--- title: "While you were sleeping: 14 December 2016" description: "Battle for Aleppo ends, ISIL claims Cairo blast, and Pokemon Go, goes." 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/2016-12-14-while-you-were-sleeping-14-december-2016/" published: "2016-12-14T06:10:10" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 724 --- # While you were sleeping: 14 December 2016 > Battle for Aleppo ends, ISIL claims Cairo blast, and Pokemon Go, goes. By John Stupart · Published 14 December 2016, 08:10 SAST ## Content **Wednesday, 14th December** *“The worst part of being okay is that okay is far from happy.”* **Anna Todd** ![Elections aftermath: Why did the ANC ignore its own research?](https://i1.createsend1.com/ei/d/CB/92F/221/csimport/849x493q70Marianne-MoketediIPID1.050404.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [House of Cards: Law enforcement agencies heading for a showdown – with each other](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dkihulk-l-k/) By MARIANNE THAMM It was always only going to be a matter of time before IPID head Robert McBride, who was illegally suspended by Minister of Police Nathi Nhleko, would find himself a target again. McBride, like accidental Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, is seen as an obstacle: too independent-minded, too conscientious. McBride also knows a lot, too much for the liking of some. Forensic Investigator Paul O’Sullivan has also long been targeting officials in SAPS and the Hawks he believes to be corrupt. On Monday, Gauteng Hawks Head Major-General Prince Mokotedi struck, laying a string of charges including espionage and high treason against McBride, O’Sullivan, former Gauteng Hawks head Shadrack Sibiya and a police captain. Game on. By MARIANNE THAMM. WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [Battle for Aleppo ends](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dkihulk-l-b/) Syrian rebels have agreed to withdraw from Aleppo, handing it over to the Syrian regime. The remarkably swift recapture of the city was not won easily, however. Thousands are suspected to have been killed in the battle, and the mass execution of at least 82 civilians by government forces remains an issue. [ISIL claims Cairo attack](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dkihulk-l-n/) ISIL has claimed responsibibility for Sunday's deadly suicide bombing in Cairo, Egypt. Daesh said late on Tuesday that one of its members, going by the pseudonym Abu Abdallah al-Masri, detonated the bomb as he walked among the crowds at the Coptic church. The terrorist group has promised to carry out more attacks against "infidels" and "apostates". ['Democracy sausage' Australia's word of the year](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dkihulk-l-p/) Always a nation to keep its priorities straight, the Australian National Dictionary Centre has opted to call 'democracy sausage' its 2016 word of the year. The word relates to a barbequed sausage wedged between a bit of bread at an election day cookout. Ridiculous, but in a nation infested with wombats, this is about right. [Bit of a stop for Pokémon Go](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-dkihulk-l-x/) A study released today has suggested Pokémon Go is fast receding, and with it the significant health benefits the game offered. The game had contributed an average 955 additional steps per day, according to the World Health Organisation's recommended physical activity level. But after six weeks interest waned, and people returned to their indolent pre-Pokémon levels. — IN NUMBERS 197.1 The amount, in millions of dollars, of digital advertising revenue the New York Times generated for 2016. This is an $8.9 million increase. Print advertising declined $38.4 million dollars. FACT OF THE DAY Today is **International Monkey Day.** For those whose kids are already on holiday, this just adds a bit more flavour to the stress. **ArnoCorps,** a metal band in San Francisco, only use Arnold Schwarzenegger movie lines in their lyrics. 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