News 12:00

BULLETIN 14 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# NAPTOSA is pleased with the record 2024 national matric pass rate
# Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees are under the microscope as from today
# And Tennis: Veteran Gael Monfils battles through a five-set thriller to beat his 21-year-old countryman

# The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa says the matric class of 2024 demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination. The class achieved a national pass rate of 87.3-percent, South Africa’s highest pass rate since the dawn of democracy. NAPTOSA’s executive director, Basil Manuel, says teachers must be acknowledged as they went beyond the call of duty to ensure conducive studying conditions for the matriculants:

Meanwhile, RISE Mzansi says the matric class of 2024 has succeeded in the face of poor infrastructure and resourcing, crime in and around schools, and poor basic services with a pass rate that is up from 82.9-percent in 2023. RISE Mzansi leader, Songezo Zibi, says as a country in dire need of economic development, South Africa must prioritise its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education:

# Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees go under the microscope in a frenzied week on Capitol Hill starting today, as US senators hold confirmation hearings that could make or break their political careers. Thirteen nominees will be grilled before 11 committees, and while many will sail through, others face controversies ranging from alleged sexual assault and heavy drinking to their relationships with dictators and vaccine skepticism. The Trump picks have been in stringent preparations, taking part in mock hearings and coaching on how to negotiate tough questions.

# Tennis: French veteran Gael Monfils battled through a five-set thriller to topple young countryman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Australian Open as he enjoys a late-career resurgence. The flamboyant 38-year-old became the oldest singles champion in ATP Tour history when he swept to victory at the Auckland Classic on Saturday. He kept the momentum going against 21-year old Mpetshi Perricard raising his arms in celebration after a 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7 and 6-4 victory.

# Financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-93-cents and the euro at 19-rand-43-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-17-cents and Bitcoin trades at 95-thousand-660-dollars. Gold sells at two-thousand-671-dollars-41-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-79-cents a barrel.

# And finally: A haul of Bob Dylan memorabilia will be auctioned off at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville on Saturday. The auction titled, Celebrating Bob Dylan: The Al Aronowitz Archive, T Bone Burnett, and More, includes early drafts of the singer and songwriter’s number-one hit Mr. Tambourine Man. It also includes multiple pieces of original art, including a signed oil painting from 1968, and an analogue disc of the singer’s 2021 re-recording of The Times They Are A-Changin. Dylan sold more than 125-million records during his career.

Stay tuned for more news………….