News 12:00

BULLETIN 9 January 12 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Naval drills with China, Iran and Russia begin in Cape Town
# Trump will meet Venezuela’s opposition leader next week
# And rugby: The Champions Cup resumes this weekend

# Chinese and Iranian warships docked in the Simon’s Town Naval Base in Cape Town begin their week-long ‘Will for Peace’ exercises with South Africa today. The drills, expected to also involve Russia, form part of BRICS Plus cooperation and focus on maritime security and shipping safety. The exercises risk straining ties with the US, which has criticised South Africa’s relations with Russia and its foreign policy positions. The DA has since criticised the government, demanding transparency on costs, command structures, and diplomatic implications.

# The Western Cape government has spent 15-million-rand on aerial firefighting as the province faces an intense fire season. So far, 38 aerial missions have been carried out, an estimated 90-thousand hectares have been burnt with 45 structures destroyed, but with no fatalities reported. Water shortages are also a concern in Langeberg, Knysna, and Bitou. Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning MEC Anton Bredell warns the hot and dry conditions may extend the fire season beyond March.

Meanwhile, the Cape Winelands District municipality says the Langrug, Franschhoek, fire remains out of control, with an aerial survey planned to guide operations. Spokesperson Anesca Roodt says the Stormsvlei fire continues, with two new ground teams deployed. She adds the De Wet Cellar fire near Worcester has been contained, with no damage or injuries reported. Roodt says active firefighting and mitigation efforts continue:

Moving abroad:

# US president Donald Trump plans to meet Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado next week. It comes after his administration captured the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, last weekend. Trump previously dismissed the idea of working with the Nobel Peace Price winner, saying she doesn’t have the support. He told Fox News it will take time for the South American country to get to a place where it can hold elections:

# Rugby: The Champions Cup resumes this weekend, with the Bulls, the Sharks and the Stormers representing South African interests. The Bulls take on Bristol Bears at home at Loftus tomorrow afternoon, while the Sharks and the Stormers are playing in Europe. The Sharks face Sale Sharks in England tomorrow night, while the Stormers will compete with Harlequins in London on Sunday. The Stormers lead Pool 3 at the moment, while the Bulls and the Sharks lie in fifth positions in Pools 4 and 1, respectively.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-53-cents and the euro at 19-rand-25-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-20-cents and Bitcoin trades at 90-thousand-627-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-473-dollars-32-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 62-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….