News 06:00

BULLETIN 21 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# President Trump says it is the dawn of a golden age for America
# The ANC is worried about the potential liquidation of Ithala Bank
# And a suspected poacher was killed by a hippo in the Kruger National Park

# US president Donald Trump has declared that the golden age of America has begun, saying he returns to the presidency confident and optimistic that they are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success. He was sworn in as the 47th US president in Washington on Monday. In his inaugural speech, Trump said he hopes that the recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of America:

Trump also criticised his predecessor Joe Biden for failing to manage border security and other crises on his watch. He was sworn in after completing perhaps the most remarkable political comeback in American history. In his speech, Trump said the Biden administration gave unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders but refused to defend American borders:

# The ANC has expressed concern over the potential liquidation of Ithala Bank, warning that it could threaten over 400 jobs and disrupt financial services for rural communities, small businesses, and churches in KwaZulu-Natal. During the national executive committee meeting in Boksburg over the weekend, the party reaffirmed its commitment to financial inclusion and economic justice. ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula urged the government to expedite efforts to safeguard the bank and protect workers:

# Lobby group Sakeliga has filed a lawsuit in the High Court in Pretoria against the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority and government departments for requiring estate agents to have BEE-compliant fidelity fund certificates. Sakeliga argues BEE compliance is irrelevant to the ethical handling of client funds, calling the certificate a political tool. The authority warned in April that non-compliance risks certificate renewals. Sakeliga labels this move a control tactic over economic access.

# The Kruger National Park has reported that a suspected poacher’s body has been found on a tourist road in the Pretoriuskop section. Initial reports suggest three individuals entered the park illegally on Sunday night, intending to poach, but were attacked by a hippo. One suspect was fatally injured, and his body later abandoned by the others. In a statement, the park’s management says a tourist discovered the body and alerted authorities. It warns against illegal entry due to wildlife dangers and legal consequences.

# Tennis: The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed it won’t appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s decision in the doping case of Polish player Iga Swiatek. Last year she served a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. Wada says a thorough review found the player’s explanation which the integrity agency accepted, was plausible. Wada earlier decided to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a similar case against the men’s world number one, Jannik Sinner of Italy.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-51-cents and the euro at 19-rand-28-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-85-cents and Bitcoin trades at 102-thousand-52-dollar-40-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-708-dollars-72-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-88-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….