---
title: "While you were sleeping: 21 April 2016"
description: "First Thing: UN leaves as Syrian talks crumble, Queen turns 90, and flooding in South American threatens thousands"
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/2016-04-21-while-you-were-sleeping-21-april-2016/"
published: "2016-04-21T05:57:48"
updated: "2016-04-21T06:01:24"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 933
---

# While you were sleeping: 21 April 2016

> First Thing: UN leaves as Syrian talks crumble, Queen turns 90, and flooding in South American threatens thousands

By John Stupart · Published 21 April 2016, 07:57 SAST · Updated 21 April 2016, 08:01 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| *“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”*  – **Leo Tolstoy** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |
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| \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/ed4eb28d-1635-4bc7-a7fd-dc890c849ca7.jpg) \\| \\| --- \\| \\| [Op-Ed: Of cheap stunts and ‘Oakbay employees’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-op-ed-of-cheap-stunts-and-oakbay-employees/)  The last few years have seen our politics become a much more contested space where people push and are pushed back. So it was no surprise when the push-back against the push-back against the Guptas started rearing its head. As the Guptas are hitting back, perhaps they wished their money had bought them PR services at least half as good as their in-house ability to influence our politics. By STEPHEN GROOTES..--- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **UN begins evacuation of Syrian staff** Ahead of crumbling peace talks, the United Nations has begun moving personnel out of Syrian towns. The United States, meanwhile, deployed a B52 bomber against ISIL targets for the first time. The anti-government delegation in Geneva is stalling talks until it can see 'improvements' in the humanitarian situation in Syria. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-un-begins-major-evacuation-in-syria-as-peace-talks-fray) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Thousands evacuated from flood-hit South America** Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have been struck by widespread flooding in the southern zone. Twelve people have been killed and thousands of inhabitants evacuated as more rains are expected to arrive later this week. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-south-american-floods-kill-12-force-mass-evacuations) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Queen celebrates 90th birthday** Queen Elizabeth ll, the longest-reigning British monarch, is to celebrate her 90th birthday today. This will take form with a series of events in Windsor, as well as a special address in parliament by Prime Minister David Cameron. Tea and cake, it is presumed, must be on the menu sometime today. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-britain-cheers-queen-on-90th-birthday) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Barcelona return with a bang** The Spanish football giants Barcelona have pummelled Deportivo la Coruna 8-0 in a La Liga slaughtering last night. Luis Suarez scored four goals, with Ivan Rakiti?, Lionel Messi, Marc Bartra and Neymar also on target. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, walked off with an injured hamstring, a small cost for that ridiculous score. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-suarez-hits-four-in-8-0-rout-ronaldo-injured) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\|  \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **6** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of hours required for the world's deserts to absorb more energy from the sun than consumed by humans in a year. