South Africans are one of the most politically aware populations in the world, and it is no wonder. From a possible presidential recall (it would be the second one in a row for the ANC) to the shenanigans and deception of the DA in Cape Town. Hats off to South African journalists for keeping their people informed.
Global News
- North and South Korea have agreed to compete under a unified flag for the 2018 Winter Olympics. They will also have a combined woman’s ice hockey team. This is a momentous step in diplomacy between the two countries.
- In reference to the nuclear standoff between North Korea and America, Vladimir Putin told Russian journalists that, “I think that Mr Kim Jong Un has obviously won this round. He has completed his strategic task: he has a nuclear weapon, he has missiles of global reach, up to 13,000 km, which can reach almost any point of the globe,” he also called the North Korean leader “a shrewd and mature politician.”
- On Saturday, Hawaii accidentally issued a warning that a ballistic missile was heading to the Island, thank goodness President Trump was golfing and could not respond to the alarm.
- World confidence in Donald Trump is at an all-time low one year into his presidency. Follow this link for some of the year’s highlights.
- China’s economy expanded 6.9 percent in 2017, slightly ahead of expectations, with activity lifted by global growth. There was some cynicism about the data, with Beijing’s continuing ability to beat economist expectations by the slimmest of margins a “source of disquiet,” according to Bloomberg’s chief Asia economist Tom Orlik. A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research in London says China’s economy is set to overtake the U.S. as the world’s largest by 2032.
- A drone operation in Australia was able to save two drowning swimmers in a world first.
Local News
- It is empowering as South Africans to be proud of the people who lead us. Cyril Ramaphosa has started to show his colours as leader of the ANC, and it is inspiring. There is much that is still unknown, but there is hope. Follow this link for his speech in the lead up to Davos.
- In Cape Town, due to the drought businesses and residential areas outside the CBD will have their taps run dry, with consumers expected to pay for the water they will have to collect from one of 200 points in Cape Town.
- Along with the drought, Cape Town has been facing a political crisis. The Mayor, Patricia de Lille is currently under investigation for corruption by internal structures within the DA. As the ANC seemingly aligns its leadership and goals the DA is faltering.
- The South African Reserve Bank kept interest rates unchanged yesterday, this led to a bit of rand strength as some economists were forecasting a rate cut.
Source: Dynasty, Stanlib, Prescient, Daily Maverick, Moneyweb, Reuters, and Bloomberg Markets etc
