpg)Wikimedia Commons" /> \\\| [Former UN Aids envoy: Sometimes even urinal graffiti makes more sense than Mbeki](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-former-un-aids-envoy-sometimes-even-urinal-graffiti-makes-more-sense-than-mbeki/)  By Stephen Lewis \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Z2_pWOwjQIj1ua8S6dA64kygO6tttmcTV3acRC2k3Vw2ZaZtszYSw2njrszymV16lceoNSHehQD4DZc6PP5CvL4nomgE8kx5BlQpZsuMwYZPl0Xu4c0bHbIKLlaSLth20K5mgpzvdQx_W_8EdL0CzDwvXvjW=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Allison-Cote-dIvoire-attack.jpg)Sud' hotel in Grand Bassam, Ivory Coast, 14 March 2016. According to reports fourteen civilians and six assailants were killed on 13 March 2016 when gunmen opened fire on guests on the beach at the hotel in the town of Grand Bassam which is popular with foreigners. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claimed responsibility for the attack. Among those killed were a French and German national. EPA/LEGNAN KOULA" /> \\\| [Cote d’Ivoire attack: Resurgent al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb flexes its muscles](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-cote-divoire-attack-resurgent-al-qaeda-in-the-islamic-maghreb-flexes-its-muscles/)  By Simon Allison \\\| \\\| ![Photo: Photo by Rod Waddington via Flickr.](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/AnS-YzGepzV1W2XEx8rrRmk6LdNTrosJqJPCQo8qNawHXGkveYNS-BZM0-Vvax20Lv3iIydJTR6a_2OnS2LBls18N_7_F9Y1aM1UIUp6rwA0rjpo2uFmJbMRuVBBh4xjdR1_g_9I6E3pjcLIPz_IcA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Niclson-Life-Esidemeni.jpg) \\\| [Gauteng health department accused of shirking mental healthcare rights](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-gauteng-health-department-accused-of-shirking-mental-healthcare-rights/)  By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/R2Y99F85IwgeW5TN9iaBq0fpDABj3mr4rH8IF608fG589O2sBfgERhY6kZmdL9d8cGQCKH3ki1AR_keKTLDcNqLwSsCNEewOd_JR9upjRkFvmHDrmq44ck-f0RaltYo2w3x73xoi-51xfdTOn8w=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Belay-nigeria-subbed.jpg)shows members of the Nigerian military manning checkpoints in Maiduguri, North East Nigeria. EPA/STR" /> \\\| [Nigeria massacre, two years on: Justice is elusive for forgotten prison dead](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-nigeria-massacre-two-years-on-justice-is-elusive-for-forgotten-prison-dead/)  By Netsanet Belay \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/VoiHtGzCcjtGLZGFXWgqQkddDYklqcnk64DtSiO7n-BYetbfswlNkak8EtP_cFB02-Je_-Cnpmw64zvh9fSGMpuFf9PSVX7JL3drRUxR1ANnK3FxnspMaWIHBPezDqKubzdxQrS6M8VbGxJaprvdSqAVLxzAZ4Dzf68HTQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70T20-Mens-Ant-Muller-preview-subbed.jpg)during the final one-day cricket international against South Africa, in Auckland, March 3, 2012. REUTERS/Nigel Marple" /> \\\| [World T20 preview: No room for error in game of freakish spells](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-15-world-t20-preview-no-room-for-error-in-game-of-freakish-spells/)  By Antoinette Muller \\\| \\\| ![Photo by Cricket South Africa.](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fnrFemR1fZiLR0J-x31BPGGM4gQ1mzWkt0IvNSsxnlIXRs-mVeUAo2dW2dNIfKRuGQYUqqRMqqd4YoNUL9n6JSHD81GL-T01EycRgQB2gVrEFEEWCSjCxxRy2ZGImkXmFd3dydXYxGyhevDyS7O3i9e9SQb1cE4=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Womens-T20-preview-Ant-Muller.jpg) \\\| [World T20 preview: SA women hunt for new milestones](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-03-14-world-t20-preview-sa-women-hunt-for-new-milestones/)  By Antoinette Muller \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |