---
title: "While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016"
description: "Top Hezbollah commander dead in Syria, Obamacare dealt a blow, and Eurovision 2016 tweaks itself."
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/2016-05-13-while-you-were-sleeping-13-may-2016/"
published: "2016-05-13T05:57:25"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 897
---

# While you were sleeping: 13 May 2016

> Top Hezbollah commander dead in Syria, Obamacare dealt a blow, and Eurovision 2016 tweaks itself.

By John Stupart · Published 13 May 2016, 07:57 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| **TGIF, 13th May***“I'll try anything once, twice if I like it, three times to make sure.”* **–** **Mae West** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |
| --- |
| \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/8c2c05e0-6418-41e7-8f3e-d1d3ab02b7c9.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\|\\\| ## [Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-chasing-butterflies-and-bogeymen-mantashe-beats-regime-change-drum/)If people like ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe, State Security Minister David Mahlobo and Deputy Defence Minister Kebby Maphatsoe are to be believed, South Africa’s misfortune is being plotted in faraway capitals and being executed here by citizens who are highly paid agents. It seems to be a preferable story to tell rather than to accept that South Africa is caught in a vortex of really bad political leadership that is continuously triggering social and economic turbulence. But why tell the truth and let Hollywood have all the fun producing make-believe political thrillers? By RANJENI MUNUSAMY. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-chasing-butterflies-and-bogeymen-mantashe-beats-regime-change-drum/#.VzVDpfl9600) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Hezbollah commander deadThe terrorist organisation has announced the death of key leader. Mustafa Badreddine has been reported as having died in Syria, with little further information indicating how this happened. Badreddine was one the five accused of the assassination of Rafic Hariri, the former prime minister of Lebanon. Given Badreddine's line of work, and the fact that he died Syria, his could well have been a violent end. [Read More](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-hezbollah-leader-killed) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Obamacare dealt a blowJust months before President Barack Obama is set to leave the White House, his flagship policy, Obamacare, was struck a major blow. A federal judge has ruled that at least two provisions in the healthcare policy violate the US constitution. While welcome news to Republicans, this is likely a devastating blow for the thousands of Americans who have enjoyed the benefits of Obamacare thus far. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-republicans-score-court-victory-against-obamacare) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Trump's butler calls for Obama's deathThe Orange Menace's former butler has been exposed as having ranted on social media about killing the president. Calling President Barack Obama "infested scum" who should be "hung for treason" were among the tamer of 84-year-old Anthony Senecal's comments. This was astounding both in that Donald Trump had a butler, and that an 84-year-old knew how to use social media. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-former-trump-butler-posts-online-about-killing-obama) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Sweden all set for EurovisionEurovision 2016 will launch this Saturday with a few important changes. The flags of Palestine, Kosovo and Spain's Basque region have all been forbidden in an attempt to depoliticise the contest, which sees several healthy inter-European rivalries going on. In addition, a panel of judges will help defuse the emotionally charged viewer-based voting system. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-eurovision-a-well-oiled-diplomatic-machine) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **8** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of languages spoken by Nikola Tesla. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| Today in 1943 **German Afrika Korps and Italian troops surrendered** fully to the Allies.Fact of the day: There are **no veterans of World War** **l** alive today. