News 17:00

BULLETIN 6 January 5 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Cyril Ramaphosa expresses concern about the US actions in Venezuela
# NSFAS is to release upfront allowance payments in February
# And tennis: Venus Williams also loses the singles first round match in Auckland

# ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the US actions in Venezuela, saying it undermined the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking at the 31st Annual commemoration of liberation stalwart Joe Slovo in Soweto, Johannesburg, Ramaphosa called for the immediate release of captured president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in New York, urging decisive action by the UN Security Council to uphold international law:

The Venezuelan ambassador to South Africa, Carlos Feo Acevedo, has meanwhile welcomed South Africa’s condemnation of the recent US military intervention in Venezuela, calling for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting. Also speaking at the Slovo lecture, Acevedo said the intervention violated international law and led to the deaths of civilians. He added that Venezuela remains resilient despite these attacks:

In related news, Venezuela’s main opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, has vowed to return home quickly, praising US president Donald Trump for toppling her enemy, president Nicolas Maduro, and declaring her movement ready to win a free election. The 58-year-old lawyer escaped from her country in October to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, which she dedicated to Trump. She told Fox News her party will win over 90-percent of the votes in free and fair elections. Trump earlier said the US needs to address Venezuela’s problems before new elections.

# The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has confirmed that on 1 February it will issue an upfront payment covering the full book allowance and one month of meal, accommodation, personal care and travel allowances. Universities will be responsible for correct disbursement to eligible students. Meanwhile, NSFAS acting board chairperson Mugwena Maluleke has urged universities to submit accurate information of students as soon as possible, as the registration upload portal is open:

# Tennis: Former world number one Venus Williams lost in the first round of the Auckland Open’s singles competition in New Zealand after also failing to advance in the doubles. The 45-year-old American lost her singles match to Poland’s Magda Linette in three sets after she and Ukrainian Elina Svitolina was also ousted early in the doubles. Williams wanted to use the tournament as preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne. She will participate in the tournament for the first time in five years after receiving a wildcard.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-39-cents and the euro at 19-rand-19-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-15-cents and Bitcoin trades at 93-thousand-799-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-466-dollars-42-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 61-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….