News 07:00

BULLETIN 16 January 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Israel and Hamas will start with a temporary ceasefire on Sunday
# President Ramaphosa says the Presidential Economic Advisory Council is important
# And the DA accuses minister Motsoaledi of prioritising NHI over doctor unemployment

# Israel and Hamas have reached a temporary ceasefire deal to end a 15-month-long war, which will come into effect on Sunday. Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of the deal. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be released from Israeli jails at the same time. US President Joe Biden says talks will go beyond the temporary ceasefire to phase two of the deal that could include a permanent end of the war:

# President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government of national unity looks to reignite economic growth and tackle poverty and inequality. Earlier this week, he chaired the first meeting of the newly appointed Presidential Economic Advisory Council for the seventh administration. The Presidency says the meeting reaffirmed the necessity of structural transformation and economic reforms to accelerate economic growth. Ramaphosa says the council will play an important role in providing independent advice as the government seeks to ensure that economic policies are informed by sound evidence.

# The DA has called on Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi to focus on fixing basic healthcare challenges before advancing the National Health Insurance. The party argues the Department of Health’s allocation of 1.4-billion-rand to the NHI last year achieved little, meeting only 50-percent of its targets. The DA’s Michele Clarke says the two-thousand vacant positions in public hospitals are deteriorating the quality of healthcare:

# The Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the Prudential Authority have launched a review of South Africa’s funeral insurance regulatory framework. This comes in response to concerns raised by funeral parlours and industry representatives about market dynamics and regulatory challenges. The project aims to ensure proportional and inclusive regulations while safeguarding vulnerable communities. Stakeholders are invited to participate in workshops to help shape a balanced approach to the future of funeral insurance regulation.

# The Azanian People’s Organisation says the eviction of Khoisan protestors from the Union Buildings in Pretoria, highlights the government’s disregard for indigenous struggles. They call for unity among black communities, rejecting colonial narratives that divide and erase Khoisan identity. AZAPO’s Jabu Rakwena supports the Khoisan people’s demands for land repossession, cultural recognition, and the development of their language, as well as the return of ancestral remains taken during colonisation:

# Rugby: Prop Jack Boyle is the only uncapped player named in Ireland’s 36-man squad for the Six Nations. The 22-year-old replaces the suspended Tom O’Toole, who received a six-game ban following his red card against Munster, ruling him out of his country’s first two matches. Wing James Lowe and hooker Dan Sheehan have been selected subject to their successful return from injury. Versatile back Jimmy O’Brien and back-rower Jack Conan also return after injuries. Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign against England on the first of February.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-77-cents and the euro at 19-rand-32-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-95-cents and Bitcoin trades at 99-thousand-993-dollar-70-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-696-dollars-36-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 82-dollars-10-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….