News 13:00

BULLETIN 5 January 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Venezuela’s interim president agrees to cooperate with the USA
# A six-year-old girl dies after falling into a pit toilet in Limpopo
# And soccer: Bafana Bafana’s captain is disappointed by their early AFCON exit

# Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, offered to collaborate with the United States on an agenda focused on shared development, striking a conciliatory tone for the first time since US forces captured the oil-rich nation’s president, Nicolas Maduro. In a statement posted on social media, Rodriguez said her government was prioritizing a move towards respectful relations with the United States. She had earlier criticized Saturday’s raid as an illegal grab for the country’s national resources.

Meanwhile, global oil markets may shrug off recent geopolitical turmoil following Maduro’s capture, with crude prices staying relatively stable despite the crisis. Analysts say Venezuela’s current output makes up a small share of global supply. Ample inventories are keeping prices in check. Forecasts indicate a continuing oversupply, with benchmarks near 989-rand a barrel, limiting sharp price spikes from the political upheaval. Markets remain alert as long-term impacts unfold. 

Back home:

# Police in Limpopo have opened an inquest into the death of a six-year-old girl found in a pit toilet in Wisani Section, Nkuzana Village. The child went missing while playing. Community members later found her in a nearby pit toilet. Police say she was rushed to a local clinic but was declared dead on arrival. Authorities urge constant child supervision, as sanitation safety concerns persist. Investigations continue to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta warns soaring private school fees are threatening access to quality education. He says some schools now charge more than 400-thousand-rand per learner per year. Makaneta argues increases far above inflation strain families, exclude parents, and deepen inequality. He calls for transparency and engagement on how schools and education authorities set fees:

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says he is disappointed that they failed to reach their objectives at the Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa suffered a 2-1 defeat to five-time champions Cameroon in the round of 16 in Morocco yesterday. Williams says they did not play to the best of their ability, which is something they need to rectify heading into the World Cup:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-45-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-10-cents and Bitcoin trades at 92-thousand-492-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-431-dollars-29-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-16-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….