NEWSFLASH NEWS AGENCY 2 January 9 am

Good morning,

In this bulletin:

# A building is on fire in Parliament Avenue in Cape Town
# Covid-19 restrictions could hamper Wales’ defence of its Six Nations rugby title
# And, Gauteng Health has welcomed 150 babies born in the new year

# Cape Town firefighters are battling a blaze in a building in Parliament Avenue. Councillor JP Smith says six firefighting vehicles and approximately 36 firefighters are on the scene. The fire is burning on the third floor, with initial reports indicating it started in the office space and is spreading toward the gymnasium. The roof area has caught alight and the National Assembly building is on fire too. Smith says the fire has not been contained and reports of cracks in some walls of the building have been confirmed:

Play sound: ENG JP-Smith

Staying in the Mother City: The National Sea Rescue Institute says a ten-year-old girl drowned at the Strand near Cape Town early yesterday morning. In a separate incident, a man in his 50s was spotted having difficulties in the tidal pool on the Promenade in Sea Point. NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says the girl was swimming with her two siblings when she encountered difficulties in the water and disappeared beneath the waves:

Play sound: ENG TwoDrown

# At least twelve people have died in a stampede on New Year’s Eve in Indian-administered Kashmir. The incident is said to have occurred at a religious shrine that had tens of thousands of people in attendance. Footage circulating on social media showed terrified pilgrims attempting to escape the crowd. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences.

# Rugby: Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is worried about the negative effect playing behind closed doors could have on the success of his country’s defence of their Six Nations title. Their first home Test is against Scotland in Cardiff on 12 February, but under Covid-19 restrictions imposed by Wales’ government, only 50 spectators are allowed to watch outdoor events. Wales’ first minister, Mark Drakeford, refuses to give assurances that spectators will be allowed to return in time for the Six Nations as case numbers for the Omicron Covid-19 variant continue to rise.

# And on a happy note: Gauteng public healthcare facilities delivered 150 babies on New Year’s Day. Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi visited Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in Johannesburg to welcome the new arrivals. Department spokesperson Kwara Kekana says Mokgethi celebrated with the parents by presenting them with gifts:

Play sound: ENG NewYearBabies

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