News 07:00

BULLETIN 23 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Parliament welcomes the probe into a tender at the Independent Development Trust
# The police collaborates with Interpol on cybercrime prevention
# And, Trevor Noah will host the Grammys for the fifth consecutive time

# Parliament’s select committee on Public Infrastructure chairperson, Rikus Badenhorst, says he supports minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, in addressing governance challenges at the Independent Development Trust. This comes as the department has appointed PwC to investigate an 800-million-rand oxygen plant tender at the Trust. Badenhorst says he applauds the minister’s resolve to uncover the truth, safeguard public funds, and uphold governance standards within the department:

# National Police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has confirmed SAPS’ collaboration with Interpol to combat cybercrime. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation is hosting an Interpol delegation, with the agenda looking into boosting skills in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and cyber intelligence. The commission says this initiative aims to empower South Africa’s law enforcement by enhancing their ability to fight crime effectively through global collaboration and advanced technological expertise:

# The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has condemned Bidvest SACD in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, for retrenching 106 workers, calling it profit-driven greed. Workers claim Bidvest plans to outsource their roles to a labour broker despite increased business activity. NUMSA says these worsen unemployment and poverty. Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola vows continued picketing, emphasising NUMSA’s commitment to fair employment and exposing exploitative practices:

# US president Donald Trump has threatened to impose high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia and its allies president if Vladimir Putin does not end the war in Ukraine. This comes after Trump failed to achieve his election campaign promise of ending the war within 24 hours of taking office. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump says it is time to make a deal as no more lives should be lost. Russia is already the most sanctioned country in the world.

# Cricket: England’s new white-ball era under Brendon McCullum began in defeat as they suffered a seven-wicket defeat against India in the first of five T20s in Kolkata. Captain Jos Buttler scored 68 as the visitors were bowled out for just 132, with Varun Chakravarthy claiming three wickets. In reply, India powered to 133 with seven overs to spare as Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 79. This is India’s 14th win out of 16 since taking the T20 World Cup last year. The second T20 will be in Chennai on Saturday.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-24-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-77-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-881-dollar-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-752-dollars-90-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-11-cents a barrel.

# And finally: South African comedian and former Daily Show host, Trevor Noah, is set to host the 67th annual Grammy Awards for the fifth consecutive year. He will also serve as a producer on the live show. The 40-year-old has been nominated for best comedy album for his Netflix special, Where Was I. The Recording Academy says this year’s ceremony carries a renewed sense of purpose, with additional efforts to support wildfire relief initiatives. The Grammys will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday the second of February.

Stay tuned for more news………….