News 06:00

BULLETIN 12 January 6 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Palestinian assistant minister of Foreign Affairs commends South Africa’s actions at the International Court of Justice
# Israel dismisses South Africa’s arguments and labels its lawyers as Hamas’ representatives
# And, minister Godongwana says government is committed to resolving the energy and logistics crisis

# The Palestinian assistant minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Relations, Ammar Hijazi, has expressed gratitude for South Africa’s actions at the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands. The United Nation’s top court began hearings into South Africa’s genocide allegation against Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas, a claim vehemently denied by Israel. Hijazi deems the court case a pivotal moment for the international system and thanks those supporting South Africa’s application:

Meanwhile Israel has dismissed South Africa’s genocide case against the country, calling it baseless and accusing the government of providing cover for the terrorist organisation Hamas. Israel’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Lior Haiat, labels the case as one of the greatest shows of hypocrisy, referring to South Africa’s legal counsel as Hamas’ representatives in the court. He claims they ignored the 7 October atrocities by Hamas. Israel will present its oral arguments today.

# Finance minister Enoch Godongwana says government remains steadfast in carrying out structural reforms to support and accelerate economic recovery. The minister is preparing to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, next week. Godongwana says fiscal consolidation is needed to tackle soaring debt levels, while monetary policy should stay the course to bring inflation to target. He adds that government also remains resolved to deal with the energy and logistics challenges that are adversely impacting the economy.

# Repairs to Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg are estimated to be completed by the 15th of December following the devastating gas explosion last year. A contractor has been appointed to excavate and remove the rubble and damaged infrastructure, demolish and remove the service tunnels and construct and replace the tunnels and infrastructure. Johannesburg City manager, Floyd Brink, says the project to rehabilitate Lilian Ngoyi Street will cost about 196-million-rand, including construction costs and other fees:

# Rugby: Champions Cup action returns this weekend, and the Bulls will take on the Bristol Bears in the English city tomorrow while the Stormers will be at home in Cape Town to England’s Sale Sharks. Next weekend, the Bulls will be back home in Pretoria against Bordeaux-Begles and the Stormers will play Stade Francais in Paris. The Bulls are currently third in Pool One after winning one of their previous games and losing one. The Stormers are fourth in Pool four, also with one victory and one loss.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-62-cents and the euro at 20-rand-44-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-79-cents and Bitcoin trades at 45-thousand-954-dollars-40-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-31-dollars-88-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-92-cents a barrel.

# And finally, 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.

Stay tuned for more news………….