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **Today in 1918 Manfred von Richthofen, or the Red Baron, was shot down and killed.**It is now believed, with some contention, that a sergeant on the ground fired the fatal shot.**Fact of the day: Lynda Carter (AKA Wonder Woman) also wrote original music for the hit video game, Fallout 4.**--- \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 15° max: 27°, cloudy CPT: min: 17° max: 21°, rainy DBN: min: 21° max: 32°, cloudy EL: min: 21° max: 26°, cloudy JHB: min: 16° max: 28°, cloudy KIM: min: 19° max: 30°, rainy NLP: min: 15° max: 31°, cloudy PMB: min: 13° max: 29°, sunny PKN: min: 15° max: 29°, cloudy PE: min: 18° max: 25°, cloudy PTA: min: 15° max: 28°, cloudy \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$45.53 Gold=$1,251.83 Platinum=$1,023.45 R/$=14.18 R/€=16.02 R/£=20.36 $/€=1.13 JSE All Share=53,789.75 DJIA=18,158.55 FTSE 100=6,410.26: [Source](http://emma.thewww.dailymaverick.co.za/servlet/link/3890/618590/129788333/3233800) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURES**\\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Pk6T-GSE46L3En-DRkYcSK8bn145cVyQs10RClwai_znyacbOaQ8tXQlq1moOdBlIJJCk2MQTXMxfoXa1dGCqZNnU3JzwX8Ao7eH63NhWqSEpJtRUafZu73PoDzKd6uWddr8C3IVAnOmIW4bqW8_8aZoJyTDEA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Grootes-Oakbay-letter-subbed.jpg)offices, owned by the Gupta family, is seen in Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, April 14, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: Of cheap stunts and ‘Oakbay employees’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-op-ed-of-cheap-stunts-and-oakbay-employees/)  By Stephen Grootes \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/cXr-MvBw4VrTNQcl4mnC1vx9F4LD8v2r5fqA26ivpwSUOWujx0XLe87zuyx4DP5ntwtxLGpU_PEodyYCwvdd4e8PyZwzDOsf5GoQQIOPbvyG5eqYpB_dryUmrl-cmozeEKN2g9pNYDMnZ03iMWTvFOMUY1lwqrC14BE-eOJhUQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Greg-Nicolson-Ghaleb-Cachalia-goes-DA.jpg)Nicolson)" /> \\\| [Ghaleb Cachalia: More than a name for the DA?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-cachalia-more-than-a-name-for-the-da/)  By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/DhMctvQOego2ETvDQWNktmqHTJINoRUsAx4_XBJ1j-B2NnVD2wgvMQDQ1GiN5Taf4OhSY_7qRUo40oecPKqL9G0NX6w0K9sRH3v2J_FtwkfIYzIdiggNzmKpdk-owHN3ue4gnmw2FMg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Surveys-merten.jpg)Zandspruit, an informal settlement west of Johannesburg, South Africa, 17 March 2016. EPA/KEVIN SUTHERLAND" /> \\\| [Rising Discontent: What the stats say about SA’s socio-economic health](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-rising-discontent-what-the-stats-say-about-sas-socio-economic-health/)  By Marianne Merten \\\| \\\| ![Photo: Glebelands hostel. (eNCA)](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9qguoFDkXs82yTkYht3NkqYwXh3Pbxs4NJ93pV3u40TUKXvnd5VBLaALh4najiefDERe4pu79pRODw4y23a6xh0DA9LoMmBZ_F8TchlyWoOk1mFZV255Un-4e-Rmz_VRWrUFlV2Y3LhSHIZi34kPAfkgEQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70glebelands-hostel-madlala.jpg) \\\| [Death Stalks Glebelands: Plea to UN to stop the hostel killings](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-death-stalks-glebelands-plea-to-un-to-stop-the-hostel-killings/)  By CYRIL MADLALA \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/7IyylLxLo9ks59OHLxYxh5Tf0-kwDMZ4-q8hzHkWGsmB23TSKjWb3KqNEpdyDSWdCVrQt8RHzpDZr0f-Gt2L17G2n8H4_QWAfxoaJvP5jlA-TQcVEcnCyLeu4Kfey_OS1h2rkQNU3iTPrATgpAq2VHiPuomcL3yXYTfuYwNOMhHBEGV1fYY=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70DaggaStory2-MasixoleFeni-20160420-MAIN-PHOTO.jpg)by Masixole Feni." /> \\\| [GroundUp Report: Battle to stop dagga spraying](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-groundup-report-battle-to-stop-dagga-spraying/)  