News 09:00

BULLETIN 31 December 9 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Department of Justice opposes a court challenge to halt the appointment of a new NDPP
# SA Medical Association warns of healthcare pressure ahead of New Year’s festivities
# And soccer, Nigeria, Senegal, DRC and Tunisia are through to the AFCON last 16

# The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says it will oppose a court application seeking to interdict the appointment of the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The legal challenge by Law firm B Xulu and Partners Incorporated argues that the advisory panel set up to search for the country’s next NDPP did not adequately consider the formal objection regarding advocate Hermione Cronje’s candidacy. The department’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, says the court application is premature:

# The South African Medical Association says hospitals and clinics are facing heightened pressure this festive season due to increased alcohol-related emergencies. SAMA chairperson Mvuyisi Mzukwa warns New Year’s Eve could see a surge in admissions, straining already overworked staff. Mzukwa highlights the risk of burnout among healthcare workers as casualty areas are overstretched. He urges the public to drink responsibly to ease the burden on medical facilities and personnel.

# The City of Cape Town says it will appeal a Western Cape High Court order to urgently find a replacement venue for the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival Association to host its minstrel competition. In September, the association applied to use the Vygieskraal Stadium, but this request was denied just three days later. The metro’s spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, says they disagree with the court’s findings that their conduct threatened constitutionally protected cultural rights:

# Israel has announced it will revoke the licenses of 37 aid groups working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This is for failing to meet stringent new requirements to hand over personal details of Palestinian and international staff deployed in the devastated territory. The affected organisations include ActionAid, International Rescue Committee and  CARE. Israel’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs states that it had given ample warning to aid organisations about the new registration requirements, and that approximately 15-percent of nongovernmental organisations working in Gaza had not had their permits renewed.

# Soccer: Three-time champions Nigeria is through to the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 following an emphatic 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final group match in Morocco. Former champions Senegal defeated Benin 3-0 to book a spot in the knock stage, while the Democratic Republic of Congo also qualified following a 3-0 win over Botswana. A 1–1 draw against Tanzania officially secured Tunisia’s qualification to the round of 16, while Tanzania preserved a strong chance of progression as one of the best four third-placed teams.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-59-cents and the euro at 19-rand-48-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-34-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-349-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-347-dollars-49-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-33-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….