News 07:00

BULLETIN 19 December 7 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The US threatens South Africa over the alleged arrest of officials
# The Ministry of Human Settlements raises alarm over fake housing offers
# And, widespread showers and storm warnings are issued for the weekend

# The US government has accused South African authorities of detaining American officials performing their duties to provide humanitarian support to Afrikaners. It says this could only be seen as an attempt to intimidate its personnel. A raid at a refugee processing centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday led to the arrest of seven Kenyan nationals, who did not have the requisite documentation. They were working on behalf of the US, processing Afrikaner refugee applications. The Home Affairs Department stressed that no US officials were arrested. The US has threatened severe consequences.

# Global coal demand is expected to rise by 0.5-percent in 2025 to a record 8.85-billion tonnes. However, according to the International Energy Agency’s Coal 2025 report, it forecasts a decline by 2030 as renewables, nuclear power and liquified natural gas expand. Industrial coal use remains resilient, with India and Southeast Asia driving growth. In South Africa, output is set to decline slightly by the end of the decade despite improved rail performance boosting export capacity.

# The Ministry of Human Settlements has urged the public to remain vigilant following an increase in housing scams. The criminals are reportedly using online platforms to mislead people with false promises of housing opportunities. Ministry spokesperson Tsekiso Machike warns that government officials will never ask for payment to provide houses to qualifying beneficiaries:

# Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says his country needs money to prevent Russia from using its frozen assets as leverage in the ongoing war. The European Union is on the precipice of a momentous decision on whether to use frozen Russian assets to finance more support for Ukraine. Most of Russia’s assets in the EU are held by the Belgium-based organisation Euroclear. Zelensky warns that Ukraine would need to cut its drone production if it doesn’t receive more money by early next year.

# Golf: South Africa’s Casey Jarvis and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson are at the top of the leaderboard of the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open at the La Réserve Golf Links. The duo shared clubhouse lead with rounds of five-under-par 67 in the first round, which was not completed because of darkness. They are one stroke clear of six players. Last week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship, Jayden Schaper, who shot a round of three-under 69, says the first day was difficult:

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-74-cents and the euro at 19-rand-62-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-39-cents and Bitcoin trades at 85-thousand-179-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-313-dollars-68-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-29-cents a barrel.

# And finally: The South African Weather Service has warned of widespread showers and severe thunderstorms from today into the weekend, mainly over eastern and central parts. A Yellow Level 4 warning is in place for Gauteng and southwestern Mpumalanga, with risks of heavy downpours, localised flooding, hail, and lightning. KwaZulu-Natal faces up to an 80-percent chance of rain. SAWS meteorologist Lehlohonolo Thobela says fine, hot conditions will persist in the western interior.

Stay tuned for more news………….