By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/Xmp093ijfSc5X7z6RcYYPFQxUBwiHmD2CmKpSWNVKvxeWy1bEWLnN9TskuMTM43jW1qFR3jY3LXOwKt1j0RY5I2Al-vU6YrsxD-EYCQJjgakU4YqhnzZ17ZpXIWAlrscp1TWDKouC6QU9SvZnGiwbFCO73TBPoPAwA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Bheki-Zandspruit-wednesday-MAIN.jpg)the community’s stance from the roof of a police armoured vehicle. (Bheki C Simelane)" /> \\\| [Enough Is Enough: Zandspruit residents return to the streets](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-enough-is-enough-zandspruit-residents-return-to-the-streets/) By BHEKI C. SIMELANE \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/cwFWzhaKt_bJCQvzsnu4ffpSFJDvhMme96tMfA1lZ8M7Zh8So4QQmRp6lHVsx88g_E35mokXuh4qWyYOFXKN5webmVzb3AoA1KwvjKgV5r5xsglLhlFdrczoA39Fd629wznSzc6bghM8=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Groundup-dunoon.jpg)afford to pay rent, and are consequently occupying land to build new homes. Photo: Ashleigh Furlong." /> \\\| [GroundUp Report: Dunoon, Cape Town – Time for Protest, Time for Violence](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-groundup-report-dunoon-cape-town-time-for-protest-time-for-violence/)  By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/xlY4kkyfUv8eVULenUtuuWI3GCwwV4FGZKQtE0PatoxZOLVRHYfiSjlCqRSzNNV2-enO15NbPkChMAyst2IuWirl3wMmYRUJM6kuUv772-tJyDIGMwOvrZHClK0G--ZhrdWvg8FQc_La9kuwjmXnKhg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Clinton-Trump-NY-Brooks.jpg)Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton addressing the National Action Network’s national convention in New York, New York, US, on 13 April 2016; and US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking at Trump Building in New York, New York, US, on 3 November 2015. EPA/JUSTIN LANE / ANDREW GOMBERT" /> \\\| [US 2016: The Morning After the Morning After – New York state of mind](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-us-2016-the-morning-after-after-the-morning-after-new-york-state-of-mind/)  By J Brooks Spector \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/gF6K2eC4g4wn2FNcToQtI85arpzVvE13oHCjPwSvL-RCMUAjbMTn8wMOE06X-4ptY0FlH_ehsNYzmJJB9Xw6zvwsa_wr6Eibu9nutri69Xlz9zzNdiCl25s26FcVdEWe1MIMQ_bvG-MY4ZzjVA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ISS-Today-Libya_Fab.jpg)al-Sarraj chairs a meeting of the presidential council with Tripoli municipal council in Tripoli, Libya, 31 March 2016. EPA/STR" /> \\\| [Analysis: A turning point for Libya?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-analysis-a-turning-point-for-libya/)  By PETER FABRICIUS \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/bXdqv05IkaOPuW-qAm5As8qxRwC0F7lchvavWJr_WCKFf4r6IEHhc1QynBKW-_eZWqOd6n0M_qnmRl2uNQejun7ZeEFa7ENMOLpp-g6bpA79LozCeo06L72LXxRIIB9mxu7_HPa2tz4U56ACYjQ9Sjzx6ODH=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Rwanda-genocide-Savo-Heleta.jpg)one of curators of the genocide memorial at Queen of the Apostles Church of Ntarama, in front of hundreds of skulls on display where some 5,000 people were killed during the genocide of 1994. EPA/STEPHEN MORRISON" /> \\\| [Op-ed: Do Black and African lives matter on the international stage?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-op-ed-do-black-and-african-lives-matter-on-the-international-stage/)  By SAVO HELETA \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/a7wHrhpzYWxLbH5Rv9g9Is34jevIhe-BajE3kTWC5148PFB2Ik9uvyTBnuyG3K1bA7vL3Tscx3dAxe2Bm2EAoPovT2zvbOfMHIXdBV-C4iHBQ4FEMRQ4ea9rLXX-qs0cF72EbYRb8Uzh5sjV9KRt-TctLLlL3wLH=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ant-overseas-players-conundrum.jpg)after the rugby match between South Africa and a World XV in Cape Town, South Africa 11 July 2015. EPA/NIC BOTHMA" /> \\\| [Coach vs Saru President: Conflicting views raise questions about using overseas players](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-21-coach-vs-saru-president-conflicting-views-raise-questions-about-using-overseas-players/)  