News 12:00

BULLETIN 22 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The death toll in the learner transport accident in Vanderbijlpark has risen to 14
# SARS is cracking down on influencers promoting fake luxury goods
# And rugby: Eight stadiums are lined up for the 2027 World Cup in Australia

# The death toll from Monday’s learner transport accident in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, has risen to 14 after two more learners died in hospital in the early hours of this morning. The driver of the vehicle, which collided with a truck, is set to appear in court today. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says investigations are continuing:

Meanwhile, two learners and their driver survived after the minibus they were traveling in, caught alight in Vosloorus, Gauteng, today. The Ekurhuleni Metro’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services says firefighters received a call and found the vehicle engulfed in flames. Spokesperson William Ntladi says both learners, aged ten and 12, and the driver managed to get out with no injuries:

# The South African Revenue Service is intensifying efforts to curb the promotion of fake luxury beauty and fashion products on social media. Intellectual property experts warn influencers face serious consequences for punting counterfeit items. SARS is monitoring undeclared income from sponsored posts, gifts and hospitality, which may be taxable and even value-added tax liable. Authorities say counterfeiting remains a criminal offence, with influencers now firmly in the taxman’s sights.

Moving abroad:

# The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee has voted to hold former US president Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in contempt of Congress. They ignored a subpoena to testify in the congressional investigation into late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Bill Clinton has appeared in photographs with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s. Chairperson James Comer says the Clintons are not entitled to special treatment:

# Rugby: Eight stadiums across Australia have been confirmed as host venues for next year’s World Cup. Sydney’s Olympic Stadium will be the centrepiece of the tournament. The 80-thousand-seat venue will host the final on 13 November, both semi-finals, the third-place playoff, two quarter-finals and two pool matches. Sydney’s Soccer Stadium will also play a key role, staging three pool games and two round of 16 fixtures. The tournament kicks off in Perth with the opening match on 1 October.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-22-cents and the euro at 18-rand-97-cents. One British pound costs 21-rand-78-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-799-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-828-dollars-28-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 64-dollars-34-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….