News 06:00

BULLETIN 20 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Rampahosa is leading the South African delegation to the World Economic Forum
# Israeli hostages are released as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire in Gaza
# And rugby: The Sharks are out of the Champions Cup

# President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland this week. The meeting will be held under the theme, Collaboration in the Intelligent Age. South Africa takes its spot at the forum bearing the Presidency of the Group of 20. Ramaphosa is scheduled to address the meeting on Tuesday, where he is set to push Africa’s agenda of debt relief for developing countries ahead of the country hosting the G20 leaders’ summit later this year. 

# The Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority has launched investigations into allegations of some security providers who are engaging in criminal activities across the country. Spokesperson Azwifaneli Tshisikamulilo says two incidents were reported in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal of security providers involved in extortion activities and other companies are practicing that nationwide. He says PSiRA is conducting compliance audits on all implicated security service providers:

# Gauteng police provincial commissioner, Tommy Mthombeni has condemned and denounced acts or reporting false cases of kidnapping in Soshanguve, Tshwane. Police spokesperson, Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi says last week, three people were arrested in Soshanguve after they staged the kidnapping to rob a fourth victim, who is an aunt to one of the suspects, and opened a false kidnapping case. She says three suspects are expected to appear before the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court today for alleged perjury, theft of cash, and extortion:

# The long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas got underway in Gaza on Sunday, with three female Israeli hostages handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross. They are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. Hamas says for every hostage released, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails. The initial phase of the ceasefire will last six weeks, and involves a limited prisoner exchange, the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops in Gaza, and a surge of aid into the enclave.

# Rugby: Bordeaux Bégles thrashed the Sharks 66-12 in their final Champions Cup pool game in France. The Sharks raced into a 12-point lead before the home side fought back to hold a 19-12 advantage at half-time. Damian Penaud scored a tournament-record six tries as a blistering second-half display helped Bordeaux secure the top spot in Pool 1 and home advantage in the round of 16 in April. No South African team will play in the Champions Cup last 16 as the Stormers and Bulls are also out.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-72-cents and the euro at 19-rand-22-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-75-cents and Bitcoin trades at 100-thousand-131-dollar-50-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-694-dollars-52-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 80-dollars-8-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The City of Cape Town says pop sensation Robbie Williams, world-renowned rock band Green Day, and a stellar line-up of local artists will take to the stage for two days of electrifying music. The metro is thrilled to support the second edition of Calabash South Africa on Wednesday and Thursday at Cape Town Stadium. With an impressive track record including a staggering 80-million album sales worldwide, and an incredible 14 number-one singles, the sensational Williams kicks off day one. MEC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, explains what music fans can expect:

Stay tuned for more news………….