News 16:00

BULLETIN 8 January 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The ANC reaffirms its commitment to the historic alliance with the SACP
# The ‘Cape Doctor’ causes the worst export delays in years
# And cricket: Dale Steyn says the Proteas squad for the T20 World Cup lacks experience in key areas

# ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has confirmed the SACP remains part of the party’s 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 unity is vital as the ANC faces challenges, adding that communists have traditionally helped guide and rebuild the movement:

# The City of Cape Town has warned that strong southeasterly winds at the port of Cape Town have caused major export delays. The Cape Doctor has led to hundreds of operational hours lost during this peak season, affecting fruit and other shipments hardest. It has disrupted crane operations and vessel loading, forcing some exporters to divert cargo to alternative ports. Industry sources say this marks some of the worst wind-related delays in years, squeezing supply chains and raising logistics costs.

# Five suspects were shot and killed in a shootout with police at Bester Area 10 in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, this morning. Police spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda says the suspects were wanted for murder, attempted murder, including attempted murder on police officials, and house robberies. He says the suspects have caused havoc in Inanda and the surrounding areas:

Moving abroad:

# President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from dozens of international and United Nations entities, saying they operate contrary to US national interests. Among the 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN groups is the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. America will also quit UN Women, which works for gender equality and the empowerment of women, and the UN Population Fund, which focuses on family planning and maternal and child health in over 150 countries. Trump has already largely slashed voluntary funding to most UN agencies.

# Cricket: Former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn believes South Africa’s squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka lacks experience in key areas. He questioned several decisions, particularly Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton’s omissions and the inclusion of inexperienced players such as Jason Smith and Kwena Maphaka. Steyn says experience of major tournaments are non-negotiable in World Cups. The Proteas play New Zealand, Afghanistan, Canada and the United Arab Emirates in their group matches. The tournament starts on 7 February.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-50-cents and the euro at 19-rand-26-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-18-cents and Bitcoin trades at 89-thousand-840-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-413-dollars-86-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 60-dollars-61-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….