Good News 14:00

BULLETIN 12 January 2 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Good News:

# An unprecedented six countries are tied in the top spot for the hottest travel documents for 2024, with all of them granting visa-free travel to 194 out of 227 destinations. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain top the Henley Passport Index. South Korea, Finland and Sweden are tied for second place with visa-free access to 193 destinations. Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands and Austria came in third. Henley and Partners chairperson, Christian H. Kaelin, says the general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom.

# Auction house Sotheby’s and the Council of Fashion Designers of America have partnered on an exclusive auction, to offer looks featuring iconic designs and rare pieces donated by council members and collectors of American fashion. The Defining American Style auction includes work by 37 brands and members, which have been donated by the designers themselves. Outfits worn by the likes of Anna Wintour, Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez will be up for auction later this month. All proceeds of the sale will go to the council’s foundation.

# A total of 619 beneficiaries of government-subsidised homes have received their long-awaited title deeds in Tekwane South in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. The beneficiaries include 74-year-old Nana Santumela. Human Settlements minister Mmamoloko Kubayi handed over the title deeds yesterday. The ministry’s spokesperson, Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota, says the issuing of title deeds is one of the government priorities to restore full property of ownership and bestowing security of tenure:

# The City of Ekurhuleni is calling on the youth, and unemployed residents to take advantage of a series of free online courses, tailored to expand one’s knowledge on entrepreneurship and business ventures. The course will be offered as a two-part series, with the first segment being discovering entrepreneurship and creating compelling reports, and the second part deals with launching a business venture and engaging stakeholders for success. The city’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, says applications will be closed on the 26th of this month:

# And finally: Barbie leads the film nominations for the People’s Choice Awards with nine including Movie of the Year. Oppenheimer has six nominations. In the TV categories, Only Murders in the Building leads with seven nods, followed by Ted Lasso, The Morning Show and The Last of Us with six. In the music categories, Taylor Swift, Luke Combs, Nicki Minaj, and Morgan Wallen have received five nominations. Actor Simu Liu will host the award show at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on the 18th of next month.

Stay tuned for more news………….