News 15:00

BULLETIN 8 January 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC reaffirms its commitment to the historic alliance with the SACP
# Volvo recalls EX30 electric cars in South Africa over a battery fire risk
# And Rubio will meet Danish leaders about Greenland next week

# ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has confirmed the SACP remains part of the ANC agenda. Speaking on the sidelines of the party’s 114th birthday celebrations in Phela, North West, Mokonyane said the ANC remains committed to the historic alliance despite the SACP contesting the local government elections separately. She stresses that unity is vital as the ANC faces challenges, adding that communists have traditionally helped guide and rebuild the movement:

# Volvo Cars South Africa has recalled 372 EX30 electric vehicles sold in Gauteng after identifying a potential high-voltage battery fault. The National Consumer Commission warns this could cause overheating during charging and pose a fire risk. The recall affects certain EX30 Single Motor Extended Range and Twin Motor Performance models from 2024 to this year. Owners are urged to visit their nearest Volvo dealership for a free inspection and repair, and to keep battery charge levels below 70-percent until the issue is resolved.

# The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment says the mass fish deaths in the Hartenbos Estuary in the Western Cape are not linked to red tide or a sewerage spill. The deaths were likely caused by dirty water, low freshwater flow, and harmful algal blooms, which reduce oxygen in the water. The department’s Thobile Zulu-Molobi warned the public not to touch or eat any washed-up fish, as they may pose serious health risks.

Moving abroad:

# US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet the leaders of Denmark next week, but signalled no retreat from president Donald Trump’s aim to take over Greenland. He told reporters Trump retains the option to address his objective by military means. Greenland is strategically located between Europe and North America, making it a critical site for the US ballistic missile defence system for decades. The White House stated that Trump was discussing all options for acquiring Greenland, despite European objections.

# Soccer: Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has admitted disappointment following the team’s round-of-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. He notes the high expectation after winning bronze previously, but says the competition was tougher this time. Broos confirmed the focus now shifts to this year’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-46-cents and the euro at 19-rand-23-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-14-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-12-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-428-dollars-57-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-46-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….