--- title: "While you were sleeping: 3rd February 2017" description: "Gen. Mattis warns of major consequences for N.Korea nukes, Snapchat to raise billions in IPO, and researchers conclude polls still predict elections. Kinda." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Newsdeck" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-02-03-while-you-were-sleeping-3rd-february-2017/" published: "2017-02-03T05:52:39" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 705 --- # While you were sleeping: 3rd February 2017 > Gen. Mattis warns of major consequences for N.Korea nukes, Snapchat to raise billions in IPO, and researchers conclude polls still predict elections. Kinda. By John Stupart · Published 3 February 2017, 07:52 SAST ## Content **TGIF, 3rd February 2017** *“It is amazing how complete is the delusion that beauty is goodness.”* **Leo Tolstoy** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/FD/987/F64/csimport/849x493q70Ranjeni-Esidimeni1.050235.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Another South African Horror Story: When the state fails its people](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-u/) By RANJENI MUNUSAMY “There must be better performance of government and its responsiveness enhanced. The trust deficit between government and citizens must be closed.” These are the words of Gauteng Premier David Makhura in 2015 when he initiated what he called an “activist government”. Now there are questions about whether he was aware that mentally ill patients were dying as a result of the negligence of his government. Makhura is seen as one of the “good guys” but his administration is part of a government system that also puts the livelihood of 17-million grant recipients at risk. How many more people have to die at the hands of an uncaring state before the incompetence is confronted? WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING [US warns of 'overwhelming response' to N Korea](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-o/) Speaking in Seoul today, Defence Secretary James Mattis has warned North Korea that a nuclear attack would be met with an overwhelming and decisive response. Although one would hope any country that nukes another state would be met with "decisive" consequences, Mattis's statement is a fresh tonic of reassurance among Asian allies now spooked over Donald Trump's foreign policy volatility. [Snapchat to raise billions in funding](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-b/) Snapchat parent company Snap is expected to raise over $3-billion as it begins its share offering. Hosting hundreds of millions of clients, Snapchat has shown over $400-million in income but also admitted to losing over $500-million annually as well. As such, profitability remains a concern despite the enormous IPO debut. — [Republicans revoke checks on firearm ownership](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-x/) The House of Representatives voted 235 to 180 in favour of revoking an Obama-era gun law prohibiting mentally disabled Americans from owning firearms. The law required those drawing mental disability from the state to be prohibited from purchasing firearms. This check is now headed to the Senate for a probable approval. [Polling still correctly calls elections - mostly](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-m/) A Texas-based team of researchers have concluded that polling still accurately predicts election outcomes. Using polling data from elections in Latin America, researchers were able to successfully predict the outcome 90% of the time. It's the 10%, however, that really upsets the apple cart. — IN NUMBERS 25000 The number of roads a London Black Cab driver must know to qualify for their licence. FACTS OF THE DAY Today in 1959 **Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP "The Big Bopper" Richardson** were all killed in a plane crash.**.** It was legal in 1913 America to **mail your children**. The stamps, affixed to said offspring's clothing, cost 53 cents. FEATURED ARTICLES ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Ranjeni-Esidimeni.jpg) [Another South African Horror Story: When the state fails its people](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-g/) BY RANJENI MUNUSAMY ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Merten-sona-prep.jpg) [SONA 2017: Security über alles](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-yd/) BY MARIANNE MERTEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Kenny-Kunene.jpg) [amaBhungane: Another front in the perception war exposed – Kenny Kunene, founder and funder of Weekly Xposé](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-yk/) BY AMABHUNGANE ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Merten-Nhleko-and-Phahlane.jpg) [Phahlane defends himself in Parliament: It’s the media, stupid](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-jl/) BY MARIANNE MERTEN ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Simon-Mawarire-second-act.jpg) [Zimbabwe: Pastor Evan Mawarire’s difficult second act](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-jy/) BY SIMON ALLISON ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Sipho-Pityana-SAs-real-SONA.jpg) [Sipho Pityana: South Africa's real State of the Nation Address](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-jt/) BY SIPHO PITYANA ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Isstoday-mohammed.jpg) [ISS Today: Mohammed goes to the mountain](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-jd/) BY ISS TODAY ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70groundup-socialgrants-main-photo.jpg) [GroundUp: The long queue for social grants](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-jk/) BY GROUNDUP ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70B-Mauritius-beach-mountains-scenery-MAIN-PHOTO\(1\).jpg) [Daily Maverick Interview: Mauritia, the continental Lost and Found](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-tl/) BY MARELISE VAN DER MERWE ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/849x493q70Davis-De-Klerk.jpg) [FW de Klerk & Friends to government: Stop creating bogeymen and start addressing real issues](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-ty/) BY REBECCA DAVIS OPINIONISTAS ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Siya-Khumalo.jpg) [Black DA voters? They’re the ones the ANC left for dead](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-tt/) A column by SIYA KHUMALO ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q707fc6b61188b1c5c5e41f8b57f7356f0c.jpg) [The Other News Round-Up: Reaching for the stars](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-td/) A column by MARELISE VAN DER MERWE ![Image](https://images.www.dailymaverick.co.za/images/resized_images/190x170q70Andrew-Gasnolar.jpg) [Trumpocracy: The New Abnormal](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hyiind-l-tk/) A column by ANDREW IHSAAN GASNOLAR — **Weather** BFN: min: 20° max: 31°, PM rain CPT: min: 17° max: 29°, sunny DBN: min: 23° max: 29°, AM rain EL: min: 21° max: 26°, cloudy JHB: min: 15° max: 29°, sunny KIM: min: 24° max: 31°, rainy NLP: min: 14° max: 30°, cloudy PMB: min: 16° max: 27°, PM rain PE: min: 17° max: 28°, cloudy PTA: min: 17° max: 23°, sunny **Financial Data** Oil=$56.72 Gold=$1,217.77 Platinum=$997.84 R/$=13.36 R/€=14.43 R/£=16.78 $/€=1.07 JSE All Share=52,719.58 DJIA=19,864.29 FTSE 100=7,140.75