News 08:00

BULLETIN 22 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# National Treasury will focus on improving the provision of electricity and logistics
# The Senzo Meyiwa murder trial is set to resume for the first time this year
# And, the Israeli prime minister rejects Hamas’ conditions for the release of hostages

# National Treasury says over the medium term, the government will focus on raising the gross-domestic-product growth by improving the provision of electricity, and logistics and enhancing the delivery of infrastructure. This is as ratings agency Fitch has maintained its BB minus credit rating for South Africa, keeping the long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings stable. Treasury says it is confident that the correct fiscal strategy is in place to get to financial sustainability and create economic growth.

# Social Development minister Lindiwe Zulu says education has the power to break the cycle of poverty and transform lives. By accessing education opportunities at institutions of higher learning, many social grant beneficiaries have succeeded in creating a better future for themselves and their families, thus breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequality. The department’s spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant says the benefits of social grants extend beyond individual beneficiaries to broader society:

# The trial of the five men accused of killing former Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa will resume in the High Court in Pretoria today, after being postponed for almost two months. Police Investigating Officer Bongani Gininda is expected back on the stand. In November last year, he faced questions relating to a possible ulterior motive when accused number one, Muzi Sibiya, was arrested for drugs, and a few hours later a confession statement was allegedly taken from him at the Diepkloof Police Station.

# The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has rejected conditions presented by Hamas to end the war and release hostages held in Gaza. He says in exchange for the release of hostages, Hamas demands the end of the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all Palestinian prisoners. Netanyahu adds that this will all leave the militant group intact. A senior Hamas official says the Israeli leader’s refusal to end the military offensive in Gaza means there is no chance for the return of the hostages.

# Cricket: The Paarl Royals claimed their first-ever Cape Derby victory over MI Cape Town at Boland Park, with a 59-run bonus point win to entrench their position at the top of the SA20 log. A 116-run opening stand between Jason Roy and Jos Buttler laid the foundation for the Royal’s total of 162 for three. In reply, MI Cape Town were bowled out for just 103, their third defeat in the competition. Royals spin bowler, Tabraiz Shamsi, says they had extra motivation to win:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-3-cents and the euro at 20-rand-76-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 41-thousand-155-dollars-72-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-26-dollars-92-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-50-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….