News 06:00
BULLETIN 2 January 6 am
Good morning. I am……..
In this bulletin:
# Eskom introduces stage 2 load-shedding
# The SA Zionist Federation condemns government for referring Israel to ICJ
# And a strong earthquake in Japan leads to tsunami warnings
# Eskom has introduced stage 2 load-shedding from five this morning until four this afternoon. Thereafter stage three load-shedding will be implemented until five on Wednesday morning. This pattern of stage 2 load-shedding in the morning and stage 3 load-shedding in the evening will be repeated daily until further notice. The utility says with the current intensified maintenance aimed at improving the fleet performance, it had a setback of three generating units not coming back online as anticipated. Eskom spokesperson, Daphne Mokwena says this coupled with a loss of another six units and the projected increase in electricity demand, required stage 2 to be implemented:
# The Islamic Resistance Movement has welcomed South Africa’s decision to submit a request to the International Court of Justice, seeking proceedings to investigate Israel for alleged genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The movement views South Africa’s action as a significant step toward holding Israeli leaders accountable for their actions. The movement calls for collective efforts to ensure that Israel does not escape accountability for the reported crimes against children and civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile the South African Zionist Federation says government’s referral of Israel to the International Court of Justice is a grave misstep. The federation says the move seems designed to distract from the government’s own spectacular domestic failures, and only serves to squander South Africa’s dwindling international standing on a misguided action. The movement asserts that the ANC government’s pro-Hamas stance jeopardises crucial economic assistance under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The Federation claims the government misrepresents the views of the majority of South Africans who seek a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
# A new drug known as ‘Pink cocaine’ or ‘Tuci’ has emerged on the streets of Cape Town. It is believed to be a variant of cocaine originally manufactured in Spain. Global experts warn the drug usually contains a grim mix of ‘dealers’ leftovers’, which could cause serious health problems. Grassy Park station commander Dawood Laing says police made the discovery in Grassy Park, following a tip-off. Laing told eNCA the drug sometimes has a strawberry-like scent and warned of the extreme danger associated with the substance:
# An earthquake of 7.6 magnitude in Japan has caused homes to collapse, ripped up roads and triggered tsunami warnings for coastal areas. Tens of thousands of people living close to the Sea of Japan have been told to head for higher ground. More than 50 earthquakes have struck central Japan since yesterday morning with more expected to follow. A major tsunami alert issued for the Noto area has since been downgraded. No irregularities have been reported from nuclear power plants along the Sea of Japan.
# Cricket: Dynamic Australian opener David Warner on Monday announced his retirement from one-day international cricket. This comes ahead of his farewell Test against Pakistan this week, but he kept the door open to play the 2025 Champions Trophy if needed. Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald over the weekend said the 37-year-old is probably the country’s greatest ever three-format player. In South Africa he will forever be remembered for the role he played in the notorious ball-tampering scandal of 2018. Along with skipper Steve Smith, he was banned for a year for his part in the debacle in Cape Town.
# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-28-cents and the euro at 20-rand-18-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-26-cents and Bitcoin trades at 44-thousand-987-dollars-73-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-68-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 77-dollars-86-cents a barrel.
Stay tuned for more news………….