News 08:00

BULLETIN 23 January 8 am

Good morning. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Business Leadership SA says the country has a unique role in the climate change debate
# RISE Mzansi says government must commit to making it possible for people to own a decent home
# And, America and Brittain carry out fresh airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

# Business Leadership South Africa says the country’s infrastructure needs, including electricity, water, and logistics, are clear opportunities for global investors to back the fight against climate change. In her weekly newsletter, CEO Busisiwe Mavuso, says the rapid pace at which South Africa is building renewable energy projects, driven by private sector investment, is viewed as positive in the global context. She says the country has a unique role in the climate change debate, as it is a carbon-intensive economy, which is an opportunity amid a global context hampered by risks.

# RISE Mzansi says South Africa has been broken so much that it will take a very long time to fix most of the things that are not working. The party launched its election manifesto over the weekend. Spokesperson, Mabina Seabe, says the government must commit to making it possible for as many people as possible to own a decent home. He says. Some people will need fully funded state housing, others will get land to build their own home, and some may want some help with their home loan, or with building materials:

# The Cape Winelands District Municipality’s Fire Services is struggling to contain a fire in Kluitjieskraal near Wolseley, which started yesterday. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, says last night’s conditions were exacerbated by very strong winds, dense smoke, and uneven terrain. She says activities were further hampered as many of the mountain and small service trails, were damaged by the heavy rains of last year and are thus difficult or impossible to negotiate, especially in the dark. She says the fire is currently moving toward the Voëlvlei dam:

# The US and UK have carried out joint fresh new airstrikes against Iran-backed militant group Houthi targets in Yemen. Yesterday’s strikes targeted a Houthi underground storage site and sites associated with the group’s missile and air surveillance. The Pentagon says the latest strikes were successful and destroyed missiles, weapons storage sites, and drone systems. A joint statement by the US and UK states that their aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but they will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce.

# Rugby: French Top 14 side Racing 92 has confirmed the signing of England and Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell on a two-year contract from the end of the 2023/2024 season. The 32-year-old is currently taking a break from Test rugby for mental health reasons. Farrell has won 112 caps for England and has played for Saracens his whole career, having made his debut at age 17. Farrell’s decision to move to France means he will not be able to play for England under current Rugby Football Union regulations.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 19-rand-14-cents and the euro at 20-rand-86-cents. One British pound costs 24-rand-37-cents and Bitcoin trades at 39-thousand-952-dollars-24-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-24-dollars-2-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 79-dollars-91-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….