News 08:00

BULLETIN 18 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Presidential Economic Advisory Council notes the progress made in advancing economic reform
# The GOOD Party is calling on Prasa and the Transport Department to get their priorities right
# And, disaster teams in KwaZulu-Natal are on high alert amid adverse weather conditions

# The Presidential Economic Advisory Council says significant challenges remain despite the progress made in putting in place fiscally, socially, and environmentally sound economic policies. President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired a meeting of the council yesterday, where current economic developments and measures to support economic growth and job creation were discussed. The council members commended progress in advancing economic reform, including in the energy, transport, and telecommunications sectors. The presidency says analysis and recommendations provided by the council continue to play a key role in informing government policymaking.

# The GOOD Party says the quiet cancellation of the long-distance passenger rail service between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and the reduction of the service to once-a-month between Durban and Johannesburg, should serve as a wake-up call. The service was suspended last month due to the unavailability of reliable locomotives. GOOD’s secretary-general, Brett Herron, says Prasa and the Department of Transport need to get their priorities right, as a reliable and safe commuter rail service is the backbone of any country’s public transport network:

# KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has commended the coordinated efforts by disaster and rapid response teams as adverse weather conditions persist. The death toll from floods in the province has risen to 13, and roads, electricity, and other key infrastructure have been destroyed. Provincial government’s spokesperson, Bongi Gwala, says 59 schools have been damaged by the floods of which 28 are from the uMkhanyakude Municipality alone:

# Russia and Niger have agreed to enhance military cooperation. Russian deputy Defence ministers Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Alexander Fomin met with Niger’s junta-appointed Defence minister, Salifu Modi, recognising the importance of strengthening defence relations. The Russian Defence ministry aims to intensify joint actions to stabilise the region, though specific plans remain undisclosed. With Niger’s military council in power since July last year, concerns rise as it distances from Western allies, potentially becoming a new Russian foothold.

# Golf: Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy says he fancies his chances at the Dubai Desert Classic, which begins today, after his second-place finish at the Dubai Invitational last week. The world number two was on course for victory at the Dubai Invitational last week, before his final-hole bogey and back-to-back birdies for Tommy Fleetwood saw the Englishman win instead. McIlroy, who is aiming for a fourth Dubai Desert Classic trophy, says there are a few things he can improve on from last week:

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-1-cent and the euro at 20-rand-72-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-13-cents and Bitcoin trades at 42-thousand-575-dollars-7-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-and-7-dollars-3-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 78-dollars-3-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….