News 11:00

BULLETIN 12 December 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Minister Motsoaledi defends the Cuban-South African medical programme
# Home Affairs introduces body cameras to fight corruption at borders
# And the UN General Assembly adopts resolutions for a ceasefire in Gaza

# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has denied that the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro medical collaboration programme is wasteful and has inefficiencies. The programme trains South African students to become healthcare practitioners in both countries. Since its establishment, the programme has been criticised for being impractical and too expensive. Motsoaledi said in reply to a parliamentary question funding students for the programme is costing his department around 23-million-rand annually.  He adds governance structures are in place to protect the interests of students and the country.

# Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber says the introduction of drones and body cameras for border officials will help tackle corruption at the borders. He announced that the Border Management Authority will use drones to monitor border security, while body cameras will be implemented to ensure transparency and accountability. Schreiber says these measures aim to combat illegal activities and enforce immigration laws effectively, sending a strong message to those who violate the country’s regulations:

# Western Cape police are investigating the discovery of drugs and ammunition at the home of Bergrivier Municipality’s DA mayor, Ray van Rooy. He was taken in for questioning after the discovery at his residence in Piketberg, but has not been charged yet. The municipality says it is awaiting further actions by police. The DA’s Matthew Sims says while Van Rooy vehemently denies allegations of any wrongdoing, he pledges his full cooperation with the legal process that will follow.

# The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution, demanding an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The resolution was adopted with 158 votes in favour and nine against, with 13 abstentions. A second resolution was passed, calling on Israel to respect the mandate of the UN Relief and Works Agency and allow it to continue its operations. Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, accused supporters of the resolutions of complicity with Hamas:

# Cricket: No agreement had yet been reached over the format of next year’s Champions Cup tournament after India refused to play in host country Pakistan, citing security fears and political tensions. While Pakistan seemingly agreed to a hybrid tournament that would see it playing India in Dubai, India objects to the condition that it must then agree to a similar format in every international tournament it hosts until 2027. The tournament will be contested by the top eight ranked men’s teams from last year’s one-day World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 17-rand-64-cents and the euro at 18-rand-57-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-55-cents and Bitcoin trades at 100-thousand-637-dollars-38-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-717-dollars-71-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 73-dollars-73-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….