News 11:00

BULLETIN 2 January 11 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC’s priority is to strengthen local government and improve service delivery
# The EFF is concerned about possible water contamination in Joburg
# And, Nicolás Maduro says he is ready for a dialogue with the US as tensions escalate

# The ANC says its priorities this year are to strengthen local government, improve service delivery, and turn economic progress into tangible improvements in the daily lives of South Africans. This comes as the country prepares for the local government elections. The party says the ANC roll call of councillors launched in September last year was a decisive intervention that changed the face of local government. It adds that the message from the people is clear, the ANC remains their movement, but it must govern better and hold people accountable.

# The DA is requesting a full parliamentary briefing on the South African National Defence Force’s upcoming multinational naval exercise Will for Peace 2026. The exercise, which will be led by China and includes participation by Russia and Iran, will involve joint maritime safety operations, interoperability drills and maritime protection serials. The DA’s Chris Hattingh says they want answers on the objectives of the naval exercise, costs, and implications:

# The EFF in Gauteng has expressed serious concern over reports of possible water contamination in the City of Johannesburg. This follows Joburg Water’s recent warning to residents in parts of the metro’s central business district and Bezuidenhout Valley not to drink tap water, after complaints of a foul smell emanating from the water. EFF spokesperson, Dumisani Baleni, says while Joburg Water acted swiftly by isolating the affected areas and conducting tests, this incident is not isolated:

# Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro says he is open to talks with the US on drug trafficking and drugs. Tensions have reached unprecedented levels in the last three months, following a US military buildup in the Caribbean, with over 30 strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs. More than 110 people have been killed in the attacks. The latest attack on Wednesday targeted two boats, killing five people on board. In an interview with Venezuelan state TV, Maduro stated talks would also centre on migration.

# Cricket: After 15 years, Australian batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire following the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney that begins on Sunday. In his career, the 39-year-old has amassed over eight-thousand international runs across formats, while featuring in 87 Tests, 40 ODIs, and nine T20 internationals. Khawaja, who made his debut for Australia in 2011 and became the first Muslim to play for the country, says he hopes he has inspired children to follow their dreams:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-42-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-27-cents and Bitcoin trades at 88-thousand-816-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-378-dollars-66-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-20-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….