News 08:00

BULLETIN 20 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The IMF forecasts 1.4-percent growth for South Africa in 2026
# The death toll from the Vanderbijlpark crash has risen to 14
# And, Denmark says Trump cannot threaten his way to ownership of Greenland

# The International Monetary Fund projects South Africa’s economy to grow by 1.4-percent this year, a slight upward revision from earlier forecasts of 1.2-percent, rising marginally to 1.5-percent in 2027. The outlook places the country at the weaker end of emerging market performance. In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF says South Africa’s slow economic recovery remains vulnerable to global shocks, policy uncertainty, and long-standing structural constraints. The IMF expects the global economy to expand by 3.3-percent this year.

# The Department of Higher Education and Training says the Central Application Clearing House will not be implemented for the 2026 academic year for the Class of 2025 and beyond. The Central Application Clearing House was introduced in 2013 as an intervention to support matriculants and prospective students who were unable to secure placement at Post-School Education and Training institutions. The ministry’s spokesperson, Matshepo Seedat, says the decision forms part of a broader reform of the post-school application process:

# The death toll from the collision between a scholar transport vehicle and a truck in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, on Tuesday morning has risen to 14. Police say the driver of the private scholar transport vehicle appeared to have lost control while attempting to overtake other cars. A case of culpable homicide has been opened. Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the growing private transport sector urgently needs stricter regulations:

# Danish Foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen says US president Donald Trump cannot threaten his way to ownership of Greenland. This as Trump has vowed to follow through on his threat to impose tariffs on European countries that oppose his demand to take control of semi-autonomous Danish territory. European allies have rallied around Greenland’s sovereignty. Rasmussen has stressed the need for constructive dialogue with the US and close European coordination:

# Cricket: The Joburg Super Kings recorded a bonus point 44-run victory against the Paarl Royals at Boland Park and secured the final spot in the SA20 playoffs. Leus du Plooy, who was a late replacement for the injured Faf du Plessis, scored an unbeaten 54 off 27 balls as the Super Kings posted 166 for five in their 20 overs. In reply, Prenelan Subrayen took three wickets as the Royals were bowled out for 122. The competition will now proceed to the playoff stage, commencing tomorrow.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-38-cents and the euro at 19-rand-38-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-99-cents, and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-404-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-672-dollars-38-cents a fine ounce, and Brent crude oil is quoted at 63-dollars-39-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….