By Antoinette Muller \\\| \\\| ![Photo by EPA.](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_zOZ_QOH4yhu82TcvT5Yjx8SnH0y0k5CJmkx1P3w8k3qNzIWRQFV_c5lvQ2CMEC2AGWFklInLwsw4NPkZurwoaRuboKd6gwpA2AF_RfYpNoxUl11Sm3QE6IoWxcfPMteqNUz0P40ome6nV5K7A7NEca3Wf6IRoL3Bj3iDZ1wf5Gbw1cWiXFyIVFoej2_7O0=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70africa-check-hiv-rates-in-fet-collleges-main-photo\(1\).jpg) \\\| [Open letter to the ANC: MEC Malakoane must go before International AIDS Conference in July](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-open-letter-to-the-anc-mec-malakoane-must-go-before-international-aids-conference-in-july/)  By ANELE YAWA \\\| \\\| ![Photo by Frédéric Poirot, via Flickr](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/soUDQT2Am76L7KflStgpliHzI8NErjLN1WzpdzJmZdDQDt4n8j1Uy6daiPJkeeqcKNW13x6HVwJ2CuPXYMvj9iD8C3_pN4oMPh64NsMi-kMdeXifEUv6sRrLHUvOWgykMO6jMTujT4Vt5Mx7psiGzxzzBoGZeOA1QhU=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Duncan-communications-privacy\(1\).jpg) \\\| [Reports of the death of communications privacy are greatly exaggerated](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-reports-of-the-death-of-communications-privacy-are-greatly-exaggerated/)  By Jane Duncan \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/6HvZWn4xuIYiLE_bazrePjMeHDM3OWdxTNdqY9GROKdHVLeCpIF1UC0f1qjTJwKu5blv2lnlA0Z9Vk1ZuV_7_n2WXiQs95WnR23r8SF-5FoClkuMtNCJlqAWd54jW9CvBqzKeg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70h_52711075.jpg)2016. EPA/SEBASTIAN GOLLNOW" /> \\\| [While you were sleeping: 20 April 2016](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-04-20-while-you-were-sleeping-20-april-2016/)  By John Stupart \\\|**OPINIONS**\\\| ![Marianne-Thamm-new.jpg](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/40CQ4nFdrrag4bmeIHnDZhI06jtPkxSWf69sVeSc17HDNw110EehW6ZfzExo6sB1_HtgZqIzpW2QJi7crH6aND0Vcji9T5NuiYNFIDbA8cuC7p87YZDC2JztcqmkySVAGHu5AhSECsIb5tcO=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Marianne-Thamm-new.jpg) \\\| [#RUReferenceList – desperate times, desperate measures](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-20-rureferencelist-desperate-times-desperate-measures/)  By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Pierre de vos](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/cCSj89v0JSzta79kOw7VDEehV0HBz3hocFgA2sM9CtDW-XTp4aUZYUM4qPZA9Muo3FEP8fEa1JqJjzoVq8jWjPPRwGf-3Sa-Kz_NXYc98Dz0_4AwLZihFLAxW9ArhhRwmQuNaIfI4rWQ3qPkCYbpYztlyS6isz9aWJI=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70e41a4dfa4a643c00376ac2cc63396bfb.jpg) \\\| [Come election time, have a pinch of salt to hand](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-21-come-election-time-have-a-pinch-of-salt-to-hand/)  By Pierre de Vos \\\|\\\| ![Michael-Fridjhon.jpg](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/DI550Yjwe7O0984ndIZYCzxnrdh8EbVU09o5jXt6oL-fg2Yzj6POqwnr6ax-T5jh1wtI8nSTIUajKQBtDivWRwgh8iamzGvzESv5uzYOmuKy7aZzQ9kVFmTa32C0o_KhpvVDXIhM1Poh6A=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Michael-Fridjhon.jpg) \\\| [Let’s drown in red wine, not red tape](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-20-lets-drown-in-red-wine-not-red-tape/)  By Michael Fridjhon \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\|\\\| ![ayabonga-cawe-new.jpg](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/l6AUaHwdZBQXUwLERih8q55jyFzdy5yBP3Nx-r_7MFJ1dKbfX0zsLpI6CzQ3Jzrnol87LlvnOhFR4KdL0WwpgpMM1mZ9sUTC_FZdl36rXaV3O1KPJWbs0XDSoLT5EzHv6QUSgtMISIHNXlU=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70ayabonga-cawe-new.jpg) \\\| [Twenty years on: When business played ‘left’ at the TRC](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-04-20-twenty-years-on-when-business-played-left-at-the-trc/)  By Ayabonga Cawe \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |