--- title: "While you were sleeping: 24 May 2016" description: "ISIL bombings rock Syria, Brazilian minister in corruption scandal, and ancient Chinese beer discovered." 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/2016-05-24-while-you-were-sleeping-24-may-2016/" published: "2016-05-24T06:16:05" updated: "2016-05-24T06:16:25" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 908 --- # While you were sleeping: 24 May 2016 > ISIL bombings rock Syria, Brazilian minister in corruption scandal, and ancient Chinese beer discovered. By John Stupart · Published 24 May 2016, 08:16 SAST · Updated 24 May 2016, 08:16 SAST ## Content | \| \\| *“He who clipped us has kept the scissors.”* – **Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \| \| --- \| | | --- | | \| \\| # Story of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](//gallery.mailchimp.com/6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f/images/4ea4c7eb-60f6-4eef-96f8-d0d79626721e.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\|\\\| ## [Zuma, Jiba, Abrahams – a day of delaying the delayed delay](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-zuma-jiba-abrahams-a-day-of-delaying-the-delayed-delay/)The Judge President of the Western Cape Division of the High Court is the controversial Judge John Hlophe who still possibly faces a JSC misconduct hearing with regard to an alleged attempt at influencing two ConCourt judges in 2008 in criminal matters involving Jacob Zuma and the arms deal. It is Hlophe who must assign judges to hear matters in the region. Each time the Democratic Alliance vs the Deputy Director of National Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba (and others) appears on the roll in this division the same junior judge, Judge Mokgoatji Dolamo, is assigned the case. Coincidence? By MARIANNE THAMM. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-zuma-jiba-abrahams-a-day-of-delaying-the-delayed-delay/#.V0PE4vl95hE) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # While you were sleeping \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## ISIL attacks in Syria kill 148At least 148 Syrians have been killed in a series of co-ordinated attacks by ISIL. Jableh and Tartus were struck by seven blasts, with ISIL targeting bus stations, hospitals and various civilian sites. This coastal area of Syria had, until now, been relatively calm. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-blasts-kill-158-syria) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Brazilian minister in corruption recording scandalBrazil's planning minister, Romero Jucá, has been caught red-handed attempting to whitewash his own corruption charges. Just days after Michel Temer's government took control from disgraced predecessor, Dilma Rousseff, Jucá was recorded planning 'Operation Car Wash', in which he had conspired with other politicians to wipe clean their corruption probes. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-corruption-scandal-throws-brazils-interim-government-into-disarray) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Coca-Cola cuts Venezuela productionA sugar shortage has forced Coca-Cola Venezuela to drastically reduce production. Venezuela has faced critical food shortages amid a growing political meltdown. On the bright side, Coke Light is still being produced in large quantities. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-coca-cola-cuts-output-in-venezuela-due-to-sugar-shortage) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| ## Ancient Chinese beer discoveredIt's official. Chinese brewers were making craft beer long before the hipsterfied masses of today Instagrammed their creations. A 5 000-year-old beer has been traced from residue in a pot. The find was discovered at an archaeological site at Mijiaya. [Read more](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-ancient-chinese-pottery-reveals-5000-yr-old-beer-brew/#.V0PTuOd95Jk) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # In Numbers \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **4** \\| \\| --- \\|\\| The number of days **Portugal ran its national grid on renewable energy** alone. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Facts of the Day \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| Today in **1991 Eritrea gained independence** from Ethiopia.Fact of the day: **A baby octopus** starts life about the same size as a flea. \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Weather & Financial Data \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| BFN: min: 8° max: 21°, cloudy CPT: min: 13° max: 19°, rainy DBN: min: 18° max: 26°, sunny EL: min: 16° max: 22°, cloudy JHB: min: 6° max: 19°, cloudy KIM: min: 11° max: 23°, cloudy NLP: min: 6° max: 26°, cloudy PMB: min: 10° max: 26°, cloudy PKN: min: 6° max: 21°, sunny PE: min: 15° max: 19°, rainy PTA: min: 7° max: 22°, sunny \\| \\| --- \\|\\| Oil=$48.32Gold=$1,251.35 Platinum=$1,013.39 R/$=15.70 R/€=17.62 R/£=22.75 $/€=1.12 JSE All Share=52,628.62 DJIA=17,517.31 FTSE 100=6,136.43 [Source](http://dailymaverick.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6170d6a6d93cac57e83ba137f&id=6c17d969dc&e=371f6bebf2) \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| # Now on Daily Maverick \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **FEATURED** \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/eRM17f9jmcD9ADIEhz2lOxELqhopQBPj0DlV_aB1y5I3wQSXzbcR4napF8gnhMKJByMCE4fVOziVH2nImNU88UbLDfZKDiHhYpQiKpiihBh5wgSUCIRVNIwcshJ9P5MeIJSyjFm8ZRVKW9EdE4iIeMANNy8=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Thamm-JibaJudge-etc-subbed.jpg)Nomgcobo Jiba. (Reuters, GCIS, EWN)" /> \\\| [Zuma, Jiba, Abrahams – a day of delaying the delayed delay](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-zuma-jiba-abrahams-a-day-of-delaying-the-delayed-delay/) By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9hSlnSNz52Nt5H_Rl59RiD6RFgmJ45N82l4FiLfwUasdg5R4keBDGdTp8aalUvCYShSfwDJ_22I-yxvdhWQN1xCMhBmoR8od8fMIsCPPTRLHGE582Vq4hdYH5AcGuH9Cqx1M0E8WDRvNFpiGT5wiI5UzL9M=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Grootes-Shaun-Abrahams-NEW.jpg)walks past his deputy Adv Nomgcobo Jiba as he leaves at the end of a media briefing in Pretoria, South Africa, May 23, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko" /> \\\| [Op-Ed: Shaun Abrahams’ Moment of Truth](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-op-ed-shaun-abrahams-moment-of-truth/) By Stephen Grootes \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/HA8ZAgvXep_gY8yeDGrdV6aiGCWrf4BPEPZdk_uVCFyg5bOvOv1m0MB81GMFKdkg_yw4FE2cowgeIyrx84wN8YGB2Lc27M6suhzJ0R2-VXdbTkRc4A2kh11clZxSBSNKMyg50SOR8oR_EhvCZs61IJgJ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70MarianneFransman-accuser.jpg)her on January 6. 2016." /> \\\| [Marius Fransman bounces back, accuser considers other legal options](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-marius-fransman-bounces-back-accuser-considers-other-legal-options/) By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| ![Photo: SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng (Photo by Stephen Lang)](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/tTdmPK1C8dLhqBIO3bs3xlQqhYvJ6xMBwJ_u8NtJuehemCGNZr_KA4Q6OJ_-pVfvouVXyoA3NbjqI8QloWxBXZjOgf1jWNUJRhTxyFFu2TJ6YTXDUmBynL44vfp2ZR8sxuXznkfxGsCKqXnoJu2-drY8lQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Nicolson-Motsoeneng-loses.jpg) \\\| [Hlaudi Motsoeneng: Another court defeat, but still fighting](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-hlaudi-motsoeneng-another-court-defeat-but-still-fighting/) By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/JQZsVMrdYOC9VZpzNDkSGF5XL-53jhrfIHQBjOJYbFjqI5YkvQfDEzLyUBUXFxeTSlpkr_P5goaF-j6PJ1JQiF9uKaLqQteWzNUbpHodkFggi2kOcFJDVc3kHVzPF8Pz4gtLQNKyGAthshCsLD7cV4gAcw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Marelise-cancer-treatment.jpg)"riverways" are normal connective tissue, and the blue is cancer cells. Stained with H&E and magnified to 200x. Source: National Cancer Institute." /> \\\| [Cancer care meets big data: SA’s latest treatment breakthrough](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-cancer-care-meets-big-data-sas-latest-treatment-breakthrough/) By Marelise van der Merwe \\\| \\\| ![Photo: NPA head Shaun Abrahams (GCIS)](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/GOfD076GTrAOzo7vfKy_l6Nv58UhLV6I5m6Qe16Sutwo8q0Q0aCOKER_Ry8eE2lxO5-taJBqsMzj7rJWeGyWdKhwHVUkoF88p_YQGXh-z6iJUHQM8zzEyXcE0OfxlMRxYbQF1T7nqwAII14212G-D04xPk89UFPhJWEVuw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Grootes-AdvocateAbrahams_subbed\(1\).jpg) \\\| [NPA to appeal the Spy Tapes ruling](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-npa-to-appeal-the-spy-tapes-ruling/) By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/BzoHFTEkPpXblIE3xXJPq22-eDmdeWt30TPyVAtZgTNOgYAXAJ9DihKUEwZ5U19xi45Q5FViLRYR9phgxA1Z2wD9MEHm38aY-gmZ_mn2QnPbVeIV1v95ZJXSWSkZywzbvcn9OgFal5XlN3YpTRNHggfGgy6BK5jbPNHxmQ9h=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Rebecca-Hodes-Trashocracy-Main-Image.jpg)Glass, tins and condoms were among the garbage. (Photo: Rebecca Hodes)" /> \\\| [Trashocracy: What rubbish reveals about our nation](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-trashocracy-what-rubbish-reveals-about-our-nation/) By Rebecca Hodes \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9rhnOa2Rp6vHbZ9291DOJEFRJt7JLh8M9SxCRYqzPt7xtW2yNMOyjkLyuUKo4jilTB6dLumgiDBCdG32xruwLbVZYgDxisem6zZPVcSE-ZPG2UqQjPjffN1PgFriB8SjVilqfZL_J_2HDCtH4Jg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70NjeriKimani-violence.jpg)during a demonstration against Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, 23 May 2016. Opposition supporters staged a protest four weeks in a row against the country's electoral body in an attempt to push for the reforms ahead of the next year's general elections. EPA/DANIEL IRUNGU" /> \\\| [Kenya: Pre-election violence turns fatal](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-kenya-pre-election-violence-turns-fatal/) By Njeri Kimani \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/6Cq0lx-7xM0mMMhtWXXuXXhlW2uZt8kH2KXlLN4gJt8J2dA-B4yuFxbSETvuwerIUoQhkhaplx-HlzeuAM8t8wqoh1Ur4FR9uxq_yQCdoXNzAvyudPMWkZ_pRbOB7Ij-c48BJ0ovCJdPn6bYBl91giTPzGw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Allison-Goodluckcorruption.jpg)president elect Muhammadu Buhari (L) meeting president Goodluck Jonathan (R) in Abuja, Nigeria 24 April 2015. EPA/STR" /> \\\| [Nigeria’s Goodluck, bad luck story: Can President Buhari risk arresting his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-nigerias-goodluck-bad-luck-story-can-president-buhari-risk-arresting-his-predecessor-goodluck-jonathan/) By Simon Allison \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/srMpBDDolc07A6ep1x_XlMOhZien3nX5sQeDK9uzHwIcDNw4k7L7r7zBCWeSgC2mbOyj5zEyhKJ0oSV8Co92_YJbeV_j3izfJdxOtDLwQNoFyTSJ7fQ0emkJR3ar-6iO0IkVi10nSOZ7BQ5SjUyYcnixPxOsKbA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Groundup-EqualEd-Eastern-Cape.jpg)Ziyanda Gaxa and Zukhanye Gibe, and Head of Equal Education Eastern Cape Luya Sidimba during a press briefing at Qonce High last week. Photo: Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik." /> \\\| [GroundUp: Eastern Cape students challenge Motshekga in court](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-groundup-eastern-cape-students-challenge-motshekga-in-court/) By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/aWmgbmToPZz4VzP8y6NLV7ewUHZTClY-c6dz5KruSrl2aThqD32Ji-vO0ALxRI-vwmnWIH3Sa5U5gSqiahX8GgIF8d3vkCUGBKdKXrqeGOc3I76v3L50X9hE21vebyrZX1HzZWNssAu7=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70GroundUp-nurses.jpg)to whom it awarded bursaries, leaving them unemployed. Photo from Facebook." /> \\\| [GroundUp: In Free State, no jobs for newly qualified nurses](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-24-groundup-in-free-state-no-jobs-for-newly-qualified-nurses/) By GroundUp \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/L8HmiQPhlXvLiJf-Z9xea4UjYscVQTdipdqFn8Cu3pXCAVPeJUvOHaodKWMYp0yK6MKyNe0BXfQ0tROWxZzOtwTale8pXU1VwPfXqz2uda4WN88HsodHPojj4sbbb3DFg58FYfTZAjqlRt5reMK2UAxAnNne0Yg=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ant-Super-Rugby-image-problem.jpg)Pisi (L) and Liaki Moli (R) of the Sunwolves during the Super Rugby match between the Sunwolves and the Stormers at the National Stadium in Singapore, 14 May 2016. EPA/WALLACE WOON" /> \\\| [Super Rugby’s incoming identity crisis](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-super-rugbys-incoming-identity-crisis/) By Antoinette Muller \\\| \\\| ![Image](//ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/TJ-zoCs9fz7XqKC8n9ZuD0SdbBtxsnu8PRZNxOCL1Jmix4vG7zt19u0gQPzbyM6dQjt0pWVwN9jn7pVTEyouJbBuShbVo_x_LLrK0hydq6dLD1M7ooIE25fbjP-LlPVjcDap_Q=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70h_52774717.jpg)celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 22 May 2016. Vesak is a holiday for Buddhists. The day marks the birth, enlightenment and demise of Buddha and is celebrated in Sri Lanka with illuminated pandals, lanterns and 'dansals' or free offers of food, drinks and refreshment to the wayfarers. This year, most of these dansals were absent following devastating monsoonal floods and landslides in some areas. EPA/M.A.PUSHPA KUMARA" /> \\\| [While you were sleeping: 23 May 2016](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2016-05-23-while-you-were-sleeping-23-may-2016/) By John Stupart \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| **OPINIONS**\\\| ![Ayabonga-Cawe-new-photo.jpg](//ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/plmJbpvNMnetueOdP0QU9iaAvTUNJczFnpfatownF92mln_4vYhBBHLhl8RbsQCL2TgBuzF_ePIm4BeyzLRx05V67wviGXzHbUTiK7tfnG-wExgtwa5geayPZIY4F6vZtnM6AEUPJChdv_RTGeLXEQU=s0-d-e1-ft#http://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/80x70q70Ayabonga-Cawe-new-photo.jpg) \\\| [21st Century Luddites? What’s behind the metered taxi industry’s gripe with Uber?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2016-05-23-21st-century-luddites-whats-behind-the-metered-taxi-industrys-gripe-with-uber/) By Ayabonga Cawe \\\| \\\| --- \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \| |