News 07:00

BULLETIN 2 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Ramaphosa says the government’s overriding priority is to root out corruption
# About 40 are dead after a fire in a bar at a Swiss ski resort
# And rugby: The interim Sharks coach is expecting a tough encounter against the Lions

# President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that rooting out corruption is the government’s overriding priority. The Special Investigating Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit have recovered billions of stolen money last year, including in the Tembisa Hospital scandal, where three coordinated syndicates responsible for looting over two-billion-rand were identified. Ramaphosa says specialised task teams have made breakthroughs against illegal mining, kidnapping, economic infrastructure crimes, and construction site extortion:

# Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Blade Nzimande says South Africa has made steady progress in strengthening its science and innovation sector. He says continued investment in research, skills, and innovation is critical to economic growth and development. Nzimande adds that the department will remain focused on using science and technology to address inequality, unemployment, and poverty:

# South Africa’s visa reforms have successfully cleared a backlog of over 300-thousand pending applications, modernising entry procedures. A new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, now operational, significantly reduces processing times and allows many travellers to apply online and receive rapid approvals. The digital system utilises automation to streamline applications, improve efficiency, and boost tourism and business travel.

# About 40 people were killed and around 115 others injured in a fire at a New Year’s party in a Swiss ski resort bar. The fire started at around 1:30 a.m. at Le Constellation bar, a popular spot among young people. Authorities say foreign nationals from multiple countries are among the victims. The region’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, says work is ongoing to identify the victims and return bodies to families as quickly as possible. Police confirmed that there is no suggestion that this was a terrorist attack.

# Rugby: Interim Sharks coach JP Pietersen says he is expecting an unpredictable and physical encounter against the Lions in their United Rugby Championship clash in Durban on Saturday. Springbok first choices Ox Nche and Aphelele Fassi both return from injuries to bolster the starting line-up, while Manu Tshituka comes in for Phepsi Buthelezi. Lock Corne Rahl and fullback Siya Masuku also make welcome returns to the match 23, both named on the bench. Pietersen says they know the Lions will pose a real threat despite being on a three-game losing streak.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-54-cents and the euro at 19-rand-45-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-31-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-693-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-353-dollars-80-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-75-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….