IMF - Amid a marked growth deceleration, some of South Africa’s economic and social achievements after the end of apartheid have recently unwound. While the economy is globally positioned, sophisticated, and diversified, gaps in physical infrastructure and education create large productivity differentials across sectors. Low consumer and business confidence has dampened productivity growth. Fast growing debt has constrained policy space. As a result, per-capita growth has turned negative, the poverty rate stands at around 40 percent, unemployment has crept up to 27 percent—almost twice that level for the youth—and income inequality is one of the highest globally.

U.S. BEA - Real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 4.1 percent in the second quarter of 2018 , according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the first quarter, real GDP increased 2.2 percent.

IMF - The Chinese economy continues to perform strongly. GDP growth accelerated to 6.9 percent in 2017, driven by a cyclical rebound in global trade. Growth is projected to weaken slightly to 6.6 percent in 2018 owing to the lagged effect of financial regulatory tightening and the softening of external demand. Headline inflation has remained contained at around 2 percent and is expected to rise gradually to 2½ percent.

IMF - Near-term growth prospects remain favorable, although less buoyant than in 2017. Real GDP growth is projected to reach 1.8 percent this year and 1.7 percent in 2019, supported by robust investment and solid consumption.

IMF - Slovakia’s economic performance continues to be favorable, with real per capita GDP growing at the average annual rate of 3 percent over the past five years. Growth has been supported by predominantly domestic demand. Private consumption continued to benefit from strong credit growth, robust job creation, and rising wages, while investment reversed its temporary decline from 2016 that was due to a slow start in the implementation of new EU funds programming period. Unemployment reached a record low of 7.7 percent at end-2017.

IMF - Real GDP growth is expected to increase to 1.9 percent in 2018, with non-oil growth strengthening to 2.3 percent. Growth is expected to pick-up further over the medium-term as the reforms take hold and oil output increases. Risks are balanced in the near-term. The employment of Saudi nationals has increased, especially for women, but the unemployment rate among Saudi nationals rose to 12.8 percent in 2017.

IMF - On Venezuela, it is difficult to discuss because it is in a state of economic collapse. We have not engaged with them in over a decade on their economic policies.

SHANA - Dr. Hassan Rouhani, following a meeting of the heads of the three powers, stated that the vast majority of countries do not undergo US domestic laws, saying: “In the fields of energy, transportation, production and staple commodities, the country will not encounter any trouble, and we have always been victorious every time the administration and people stayed together.”

IMF - Output grew by 3.8 percent in 2017, underpinned by a resilient non-hydrocarbon sector, with robust implementation of GCC-funded projects as well as strong activity in the financial, hospitality, and education sectors. The banking system remains stable with large capital buffers. Growth is projected to decelerate over the medium term.

IMF - Higher oil prices and short-term portfolio inflows have provided relief from external and fiscal pressures but the recovery remains challenging. Inflation declined to its lowest level in more than two years. Real GDP expanded by 2 percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of last year. However, activity in the non-oil non-agricultural sector remains weak as lower purchasing power weighs on consumer demand and as credit risk continues to limit bank lending.