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 11° max: 21°, rainy CPT: min: 12° max: 20°, cloudy DBN: min: 19° max: 28°, cloudy EL: min: 19° max: 26°, cloudy JHB: min: 9° max: 25°, cloudy KIM: min: 12° max: 18°, rainy NLP: min: 8° max: 27°, sunny PMB: min: 10° max: 27°, cloudy PKN: min: 10° max: 26°, sunny PE: min: 16° max: 23°, cloudy PTA: min: 12° max: 26°, sunny \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$47.74Gold=$1,270.55 Platinum=$1,051.75 R/$=15.03 R/€=17.11 R/£=21.73 $/€=1.14 JSE All Share=51,458.48 DJIA=17,737.93 FTSE 100=6,104.19 [Source](http://dailymaverick.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f&id=6c17d969dc&e=371f6bebf2) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\|  \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURED** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Photo of Gwede Mantashe by Greg Nicolson / Daily Maverick.](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/cMlL0lmonlFIY0_hQFMz59gtQRZopL53AnvcRvGa7-6dStUsW3EAkN3iGC2xqySR17eqcA5UsyX1IkUtrA0TwAJ9Ezyv_BcoN60oPaXg-R8F0LIH4RyyVxlVpgmkzZJihZ0-ShTvAtZKBLwr2m-l3aC6gWTk=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ranjeni-Gwede-regime-change.jpg) \\\| [Chasing butterflies and bogeymen: Mantashe beats ‘regime change’ drum](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-chasing-butterflies-and-bogeymen-mantashe-beats-regime-change-drum/)  By Ranjeni Munusamy \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/dJAoLrGPN-S7cPmZ8DQ3sBqXct_0m0t0lNmypTd_cENTxZS6LoJEps--ODKs4AZqJRaWao2AgS02I5odKC54Ngiigvlxej7BRxzU4K-nqOQhqgu02MFK8f3mvJTDyBwqIDOfAR-U5gDJjf00hnh0z--L9VVdMm21uQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Merten-Eskom-energy-and-Cabinet.jpg)during his monitoring visit to the state owned power utility, 6 May 2016. 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EPA/NIC BOTHMA" /> \\\| [Speaker Mbete: ‘Nothing untoward about Mgidlana’s overseas tour’](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-speaker-mbete-nothing-untoward-about-mgidlanas-overseas-tour/)  By Marianne Merten \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/wmpdI4xYoFAs3sCCBJ_mTu7xABectgzFI8NlpXyRFMkzEzSeXlMdoHfdJ9vVZA4_dVnyBAXnft09AdTMtLLobLAUG9-Zy4pyELXQosnKcrih2iU3CXLlmOUaJlovsYnUl5NJ7NC5vETgZZEaJ83Rk2fsPJoE0A=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70UCT-is-winning-teagle-subbed.jpg)DAILY MAVERICK CHRONICLE." /> \\\| [‘UCT is winning’: Judgment with costs leaves RMF protesters demoralised](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-uct-is-winning-judgment-with-costs-leaves-rmf-protesters-demoralised/)  By Daily Maverick Chronicle \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/k4gaKzj64FOnocNDTfpwvyg7has-zpMvsz9-Y7HQfEKsx2vn4xPfw2p00vXzB-Wz0T5y2N7IGUqnfs68skrhnbqAf6EXdY-sDxsKaqgBKRImpT4PfgXRAXcghDjTZHnmW2VsGq13cznkiw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70The-real-Mad-Men.jpg)President-elect Rodrigo Duterte speaking to supporters during a rally in Manila, Philippines, 07 May 2016. EPA/RITCHIE B. TONGO" /> \\\| [Analysis: The real Mad Men of world politics](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-analysis-the-real-mad-men-of-world-politics/)  By J Brooks Spector \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/n4goH4lzFYUudCVBFIIz_Es369Ms8O2_J2SwLu69VRkMK3sP7uy4g09MiQU_HkNkGVd2w7nbm-UqAZgjtljs-9U4Rsmi5s4hMK0WNQ-I_KrZMOfERZ-OaI08JccvQsGUb0ZNHO-9z7o=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Q-A_N-Army-ICG.jpg)(National Liberation Army) Peace Negotiation Team members Pablo Beltran (L) and Maria Elena Velazco (2-R), speaks during a press conference, at the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry facilities, in Caracas, Venezuela, 30 March 2016. EPA/MANAURE QUINTERO" /> \\\| [ICG: National Liberation Army joins Colombia’s search for peace](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-13-icg-national-liberation-army-joins-colombias-search-for-peace/)  By International Crisis Group \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/okUqp5sL-W-rDZiNdVHY5SbYSyNYnwOqsYs7H_h7EOmtobShs-yZp2iMql_diY5931EE-V2VKBbPqA5opFBq2JZFGUdEoLsXQHy6BaZiLYsjEaBfjr2h26g6YjQ676PWWFCJrJM=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70h_527486752.jpg)the European Final of Bocuse d’Or cuisine contest in Budapest, Hungary, 11 May 2016. The best chefs of twenty European countries compete to become members of the eleven-member group to advance to the 2017 World Final in Lyion, France. The two main dishes the contentants must prepare are made of Hungarian sterlet, its caviar and Hungarian red deer fawn. 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